Some Interesting Findings on the Dinan Stage 1 Kit

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by John@BMW

not surprising at all- That is all Dinan does- Dinan has been selling people renamed BMW OEM parts forever at a premium price-

Congratulations! You officially have the most useless, dumbest post in this thread!

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by JAJ

That's an interesting question. The photos in the original post are front suspension parts, not rear. I'm curious what Dinan did in the rear to increase travel.

Their kit description said new front AND rear bumpstops were included (does not say exactly that now). When I contacted them after not receiving the rears, they sent me some. I have not installed them yet, as it involves pulling the trunk liner panels which is a pain.

I'm happy with the kit, though it's a bit pricey. Would be happier if I'd received the promised 15% rebate after 5 months!

[isugoo]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Their kit description said new front AND rear bumpstops were included (does not say exactly that now). When I contacted them after not receiving the rears, they sent me some. I have not installed them yet, as it involves pulling the trunk liner panels which is a pain.

I'm happy with the kit, though it's a bit pricey. Would be happier if I'd received the promised 15% rebate after 5 months!

Haha. I want to buy the kit but don't want to spend 900 yet. So I'm waiting for another rebate. The day they start doing rebate again, I'm going to buy it same day.

[aus]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Yup they just pulled the stroker kits, exhaust, throttle bodies etc, right off the shelf no R&D whatsoever!

I don't own any Dinan stuff and may never - but R&D is something they do well and if there is something out there already made to achieve the desired result, why re-invent the wheel? Alot of tuners do this -nothing new.

OP- thanks for the info - very informative. I may actually purchase this kit now knowing what its made of.

Actually, the stroker kit is from a European company.

[3XTR3M3]

Originally Posted by riyatch

did you order the bump stops and guide supports? please keep us posted on how it turns out for you. im thinking about trying this combo.

I just bought the bump stops for the front. My install was arranged for today so I wouldnt have time to get the guide supports and shave em down.

I ordered the bump stops yesterday around 4pm and my parts guy delivered them this morning. My car is now at Need4Speed getting the H&Rs on. Should be done around 5pm today.

Ill keep you guys posted

[adc]

Originally Posted by Sal@Evolve

Dinan did a great job in looking into this and developing a package to address the issues with lowering springs.
We have driven M3's with various lowering springs and there are issues.

Would you mind elaborating please? Many people are considering lowering springs and finding out about potential problems would be outstanding.


Based on the parts cost breakdown, it doesn't seem so overpriced - here is my guess at what it would cost to duplicate this setup:
- lowering springs, roughly $300
- strut mounts, $200
- bump stops front/rear, $100
- machining the strut mounts at a local shop, $50
Total: $650, give or take.

If you factor in the warranty and guesswork exclusion regarding the machining... as someone mentioned with another 15% sale it might be worth it.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Their kit description said new front AND rear bumpstops were included (does not say exactly that now). When I contacted them after not receiving the rears, they sent me some. I have not installed them yet, as it involves pulling the trunk liner panels which is a pain.

I'm happy with the kit, though it's a bit pricey. Would be happier if I'd received the promised 15% rebate after 5 months!

Greg, if you don't mind, what's the part number for the rear bumpstops?

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by TLud

Greg, if you don't mind, what's the part number for the rear bumpstops?

When I got mine Dinan told me they only came with front bumpstops and that is all I got. Since travel isn't an issue in the rear I figured they didn't worry about the rear bumpstops. I ordered my kit after Greg BTW.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by TLud

Greg, if you don't mind, what's the part number for the rear bumpstops?

The ones sent to me are the same as in the OP. In reviewing my correspondence with Scott at Dinan, I'm not sure he caught the fact I was talking about the REARS being missing from the kit. I have sent an email to inquire about the correct rears. I will post response.

Edit 10/1 -- From Scott Leandres, "I re-checked the bill of materials for the M3 suspension kit, as well as the product description. Only the front bump stops and guide supports are provided for this installation. The rears appear to remain stock."

So, what happened is I got an extra set of fronts by mistake.

[3XTR3M3]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

I just bought the bump stops for the front. My install was arranged for today so I wouldnt have time to get the guide supports and shave em down.

I ordered the bump stops yesterday around 4pm and my parts guy delivered them this morning. My car is now at Need4Speed getting the H&Rs on. Should be done around 5pm today.

Ill keep you guys posted

So I got the H&Rs installed yesterday and the guys at Need4Speed said the bumpstops fit perfectly

I dont know what difference I would feel since I never had H&Rs with or without the bumpstops but hey, its better knowing I took the precautions.

