Anyone with the 4.6is Dinan S3 package here?

Mitch P. · #1 10-20-2006, 02:37 AM

I'm looking for real world feedback. Reliability, driveability, assometer, and even some fuel mileage when NOT in the boost. If that's even possible - who can resist.

I'm considering purchasing an 4.6is S3 and would love to chat with someone who has real world experience. Thanks.

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kirkX5m · #2 10-20-2006, 03:01 AM

what dya wanna know, ill help anyway i can to make your decision easier...

Mitch P. · #3 10-20-2006, 03:06 AM

Is driveability stock if you keep your right foot out of it? I'm thinking of this due to the wife being the second driver.

I read somewhere that even in regular driving, that the gas mileage suffers greatly due to the SCer? I find that hard to believe. I'd think the gas mileage would only suffer more via the right foot over a stock 4.6is.

I'm really buying this, or attempting to, for the exclusivity and added performance. Not to mention that I need to haul a motorcycle to and from the track. I'm excited, yet paranoid at the modifications at the same time. The vehicle has 58,000mi on it and is being sold for an asking price of $46,000 which seems like the owner is very motivated to sell. Good deal?

kirkX5m · #4 10-20-2006, 10:10 AM

on the issue of driveability, it is 100% accurate to say the car is very driveable still, very close to stock, so no worries with the wife driving your car! the only time you dont get boost on the car is at a cold startup (when the engine warms up and you have the warm up gauges). there is no ON/OFF boost on the blower, LOL, maybe you need to invent one. ...

gas mileage is bad. dont hope for anything close to stock. i think you get 11-13mpg now....right foot or not! at the height of the gas $$$ i bought a 2nd car so the x5 wouldnt put a hole in my wallet every month on gas bills...

S3 4.6is are very few made, so you will get your exclusivity. 46k sounds like a deal to me for that car with that mileage. make sure all the dinan parts are intact and that there is no a/c leak (that was my problem). the whining of the supercharger is whats music to your ears when you drive this car...hope you get it!!!!!

Mitch P. · #5 10-20-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkX5m

on the issue of driveability, it is 100% accurate to say the car is very driveable still, very close to stock, so no worries with the wife driving your car! the only time you dont get boost on the car is at a cold startup (when the engine warms up and you have the warm up gauges). there is no ON/OFF boost on the blower, LOL, maybe you need to invent one. ...

gas mileage is bad. dont hope for anything close to stock. i think you get 11-13mpg now....right foot or not! at the height of the gas $$$ i bought a 2nd car so the x5 wouldnt put a hole in my wallet every month on gas bills...

S3 4.6is are very few made, so you will get your exclusivity. 46k sounds like a deal to me for that car with that mileage. make sure all the dinan parts are intact and that there is no a/c leak (that was my problem). the whining of the supercharger is whats music to your ears when you drive this car...hope you get it!!!!!

thanks for the info. As far as gas mileage, even if you drive only on the freeway what would the mileage be with a 'saint's' foot?

This will be the primary vehicle for a year or so and I'm trying to do all my homework. The only thing wrong with this vehicle, as far as I can tell, is that it has the comfort seats vs the sports seats that I prefer. I wonder how hard a swap would be and how many people would rather have the comfort vs sports? I may have to find out!

Also, have you done a 0-60mph and 1/4mi comparison with yours yet? Just curious. I have a G-Tech which I can use, but was curious. Stock they are around 6.2sec and I'm guessing it would be down in the mid 5's now with the SCer?

SeattleYates · #6 10-20-2006, 11:24 AM

> ...it has the comfort seats vs the sports seats that I prefer. I wonder how hard a swap would be and how many people would rather have the comfort vs sports? <

I factory ordered my 4.6is, and specifically ordered the comfort seats instead of sport. I tried sitting in both, and I just like the comfort better (i.e., no regrets). It's a matter of personal preference, and the comfort seats are certainly nicer for my wife.

BTW, I looked at the photos, and that's a beautiful X5! I think I would assume that with its miles and the S3 kit, a few things will go wrong and need to be repaired over the next few years, but even if you plan to spend $5K or so in repairs, it's a pretty darned good deal at that price! And remember, you don't HAVE to pay that price...make them an offer a few thou below asking price, and you just might get it cheaper...

As for exclusivity, you probably know I'm about to have the S3 kit installed on my 4.6is, so I'm afraid there will be at least TWO of us in the Seattle area!

