OEM -> MS stage 2 -> Dinan

[lsmkr01]

Last week I swapped out my MS Stage 2 intake for the Dinan carbon fiber intake and filter and wanted to post up a few pic's I took that compair them.

Right off the bat I can say the Dinan fit and finish was levels above the MS unit but at twice the price I would expect it to be. Either way you really do get what you pay for.

1) The individual pieces are quality. The Dinan elbow is a fraction of the weight and also thickness of the material so the flow opening is also noticeably larger.

Edit: the CF weave on the elbow is flawless. BMW OEM quality without question.

2) One of the most noticeable differences are the rubber seals. The Dinan ones are made to flex after being installed. What I mean is I can literally move the carbon elbow around pretty freely while its installed while I could not do that with the MS (OEM is very stiff in comparison even with the accordion design). With all the engine flexing that goes on during hard acceleration this is great and gives me more piece of mind.

3) The filter is a good bit bigger than the MS filter which in turn is a good bit bigger than the OEM one. Dinan also provides an adapter (which is aluminum NOT plastic) so the stock spring loaded hold pin can be used. MS gives an elongated pin that needs to be swapped in.

4) Installation was a breeze.

5) Sound wise it hard to tell from inside the car because my exhaust set up (Megan + TP's) is fairly loud but you can hear the difference. Its just not as big a difference since I'm coming off of MS and not OEM. Coming off an OEM intake and filter you will definitely here the intake sound unless your exhaust steals some of the thunder.

I can say however that the combined overall sound the car makes when you get on it is really something special. Driving around with the windows all the way down is hard to explain in words. The intake DOES make a sound difference up top in the power band.

If your on a budget the MS Stage two worked great for me. I read others having issues with the earlier ones but mine was perfect when I took it off. I inspected inside the filter, the air box and the intake elbow and all were good as new. Put about 5k miles on it and posted a pic to show the condition before washing it. (Let me know if anyone wants a good deal on it )

Want to make sure I give a BIG thanks to Gil over at McKenna for giving me a price that made the decision a lot easier than getting it straight from Dinan. I also picked up the OEM carbon performance spoiler from him for a great price The snug tight packaging to make sure everything arrived perfect the first time as well as the 2 day shipping just to make sure I had it before my local Meet & Mountain Drive was perfect. As most would agree customer service and a fair price all add up to pleasurable mod be it an intake or SC.

[CIFUM3]

U just made up my mind on what to get! Thanks! Mind if I ask what was said price?

[vinniechin]

nice write up! Thanks.

[ms372]

i been running the Dinan intake for over 2 years now, and it just sounds awesome!

here this should give you an idea of how your car sounds

[BPMSport]

I'm a big fan of my Dinan intake. It's my third and final intake for the car.

[///Montreal3]

Nice swap!

I've been thinking of doing the same.

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by M3dream

U just made up my mind on what to get! Thanks! Mind if I ask what was said price?

PM sent

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

I'm a big fan of my Dinan intake. It's my third and final intake for the car.

This is the best intake for the S65 period. Trying to save money in the beginning just ends up costing more in the end for those that only want high quality parts on their car.

[alee0729]

Yeah this thread is no good for my wallet. Can't... turn... away...

[Fsarc]

Originally Posted by lsmkr01

This is the best intake for the S65 period. Trying to save money in the beginning just ends up costing more in the end for those that only want high quality parts on their car.

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by ms372

i been running the Dinan intake for over 2 years now, and it just sounds awesome!

here this should give you an idea of how your car sounds

Thanks for posting this video. Like I said its hard to hear that amazing intake noise clearly from the cabin but glad to here we can serenade all those lucky people in front of us.

Almost like the paralyzingly beautiful lightning that precedes the powerful thunder of the exhaust to immediately follow

Originally Posted by alee0729

Yeah this thread is no good for my wallet. Can't... turn... away...

I know exactly how you're feeling right now and can honestly say you will not regret the purchase.

[Longwong]

How different is the sound compared to already having a drop in filter and the stock intake? I know that made a significant improvement so not sure if the change you hear is from the filter or what? I would do it for sound alone if thee was a clear difference

[Leonardo629]

so that's what my car sound like on the outside, I have the same setup --> Akra slip-on and Dinan intake.

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by Longwong

How different is the sound compared to already having a drop in filter and the stock intake? I know that made a significant improvement so not sure if the change you hear is from the filter or what? I would do it for sound alone if thee was a clear difference

Carbon fiber resonates differently than thick plastic. Its a different sound and IMO opinion way more refined. Sounds "CSL like" from the outside as the video another member posted clearly shows. From the inside it just sounds great, no other way to say it.

[saeedg48]

Dinan does good research and development for their products.

[esquire]

does this kit come with the air scoops at the kidney grilles like the MS kit? or did you use the old MS ones? or did you just go without scoops altogether?

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by esquire

does this kit come with the air scoops at the kidney grilles like the MS kit? or did you use the old MS ones? or did you just go without scoops altogether?

No it does not I left the scoops on from the MS. If they were not already installed I would not bother with putting them on but then again going mach 1 in your SC beast might render them useful. My car was still pulling hard in 5th at 162ish (Benvo verified 158 actual while coding) so at higher speeds I can see them being functional if you spend a good bit of time at similar speeds.

[Gil@McKennaPerformance]

Hey Alex,

Thanks for the awesome write up! I'm glad I was able to help you out and get that intake to you right on time.

For all the other guys interested in the Dinan parts please feel free send me a PM

[Hujan]

Excellent review. What if anything does this do to the exhaust sound? Louder? Growlier? No change?

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Excellent review. What if anything does this do to the exhaust sound? Louder? Growlier? No change?

Thanks. The exhaust sound does not change at all. The intake sound is what changes now being louder and more aggressive with a bite at WOT and throttle blips. Carbon resonates differently than plastic and has a unique sound. Check out the video a member posted on that thread from the prospective of a bystander with the car approaching. Very E46 CSl like IMO.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by lsmkr01

Thanks. The exhaust sound does not change at all. The intake sound is what changes now being louder and more aggressive with a bite at WOT and throttle blips. Carbon resonates differently than plastic and has a unique sound. Check out the video a member posted on that thread from the prospective of a bystander with the car approaching. Very E46 CSl like IMO.

You mean post #4 above? I definitely like the way it sounds in that vid.

Good point about the carbon. It's funny how on most cars you're dealing with the acoustic properties of plastic and steel, but on the M3 we're dealing with carbon (Dinan intake) and titanium (Akra).

[LightWerkz]

I just got the dinan intake, and the sound difference is extremely noticeable. It really roars now! Love it!