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Group Buy by PTech in NorCal: Dinan Monoballs

10K views 79 replies 22 participants last post by  ACG 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey Everyone,

Many of you have probably already seen my other thread:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...5-mods-would-you-like-see-group-buy-deal.html

Seems like a popular mod m5board members want are the Dinan Monoballs. You can read up on reviews here from myself and Woody (Fiftytwoeighty) if you're unsure of what they are.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...n-upgrades-rdsport-sways-dinan-monoballs.html
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...n/316818-my-balls-mono-harder-than-yours.html



Steve Dinan's explanation of the benefits of the Dinan Monoball upgrade
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2srygzeVpHM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Dinan Monoballs are a great upgrade and replacement for the stock bushings, which often tend to leak and go bad.

Dinan Monoball on the left, stock bushing on the right

One of our local SF Bay Area BMW indy shops, Performance Technic aka PTech (Performance Technic), just so happens to also be an authorized Dinan dealer and installer. Speaking with the owner, Joe, he has agreed to do a Group Buy for the Dinan Monoballs for our cars. Unfortunately at this time, this GB only pertains to those of us local to PTech and will be getting the install done at their shop. If there is enough interest in the Dinan Monoballs for out of towners, I will work with PTech to see if we can package something together for Monoballs installed into thrust arms.

-----
Group Buy Details:
-minimum of 4 buyers to purchase and install locally at PTech in Dublin
-20% off retail for all parts including Dinan Monoballs, BMW factory, Lemforder OEM, or Febi-Bilstein thrust arms and wishbones
-Package A: Installation of only Dinan Monoballs. Use existing thrust arms and press out stock bushings and replace with monoballs - $200 for labor (FYI, Dinan's website says 3.10 hrs for installation. At $145/hr that's $449.50 just for labor from Dinan)
-Package B: Installation of Dinan Monoballs and thrust arms - $250 for labor
-Package C: Whole Front End Refresh. Installation of Dinan Monoballs, thrust arms, and wishbones - $450 for labor
-Alignment - $135 (not required, but recommended)

20% Discounted Parts Pricing (not incl. 9% CA tax)
Dinan Monoballs: $400
BMW Factory thrust arms (each. p/n 31102348046/7): $165
BMW Factory wishbones (each. p/n 31122347963/5): $155
Lemforder OEM thrust arms (each): $155
Lemforder OEM wishbones (each): $145
Febi-Bilstein thrust arms (each) = $135
Febi-Bilstein wishbones (each) = $120
Associated nuts: Too cheap to bother mentioning :p

-----
So add the desired labor package and parts costs together to get the rough total (need to add 9% CA tax on top of the parts cost). If buyer chooses to provide their own parts, the above labor cost packages still hold true (although I don't see how anyone can get the Dinan Monoballs for a better price than 20% off!)

Everyone's situation is different so I worked with PTech to try and cover the different installation scenarios we may have for the front suspension area. Pick whatever package suits your needs. If you have more than just this front suspension area you want worked on (i.e. rear wishbones for full front and rear suspension refresh), please inquire to info@performancetechnic.com for updated quotes.

Let's get a list started for those who are interested. I would put myself as #1, but unfortunately I already paid full retail to get the Dinan Monoballs installed a few months ago (darn!). Once we get a minimum of 4 interested buyers, I will then contact Joe and can start booking appointments.


--Randy

---UPDATE 8:40PM 9/27/14---
GB is a GO!!! Thank you to the following members for helping us hit the minimum number of buyers to execute this GB:

1. LeeDan00
2. ACG
3. olskooldj
4. M5_SNOW

Please e-mail info@performancetechnic.com to setup your appointment.

For those out of town and interested in a shipping option, PTech is willing to ship a package of Dinan Monoballs pre-installed into thrust arms (not shipping just standalone monoballs). We need a minimum of 5 buyers to entertain shipping a monoball+thrust arm package.
 
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#3 ·
Sorry, I don't get what you mean by "only parts"? This GB is for parts+labor pkges only. You can't just get 20% off parts with this GB.

I'm going to get thrust arm and wishbone pricings from Joe tmrw.
 
#5 ·
Package A is re-using your existing thrust arms and installing the Dinan monoballs onto them.
Package B is installing new thrust arms with monoballs
Package C is installing new thrust arms with monoballs and new wishbones.

Package A = $200 labor + ~$436 monoballs ($400 + 9% tax) = ~$636 for parts & labor
 
#7 ·
Let's do this. Change my balls.

Dan
 
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#9 ·
It only applies to those who get the monoballs installed at Performance Technic. So really it's for anyone...but you have to come to NorCal to pick up the parts and get them installed here.


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#13 ·
I think so! It's cheaper than what I paid a few months ago. I'm just waiting for Joe's pricing for the thrust arms and wishbones (they're swamped today). You going to be #5?? I think I already have 4 locals who committed. I just haven't updated the thread with the list yet.
 
#14 ·
UPDATE! check first post for updates on thrust arm and wishbone pricings!

If there is enough interest for Dinan Monoballs + thrust arm packages for out of towners, I will work with PTech to see if we can package up thrust arms + monoballs installed for shipment.
 
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#15 ·
Thanks for adding me Randy, I am in for Package A :M5thumbs:

Perfect timing as I was about to purchase the monoballs on Monday.
 
