Is Dinan getting the boot from BMW?

[GG///M3]

I was at a Bmw Dealer the other day in the parts section, and i asked about what Dinan parts they have in stock for the e36. The guy at the parts counter was like were not going to have many Dinan parts for long, and that bmw is going to start doing there own in house stuff. Cutting Dinan out of the picture. I wonder if this is true, and wonder what this means for Dinan it self? I wonder if that means super good deals on Dinan sc kits soon.

[fritzintn]

While I don't know if BMW is looking to sever their ties with Dinan, but a number of dealers have stopped carrying Dinan just due to their high 'license fees'...since most don't sell enough product to make it a profitable endevour.

[GGray]

Dinan has not produced anything really new in a long time. They have been riding the BMW train for awhile..Maybe the BMW conductor just figured out they were getting screwed.

[Dinan S3]

mmmmmmmm cheap parts

[paul e]

RE the question, 'what does it mean for Dinan'.... If this is true, Id expect it to be a HUGE hit for dinan.

I know Im far from the only one that, when deciding my brand new E36 M3 needed some more 'oomph' and some better handling, went with Dinan because they provided the ONLY solution which allowed me to keep all 4 yrs of my new car warranty in tact.

If it werent for Dinan, the supercharger I bought just a few months after my new M3 left the showroom floor, and the upgraded suspension I put on a few months after that would have both left me with no warranty. Which means, I would have been charged over $10,000 for subsequent repairs I needed that BMW paid for.. I required two of the most expensive repairs that BMW agreed to cover under my new car warranty: one was the rear shock towers , the top half of which needed to be redone due to cracking, and two, new transmission due to missing 5th gear gate when cold.. These two problems are Ubiquitous on this model as most of you are aware. So, because the Dinan relationship didnt kill my warrant, the dealer gave me no problems in covering these two items, despite the fact that they occurred between 40k and 50k miles on the odometer, ie, close to the end of the coverage period.

If Dinan loses this relationship with BMW, its going to make alot of new car owners put a hault to their major upgrades until off warranty. So hopefully, if BMW starts an in-house division, they give us more than cosmetic add-ons!

[ebydrc]

Dinan has not produced anything really new in a long time. They have been riding the BMW train for awhile..Maybe the BMW conductor just figured out they were getting screwed.

last time the check they did alot bmw racing teams, F1 included i pretty sure that brings in some cash for the company.

[GG///M3]

RE the question, 'what does it mean for Dinan'.... If this is true, Id expect it to be a HUGE hit for dinan.


If Dinan loses this relationship with BMW, its going to make alot of new car owners put a hault to their major upgrades until off warranty. So hopefully, if BMW starts an in-house division, they give us more than cosmetic add-ons!

Thats what the parts guy said. There going to do in house mods. Maybe he was bsing me, and maybe he wasn't. I guess time will tell

[Croak]

Dinan has not produced anything really new in a long time. They have been riding the BMW train for awhile..Maybe the BMW conductor just figured out they were getting screwed.

Dinan has released a LOT of new product in the last few years...nothing new for the E36 family (not counting their BBK), but E36 cars went out of production 8 model years ago.

BMW-NA has never had a direct relationship with Dinan, it's always been a Dinan/dealer relationship, and Dinan dealers come and go, depending on the parts manager, market, etc.

And even if BMW does come out with a performance accessory line, you can bet it'll be even less agressive and probably more costly than similar Dinan products.

Product line will be limited to exhausts and maybe some suspension mods, along with the usual M-Technic appearance mods and wheel upgrades, and possibly some drivetrain upgrades (LSD or higher geared differentials, clutches, short shifters).

They won't touch software upgrades, for a whole host of reasons, nor will they likely get into brake upgrades beyond what could be ordered for a production car due to legal liability.

[edoolittle82]

I work at a center in michigan and actually spoke to our contact the other day about some e30 stuff.. they are going to be droping the e30 chassie and bringing on more upgrades for the newer bimmers like the e90 - e92 kinda lucked out with the e30 thing cause i just bought up all the e30 stuff i could.
so no Dinan will be staying with BMW.

[BigM62]

Dinan has released a LOT of new product in the last few years...nothing new for the E36 family (not counting their BBK), but E36 cars went out of production 8 model years ago.

BMW-NA has never had a direct relationship with Dinan, it's always been a Dinan/dealer relationship, and Dinan dealers come and go, depending on the parts manager, market, etc.

And even if BMW does come out with a performance accessory line, you can bet it'll be even less agressive and probably more costly than similar Dinan products.

Product line will be limited to exhausts and maybe some suspension mods, along with the usual M-Technic appearance mods and wheel upgrades, and possibly some drivetrain upgrades (LSD or higher geared differentials, clutches, short shifters).

They won't touch software upgrades, for a whole host of reasons, nor will they likely get into brake upgrades beyond what could be ordered for a production car due to legal liability.

+1.

