New Dinan Software for 535i
#21
I am going to wait to decide whether to mod my car as far boost/ecu goes. I was one of the guys who built the WRX's when they first came out. That was different because the cost of replacing a short block was cheap, we almost always upgraded the turbo and we knew we were voiding the waranty the day we started all of the mods. The N54 engine is extremely easy to hop up, a JB2 cost $379 and 45 minutes of your time and you have a really fast car but it will void the waranty if there is an issue that could be related to the mod. The Dinan flash is no different. BMW will void waranty covg and you will have to rely on Dinan. Here is a couple examples; You develop a wastegate actuator problem, with the flash BMW will probably deny repair and you will have to go to Dinan for help. Well there is a service bulletin out for this problem so Dinan might also deny. You could be stuck in the middle. Let's say you develop a tranny problem or clutch problem, is Dinan going to pay? Because I'm pretty sure BMW is going to deny because of the increased power. I think the 335 guys are going to push these issues going forward and BMW will likely get like subaru and become very defensive about waranty issues on modded turbo cars. i am going to wait and see where all of this goes for the next 6 months. Once you flash your car I think it will be marked and that could have a profound effect on resale value. I guess the bottom line is how much do you trust Dinan now and for the term of your new car waranty.
The problem with wear and tear on turbos has to do with increased boost at high rpm levels. One reason our cars are strong on the bottom end is the small turbos and that is the same reason they fall off up top. You can push more boost up top but it is hard on the turbos and relatively inefficient due to the heat. If you install larger turbos you develop turbo lag but they will be much stronger up top. The way I think of it is that you don't really want to run your turbo at it's absolute max and when you are pushing 14-15 psi with our cars you are probably doing that. One area that we should be careful about is aftermarket exhaust systems. Technically when you reduce back preasure on a turbo engine it lets the turbo spin up quicker. If BMW starts having turbo life problems on these cars it would not suprise me if they use exhaust systems to deny waranties. Now if BMW performance comes out with their own system like subaru does then they will have a hard time denying waranties when comparable systems are used.
Just my 2 cents,
Bob
The problem with wear and tear on turbos has to do with increased boost at high rpm levels. One reason our cars are strong on the bottom end is the small turbos and that is the same reason they fall off up top. You can push more boost up top but it is hard on the turbos and relatively inefficient due to the heat. If you install larger turbos you develop turbo lag but they will be much stronger up top. The way I think of it is that you don't really want to run your turbo at it's absolute max and when you are pushing 14-15 psi with our cars you are probably doing that. One area that we should be careful about is aftermarket exhaust systems. Technically when you reduce back preasure on a turbo engine it lets the turbo spin up quicker. If BMW starts having turbo life problems on these cars it would not suprise me if they use exhaust systems to deny waranties. Now if BMW performance comes out with their own system like subaru does then they will have a hard time denying waranties when comparable systems are used.
Just my 2 cents,
Bob
#23
Originally Posted by chipsroy' post='544219' date='Mar 13 2008, 12:48 PM
well, my car is still at the shop. they are going to replace the turbo also. the only sad thing is that i'm driving around in a light blue 3 series wagon.
#24
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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.
I have had the Dinan software since the end of January. Its great and well worth the money. There is an understanding between Dinan and BMW, Dinan covers anything that BMW doesn't for 4yrs/50,000 miles including consequential damages. My dealer said that the relationship is very effective where BMW covers most things as normal but if something is caused by the increase in boost, then Dinan pays.
Remember in addition to increasing boost, Dinan also increases the performance of the water pump to offset the increase in heat the engine puts out (they can do this because its electronic), they also require you to have an oil cooler (all 535 have it stock, some 335's do not) so their mods seem very well thought out.
I drive my car sportingly and haven't blown up anything in two months and I don't think I ever will.
Remember in addition to increasing boost, Dinan also increases the performance of the water pump to offset the increase in heat the engine puts out (they can do this because its electronic), they also require you to have an oil cooler (all 535 have it stock, some 335's do not) so their mods seem very well thought out.
I drive my car sportingly and haven't blown up anything in two months and I don't think I ever will.
#25
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My Ride: 2005 545i, Black on Black, cold weather pkg, Logic 7 sound, steptronic.
Originally Posted by pennetta' post='545052' date='Mar 14 2008, 08:21 PM
I have had the Dinan software since the end of January. Its great and well worth the money. There is an understanding between Dinan and BMW, Dinan covers anything that BMW doesn't for 4yrs/50,000 miles including consequential damages. My dealer said that the relationship is very effective where BMW covers most things as normal but if something is caused by the increase in boost, then Dinan pays.
Remember in addition to increasing boost, Dinan also increases the performance of the water pump to offset the increase in heat the engine puts out (they can do this because its electronic), they also require you to have an oil cooler (all 535 have it stock, some 335's do not) so their mods seem very well thought out.
I drive my car sportingly and haven't blown up anything in two months and I don't think I ever will.
Remember in addition to increasing boost, Dinan also increases the performance of the water pump to offset the increase in heat the engine puts out (they can do this because its electronic), they also require you to have an oil cooler (all 535 have it stock, some 335's do not) so their mods seem very well thought out.
I drive my car sportingly and haven't blown up anything in two months and I don't think I ever will.
Pennetta, I had already read some of your previous posts which have motivated me to have this installed once I get past my break-in period. Any idea what your 0-60 time is?
#26
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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 DFWRaider' post='545948' date='Mar 16 2008, 08:21 PM
Thanks to everyone for their input here.
Pennetta, I had already read some of your previous posts which have motivated me to have this installed once I get past my break-in period. Any idea what your 0-60 time is?
Pennetta, I had already read some of your previous posts which have motivated me to have this installed once I get past my break-in period. Any idea what your 0-60 time is?
#27
Originally Posted by DFWRaider' post='545948' date='Mar 16 2008, 05:21 PM
Thanks to everyone for their input here.
Pennetta, I had already read some of your previous posts which have motivated me to have this installed once I get past my break-in period. Any idea what your 0-60 time is?
Pennetta, I had already read some of your previous posts which have motivated me to have this installed once I get past my break-in period. Any idea what your 0-60 time is?
#28
well, got my car back from the dealer after a month and and new turbo. i love bmw, the service is great. i'm off to get my car re-flashed so i can get the car running like it's supposed to .
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My Ride: 2005 545i, Black on Black, cold weather pkg, Logic 7 sound, steptronic.
Originally Posted by chipsroy' post='549214' date='Mar 22 2008, 04:48 PM
well, got my car back from the dealer after a month and and new turbo. i love bmw, the service is great. i'm off to get my car re-flashed so i can get the car running like it's supposed to .
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My Ride: 535xiT
My 535xiT was delivered two weeks ago and went to the local authorized Dinan BMW dealer for the ECU upgrade. After two hours of trying to upgrade they were unsuccessful. Dinan told them that my car was too new and that perhaps the April 11th upgrade to the program will work. Didn't know there was such a big difference in ECU's on this engine.
Anyway keep the impressions coming and I'll add mine post upgrade.
Bad Bimr I'd like to know where you get your information about warranties. This is not what Dinan or BMW have to say on the matter. Please post your source for your comments. Thanks.
Anyway keep the impressions coming and I'll add mine post upgrade.
Bad Bimr I'd like to know where you get your information about warranties. This is not what Dinan or BMW have to say on the matter. Please post your source for your comments. Thanks.