4.6is with Dinan S3 - WOW!

[SeattleYates]

Well, I just got my 2003 4.6is back from Seattle BMW, where it had a Dinan S3 package installed. It took several weeks, but was worth the wait! I haven't had a chance to time it 0-60 or anything, but have a few initial observations:

- Sweet rumble! The first thing I noticed was the much throatier sound of the exhaust. Although it's not obnoxious (most observers wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary driving by them), it definitely sounds more like a muscle car inside the vehicle. One of these days I'll try to record the sound while driving/accelerating, but for now let's just say it doesn't sound nearly as "civilized" and conservative as it did before. ;-)

- It flat hauls a** when you step on it! The 4.6is was no wimp to start with, but it is now NOTICEABLY torqier (is that a word?), and pulls like a bull on steroids. I can't imagine that the 0-60 time won't be significantly faster than before. It seems to want to operate at higher RPMs, and doesn't seem to be straining AT ALL up around 5-6000.

- Annoying whine from the supercharger (the only negative I can ascertain thus far). The supercharger makes an annoying high-pitched whine from about 1000-2500 RPMs, which is where the automatic transmission tends to keep you when in D. It isn't as noticeable once you're going more than 30mph (road noise pretty much drowns it out), but at low city speeds it is definitely annoying. Solution: always drive in manual mode, and shift so as to keep the RPMs above 2500.

- Yippee for paddle shifters! I added the M3 steering wheel with paddle shifters (see earlier threads for details) recently, and man-oh-man will I be using them! The response seems much quicker than using the stick to shift manually. I noticed the difference even before doing the S3 conversion (I HIGHLY recommend that mod), but based on the above, I expect to be shifting manually (ALWAYS with the paddles) MOST of the time when I'm driving the X5 from now on!

- I'm REALLY impressed with Seattle BMW. Not only did they give me a loaner car, but the service was simply amazing. My service advisor actually came and picked the X5 up at my house on a Sunday, and she (yes, SHE) was extremely helpful in answering questions about Dinan and the entire process. I can HIGHLY recommend them!

[X rated]

Very nice!! I'd love to install the S3 pkg on my 4.4, but have several other mod's that need to come first. Enjoyed the underwater photo's on your website, been too long since I've done any tropical dives, Puget Sound is fun, but just doesn't compare. Enjoy your new ride...

[kirkX5m]

bruce! congrats on getting your S3 back!!! very glad you are enjoying every second of it and dont worry about the whining sounds of the blower, i felt the same way when i first got the car but now its a signature sound that you cant get enough of!!!!!! zoom zoom, have fun my friend.

[streetsoffire]

Dude, this post is worthless without price..........

[CanadianX5]

Very cool.
What was the total price damages for parts and labour if you dont mind me asking.
I was thinking of doing the same but I dont want any surprise costs.

[SeattleYates]

Originally Posted by CanadianX5

Very cool.
What was the total price damages for parts and labour if you dont mind me asking.
I was thinking of doing the same but I dont want any surprise costs.

My total cost (including WA sales tax of around 8%) of the Dinan S3 package installed was a hair over US$17K. Not sure what this in CAN$, but I'm sure you can do the calculations...

BTW, that represents a 10% discount on the total installed cost (before sales tax). They're not allowed to discount Dinan materials; they had to give me the break on their labor costs.

[laborlitigator]

Wow!

[noncom23]

Nice mod!

[streetsoffire]

17 large? I doubt 'Her Royal Highness' would let me do another gonzo mod.....

[Michelle]

This Thread Is Worthless Without Video!