[spmd11]

You read it right...

I have 2 brand new BMW 335is's. One is a convertible recently retrieved from ED and the other is a coupe.. both 2012s, one now with 2,000 miles, the other with 1,000.

When the convertible hit my dealer for re-delivery, I chose a Dinan install (Dinan authorized dealer) to be done immediately.

Long story short, after 10 days in the shop, Dinan cannot tune the car successfully. With the tune in, the car has a pulsing, or hesitating, or surging.. however one wants to describe it, in 3rd through 7th gear, precisely from 3,800 rpm to 5,500 rpm at 75% or more throttle.

Dinan claims that it is BMW's fault and that they have discovered 40 out of 4,000 flashes to N54 engines that have exhibited this symptom. They nor BMW can understand what is causing this problem or how to fix it. The best explanation that I have from the dealer is that Dinan says that through the communication of all computer modules in the car, the throttle body valve (?) is fluttering.

So, after 10 days of frustration and flashing of computer modules and test drives, I gave my dealer and Dinan my second new "is", a brand spanking new 2012 335is Coupe for them to tune. Guess what?!?! Same issue!!!

So, I don't believe Dinan. How in the world can I have 2, out of 40, out of 4,000 cars that could have the same issue? The convertible was built in 5/2012 and the coupe was built 1/2012

I am very, very disappointed with Dinan. To rub salt in the wound, they act as though I don't exist as a customer and they act as though it's my problem, have a good day. This is after three weeks of incredible frustration and dealer visits and zero communication with me. Dealer has nothing to say but offer my money back, which they did. Dealer was exemplary through the ordeal, actually.. and they ended up eating a significant labor bill. As far as BMWNA, at least they spoke to me from a Corporate level and wanted to help, but when the car is stock, it drives fine.. so they are in no hurry to admit there is a problem.

Dinan... I don't know what to say... they have left me in a lurch and with no apologies or explanations...who treats customers like this?

I'm extremely disappointed because I bought both cars with dreams of tuning them... and I can't... ugh.

[E90Company]

Originally Posted by spmd11

I'm extremely disappointed because I bought both cars with dreams of tuning them... and I can't... ugh.

With this end quote, there's always COBB, JB4, Procede, GIAC etc that provide more power for a lower price than Dinan

[slostjoe]

Why not do a different tune? I assume your concerned with keeping your warranty intact?

[spmd11]

Originally Posted by slostjoe

Why not do a different tune? I assume your concerned with keeping your warranty intact?

Yes, but also, I'm not sure that the other tunes would not experience the same thing? But to have two cars exhibit exactly.. I mean mirror image symptoms.. it is hard to believe that there is something wrong with the cars... rather.. I do think that Dinan has a problem tuning... amazingly... considering how long they have been around.

But.. the real surprise is how they treat their customers... It's absolutely shocking that they would not feel compelled to give me a call, apologize or explain why they are stuped. And we are talking now that it's been a week since I received my refund from the dealer... Dinan acts as though their inability to tune a car and the customer, and his frustration do not exist.

Other tunes are a future possibility, but my wife and I are completely exhausted after three weeks of car shuffling and days without the car, etc... it's really, really soured me for aftermarket tuning... and I issue a major caution to anyone considering dropping $2k or more on a tune with a company that feels no responsibility for their product. Thankfully, I have a fantastic dealer.

[benzy89]

IF the car does not exhibit the "pulsing, or hesitating, or surging.. however one wants to describe it, in 3rd through 7th gear, precisely from 3,800 rpm to 5,500 rpm at 75% or more throttle" when the Dinan tune is NOT installed, then the tune is at fault. In that case, try something else. Since you went with Dinan, I'm assuming you prefer to go with something flash based which would leave COBB or GIAC. COBB does offer specific maps to the IS (and 1M also), so if the car is okay with the tune uninstalled, I'd give them a ring.


IF the car acts up when the tune is uninstalled, then there is a problem with the car, whether it's the software or a mechanical component at fault. And just me, but the only Dinan product that I'm interested in is their stroker motors. After becoming more familiar with the BMW aftermarket world through this & other forums, I've discovered that there are shops like VAC Motorsports (Philly, PA) that can do better work, for a lower cost all combined with significantly better customer service.

