Dinan Software 535is, First Impressions
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
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From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Got the car back about an hour ago. First the Active steering problem I was having was terminal, they replaced a bunch of things. This delayed getting my car back sooner as well. The steering was never right from the start and now feels like my previous 545is, which is good.
The sensation of the stock 535 is deceptively fast. Not a lot of noise, power is never peaky and it just pulls in a linear fashion from all engine speeds. There are roads where I was able to floor my previous 545 in a S-turn where the same amount of throttle breaks lose the rear tires in the stock 535i.
Now about Dinan- I would advise not to get this upgrade unless you are seriously into increased performance, because it transforms the car into a more single purpose vehicle(more sport car, less 4dr sedan). The increased power is felt immediately at low revs and the difference is huge, the acceleration as the revs build is ferocious. The car is much more responsive and feels a little darty because of the power.
I can now hear the quiet spool of the turbos, which I love, but some may not like. The engine note is stronger and am assuming that the reprogram keeps the inner rear exhaust pipe open, where before it only opened during high load conditions, but I could not confirm this on the Dinan website.
The engine is very smooth and operates glitch-free, just like when stock. It was $1900, out the door, and well worth the money.
I will play more tomorrow on the way to work, looking forward to breaking the 155mph barrier now that the speed limiter is programmed away. I will post impressions as I get them.
The sensation of the stock 535 is deceptively fast. Not a lot of noise, power is never peaky and it just pulls in a linear fashion from all engine speeds. There are roads where I was able to floor my previous 545 in a S-turn where the same amount of throttle breaks lose the rear tires in the stock 535i.
Now about Dinan- I would advise not to get this upgrade unless you are seriously into increased performance, because it transforms the car into a more single purpose vehicle(more sport car, less 4dr sedan). The increased power is felt immediately at low revs and the difference is huge, the acceleration as the revs build is ferocious. The car is much more responsive and feels a little darty because of the power.
I can now hear the quiet spool of the turbos, which I love, but some may not like. The engine note is stronger and am assuming that the reprogram keeps the inner rear exhaust pipe open, where before it only opened during high load conditions, but I could not confirm this on the Dinan website.
The engine is very smooth and operates glitch-free, just like when stock. It was $1900, out the door, and well worth the money.
I will play more tomorrow on the way to work, looking forward to breaking the 155mph barrier now that the speed limiter is programmed away. I will post impressions as I get them.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Mount Laurel, NJ
Originally Posted by pennetta' post='521987' date='Jan 23 2008, 06:19 PM
Got the car back about an hour ago. First the Active steering problem I was having was terminal, they replaced a bunch of things. This delayed getting my car back sooner as well. The steering was never right from the start and now feels like my previous 545is, which is good.
The sensation of the stock 535 is deceptively fast. Not a lot of noise, power is never peaky and it just pulls in a linear fashion from all engine speeds. There are roads where I was able to floor my previous 545 in a S-turn where the same amount of throttle breaks lose the rear tires in the stock 535i.
Now about Dinan- I would advise not to get this upgrade unless you are seriously into increased performance, because it transforms the car into a more single purpose vehicle(more sport car, less 4dr sedan). The increased power is felt immediately at low revs and the difference is huge, the acceleration as the revs build is ferocious. The car is much more responsive and feels a little darty because of the power.
I can now hear the quiet spool of the turbos, which I love, but some may not like. The engine note is stronger and am assuming that the reprogram keeps the inner rear exhaust pipe open, where before it only opened during high load conditions, but I could not confirm this on the Dinan website.
The engine is very smooth and operates glitch-free, just like when stock. It was $1900, out the door, and well worth the money.
I will play more tomorrow on the way to work, looking forward to breaking the 155mph barrier now that the speed limiter is programmed away. I will post impressions as I get them.
The sensation of the stock 535 is deceptively fast. Not a lot of noise, power is never peaky and it just pulls in a linear fashion from all engine speeds. There are roads where I was able to floor my previous 545 in a S-turn where the same amount of throttle breaks lose the rear tires in the stock 535i.
Now about Dinan- I would advise not to get this upgrade unless you are seriously into increased performance, because it transforms the car into a more single purpose vehicle(more sport car, less 4dr sedan). The increased power is felt immediately at low revs and the difference is huge, the acceleration as the revs build is ferocious. The car is much more responsive and feels a little darty because of the power.
I can now hear the quiet spool of the turbos, which I love, but some may not like. The engine note is stronger and am assuming that the reprogram keeps the inner rear exhaust pipe open, where before it only opened during high load conditions, but I could not confirm this on the Dinan website.
The engine is very smooth and operates glitch-free, just like when stock. It was $1900, out the door, and well worth the money.
I will play more tomorrow on the way to work, looking forward to breaking the 155mph barrier now that the speed limiter is programmed away. I will post impressions as I get them.
Nice write up. I am looking forward to your impressions after a couple of weeks of driving your "new" car. Keep us posted.
Thanks.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by flipside' post='522026' date='Jan 23 2008, 07:41 PM
1) What's a 2008 535is Just a 535i with the sport package?
2) where did you get it done
2) where did you get it done
2) Habberstad BMW, Huntington Station, NY
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From: Vancouver, BC , Canada
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Looking forward to your reviews as you get more familiar with the mod.................. then..........................the race !!! this time don't tell us anything until it's over.........OK , now promise ! 
Good for you P have fun !
Good for you P have fun !
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Salem, NH USA
Interesting - thanks for the info. Looking forward to more.
Before the upgrade, had you noticed a laggy throttle from a dead stop, and if so, is it totally gone now? Is the throttle more (or too) "twitchy"? Is the car still drivable as a "drive around town running errands" car, with the power available if desired? *fingers crossed*
Are you thinking about getting their oil cooler as well? I know the 335 needs it, but I'm hoping that the stock 535 cooler is acceptable.
Before the upgrade, had you noticed a laggy throttle from a dead stop, and if so, is it totally gone now? Is the throttle more (or too) "twitchy"? Is the car still drivable as a "drive around town running errands" car, with the power available if desired? *fingers crossed*
Are you thinking about getting their oil cooler as well? I know the 335 needs it, but I'm hoping that the stock 535 cooler is acceptable.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,921
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From: South Florida
My Ride: 2008 535i w/ Sports & Permium Pkg. Silv/Blk
2008 VW R32 w/Nav.
1992 VW Corrado Silv/Blk-retired
2001 530i Sports/Premium-retired
Originally Posted by pennetta' post='521987' date='Jan 23 2008, 06:19 PM
.......looking forward to breaking the 155mph barrier now that the speed limiter is programmed away. I will post impressions as I get them.
Sometime we should meet up I would love to go for a ride in that beast. 
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 317
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From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 550i, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Nav, Jet Black, natural brown interior, automatic, Logic 7, ipod, lane departure warning.
Originally Posted by MiamiPhill' post='522077' date='Jan 23 2008, 09:37 PM
Pennetta nice write up but can we hold off on the 155mph thing until spring.
...0-100 is where all the fun is, and blowing past old farts on the LIE. Nice update...keep em coming. Def should meet up. Is there a LI e60 club?