scar

As I look ahead to putting my beast up for the winter, I am leaning toward getting an S2 upgrade. Comments appreciated, particularly from those who went through the same decision making process and concluded it made sense (or not).

For the record, the nearest shop to me here on the coast of Maine is in Chichester NH. Any direct experience with this shop alos appreciated.

Cheers, SCAR

DRM

My, my, ANOTHER Chiaretto Red car!! Wow, there must be 4 or 5 of us on this board now.

To your question, and FWIW: 'Bought my car new in 5/02 and it remained bone stock for almost 3 years. 'Loved the car. But in late '04, being the ever curious high performance sedan/big coupe enthusiast, and with E39 M5 out of production, 'went through an exhaustive search for a new car (any of several different makes/models) to replace mine. Long story short, 'found nothing that I liked better. Then I was fortunate to actually get some seat time in an S2. I was amazed. But, because of the price tag, 'reasearched and examined alternative mod's; where mixing different after market components could achieve good results @ a lower overall price. To make another VERY long story short, 'concluded that I'd be better off with a total designed and tuned pkg from Dinan that had a great warranty and performed as advertised (my research uncovered zero disputes about that; only gripes were about cost). Also, I previously acquired/had installed Dinan components for other BMW's I'd owned; and never had a problem with any of it.

All that said, and based on my own direct experience, 'will share some recommendations with you:

1. The absolute key to getting a great result is choosing the right Dinan dealer. Dinan has over 150 authorized dealers in North America; some are great and highly capable/experienced, some are just OK, and some are only interested in profits from selling the components and really haven't focused on installing them properly. Since you live in a relatively remote area, it's vital you get your car back with everything done right the FIRST time.

'Dunno anything about the New Hampshire dealer you mentioned as being closest to you. Geography is the LAST thing I'd base a dealer decision on. How many "full monty" S2 installs have they completed?? What has been the incidence of returns for warranty work?? (I know, for a fact, 'vast majority of returns for warranty work on S2's are from dealer installation error, NOT failure of Dinan components. If you want to know how I know this, PM me and I'll tell you). Also, most, if not all, dealers who do a lot of Dinan work will offer you a "total pkg" deal on price that includes components/sales tax/labor/quality enclosed trailer transportation costs, etc. You shouldn't have to pay full retail for an S2 pkg.

2. I made 3 mistakes when I got my S2 pkg done in Jan. '05:

A) 'Got the Dinan LWFW, but reinstalled my original OEM clutch to save
$$$. Don't do that. Trust me.

B) 'Went with Koni Stage 3 suspension set-up 'cause 'was afraid JRZ would be too harsh for street use. Absolutely dead wrong thing to do. IMO, JRZ is actually much better for ride quality; and certainly WAAAY better for handling dynamics.

C) Again, to save $$$, 'didn't get a BBK and kept stock brakes. An S2 pkg completely transforms the car for power and handling (also, components reduce weight by a considerable amount; even more if you opt for some lightweight wheels). The car's capabilities for high speed twisties or track fun are severely compromised by keeping stock brakes.

'Hope this all helps and enjoy getting your car transformed during the winter months when it can be down for the work. Regardless of what you decide to do about after market components and install shop, The E39 M5 platform lends itself to being significantly improved and, assuming a quality job is done, there's no question you'll be delighted; with the option of keeping your great sedan for many years to come.

__________________
Dan
______________________________________________
Daily Driver
'02 M5 (Chiaretto Red Metallic w/black napa full heritage leather/wood trim/leather Euro cntr console/BSW speakers and sub) Sig series Dinan S/C'd S3 package/ Dinan S3 clutch-flywheel/Dinan high capacity oil cooler /Dinan forged alunimum wheels/Dinan SSK/Dinan - Brembo BBK/Stg 3 Dinan - JRZ suspension/monoballs/275-35-18 RA 1's all around
______________________________________________
The "Predator"
'02 996TT w/X50 (slate grey metallic w/full natural grey leather, small carbon package, aluminum trim pieces, exterior color painted wheels, etc, etc).
EVOMS Stage 4 (640hp/615tq)
PSS9 w/F&R H&R sways and EVOMS F&R shock tower braces
Sachs clutch and Porsche SSK
Mich PSC's 235/18 fronts; 295/18 rears

mikeoski

The S2 package w/o a doubt completly changes the way the E39 M5 performs. There is a video which you can search here that compares the S2 to stock. I made the transformation in phases. The two biggest enhancements are the differential and the headers. The car has been flawless with the mods too.

__________________
Mike

2000 Avus Blue ///M5

Dinan S2:
Stage 5 Software, Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intakes,
Air Flow Meters, Headers, Throttle Bodies,
Velocity Stacks, LTW Flywheel, Exhaust, 3.45 Differential,
Stage 3 Suspension, Front Strut Brace

UUC Evo3/DSSR Short Shift Kit
Rogue Power Pulleys
Euro Brake Ducts
Frozen and Slotted Euro Floating Rotors
StopTech SS Brake Lines
Axxis Deluxe Pads
SSR GT7H 9.5" & Toyo RA1 275/35R18s all around
H&R 10mm spacers (front)

'98 Active Autowerkes SC'd M3 (Daily Driver)

palantirion

-DO IT!!! It just makes a perfect car more perfect!

