Dinan software
 

Anyone running this Dinan software in their stock 4.4? If so, is it worth the $$$?
I installed a Dinan chip in my previous generation M3 and didn't really notice much of a power difference except for the higher rev limiter change.

drs

http://www.dinancars.com/Series.asp?...e%20Tuning#268
Part #:

Price:
D900-44X
$499.00

Labor Units: 5.0
Emission Status: 50 State Emission Legal
Special Notes: Various Stages of Performance Engine Software are available for specific product configurations.
Peak Horsepower Gain: 9 lb/ft @ 4500 rpm
Peak Torque Gain: 11 lb/ft @ 2000 rpm
Point Value: 2



Dinan Performance Engine Software reprograms the engine management system for faster throttle response, a rev-limit increase, and elimination of the top-speed governor. Fully matched “stages” of Dinan Engine Software are available for optimum performance from specific combinations of Dinan Performance Products, as specified in the individual product descriptions.

I've been off the board for a while. Back now!

I have the same question. Dinan is having a 50% software & chips sale during August. www.dinanbmw.com I'm considering the Stage 1 software upgrade. Has anyone had it done? I was told by the tech that it only takes 20 minutes.

I posted 3 "newer" pictures of my X5 in the Gallery under my name. My 3 favorite mods so far are: The 20" rims and tires I put on. The bull bar is mean as hell (especially catching the attention of the BMW suits at the corporate headquarters around the corner from my job), and the 6 CD changer in the trunk is great along with the single dash changer.

I'm going to have a really good CPO'd test on Monday. My AC hasn't worked in almost 4 weeks! I had to wait a long time for an appointment (learned that a complimentary loaner only comes from the dealer you buy the X5 from). My front brakes have been squeeking for about 2 months now as well. It's CPO'd to 100k, and I have 55k right now. I'm having the scheduled mantenance done too. I will report back the results.

you won't get any extra power. you may experience a smoother throttle response and you may opt for a higher redline limit and removal of the speed governer, but you will not see more power.

whether or not its worth it, is up to you...

Do it!
 

I just put the Dinan exhaust and stage i computer upgrade, the difference in throttle response is like night and day. To me it was well worth it. Tommorow I am getting Dinan throttle body and cold air intake and stage 2 programming. I would take advantage of the programming while it is 1/2 off. I would like to know if the transmission programming is worth it?

If you buy the stage 1 software and then some time later you add more of the Dinan options can you send it back to upgrade to stage 2?

I did the Dinan S2 upgrade on my '01 X5 Sport - IMHO, it turned my '01 X5 Sport into a real muscle car - But if gas prices are a factor, I'd look to do something else - 19 mpg hwy, 12-15 (maybe 16) around town - it depends on how heavy your foot is, because it sounds awesome!

Do you guys feel a stage 1 will help with my 06' 4.4 bogginess, hesitation, stuttering?

I'd like to point a few things out:

1. WTF is "Peak HP gain = 9lb/ft"??? Why are they listing the hp gain in terms of torque?
2. Let's say they meant 9hp gain. In any case, it's PEAK, which means at best, you'd see a 9hp gain at 4500 rpms. Prior to reaching peak gain, you may see 1-2hp gain, at best.
3. $500 (normally $1000) for such a measly gain is a joke. Personally, I think companies like this rely on "rich BMW owners" that don't know better that will happily fork over their cash.
4. Within a few days of adding this 9lb/ft you'd be used to it and the SAV would basically feel no faster or quicker. You'd just be $500 poorer.

The motor is nothing more than a giant air pump. To make power it needs gobs of air and the correct fuel mixture (and spark). If you want to make more power, you need to start at the front of the "system", that being the air filter. From there you address the MAF, then TB, then intake, then heads/cam (not all cars have MAF...I'm using it in general terms).

A chip is only going to provide a more aggressive timing/fuel curve, but with out adding more air to the system, you will barely see any gain.

Lastly, once you change anything on the "system" (e.g. the motor and all components that provide air to it), you throw off the balance a bit and soon run into problems and eventually you have to address other areas.

Now, if you modify the motor (intake/tb/heads/cam), then (and only then) will you see a big improvement with a chip. In fact, after making internal mods like this, a chip to reprogram the ECU would be mandatory in order to realize the full potential of the newly installed parts.

In my Mustang tuning days, we'd toss on some CNC heads, .600" lift cam, Vortech supercharger, FMU and boost retard to keep everythign in check. Dyno numbers would show us a nice 150hp gain. HOWEVER, once we had the software to tweak the ECU, we were seeing 200-300hp gains because we could "unlock" the computer and change fuel maps, MAF outputs, fan settings, timing curves, etc. and keep head gaskets in one-piece.

My point is that a chip on a bone stock motor will BARELY give you any gains unless the vehicle was so de-tuned by the factory that the chip only unlocks what was already there. With the X5, I suspect it's already tuned for performance from the factory.

My advice, save your money.

A dealer should fix that. Are you using high octange fuel? You shouldn't have an '06 and be expected to live with those issues - take it in and demand they fix it. It's probably a simple sensor that went bad.

I've written on the difference between my '01 X5 4.4 Sport and my '06 X5 4.4 Sport - they are two different breeds of the same animal - the '06 is not setup for rompin' n stompin' - a smooth controlled foot will give you good response - it is really setup for max fuel economy - I'm getting 21hwy/17local which is 2+ mpg more than my '01 (19/15) - When I first got the '06, I treated it like my '01; and noticed hesitation and, acouple times, bucking - I've adjusted to the car and recognize they are two different kinds of rides - love them both, but they are different