[cstavaru]

Well, unfortunately you have no option with a warranty. In Europe, I know Hamann or Hartge (not sure which one) takes over the BMW warranty if you buy their flash, I wonder if they are present in the US too.

[Ænema]

It almost sounds like Dinan is having boost oscillations similar to what some Cobb users were having, however I don't see ANY of the Dinan tunes being aggressive enough with their WG tables to cause that.

[BQTuning]

I have experience with Dinan stage 2 and 3 on my previous 2007 E92 335i and my current 2011 335iS DCT. Just Google "Dinan Stage 3 335iS". My 335iS was the very FIRST 335iS to get the Dinan Stage 3

I had serious oscillation on both cars with the Dinan tunes. Dinan always blaming BMW software for the problem. I have brought this up with them plenty of times but it always remained a delima to them for some reason.

Here is the thing, it is pure BS. I left Dinan and went to RENNtech's tune, MORE POWER, and NO oscillation, and cost less. RENNtech dos not flash via OBD, even better, they pull the DME and flash it DIRECTLY to assure it is flashed correctly.

The only thing worth getting from Dinan was their mods that were transferable, reliable, and I was able to bring out their true potential.

Unfortunately the Dinan' tune is not able to flash to the DME except one way and that is via OBD due to the limited resources and tools Dinan provides to the dealers.

Try RENNtech, I have had the tune for over 6 month, not one issue, no limp modes, and trouble free. Yes, I beat the hell out of my car on the track in the summer, now waiting for winter to roll in.

If you do consider RENNtech, make sure to get an upgrade intercooler.

Edit: BTW RENNtech offers a simular warranty like that of Dinan. 561-845-7888 ask for Tomas to go over the warranty details. If you want it in writting then ask for it to be so. Its the same warranty they offer on their AMG's http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/...s_warranty.pdf

None of the other tunes out there offer warranty for your car, it is use at your own risk.

[Pete Schweaty]

I believe BMS has a return policy on their JB4. I think its about a week, but I could be wrong. You could order 1, see how it works and if all is well, order the second. If not, return it. You could also try to email Terry at BMS, their CS is great.

[cn555ic]

Dinan has dropped the ball with the E90s period. Piggybacks killed their market with respect to the E90s

[ihc95]

Wow I'm sure happy I decided against the Dinan tune and went with Cobb. No issues whatsoever. The smoothness and drivability is really amazing. If you are concerned about warranty, it takes just minutes to uninstall and reinstall the tune.

BuraQ, did you get your money back for the tunes on both your N54's?

[Javier]

Get a Procede/Cobb/JB4 never look back

[spmd11]

Originally Posted by BuraQ

I have experience with Dinan stage 2 and 3 on my previous 2007 E92 335i and my current 2011 335iS DCT. Just Google "Dinan Stage 3 335iS". My 335iS was the very FIRST 335iS to get the Dinan Stage 3

I had serious oscillation on both cars with the Dinan tunes. Dinan always blaming BMW software for the problem. I have brought this up with them plenty of times but it always remained a delima to them for some reason.

Here is the thing, it is pure BS. I left Dinan and went to RENNtech's tune, MORE POWER, and NO oscillation, and cost less. RENNtech dos not flash via OBD, even better, they pull the DME and flash it DIRECTLY to assure it is flashed correctly.

The only thing worth getting from Dinan was their mods that were transferable, reliable, and I was able to bring out their true potential.

Unfortunately the Dinan' tune is not able to flash to the DME except one way and that is via OBD due to the limited resources and tools Dinan provides to the dealers.

Try RENNtech, I have had the tune for over 6 month, not one issue, no limp modes, and trouble free. Yes, I beat the hell out of my car on the track in the summer, now waiting for winter to roll in.

If you do consider RENNtech, make sure to get an upgrade intercooler.

