My 2008 535i Sport has 70k miles (out of warranty) but the car has been flawless. Lately I've been wanting more power so I went in for a Dinan Stage II Chip and wrote the Dinan Authorized BMW Dealership a check for $2,242. A mile or so from the shop the engine light went on. I went back in, spent another few hours waiting and they said, "You are fine, it will just reset and it there will be no problem." I drove home that night with the light on again and back in I went the next morning (yes, third time). They kept it all morning, gave me the keys and said you are now fine. A block from the shop the light goes back on so I call from the car and I start hearing strange words coming from the dealer like "It's got nothing to do with anything that we have done, and NOTHING to do with Dinan, NOTHING." Capitals included for emphasis on what sounded like a "You have to read this legal script to the client or we will have to fix his car" line of reason.

This weekend I started reading the issues that are normally associated with the Dinan chip on the Dinan website. Dinan states in relevant part "Car runs hot, needs bigger oil cooler $2,000, turbo is stressed by increasing boost causing pre-mature failure, larger turbo needed to sustain the added the pressure, intercooler not as efficient as needed..." I think we are talking several thousands of dollars more so no wonder the legal script.

Late on Friday I was back in saying, "Look, just undo the Dinan, fix the car, and we'll just call it a bad day." They asked me come back in (for the sixth time) on Tuesday and since the engine light is still on, what choice do I have?

I really like my dealership. I am a repeat "all fives" service customer, have purchased two cars from them and referred several others. My letters to the owner/manager are glowing.

Do I have any rights? Will they make me whole or stick me with the bill for these "Nothings?"

Need wisdom fast,


535i

 

Keeping a BMW out of warranty is a risky business. In many cases even when a car is covered by the MF warranty dealers aren't capable of fixing it if anything goes wrong. 2 years and no more than 30K miles is a safe period, after that you are on your own.
In your case I would undo Dinan and if the problem goes away ask Dinan for the money back.

 

I would reflash to stock and see what happens....any other symptoms outside of the engine light....


Have you read thru Dinan's Warranty, post factory warranty?

http://www.dinancars.com/bmw/warranty

 

Sorry to hear about the problem.

Just a stupid question - you don't have to answer, but how do you get 70k miles on an 08 car?!

 

I did the math and if he got the car in November of 2007, which is possible, he would still have to drive about 127 a day. Every single day.

 

OP didn't state where he lives, but myself living in AZ, driving 127miles a day every day is very easy. Everything is so far away.
In fact, I am surprised how most people drive so few miles. Anyway, enough of off topic

 

HPFP? They tend to creep up after Dinan flashes.
E90post.com Turbo section read up. Lots of Info there over the issues with the stage II Flashes.

 

if it's that, will dinan pick up the bill or bmw?

 

Thanks for the link to the warranty, very impressive. I think I'm dealing with a classy company, and will probably come out whole.

Miles: I took delivery of my 2008 535i in April of 07. My job requires me to cover my entire state and I really love to drive so those are generally enjoyable miles.