E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods Discussion about both stock and aftermarket parts for the E60. Accessories and modifications too!

Just got Dinan Stage II installed

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Old May 1, 2009 | 06:53 PM
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Hey Guys,

So after much research, I went to Bud's BMW and got the Stage II installed on my 535xiT. The power difference is very real, and you can feel every extra torque. The coolest thing about the upgrade is that the car feels completely stock, yet more powerful. There are no surges, no jerks, there is a tad more lag (although I think the lag was always there, just now you have more power to wait for), and it pulls like a train (literally).

I have also noticed that torque is greatly improved in the lower RPM range. from 1,500rpm you can really feel the car pulling a lot harder. Throttle response is more sensitive though; you need 10-15% throttle to get 60% power ... on the highway, you really have to watch where your foot is. When I stomp on the throttle from 2,000rpm, the torque is ubelievable, it pulls the car very hard up until ~4,000rpm very hard. After 4,000rpm (like Dinan advertised) the boost is tapered, and the car settles into its "stock" way (or maybe a little faster) of picking up speed up to the redline. What I've noticed is that there is no longer need to go beyond 6,000rpm because its sorta "dies off" or maybe it just pulls harder mid-range now, so it seems this way.

Again, the drivability is completely stock, even better now, because the car has so much torque on tap without having to hammer the throttle. No noises, vibrations, or anything like that. All my friends who have driven/ridden in it were very impressed. In fact I think I just convinced my friend to buy the 335. When I started driving the car after the upgrade, I thought Dinan messed with the speedometer settings. I was seeing readings higher than what I felt the car was doing ... and I couldn't believe the speeds I got on the highway, and how easy I got them.

I did notice that the car runs a little hotter, however Dinan assured me that the stock oil cooler is sufficient. In any case, there will be a warning light if the car is going to overheat.

In general, its a very very cool upgrade. In comparisson, if I didn't know better I would say that this car has a 5.0-5.5L V8 under the hood.
I'm impressed, and I hope everything will hold up in reliability terms (knock on wood).
Opinions welcome.
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Old May 1, 2009 | 07:03 PM
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Sounds great!

How is you gas mileage - if you keep a soft right foot? I know what it would be when you push hard on the loud peddle!

Did Dinan suggest or change any suspension parts now that you have so much power?

Enjoy!
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Old May 1, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
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What a cool sleeper!
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Old May 2, 2009 | 07:23 PM
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Great write up on your mod. GL with it.
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Old May 2, 2009 | 07:47 PM
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I was all Dinan until I found out about the JB3 which was considerably cheaper. The warranty on the Dinan is great; I just don't want to spend $2K to get it.

Still, have you put it on a dyno? An xi like ours probably would have about 230 or so going to the wheels (correct me if I'm wrong, or exaggerating powertrain loss) but with the Dinan, I would assume it would be back up to 300 or close to it.
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Old May 2, 2009 | 08:32 PM
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Did Budd's tell you how much the Stage II increased you torque and horse power? How long did they have the car for to get the job done?


Originally Posted by andy535xi' post='865762' date='May 1 2009, 10:53 PM
Hey Guys,

So after much research, I went to Bud's BMW and got the Stage II installed on my 535xiT. The power difference is very real, and you can feel every extra torque. The coolest thing about the upgrade is that the car feels completely stock, yet more powerful. There are no surges, no jerks, there is a tad more lag (although I think the lag was always there, just now you have more power to wait for), and it pulls like a train (literally).

I have also noticed that torque is greatly improved in the lower RPM range. from 1,500rpm you can really feel the car pulling a lot harder. Throttle response is more sensitive though; you need 10-15% throttle to get 60% power ... on the highway, you really have to watch where your foot is. When I stomp on the throttle from 2,000rpm, the torque is ubelievable, it pulls the car very hard up until ~4,000rpm very hard. After 4,000rpm (like Dinan advertised) the boost is tapered, and the car settles into its "stock" way (or maybe a little faster) of picking up speed up to the redline. What I've noticed is that there is no longer need to go beyond 6,000rpm because its sorta "dies off" or maybe it just pulls harder mid-range now, so it seems this way.

