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03-21-2013, 03:36 PM | #1 |
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Is it worth it?
Saw the Dinan site and they are running a 15% discount right now. Contacted a local Dinan sponsored shop in Northern VA and got an OTD quote for the following:
1) Stage 4 upgrade 2) Intercooler upgrade 3) Exhaust + fabrication to utilize stock tips 4) Suspension upgrade all installed during 2days for $13,022 (this includes the 15% off from Dinan). Ultimate question, especially to those with any of the upgrades...Is it a good deal and is it worth it? I would also look at paying for some new wheels/tires as well (also an added expense of $4k). I have never had the pleasure of having Dinan upgrades and have always known that they are the "Gold" standard of aftermarket parts for BMW. I am very on edge to get these upgrades.
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03-22-2013, 12:28 AM | #3 | |
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So you're not out of the ballpark with your plans and price sounds about right [I was quoted a little less for Stage 4 and Intercoolers and Shockware but I already had Stage 1 on the car so you only pay the difference for upgrading between the Stages 1-4]. I think the Dinan mods are great and recommend them highly...just saying you're not stuck in the full package and price IF you want or need to pursue options and mix/match. Search around and let us know what you find and end up doing. Just remember you have options to include spending a bunch of cash on an M5 upgrade! GL Yes but guys remember and M5 is still a pretty good outlay for some folks on the forum. You're talking about about a $25-40k price delta between a well equipped M5 and a similarly equipped F10 550i for most dealerships. Also the M5 does not come in AWD which may be important to some buyers as well. If you look at the Dinan upgrade proposed you're talking about 1/3 of that price delta for a significant upgrade in performance from a quality tuner and with a 50/100k warranty too! Not too bad and definitely one to seriously think about depending on ones circumstances and finances.
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03-22-2013, 03:52 PM | #4 |
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Valid question, but the numbers are very far off for it to make sense to me. I bought a fully optioned 2013 550i Xdrive as an MSO at $63,400 with 1100 miles on it (in my opinion...can't beat it). The most affordable M5 I could find was $109,000 at the time of my purchase with no room to negotiate and also only available in SG or AW. Even with the upgrades the car's OTD is still less than 77K and from what I have read online may be faster than a new M5. Of course I know the M5 is a far superior performance vehicle, but the security of the Xdrive coupled with a similar TTV8 makes the 550i extremely attractive and a serious contender.
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03-22-2013, 03:54 PM | #5 | |
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Thanks for all the great advice and personal notes. I may have to look around for the other exhaust options. I'm actually surprised that not more companies have come out with piggyback options or upgrades for the 550i. I will certainly try to keep you posted on any and all progress to the car.
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03-22-2013, 06:35 PM | #6 |
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I would definately get the Meisterschaft exhaust!! It is simply amazing! It is close to stock with the valves close and open them up and WOW!!!! Call Micky at GT HAUS and he will set you up. Tell him Jim From Colorado sent ya!! You will love it!!
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03-22-2013, 08:31 PM | #7 |
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Since you're on the edge, I'm going to push you over. Pull the trigger.
Some people spend $14k/yr for private green fees and others spend that much on their wives' stupid handbag. $14k for huge performance upgrade on your ride is worth every penny. At least you can enjoy it everyday! |
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03-22-2013, 10:42 PM | #8 | |
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I didn't go with the Stage4 setup, because of the stress on the stock turbos. I honestly can say the Stage2 upgrade is enough to satisfy any BMW enthusiast! Good luck, and enjoy.....
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03-23-2013, 01:35 AM | #9 | |
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Hey Swami..what info do you have on stressing the stock turbos w/Stage 4 Dinan Intercoolers? I've not heard anything and am setup to do my car when I get back. Would love to share anything you may have. I gree Stage 2 is pretty nice but why not just go up to Stage 3? I have it and its great!
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03-23-2013, 06:49 AM | #10 |
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03-23-2013, 09:43 AM | #11 |
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Gives you something to look forward to. Thanks for your service and be safe.
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03-23-2013, 05:26 PM | #12 | |
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03-23-2013, 06:00 PM | #13 |
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'stage 4' isn't a universal term that can be used to compare aggressiveness of tunes/mods across platforms or tuners. In the case of dinan f10 mods stage 4 is actually pretty conservative, I believe only offering a 20-30hp gain over just software.
