people with stage 3 suspension from dinan... - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Radar · 2nd April 2003, 06:41

i am putting in the 3.45 diff installed on tuesday next week and already have the stage 1 computer upgrade... what exactly does the stage 3 suspension do and is it truely a MUST? i will not be tracking the car...

2nd April 2003, 06:45

If i were you i would put K&W coilovers ...i dont like dinan at all for suspension ..doesnt give you a true performance ride...K&W does and you can pick from many diffrent set ups ..for your budget to !!! dinan is a little to expensive for the bad results they have had in this forum...

Sorry for got to say i had stage 3 dinan sus.. and thats why i took it out ..K&W to me kicked it (you know)!!!!

young-nyc · 2nd April 2003, 07:56

I've heard though that Dinan stage 3 suspension does kick some major but* and is also adjustable...
The only thing i did hear was that it was a bit bouncy at first.

atomic80 · 2nd April 2003, 17:35

I don't know about the rest of you guys but I'm happy with my Dinan stage 3 setup. Now I can keep up with the much smaller M roadster/coupes in the twisties. The ride was a bit bouncy at first but has since then settled down and feels the same as stock in terms of ride compliance. I'd do it again if I had the chance to!

The M5 is now very neutral in the corners with noticably less understeer. In fact, at times, I've been able to invoke oversteer too!

A great upgrade! I had my sway bars put in the medium setting.

Lupo///M5 · 2nd April 2003, 18:24

I had the Dinan Stage 3 on my 2001 and plan on putting it on my 2003. It's a must. If there is one mod I would highly recommend to anyone it would be the stage 3 suspension. The difference in handling is immediately noticeable, and extremely enjoyable.

atomic80 · 2nd April 2003, 18:29

Lupo's right...after I tried his car, I knew that I had to get that thing installed! Funny thing is that the parts sat in my garage for almost a year before I finally did something with it.

MT JTN · 2nd April 2003, 18:36

Lupo, Atomic...

Why did you choose the Stage 3 as opposed to the Stage 1 or 2?

I had the Stage 1 installed on my 540 before I got the Beast. The difference in cornering and handling was noticeable immediately, from the first turn of the steering wheel. However, after a bit, I noticed that it was kind of unforgiving over the rough stuff. Was probably other chassis stuff though, not the suspension. The car was almost 10 model years old.

I know what the physical differences are in the kits... the thicker rolls bars, the camber adjustments, etc.

So if I was looking for a noticeable difference in handling but without losing any of the ride quality, or the suppleness that the M Engineers have managed to brew up, what would you two say about the Stage 1 instead?

I've noticed that almost everyone on the board, if they have Dinan suspension kits, have the Stage 3. I've only seen ONE member with the Stage 1. I'm trying to figure out why.

Just curious.

-Matthew

SouthshoreM6 · 2nd April 2003, 18:38

I haven't driven a car with the K&W's, but I am very happy with my Stage 3 vs. stock. My local dealer did the work, and I have only one place to deal with for any issues relating to the car and its mods, that's important to me.

Plus I had enough points to get that cool Dinan badge I can sell on e-bay.

JP Schnitzer · 2nd April 2003, 22:28

I've had the Dinan Stage 3 for about a year now, and driven the car in virtually every type of condition on the road. Rain, high speed canyon carving, freeways, around town, and a 3000 mile 2 week roadtrip. It is a very good suspension that gives the car a more buttoned down to the road feel. The turn in is sharper and once turned, it holds the road tighter. It is not a race suspension, and can be upset at high speeds, over bumps. 99% of the time I am happy with it.

mottati · 3rd April 2003, 02:38

I have the dinan stage 3 suspension on my 528, and love it. As has been said, it's not a race suspension, but a great street performance, occasional track event suspension. Ride is quite good, understeer is greatly reduced. I think most people go with stage 3 rather than 1 or 2 because of the E39's understeering bias. The camber plates really help decrease the understeer, and as others have said, I can get a little throttle on oversteer, and a nice ballanced drift, out of my 528 in the right circumstances. This would be my first mod on any future e39's.
Mike