Again, the drivability is completely stock, even better now, because the car has so much torque on tap without having to hammer the throttle. No noises, vibrations, or anything like that. All my friends who have driven/ridden in it were very impressed. In fact I think I just convinced my friend to buy the 335. When I started driving the car after the upgrade, I thought Dinan messed with the speedometer settings. I was seeing readings higher than what I felt the car was doing ... and I couldn't believe the speeds I got on the highway, and how easy I got them.

I did notice that the car runs a little hotter, however Dinan assured me that the stock oil cooler is sufficient. In any case, there will be a warning light if the car is going to overheat.

In general, its a very very cool upgrade. In comparisson, if I didn't know better I would say that this car has a 5.0-5.5L V8 under the hood.
I'm impressed, and I hope everything will hold up in reliability terms (knock on wood).
Opinions welcome.
Reply
Old May 2, 2009 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by E60714' post='866459' date='May 2 2009, 11:47 PM
I was all Dinan until I found out about the JB3 which was considerably cheaper. The warranty on the Dinan is great; I just don't want to spend $2K to get it.

Still, have you put it on a dyno? An xi like ours probably would have about 230 or so going to the wheels (correct me if I'm wrong, or exaggerating powertrain loss) but with the Dinan, I would assume it would be back up to 300 or close to it.
I don't think because we have an "xi" you lose more to the wheels than no awd cars. The only disadvantage is that our cars are heavier.

Budd's BMW has given me a print out of a dyno for a 335i convertable's before and after dyno runs. I kinda lost it so I can't scan it and put it up now, however I will do it ASAP.

Dinan stage II increases HP by 84 and torque by 122ft-lbs. Believe me, they are all there. I took a long trip on the higway today, and I was in awe the way the car behaves. At 120km/h in 6th gear if you stomp on it, it accelerates quicker than it would in fifth gear, maybe even on par with 4th ... and I am not exagerating.

Overall I am very happy with the way the car drives. Before Dinan, it felt good and solid, now its simply a beast. The amount of torque is insane, and I can use every one of them with a stick tranny.

The best part is:
1) the car retains its stock drivability - which was a big issue for me
2) I still have my warranty
3) No one knows I have it, so I can kick the shit out of an unsuspecting Mustang or something similar
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Old May 2, 2009 | 09:15 PM
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Congrats Andy - we'll check it out at the next T.O. meet
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Old May 2, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Thullz' post='866520' date='May 3 2009, 01:15 AM
Congrats Andy - we'll check it out at the next T.O. meet
Nice avatar
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Old May 2, 2009 | 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by andy535xi' post='866519' date='May 2 2009, 10:15 PM
I don't think because we have an "xi" you lose more to the wheels than no awd cars. The only disadvantage is that our cars are heavier.

Budd's BMW has given me a print out of a dyno for a 335i convertable's before and after dyno runs. I kinda lost it so I can't scan it and put it up now, however I will do it ASAP.

Dinan stage II increases HP by 84 and torque by 122ft-lbs. Believe me, they are all there. I took a long trip on the higway today, and I was in awe the way the car behaves. At 120km/h in 6th gear if you stomp on it, it accelerates quicker than it would in fifth gear, maybe even on par with 4th ... and I am not exagerating.

Overall I am very happy with the way the car drives. Before Dinan, it felt good and solid, now its simply a beast. The amount of torque is insane, and I can use every one of them with a stick tranny.

The best part is:
1) the car retains its stock drivability - which was a big issue for me
2) I still have my warranty
3) No one knows I have it, so I can kick the shit out of an unsuspecting Mustang or something similar
the 335i before and after dyno's will give you a ball park of what you have gained..but the only way to really know is if you dyno'd your e60 before and after....I know there was a 535xi stock dyno floating around here as well...that could be a better comparable baseline perhaps

**edit, found the thread...member justdoit did it : http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry801825

and I hope you mean that dinan is providing a warranty on what bmw will deny if needed by the statement you made "2) I still have my warranty"


either way, glad you are happy with your dinan flash, happy motoring
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