[ParadigmGuy]

True story, BMW is coming out with their own performance products.

[Matt]

True story, BMW is coming out with their own performance products.

Not only is it true, it's old news. They've been in the ETK for months.

[Jim M3]

BMW does have performance software for their cars, I know somebody in the US that has it. But wether they will release that for the buying public I don't know. Seems a pity for them not to. Who better to tune the DME than the factory.

[Bad Bimr]

Spoke to my dealer service rep the other day. He just came back from a BMW new model year show. One of the cars he saw and drove was a factory "tuned" 135i. This car had a remap, intake and exhaust work, all done in house by BMW.

BP

[ParadigmGuy]

Who better to tune the DME than the factory.
NickG? :dunno

[kendogg]

NickG? :dunno

Nah player. Plenty of people above him :)

[GG///M3]

AA also has been doing tuning for newer bmw's beside the the e36 models.

[nickdrivesm3]

I was at a Bmw Dealer the other day in the parts section, and i asked about what Dinan parts they have in stock for the e36. The guy at the parts counter was like were not going to have many Dinan parts for long, and that bmw is going to start doing there own in house stuff. Cutting Dinan out of the picture. I wonder if this is true, and wonder what this means for Dinan it self? I wonder if that means super good deals on Dinan sc kits soon.

BMW is marketing "Factory Performance Parts". Parts that BMW deems ok to be put on a car and will NOT void warranty. Dealerships will make the decision amongst themselves whether or not to keep DINAN at that dealer. The catch is why would you want to sell a product while the other company gets the money? Its a nobrainer for the dealership. DINAN will most likely end up as another selection of aftermarket accessories for BMWs. We all know they make good products, so I don't think they will struggle that much with this change. The Performance Parts themselves are pretty cool. The exhaust is waaaay too quiet, but lets keep in mind these are first generation parts. More are coming out for different models. Depending on the success of these parts, expect to see a broader range of parts that are more performance oriented.

On a side note, dealers who are dropping DINAN will be trying to get rid of all their DINAN products. Expect some type of sale or clearance period.

[ParadigmGuy]

Nah player. Plenty of people above him :)
I'll bite, who?

[GG///M3]

I would say AA is at his level. If not higher. After all it is Karl who was the first to break 500whp in a obd2 car if i rember with ICS. Lets not for forget they also broke into the e46 m3 FI scene way before anyone else.

[ParadigmGuy]

I don't know if I'd say that they're on the same level. It seems that NickG has been able to get much better results as far as tractability and performance. I haven't had a car tuned by either though. :)

[tsweers89]

Maybe this will meen Dinan prices will go down since they would be taking a huge hit.

[GG///M3]

Maybe this will meen Dinan prices will go down since they would be taking a huge hit.

It would be nice to see there sc kit come down to the prices of other kit out there, since Rms is fully toasted now.

(ParadigmGuy) I don't know if I'd say that they're on the same level. It seems that NickG has been able to get much better results as far as tractability and performance. I haven't had a car tuned by either though.

What do you mean by tractability, and performance? Btw who did tune your car Vic?

[BigM62]

I'll bite, who?

Well,there is Hans in Stuttgart,Gunther in Munich or Karl in Hamburg.;)

[ParadigmGuy]

What do you mean by tractability, and performance? Btw who did tune your car Vic?
It seems that Nick has been able to improve of AA's part throttle and make more power. My initial tune was by Justin Nenny, but the one that I normally run was done by Blaise. I don't know how much of it Justin did, or if Blaise did the entire thing.

[GG///M3]

It seems that Nick has been able to improve of AA's part throttle and make more power. My initial tune was by Justin Nenny, but the one that I normally run was done by Blaise. I don't know how much of it Justin did, or if Blaise did the entire thing.

Your running tec3r right?

[ParadigmGuy]

Your running tec3r right?
Yes.

[Eric BMW]

Yes they are. BMW is coming out with their own line of performance products

[RightM3]

It's not true.

BMW is releasing BMW Performance, indeed, but the catalog has already been released for the E92 3 series (nothing for the M, yet) and all it has are weak upgrades. You will be able to buy mods from BMW Performance on the E92 and onward, but they'll all have low gains, most.

DINAN is still working with the dealers, however. Call Dinan yourself and ask them. You'll be able to buy both. Think of it like Brabus and AMG. Dinan will still be more aggressive and the only way to get forced induction, etc., while BMW Performance will offer cheaper (most likely) bolt-ons for less power.

[95///M3]

It's not true.

BMW is releasing BMW Performance, indeed, but the catalog has already been released for the E92 3 series (nothing for the M, yet) and all it has are weak upgrades. You will be able to buy mods from BMW Performance on the E92 and onward, but they'll all have low gains, most.

DINAN is still working with the dealers, however. Call Dinan yourself and ask them. You'll be able to buy both. Think of it like Brabus and AMG. Dinan will still be more aggressive and the only way to get forced induction, etc., while BMW Performance will offer cheaper (most likely) bolt-ons for less power.