In this case the turbochargers are likely less stressed than tune only given the improvements in flow and air intake temps due to the upgraded exhaust and intercoolers. |
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03-23-2013, 07:46 PM | #14 | |
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Whats this MSO? Also what kind of wheels are you looking at purchasing for 4K? I have heard good things about the Dianan update....would be interested in knowing if you pulled the trigger...15% off is not a bad deal...when the service advisor told me about it ...I asked, "what? 50% off" lol... was quickly disillusioned |
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03-24-2013, 11:46 AM | #15 |
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I guess if you buy the 550 used or lightly optioned if new, $14K worth of Dinan might be a better buy.
550's can easily be optioned to over $80K, and and my local dealer has several M5 on the lot that are in the $90K's. So the delta is within the range you are spending on Dinan. Either way, you can't go wrong. Rock on. |
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03-24-2013, 12:02 PM | #16 |
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Think it all depends on what you are doing with the car- intercoolers aren't going to do much unless you drive it hard in track situations.
I have Dinan2, Meistercraft exhaust and about to get ACS springs and stage 3 installed. Doubtful I will do more but would like the intercoolers- a cooler car is a happier car. As others have said I love the exhaust- programmed the valves into my mirror remote and you have full control over how much it is opened. Can send audio if you can't find any. Love the Dinan and it completely changed the car. I have ARS and DDC so wasn't desperate for better handling but hear ACS springs are a nice drop and make the nose more trackable. Also at highway speeds in comfort it is a tad bouncy so hoping this firms it up slightly. |
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03-24-2013, 10:24 PM | #17 | ||
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But I do agree either way is a great way to spend ones day!
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03-26-2013, 02:01 PM | #18 | |
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As far as the wheels I am looking at a set of GM 360Forged wheels. Monoblock Spec5's
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03-26-2013, 04:51 PM | #19 | ||
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03-28-2013, 07:02 AM | #20 |
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After getting a little more information on the Dinan tune and our turbo setup, I just may take the plunge on a Stage 4 setup. Intercoolers, then an aftermarket exhaust, then the programming.
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03-28-2013, 12:45 PM | #21 |
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Im4citadel - I'm getting late into the conversation but as to your question whether the Dinan upgrade is worth it? I would say it depends on what you value most in a car. Over the past 13 years I've had a 2000 M5, a 2008 M3 and recently went with a 2013 550i xdrive m-sport with Dinan mods including S2, free flow exhaust, and the supspension. I was able to do this for roughly $74,000 (Dinan mods added roughly $8000 to the $66,000 stock price). I like the M cars, but I live in Wisconsin and got tired of doing wheel/tire swaps every winter and wanted to go with all wheel drive. Plus as others have pointed out, there is about a $25,000 difference between the car I am now driving and an M5 - it was a no-brainer. You can argue all you want about the differences in performance but the bottom line coming from an M car enthusiast is the all wheel drive for me trumps the performance differences with the M5, the latter of which I think would only be noticed by professional drivers on a track and would still be fairly small. So you have to look at the price itself in my view - that is unless it is the M5 badge you value most.
There is a world of difference in my experience between the stock 550i and the car I have now. The big question is, would there be much difference if I upgraded to the S4 with intercoolers. Upgrading to S3 would only cost me about $200 since I already have the exhaust but that would only add 10-20 hp. But S4 requires the intercoolers which will be a few grand and might add another 40hp over what I have now which is about 510 I believe. I doubt the difference in hp would be that noticeable in average driving, but my understanding is the benefit of the intercoolers has to do with protecting and prolonging the life of the engine itself against the effects of heat with aggressive driving - the Dinan folks believe the stock intercoolers are too small even for the stock version of the 550i. So I find it interesting the comments that the larger intercoolers would overstress the turbos - it seems the main argument for the intercoolers is to provide better protection for the engine in general against aggressive driving especially in warm climate.
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03-29-2013, 02:15 AM | #22 | |
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Should get my intercoolers around June/July and Stage 4 and possibly the LSD at that time. Total out of pocket then will be maybe $8-10k w/Dinan discounts which still puts me significantly under the M5 entry costs too as you mention.
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