|
|
|
2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 Dinan Stage 1 Software Upgrade for 550i |
|
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
01-12-2013, 12:56 AM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
4
Rep 42
Posts |
Dinan Stage 1 Software Upgrade for 550i
I've got a new F10 550i and am, to say the least, intrigued by Dinan's Stage 1 software upgrade. (http://dinancars.com/shop/D900-44T5-...de.aspx#page=1) 495-hp, 573 lb-ft of torque -- nuff said! :-)
A few questions for the group: 1. If you've gotten the upgrade, how satisfied have you been with it? 2. I live in California where, apparently, this is not street-legal. Have any California denizens had luck getting it for their cars anyway? And if so, are there any issues with passing smog? 3. I have the 6-year, extended factory warranty (i.e., a longer period than Dinan will cover). Any issues with getting repairs done under warranty with this upgrade? 4. What sort of decrease in engine life can I expect? Many thanks in advance!
__________________
_____________________________
2013 550i (6-speed, MSport) |
01-12-2013, 08:10 AM | #2 |
Captain
150
Rep 672
Posts |
I can't answer all of your questions but I can provide some insight. Most people skip stage one and go to stage 2. Stage 2 gives much better low end and its been said that stage 1 doesn't really "kick in" until you hit 3rd gear.
I installed stage 2 on Thursday. All I can say is holy crap. I was a tad bit skeptical at first but the car has really come alive. Its just as smooth and pleasant to drive as stock when your just driving around, but floor it and you get whiplash. I've noticed a couple of times that I've gotten the tires to squeal even with traction control engaged. I have no regrets. I also believe that the Dinan warranty only matches the BMW 4year/50k only and not any extended warranties. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-12-2013, 11:08 AM | #3 | |
Captain
155
Rep 751
Posts
Drives: '12 BMW AW 550xi
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Miami, FL
|
Quote:
Skip stage 1. I installed stage 2 a month ago and the results are great. I could feel all that extra power immediately.
__________________
'15 Porsche Macan S / Black & Garnet Red / 20" RS Spyder Wheels / CF trim / Red Calipers / Black Rear Badge.
'12 AW 550xi / Dinan S2 / Arkym CF Spoiler / 3D Design Style Splitter / Eisenmann Race Exhaust / 20' HRE FF01 / ACS Springs / CF Grill / CF 3D Design Diffuser / Blue Calipers... |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-12-2013, 02:09 PM | #4 |
Private
1
Rep 92
Posts |
I live in LA and the local Dinan dealer laughed when I asked about "off road only" in California. He said its a damn software mod and swing by and he would do it. Got stage 2 in 45 min and wasn't that impressed immediately but about the second half of day two the world changed. Just got an exhaust so looking forward to stage 3.
No issues so far with my BMW dealer and warranty. Had several small car issues and didn't say a word. I doubt it hurts your car unless you redline to death on a track etc. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-13-2013, 08:56 PM | #5 |
Colonel
342
Rep 2,232
Posts
Drives: Made in Bavaria
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: On a base somewhere near or afar!
|
Dinan matches BMW's 4yr/50k warranty so you're good there. As with any ECU mod it increases the work on your engine somewhat so if you really are hard on the car it may shorten its lifespan/increase wear and tear proportionately but that is true with any engine mod. However I haven't heard stories of Dinan ECU modded cars falling out all over the place so I'd say he's pretty good for the added cost. Some go other routes that are cheaper but Dinan is still around and I think its the warranty helps from a piece of mind standpoint.
I did Dinan Stage 1 when I got my Eissenman Race done last Nov and its great! Thought about going state 2 or 3 a the time but Stage 1 was just the best bang for the buck. I think Stage 2 is still going thru CAFE testing and awaiting certification so my local dealer wanted me to wait until doing it but I'll likely go to Stage 3 or 4 and intercoolers sometime in the next 6 months. Probably in the spring when the winter weather stuff goes away...no need to do it yet I figure with all the nasty stuff on the floor by now.
