Let’s talk about DINAN Parts

[02_lsb]

What are your thoughts on DINAN parts?
upgrade?
downgrade?
OEM+?
meh?

[Estoril]

They lost their luster around 2006-2007.

[maw1124]

They lost their luster around 2006-2007.

Which means for E46M cars, they’re a definite upgrade. I don’t think they’ve ever been worth the cost, however. They’re like the RENNTech of BMW. Comparable results are available for a fraction of the price. This is the thinking that spawned Active Autowerke and too many other suppliers we discuss (China manufacturing). Too bad they executed poorly, but in their defense, it’s tough to do well given such low volumes (hence, China manufacturing). Economies of scale are tough to beat.

maw

[Jimbo's M]

I've had Dinan springs with Koni yellows on my car for 17 years or so. Like'em just fine. Wouldn't buy anything else from them though.

[Irhase46m3]

My e92 is an S2 Dinan car (basically a bunch of bolt ons and tunes) the carbon fiber intake uses a plastic that connects to the air filter and has dried up and bcome brittle. I've been trying to get a replacement part since August of 2021, still no luck, horrible customer service and experience, will never buy a product from them again (aside from the plastic). Note: The car came with the S2 package when i bought it.

[cobra]

My general opinion of Dinan is that they are a very conservative company because of their partnership with BMW to preserve the factory warranty and also maintain a reputation of being a "classy" way to modify your car, versus a "tuner" way of doing it. They have some decently engineered parts but also sell an image and a brand. Their stuff is also grossly overpriced.

For the E46 there wasn't that much stuff worth buying. The software did basically nothing. Throttle bodies bored out like 1/4mm? A strut bar to replace the perfectly good stock one, and a rear one that doesn't reinforce anything? Their wheels are just a bolt on thing, totally a matter of personal preference. The shock kit was arguably worse than stock due to the springs removing travel without increasing the rate enough and pairing them with mediocre Koni dampers. The high end shock kit was just JRZ's I think? The super charger kit was the only substantial upgrade and I think it was engineered well - conservative power numbers and a good reputation.

From the looks of it, their new products are just generic stuff you could get from anyone else. Coilovers, swaybars, monoballs, exhaust, software, etc. I think you can rest assured that these items have all been vetted and tested a bit more than some random supplier, but that's about it. I don't see anything particularly innovative or special.

I randomly looked at their suspension kit for a F80 M3. It is $1250 for springs, bump stops, and adjustable perches.


So overall... it depends. In most cases it's OEM+. Some downgrades, some upgrades.

[maw1124]

^^^ So much this. But, these are M cars after all. If anything bolt on made them SO much better, then M wouldn't mean anything. Conservative and well made is what makes it an upgrade vs cheap, ricey BS. IMHO. That's also why I expect to leave the car mostly stock, same as my AMG. When you study it you realize MB AMG and BMW M got most of the low hanging fruit off the tree already. Dinan is a rare exception, even if tiny and expensive.

maw

[Obioban]

They did pretty well on older cars, but their e46 M3 offerings are pretty weak.

[DropTopKingM3]

The only thing I would get is their exhaust. Keep in mind one side is for show and doesn't actually work. Otherwise it's a pretty decent-sounding exhaust. Their short shift kit is good as well but its all about preference when it comes to this.

[Jimbo's M]

The only thing I would get is their exhaust. Keep in mind one side is for show and doesn't actually work.

Which is fine and dandy til you get into humid weather and it becomes all too evident. Cheesy as hell looking AFAIC, no matter how good it sounds.

[Tbonem3]

Sounds weak anyway imo

Best pro is 2.5" piping, decent weightloss

Dinan RTABs were ahead of their time.

[usdmej]

The only thing I would get is their exhaust. Keep in mind one side is for show and doesn't actually work.

a truly standout mod from their catalog with qualities that have yet to be matched by any other muffler
- superior documented flow
- significantly lighter than stock without being obnoxiously loud
- (subjectively) great exhaust note


their decision to add dummy tips is indicative of the vanity of their customer base

[Nate047]

All of their engine related mods are CARB legal too, so there's that.

[usdmej]

All of their engine related mods are CARB legal too, so there's that.

Also shows that their clientele used to be more mature owners that werent interested in having to "know a guy" when it came time to smog their cars

[Slicktop]

Has anyone topped their throttle bodies in terms of performance? I really am trying to stray away from their overpriced products but there doesn't seem to be too much competition in that arena.