Pulled the trigger and went Dinan for my 330ci! WOW

Had the stage 2 software with their new intake box replacement done along with their auto tranny software. Dind,t get to play around yesterday b/c of the monsoon we were having in Kentucky, but i did go out and play on my way to work this morning. For those wondering about a software and intake, do it. I am sure the results would be similar with ANY software and a good intake, but since i'm an auto i wanted the tranny software too which left me with Dinan or ESS. ESS is way too expensive and you have to send them your comp.

Anyway back to the results. You can definitely feel an increase in throttle response right off the line. The car just screams to redline. On the highway simply step on it and blam your off. Car goes well over 100mph easy in third gear in no time flat. Always fast, but now it's faster.
The new tranny software makes the car shift faster, but most notably harder. It still shifts like normal when you are just put-sing around town, however when you step on it the up shift is like wham. My only complaint is that Dinan has reprogramed the tranny software so that in manual mode when redline is reached the tranny shifts itself. Asked about this b/c I thought there was a problem and I got two answers. First is that there were always some cars whose original software code was unable to accept no rev-limit in manual mode. Something BMW did. The second response was that they Dinan reprogramed the software b/c customers were damaging their trannys and motors by over revving gears. Either way its not that big of a deal. I never seem to shift fast enough anyway to beat the limiter.
The new cold air box looks nice under the hood. Almost factory in looks, but with a big shiny D on top. A bit louder, but hardly. Kinda wished for more roar, oh-well.

Almost forgot to mention that I got one H*LL of a deal. Never take the dealer price as written in stone. If anybody is waiting around for another Dinan sale dont wait any longer. Go to you local Dinan dealer and talk with them. I got stage 2, tranny software, and air-intake for $720 should have been over $1000!!

Here is Reg. cost....................What I paid
Stage2...399 245
Tranny....299 225
Air Box...299 250

Labor was at the normal rate for the time Dinan recommends..3.5 hours.
Tech said that he could cut deals with b/c of the volume of sales he does. Also, I only got the discount since I did everything at once. Kinda a packaged deal. Originally was only gonna to do stage 1 and tranny, but for the same price in parts almost and some extra labor i got it all. I think it was a good deal and well worth it.

Can not wait for my new DISA valve to come in so I can get even more engine response. Took me almost a year to figure out what was causing my erratic performance. Sometimes I had a ton of torque, but no power up top. Other times completely opposite. always came with a rattling noise. Figures it out and cant wait.

Happy motoring and good luck.

Very nice...I love the term pulled the trigger. Nice prices too.

Thanks. I guess the mod bug bit hard and fast. Started a month ago with crossed drilled rotors and ceramic pads. Now looking into pricing suspension.

Nice .....The Mod Bug.... it can get u in trouble becareful!

I found out that if you stay away formt his site for a while...the MOD BUG gets a bit easier on you.....

that's bad@ss bro!! wondering if it would make as significant a difference on a zhp as it did on your car? tempted now. damn that modbug.

Wow, awesome deal!

Congrats on the mods. Glad it worked out well for you. I also have a Step 330ci so I may look into something similar.

If I'm not mistaken with the 3 stages of Dinan software, isnt each stage for a particular setup (mod). So if you got an exhaust, wouldnt you need the next stage software, which would kinda seem like it was a waste for this one?

The mod bug is dangerous, and so is this site! A month ago I was completely happy with my car. Last weekend I installe a new Borla Ca-back system. Today I dropped my car off at the shop to have a Dinan CAI with Stage II installed, along with a 3.46 diff. I can definately say that the severity of my mod-itis is directly proportional to the amount of time I spend on this site.

i really need engine n tranny software

wow, nice prices..I already ask and they wont cut me a deal unless dinan give the special

Originally Posted by austindangers

The mod bug is dangerous, and so is this site! A month ago I was completely happy with my car. Last weekend I installe a new Borla Ca-back system. Today I dropped my car off at the shop to have a Dinan CAI with Stage II installed, along with a 3.46 diff. I can definately say that the severity of my mod-itis is directly proportional to the amount of time I spend on this site.

LOL, i know the feeling. Thought my car was bad@ss last year, then i found this site. Waiting for my next paycheck and dumping 2g's on my car.

gg's e46fanatics... haha

congratz on your mods!

how much was the 3.5 hours = ?

had the same package installed on mine recently! i loved the way my car pulled already. but now the increase to a supposed 238hp seems like much more! must have something to do with how they changed the DBW software. Air coming in the airbox from 3 places... modest 'whoosh' noise at WOT... love it...
After driving with the dinan exhaust for about 1500 miles, it has become almost louder than i want it to be. i knew exhausts had to break in but this is crazy. when i blip the throttle to downshift it sounds like the hell's angels are tailing me. maybe ill check for a loose hanger tomorrow.

Seems like a lot of money for just a measly 10-15hp increase lol.

Should save that money towards a s/c.

I need stage 2 software.

Will call stealership in the morning to see the deal they give me.

Originally Posted by kaluahjeff

Seems like a lot of money for just a measly 10-15hp increase lol.

Should save that money towards a s/c.

neg. save towards future m3.

I bought a 2002 330Ci, Dinan Stage 2, but the previous owner had taken the CAI out because of the rainy season. I just put it back in- and let me tell you... IT FELT SOOOOO GOOOOD.

yeah I can attest to that. i was fine until I found this site. ever since I have wanted more.

Originally Posted by NO BAG BIMMER

I found out that if you stay away formt his site for a while...the MOD BUG gets a bit easier on you.....

I asked my dealer about the stage 3 and he told me flat out that it wasn't worth the cash. The software only works on the intake side. Meaning it re-calibrates the air/fuel ratio for more air coming into the motor. Stage 3 only gives like 2 more hp. NOt worth the $$. An exhaust does not affect air/fuel ratio, but does relive pressure on the head to expel gasses. This will give you a more efficient motor. Our M54's already have a pretty good exhaust from factory. Plus if you go too big you lose torque. The only time a big exhaust is wanted is when you run a turbo. A new exhaust may give you a few more ponies, but most likely much more sound.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by changedthegame

Congrats on the mods. Glad it worked out well for you. I also have a Step 330ci so I may look into something similar.

If I'm not mistaken with the 3 stages of Dinan software, isnt each stage for a particular setup (mod). So if you got an exhaust, wouldnt you need the next stage software, which would kinda seem like it was a waste for this one?