The front feels fine, very sturdy. But it seems like im getting some kind of clanking from the rear right wheel at very low speeds going over even the most subtle bumps. Any ideas what can cause this?

[aus]

Did you shave down the spring/strut guides?

[TLud]

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

When I got mine Dinan told me they only came with front bumpstops and that is all I got. Since travel isn't an issue in the rear I figured they didn't worry about the rear bumpstops. I ordered my kit after Greg BTW.

Thanks. Guess I won't worry about it.

[aus]

Originally Posted by adc

Would you mind elaborating please? Many people are considering lowering springs and finding out about potential problems would be outstanding.


Based on the parts cost breakdown, it doesn't seem so overpriced - here is my guess at what it would cost to duplicate this setup:
- lowering springs, roughly $300
- strut mounts, $200
- bump stops front/rear, $100
- machining the strut mounts at a local shop, $50
Total: $650, give or take.

If you factor in the warranty and guesswork exclusion regarding the machining... as someone mentioned with another 15% sale it might be worth it.

Couldn't you just use your stock strut mounts and have them shaved down?
Bump stops are $40 for the fronts.
You can get springs from venter's here for $250 shipped according to other members. Who know's what whole sale is.

I understand you're pricing out the whole kit, but it's at retail prices, not what Dinan gets it at. And you don't need all of it if you just modify your stock suspension.

[3XTR3M3]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

The front feels fine, very sturdy. But it seems like im getting some kind of clanking from the rear right wheel at very low speeds going over even the most subtle bumps. Any ideas what can cause this?

All fixed. I stopped by Need4Speed and they took care of it on the spot

Originally Posted by aus

Did you shave down the spring/strut guides?

nope. just the bumpstops. Didnt have time for to shave the guides.

[doba_s]

Originally Posted by isugoo

Haha. I want to buy the kit but don't want to spend 900 yet. So I'm waiting for another rebate. The day they start doing rebate again, I'm going to buy it same day.

Well it looks like you need to get ready to spend $1099.00 ... For some reason kits for sedans are $200 more ?

Any ideas what is the difference ?

[aus]

Originally Posted by doba_s

Well it looks like you need to get ready to spend $1099.00 ... For some reason kits for sedans are $200 more ?

Any ideas what is the difference ?

That must be BMW tax + //M tax + sedan tax?

[isugoo]

Originally Posted by doba_s

Well it looks like you need to get ready to spend $1099.00 ... For some reason kits for sedans are $200 more ?

Any ideas what is the difference ?

What the hell?
They had one part# for both coupe and sedan. And now it's different.
Does anyone know BMW uses exact same parts for coupe and sedan suspension components? (Then I'll order just coupe suspension for my sedan)

[GregW / Oregon]

According to RealOEM, BMW's choice of spring depends on model and options both. It would not surprise me that the sedan's are different, but they shouldn't be more expensive. The only reason I could see for that is supply/demand (fewer sedan owners mod and development cost are spread across fewer sales).

[AMPowerJ]

This makes no sense. When I ordered too there was only one option for E9x. Does that mean now what I have is not optimal for my sedan. WTF Dinan!?! I doubt it matters but it still is BS.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

This makes no sense. When I ordered too there was only one option for E9x. Does that mean now what I have is not optimal for my sedan. WTF Dinan!?! I doubt it matters but it still is BS.

BMW has the engineer power to really fine tune stuff. Dinan cannot develop carry a dozen different springs to cover minor weight differences, so to some degree theirs are a compromise. However, performance is still likely better than stock and your car definitely looks better.

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

BMW has the engineer power to really fine tune stuff. Dinan cannot develop carry a dozen different springs to cover minor weight differences, so to some degree theirs are a compromise. However, performance is still likely better than stock and your car definitely looks better.

I understand but what doesn't make sense is that they come up with a different kit now for each model whereas before there was only one; so in essence they HAVE followed BMW's lead just too late. The early adopters get screwed a little by that. Not that I would want to pay more for the E90 version, that doesn't make any sense either BTW, but if you are going to pay that much in the first place you should have the best possible system for your specific model. Seems like they came to market too soon and I have lost a bit of trust when it comes to Dinan now. Even if they sent me the different parts at no cost I wouldn't want to take the time to reinstall everything.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

I understand but what doesn't make sense is that they come up with a different kit now for each model whereas before there was only one; so in essence they HAVE followed BMW's lead just too late. The early adopters get screwed a little by that. Not that I would want to pay more for the E90 version, that doesn't make any sense either BTW, but if you are going to pay that much in the first place you should have the best possible system for your specific model. Seems like they came to market too soon.

Contact their technical support department at X115 for an explanation. I'd be interested, too.