Edit: BTW RENNtech offers a simular warranty like that of Dinan. 561-845-7888 ask for Tomas to go over the warranty details. If you want it in writting then ask for it to be so. Its the same warranty they offer on their AMG's http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/...s_warranty.pdf

None of the other tunes out there offer warranty for your car, it is use at your own risk.

Wow. Awesome. Thanks for the thoughtful response. I'll give em a call on Tuesday

[spmd11]

Originally Posted by ihc95

Wow I'm sure happy I decided against the Dinan tune and went with Cobb. No issues whatsoever. The smoothness and drivability is really amazing. If you are concerned about warranty, it takes just minutes to uninstall and reinstall the tune.

BuraQ, did you get your money back for the tunes on both your N54's?

Anyone with a 335is try Cobb?

[jippii ensio]

Flashes are more prone to boost fluctuations.

[Myaddiction]

You are not the first to post on here with the same problem from a Dinan N54 flash. It is a known issue and they are not going to do anything about it. I'm sure its strictly a business call. With the great aftermarket support the N54's have it's not a market Dinan is going to make money on so they are not putting effort into it.

You should spend sometime looking at all the other options that we are lucky enough to have.

-COBB is very popular and very simple to install using your OBDII port. If anything goes wrong you simply uninstall it and take it in for warranty work. They also have good customer support. You can by one used for 650-600 or a new one for 895 (retail) to 750. You can "unmarry" it from your car and sell it for 650-600 at any time.

-Renntech is a high quality product but you have to ship them your DME to get flashed then you'd have to ship it to them again if you ever wanted it removed. The biggest down side to this style flash is there is no resell value.

-GIAC is in the same category as Renntech.

I'm guess you don't want a piggyback such as JB4 or Procede based on your comments, though they offer great power and many options the flashes do not.

People on here, as almost in any car forum are very vocal about their "tune" so there is a ton on information about each one as well as personal opinons. Spend sometime to look around and figure out which is the best for you. You'll be glad you did when you do get it installed, because they all make the car a lot more entertaining.

[Ænema]

Originally Posted by jippii ensio

Cobb used to be prone to boost fluctuations on their most aggressive maps.

Fixed.

I've seen a few Cobb tuned "is"s data logs and they've looked good.

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by spmd11

Anyone with a 335is try Cobb?

Post in the general COBB Tuning thread (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...72813&page=279). There's going to be a few people with 335is' that have been using the COBB. Like I said in my previous post, the 335is & 1M have specific maps that are different from the regular 135/335/535 maps

[secretsquirrel]

All the major tunes do 335is's and have been for a long time. Dinan did you a favor in this case.

[Eleventeen]

I'm sorry to hear of your issues, but Dinan is way overpriced for the underwhelming gains. Not to be a jerk, but I see you've been on here since 2007; why would you choose Dinan? When was the last time you saw a Dinan powered car setting records, or doing anything noteworthy? Set your standards higher, you can do better. If Cobb is available for the '12, that will be your best bet (as I assume you specifically want a flash).

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by ihc95

Wow I'm sure happy I decided against the Dinan tune and went with Cobb. No issues whatsoever. The smoothness and drivability is really amazing. If you are concerned about warranty, it takes just minutes to uninstall and reinstall the tune.

BuraQ, did you get your money back for the tunes on both your N54's?

Didnt have to pay for the tune again when I went to the 335is. Just paid labor costs to install the hardware from my previous e92.

It was a learning experience well worth it but never regretted getting. It was a mere stepping stone.

Originally Posted by Myaddiction

-Renntech is a high quality product but you have to ship them your DME to get flashed then you'd have to ship it to them again if you ever wanted it removed. The biggest down side to this style flash is there is no resell value.

.

Only if there isnt a local dealer. They have dealers all over the USA and internationally.

[Exterminador]

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Didnt have to pay for the tune again when I went to the 335is. Just paid labor costs to install the hardware from my previous e92.

It was a learning experience well worth it but never regretted getting. It was a mere stepping stone.



Only if there isnt a local dealer. They have dealers all over the USA and internationally.

So I can go to a Mercedes Dealer that works with RennTech to get my tune?