Mitch P. · #7 10-20-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleYates

> ...it has the comfort seats vs the sports seats that I prefer. I wonder how hard a swap would be and how many people would rather have the comfort vs sports? <

I factory ordered my 4.6is, and specifically ordered the comfort seats instead of sport. I tried sitting in both, and I just like the comfort better (i.e., no regrets). It's a matter of personal preference, and the comfort seats are certainly nicer for my wife.

BTW, I looked at the photos, and that's a beautiful X5! I think I would assume that with its miles and the S3 kit, a few things will go wrong and need to be repaired over the next few years, but even if you plan to spend $5K or so in repairs, it's a pretty darned good deal at that price! And remember, you don't HAVE to pay that price...make them an offer a few thou below asking price, and you just might get it cheaper...

As for exclusivity, you probably know I'm about to have the S3 kit installed on my 4.6is, so I'm afraid there will be at least TWO of us in the Seattle area!

Hi Bruce, seems like we have a few things in common! I regularly track my bike at the racetrack and this will be used to haul it to and fro.

As for repairs, I'm wondering what you are referring to? Transmission?

I think this is a good deal as well and fully intend to bargain. I'm just trying to find out any reason why I should NOT get this? I can't see a 4.8is being in the same ballpark due to the small differences (ie engine, air susp, etc).

Are you going to Strictly for the kit? I used to be a loyal customer before I got out of the BMW world with my Dinan 3 a few yrs back.

SeattleYates · #8 10-20-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch P.

As for repairs, I'm wondering what you are referring to? Transmission?

I think this is a good deal as well and fully intend to bargain. I'm just trying to find out any reason why I should NOT get this? I can't see a 4.8is being in the same ballpark due to the small differences (ie engine, air susp, etc).

Are you going to Strictly for the kit? I used to be a loyal customer before I got out of the BMW world with my Dinan 3 a few yrs back.

I'm not referring to any specific repairs, although transmission would certainly be a possibility. I'm just saying that buying a used vehicle always entails some risks, and the S3 kit has put at least SOME additional stress on the vehicle, so I wouldn't assume "trouble free" operation for years to come. I always prefer to factor in some additional costs, and if they don't occur I'm delighted, but if they do, I'm not surprised.

I'm having the S3 kit installed by Seattle BMW. I stopped at Strictly, but wasn't (in my 5 minutes talking to a young kid up front) all that impressed, whereas the service person at Seattle BMW seemed VERY familiar with Dinan (had some Dinan stuff on her own vehicle), and I've always had really good experience with them, so I decided to go there. I'm sure Strictly would have done a perfectly fine job; I just tend to go with my instincts and personal experience on some of these things...

Mitch P. · #9 10-20-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleYates

I'm not referring to any specific repairs, although transmission would certainly be a possibility. I'm just saying that buying a used vehicle always entails some risks, and the S3 kit has put at least SOME additional stress on the vehicle, so I wouldn't assume "trouble free" operation for years to come. I always prefer to factor in some additional costs, and if they don't occur I'm delighted, but if they do, I'm not surprised.

I'm having the S3 kit installed by Seattle BMW. I stopped at Strictly, but wasn't (in my 5 minutes talking to a young kid up front) all that impressed, whereas the service person at Seattle BMW seemed VERY familiar with Dinan (had some Dinan stuff on her own vehicle), and I've always had really good experience with them, so I decided to go there. I'm sure Strictly would have done a perfectly fine job; I just tend to go with my instincts and personal experience on some of these things...

I found out from the dealership that the S3 package was installed at 45kmi, and the thing now has 58kmi. That means it's practically brand new

I am considering an ext'd warranty, but it's so difficult to choose from the internet vultures/thieves. Which ext'd warranty have others had success with when considering an exclusionary warranty? Unfortunately this rig doesn't qualify for a BMW warranty as it's outside the manuf's warranty :/

SeattleYates · #10 10-20-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch P.

I found out from the dealership that the S3 package was installed at 45kmi, and the thing now has 58kmi. That means it's practically brand new

I am considering an ext'd warranty, but it's so difficult to choose from the internet vultures/thieves. Which ext'd warranty have others had success with when considering an exclusionary warranty? Unfortunately this rig doesn't qualify for a BMW warranty as it's outside the manuf's warranty :/

If the S3 has only been on it since 45K mi, that makes it considerably more attractive (less wear and tear)!

As for extended warranties, it is my understanding that NO ONE reputable will give you one with the Dinan S3 installed on the car. If I'm wrong, I'd love to know, because I'd be in the market for one, too...

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