You are wrong. Not true.

Many E46 parts have been released. The parts are actually pretty nice if you ask me. I know that the Limited Slips for all non M's should sell very well. Also, they have cam kits and remapped ECU's for really pretty decent prices.

Jimmy

[BigM62]

You are wrong. Not true.

Many E46 parts have been released. The parts are actually pretty nice if you ask me. I know that the Limited Slips for all non M's should sell very well. Also, they have cam kits and remapped ECU's for really pretty decent prices.

Jimmy

Lets see some prices and a brochure please.

[GG///M3]

You are wrong. Not true.

Many E46 parts have been released. The parts are actually pretty nice if you ask me. I know that the Limited Slips for all non M's should sell very well. Also, they have cam kits and remapped ECU's for really pretty decent prices.

Jimmy

Really. It would be kool if someone can post a list of the stuff they sell for all models car with there pricing.

[paul e]

As of right now, it appears to be sheer speculation.. not the part about bmw offering some of its own upgrade parts, but about Dinan getting the boot. Whats interesting, if true, would be that Dinan would have to exist, like all the other aftermarket bmw vendors, on equal footing with all the rest. NO more captive audience like theyve enjoyed in the past. If nothing else, it should have a positive effect on their pricing for a change. And, if their markup requirements wont allow them to compete, then so be it.. It will be interesting to see, though. Of course, without dealership support, that would also mean no more new car buyers being able to supercharge their cars before the 4 yr warranty is up, and expect to get covered on related parts. Now, dealers seeing a dinan, or any other supercharger on their pre-4 yr old cars will likely pull warranty coverage so fast customer wont know whats hit him!

[epj3]

I'll bite, who?

I'd guess the engineers who literally designed the dme?

[jvit27]

I saw the catalog about a month ago. They will be introducing things for the E46 first, and E9x shortly after. There was a carbon fiber cold air intake, carbon fiber strut bar, performance muffler, cams, and software(basically the ZHP tune). I think they may have had some wheels too.

The prices were VERY high though - the strut bar alone was about $1000.

[paul e]

I saw the catalog about a month ago. They will be introducing things for the E46 first, and E9x shortly after. There was a carbon fiber cold air intake, carbon fiber strut bar, performance muffler, cams, and software(basically the ZHP tune). I think they may have had some wheels too.

The prices were VERY high though - the strut bar alone was about $1000.

Theyre going to make Dinan look Cheap! Didnt think That was possible :lol

[Croak]

Told ya! And Dinan's never had a captive audience per se...they just had the smarts to make nationwide dealer agreements.

Which is perfect for at least 90% of the Dinan customer-base that would never buy upgrades via the internet or local speed shop anyway.

Dinan knows their market and caters to it very well. If you're reading this, here, you're not the sort of customer they want anyway. Nor are you the sort of customer BMW really wants to sell performance parts to either.

BTW, the big advantage the BMW stuff is going to have over the Dinan stuff is that it'll be MUCH easier to get a loan that includes the price of the accessories (or residual value increase for leased cars).

[paul e]

>>And Dinan's never had a captive audience per se<<

By 'Captive Audience' I meant that, upon visiting a BMW dealer who is also a Dinan dealer, the new BMW buyer who thinks he has some extra performance aspirations can take care of his perceved performance needs, such as they are, all at the time of purchase.. MOreover, he will be told that he can have these parts installed, and STILL be able to take advantage of his complete warranty. The salesman will probably gloss over the fact that its not really BMW thats warrantying his Dinan parts, but Dinan who will step in, and BMW wont automatically pull the warranty on the rest of the car. I think the relationship between the two has always been somewhat blurred. If you ask the average (not bimmerforums) dinan owner, youll get the same kind of vague, fuzzy answer. Kind of a liveable if not somewhat uncomfortable arrangement.. For this kind of buyer, I think we can both admit Dinan has a relatively captive audience.

Im using the term the way marketers use the term: pertaining to a crowd whos already demonstrating an interest in the particular product niche, and is already in a buying state of mind, etc, etc. Im sure you know what is meant.

[RightM3]

You are wrong. Not true.

Many E46 parts have been released. The parts are actually pretty nice if you ask me. I know that the Limited Slips for all non M's should sell very well. Also, they have cam kits and remapped ECU's for really pretty decent prices.

Jimmy

You do know that the release of BMW Performance and the relationship between Dinan and U.S. BMW dealers are not mutually exclusive, right? :rolleyes

Like I said, call Dinan. See what they tell you. Or just wait until the E92 M3 comes out. If Dinan was "getting the boot", do you think BMW would fly Steve Dinan to Spain to drive the E92 M3 and then write an article in Roundel magazine on it?

[ZimDoc]

I think Alpina is making a move to take Dinan's spot.

Have you seen the new Alpina line? Its some hot stuff.