But you don't need Dinan's brakes. Stock brakes are fine unless you are tracking hard. And if you are, Stoptechs are better and cheaper.

p.s. I'm not quite sold on the "JRZ > Koni" debate either. I have JRZs and they are great. My wife has Konis on her 540iT and they are also great. The JRZs offer more adjustability for track use, which may or may not be useful to you. Dan will now argue...

__________________
www.ebsart.com

2007 Z4 M Coupe, Titanium Silver with Imola Red, black and silver interior
-for details: www.mymcoupe.com

2003 M5, Imola Red with black and silver interior
-Dinan S2 drivetrain
-Dinan stage 3 suspension with JRZ shocks
-StopTech brakes
-Rogue Engineering short shift kit and clutch stop
-275/35R18 Michellins f/r on 18x9.5 BBS RS-GTs
-Progressive window tint
-Euro dash and armrest conversions
-CDT/Total audio, NavTv w/ DVD
-Seat massagers

2002 540iT, Sapphire Black with black and red interior
-Dinan S2 drivetrain
-Dinan stage 3 suspension with Koni shocks
-StopTech brakes
-255/40R18 PS2s f/r on 18x8.5 BBS RG-Rs
-Progressive window tint
-Euro dash and armrest conversions
-Custom interior trim and seat massagers
-NavTv with DVD

Performance mods by: BMS

Zoli 007

Just for curiosity, and laziness....what DOES a Full S2 package cost?

Will they do just the motor mods? Allowing me to do the brakes, wheels, suspension myself?

DRM

Yes, you can get just engine power mods that make up an S2; 470hp and 419tq. Per www.dinancars.com :

1) CAI .................................................. .................= $1999
2) High Flow Air Mass Meters......................................= $1699
3) High Flow Throttle Bodies/Tuned Velocity Stacks........= $5499
4) Headers........................................... ...................= $7999
5) Free Flow Exhaust........................................... .....= $1699
6) Stage 5 software (remaps ECU to accomodate mods) = $ 799

TOTAL............................................. ......................= $19,694

Add to that an hourly labor charge for installation. Dinan site estimates about 35 total hours to install all components; but that's adding est. hours for each. Installing total pkg would involve some time overlap; so total labor hours is probably about 30 ($100 per hour = $3k)

Also, most Dinan dealers (who do a lot of volume and have experience with S2 installs) will offer "pkg" deals on component cost. Hell, you can get the usual 10% discount just from your BMWCCA membership at most shops.

'Hope this helps....

DRM

No Earl, 'won't argue; no point. As usual, you're wrong; about both the JRZ's and the Dinan Brembo's. But you being wrong is nothing new.

palantirion

-ROFL

scar

Much thanks for the helpful and colorful responses. Two questions (at least) remain:

My driving of this car is primarily long road trips from coastal Maine to Virginia and southern Colorado (1-2500 mile trips) that are made up of 10-12 hour stretches behind the wheel. So does the S2 have any "drivability" considerations such as harsh ride, excessive noise (from the lower diff, for example) that should be considered.

Next, anybody willing to steer me towards (or away) from a specific Dinan dealer? It will be very nice to get it done right the first time.

My inclination is to go the full distance, off the shelf, all at once.

ps. To DRM - it took me seven months to find a chi red car that stood up to careful due diligence. It was my top color choice - partly because it is rare and mostly because it is one of the nicest colors available on anything (IMHO). Again, thanks.

Performing Imports

We have done 20 or so S2 Dinan M5's as well as S3 M5's and I can tell you that you want some one with our expirence doing this install. I know that we are far away but because of our expertise and our reputation of our work on these cars we have had customers ship there cars to us from long distances.
We would be happy to assist you with this install if you need us to.
Check us out on our website or you can also talk to Dinan and they will tell you about us as well.

MCarRacr07

Hi Scar,
Closer for you would be New Jersey...Motor Werks West....they have also done S3 conversions...and are the ONLY ones I know of in the Tri-State area.
As to some other points
1. JRZ ARE better than the Koni...I have had both.
2. STOP-TECHs are AS GOOD AS Brembo...I have had both.
3. Installer IS EVERYTHING!!!....Dinan Parts are just that DInan Parts...be VERY selective of whom you go too.
PM me if you have any more ???
Regards
S

__________________
MCarRacr

89 M3 (Track Car) SOLD
00 M5 (R.I.P)
00 540 Sport (Gone)
03 330xi (Gone)
06 330xi (Son's Car Now)
08 328xi(New Arrival)
95 M3 (Track Car)
08 M3 (lil Beast)

palantirion