Dinan Springs for Dinan Stage 2 550xi M Sport

I am tiring of the overly soft, mushy "sport" suspension on my car. Even with ARS and on Sport Plus, I find body control, turn in and transient response to be mediocre at best and a far cry from my E60 with ARS and sport suspension.

Accordingly I am thinking of installing the Dinan springs. I want to hear from those members who have them whether this is a worthwhile expenditure and how great the difference is from stock.

As it stands now, my car's mediocre suspension is no match for the awesome power of the Dinan Stage 2.

I may have posted a comment or two in post #9.

Dinan Suspension Review

Originally Posted by dunderhi

I may have posted a comment or two in post #9.

Dinan Suspension Review

That's all you had to write?? . Seriously that is a killer review.

The one thing I did not like about the Dinan suspension mod is the lack of dynamic range. The difference between comfort and sport is not so big.

I really think they should have taken the high road and not just offered springs, but instead offered a suspension control software flash. The biggest thing the car needs is not firmer springs, but a more aggressive ARS programming combined with maybe more aggressive spring programming in cornering situations. Currently ARS allows body roll above 45mph.

My experience with the Dinan suspension was one of the reasons I decided to skip it and buy an M5 instead. The M5 has a better sport mode and a better comfort mode than Dinan.

Originally Posted by Stealth.Pilot

The one thing I did not like about the Dinan suspension mod is the lack of dynamic range. The difference between comfort and sport is not so big.

I really think they should have taken the high road and not just offered springs, but instead offered a suspension control software flash. The biggest thing the car needs is not firmer springs, but a more aggressive ARS programming combined with maybe more aggressive spring programming in cornering situations. Currently ARS allows body roll above 45mph.

My experience with the Dinan suspension was one of the reasons I decided to skip it and buy an M5 instead. The M5 has a better sport mode and a better comfort mode than Dinan.

Just like with the CAI, Dinan was working on the suspension software reprogram during the past year, but as we have become painfully aware, Dinan only releases their products when Dinan is satisfied with their product, no matter how long it takes.

P.S. Now that I have maybe 10k+ miles with the Dinan suspension, my reference for what is firm has changed. I almost always drive in Sport Mode anymore, being that Normal and Comfort just feel too soft anymore. I find the difference between Sport and Comfort to be night and day.

Originally Posted by dunderhi

Just like with the CAI, Dinan was working on the suspension software reprogram during the past year, but as we have become painfully aware, Dinan only releases their products when Dinan is satisfied with their product, no matter how long it takes.

P.S. Now that I have maybe 10k+ miles with the Dinan suspension, my reference for what is firm has changed. I almost always drive in Sport Mode anymore, being that Normal and Comfort just feel too soft anymore. I find the difference between Sport and Comfort to be night and day.

Spoke to Dinan yesterday. They will be releasing bigger intercoolers for the F10 550 in the next month. With it will come a other ECU reflash with increased turbo boost and another 20 horsepower. Now with all available mods, horsepower will exceed 530! And that is before the intake.

It's good that Dinan is pursuing suspension programming. That is key.

Originally Posted by Stealth.Pilot

It's good that Dinan is pursuing suspension programming. That is key.

Yes the F10's ARS needs to be more aggressive.

Originally Posted by sdg1871

Spoke to Dinan yesterday. They will be releasing bigger intercoolers for the F10 550 in the next month. With it will come a other ECU reflash with increased turbo boost and another 20 horsepower. Now with all available mods, horsepower will exceed 530! And that is before the intake.

So intercoolers & CAI should get the 550 to 550hp.

I informed Mrs D about "550 for the 550" and should thought that would be nice, until she asked me how much it would cost.

Well, I cannot speak to the Dinan springs, but the ACS springs are awesome on my 550i M-Sport and I do not have ARS. The adjustable suspension modes are still discrete and useful.

I have Dinan springs on my 550xi. I would agree the difference between Sport and Comfort is not drastic, but I find the overall ride is MUCH more "spirited", and I'm enjoying the car more and more. I live on a dirt road which 6 mos out of the year has relative;y deep holes, so I was not comfortable putting ACS with its lower drop. If you're after better handling (ie stiffer), I would think ACS would be superior. Having said that, I'm 100% happy with the Dinan springs and really was ready to get rid of the car due to the slushy handling before I put springs (and now M-PSS) on it.

Intercoolers are going to be expensive.

How do you guys like the lowering that took place with the spring change? Thats one thing that concerns me with my 3er is it being lowered even more

Originally Posted by SuperTerp

How do you guys like the lowering that took place with the spring change? Thats one thing that concerns me with my 3er is it being lowered even more

The lowering is excellent. Dinan has the perfect ride height.

Originally Posted by Stealth.Pilot

The lowering is excellent. Dinan has the perfect ride height.

You just jarred my memory! I have the RWD spec Dinan springs on my AWD. The AWD spec springs are a bit taller, which means my car should be a bit more dependent on the changes in the shock dampening than if I had the proper AWD set-up.

Ok, I am getting the Dinan springs installed Monday at Prestige BMW. Once again Richard Marcus, the dealership's M certified CA took good care of me

Review to follow!

Adios squishy "sport" suspension. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!!

Sounds like a plan. Be sure to give us a detailed write-up. We have high standards around here.

Originally Posted by dunderhi

Sounds like a plan. Be sure to give us a detailed write-up. We have high standards around here.

Will do

Originally Posted by sdg1871

Ok, I am getting the Dinan springs installed Monday at Prestige BMW. Once again Richard Marcus, the dealership's M certified CA took good care of me

Review to follow!

Adios squishy "sport" suspension. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!!

Nice! I'm very interested to hear how you like it. I am hesitant of the springs as I worry about the larger diameter tire rubbing on the body, if I lower the car.

Originally Posted by djsilo

Nice! I'm very interested to hear how you like it. I am hesitant of the springs as I worry about the larger diameter tire rubbing on the body, if I lower the car.

Dinan told me it would not rub.

Originally Posted by sdg1871

Dinan told me it would not rub.

Awesome! I'd love to hear your feedback, especially considering the city driving.

Originally Posted by djsilo

Awesome! I'd love to hear your feedback, especially considering the city driving.

I certainly hope they are correct. I expect that they are given that they do know their products backwards and forwards.

There is no way I would ever go back to the OEM 40 series sidewall given that I live in and drive in manhattan. The 45 series Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus tires have survived many brutal pothole impacts that would have bubbled or blown the 40 series tires.

Car is now at the dealer (Prestige BMW in Ramsey, NJ) getting the springs installed. Excited to get it back! Got a 335 coupe as a loaner. Feels slow as molasses compared to the mighty Dinan Stage 2 power -- especially at highway speeds.