__________________
'22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black)
'16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten |
Appreciate
0
|
01-14-2013, 11:30 PM | #7 |
Private First Class
19
Rep 158
Posts |
Go stage 4, that's when it gets fun my biggest issue is traction now.
__________________
2017 Mclaren 570s
2015 Porsche 911 GTS Manual - Gone 2012 550i M Sport Jet Black - modded - Gone |
Appreciate
0
|
01-15-2013, 06:09 PM | #8 |
Private
22
Rep 95
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-15-2013, 07:12 PM | #9 |
BMW Fan Boy
447
Rep 1,385
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-16-2013, 01:40 AM | #10 |
Colonel
342
Rep 2,232
Posts
Drives: Made in Bavaria
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: On a base somewhere near or afar!
|
SO I'd need just an upgrade from my current stage 1 and intercoolers? What cost estimated for intercooler installation and time? Anyone getting or thinking of the Dinan LSD? Or has someone gone and put an M5 LSD into their cars?
__________________
'22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black)
'16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten |
Appreciate
0
|
01-16-2013, 01:46 AM | #11 |
Registered
0
Rep 3
Posts |
Same question
I was about to ask the same question regarding my 2011 550...I have done every modification except anything having to do with the engine.
I am debating whether to install the Dinan software or not..hope I can figure something out..think it's a little expensive though.. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-16-2013, 09:55 AM | #12 | |
BMW Fan Boy
447
Rep 1,385
Posts |
Quote:
Dinan exhaust - $3599.00 Dinan intercoolers - $2499.00 Stage 4 software from stage 1 - $900.00 $6998.00 + labor (about 7 hours) to go from stage 1 to stage 4. LSD would be an additional $3600.00 + labor. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-16-2013, 11:26 AM | #13 | |
Private First Class
19
Rep 158
Posts |
Quote:
With the mods I've done, my car is night & day different from what I rolled out of the dealer with 10 weeks ago. All I have left to do is have the M5 sway bar installed and I'm done with my mods.
__________________
2017 Mclaren 570s
2015 Porsche 911 GTS Manual - Gone 2012 550i M Sport Jet Black - modded - Gone |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-17-2013, 01:44 AM | #14 | |
Colonel
342
Rep 2,232
Posts
Drives: Made in Bavaria
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: On a base somewhere near or afar!
|
Quote:
__________________
'22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black)
'16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-17-2013, 06:21 PM | #15 | |
BMW Fan Boy
447
Rep 1,385
Posts |
Quote:
I just cant justify spending 3k to go to stage 4. Diminishing returns start to kick in when spending that kind of money for maybe a 20 hp bump. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-18-2013, 12:15 AM | #16 | |
Colonel
342
Rep 2,232
Posts
Drives: Made in Bavaria
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: On a base somewhere near or afar!
|
Quote:
__________________
'22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black)
'16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-22-2013, 03:29 PM | #17 |
Enlisted Member
4
Rep 42
Posts |
Okay, so it looks like Stage 2 is the way I'll go if I do this upgrade.
I'm still concerned about the fact that Dinan doesn't cover the last 2 years of my extended warranty. If I did get just the Stage 2 done and I had an issue with my engine, what's the likelihood that BMW would discover this and not honor the last 2 years of my warranty?
__________________
_____________________________
2013 550i (6-speed, MSport) |
Appreciate
0
|
02-03-2013, 02:15 AM | #18 | |
Colonel
342
Rep 2,232
Posts
Drives: Made in Bavaria
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: On a base somewhere near or afar!
|
Quote:
__________________
'22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black)
'16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-03-2013, 01:19 PM | #19 | |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 49
Posts |
Quote:
Can I ask where in Houston you got it done? I just got a 550 and my dealer (advantage) doesn't offer it. Thanks |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-03-2013, 01:30 PM | #20 |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 42
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|