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#18 · (Edited)
Got you down. We need to hit the minimum number of buyers first though! Dropping minimum # to 4

1. LeeDan00 - Package?
2. ACG - PackageA
3. pnguyen (maybe)?
4.

count me in if they can do the shipping, thanks
Randy, us out of towners don't need to pay CA sales tax, right? I'm seriously thinking about this now.
I need to talk to the owner about what to do if we get enough interest for setting up a GB package for out of towners. Not sure on the CA tax. Will ask. For out of towners though, there won't be just a standalone Dinan Monoball option. It would be a Dinan Monoball installed into thrust arm package.

If we get enough interest for out of towners who want a Monoball-installed-into-thrust-arm package, then I will engage in more talks with PTech.
 
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#17 ·
Lurkers need to take advantage of this offer. Go jack up your M and ck ur thrust arm bushings. If you see a leak or remanence of fluid you should replace your bushings. I ck'd mine last month while I swapped my springs and found nada, but I did replace my end links.

Randy, us out of towners don't need to pay CA sales tax, right? I'm seriously thinking about this now.


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#20 ·
Let me talk to Joe and get back to you on that.
 
#21 ·
If we don't manage to get enough members don't worry, my indy mechanic laughed when I told him how much the labor was, he said he will install the monoballs for $100 so I still break out close to what is listed here ;)
 
#23 ·
Your mechanic must have a very, very cheap hourly rate then lol.

I'm sure we will hit the minimum. We are pretty much there.
hey randy!

i think i'd be for this - thanks for arranging it.
-package a
-alignment

do you think your other contact can still do gb price on rdsport sways? if so, i'd like to buy sways from him and have ptechnic do the install along with both items above.

thanks.
rex
Rex! How the hell are ya? Hope you're doing well!

I will put you down for PackageA and alignment, although really I just need a list of 4 people who are committed so we can execute this GB and PTech can start taking appointments and ordering parts.

As far as the RDSport sways go...that GB offer is gone, but my friend may be able to still get you a good price. The problem is that the RDSport sways are in such high demand and such low supply. I just had him secure the supposed last set from RDSport for a local M6. I'll ask him though to see if he can find another set.

1. LeeDan00 - PackageA
2. ACG - PackageA
3. olskooldj - PackageA
4.
 
#22 ·
hey randy!

i think i'd be for this - thanks for arranging it.
-package a
-alignment

do you think your other contact can still do gb price on rdsport sways? if so, i'd like to buy sways from him and have ptechnic do the install along with both items above.

thanks.
rex
 
#25 ·
Alright!! We are a GO for the GB as we hit our minimum of 4 buyers!

1. LeeDan00
2. ACG
3. olskooldj
4. M5_SNOW

Dan/Paul/Rex/M5_SNOW, please email info@performancetechnic.com to setup your appointment. Be sure to mention the Dinan Monoball group buy on m5board and which package you want (I think you all are Package A) and any additional jobs you might want done.

M5_SNOW,
I spoke with Joe and he is okay with you coming into the shop in Nov/Dec. He loves working with visiting enthusiasts. E-mail and work out the details.

Rex,
I spoke with my contact and the last set of RDSport sway bars we found on Friday got sold to another local M6 member. If you can find another set somewhere, PTech can surely install it for you. Or, if you want the Dinan FRC and RSB, PTech can set you up with a discount on that as well.

Out of towners, I'm still working on details with Joe for shipping. Can we get a list started of interested in shipping a Monoball+thrust arm package? Once we get at least 5 interested buyers, then we can work out further details.

1. Ojisonracer
2. Cortinas78
3. irishbimmer (maybe?)
 
#30 ·
18,000 miles later and my balls are still HARD!

18,000 miles later and my balls are still HARD! No moans or groans, rattles or roll! I love my balls.

Remember, I was blowing through the stock ones in about 15,000 miles.
 
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#31 ·
18,000 miles later and my balls are still HARD! No moans or groans, rattles or roll! I love my balls.

Remember, I was blowing through the stock ones in about 15,000 miles.
lol Woody, your situation of going through stock bushings every 15k miles is a bit special because you track regularly. Although, I did sign up for my first track day at Thunderhill mid-Nov so I may become a track junkie soon and will probably be glad I upgraded my balls as well haha
 
#32 ·
Woody is def not the norm as I am on my originals and have 107,000 miles with no issues.

Let's no scare the folks on here because the stockers do a good job also.
 
#33 ·
Haha...true...

I know some people were concerned that the monoballs might squeak after some time, etc...

No squeaks after 18,000 miles.
 
#39 ·
There are some signs to check for. You can jack up your car to see if the thrust arm bushing are leaking. Also, there may be some jutter when braking and there will be some give in the bushing area. I think you can YouTube some examples of checking for bushing wear.
Depend on the total cost of the mono-ball installed on the thrust arm, I may be interested in a set.
Interested in the out of town package:
For those out of town and interested in a shipping option, PTech is willing to ship a package of Dinan Monoballs pre-installed into thrust arms (not shipping just standalone monoballs). We need a minimum of 5 buyers to entertain shipping a monoball+thrust arm package.
____________________________________________________________________

subscribed. thanks, michael
Okay, I think we have hit our minimum of 5 interested in shipping.

1. Ojisonracer
2. Cortinas78
3. irishbimmer
4. douglas_ngo
5. TwincH

I will talk to PTech and get pricings for packages for the various types of thrust arms (BMW factory, Lemforder OEM, Febi-Bilstein).
 
#38 ·
Interested in the out of town package:
For those out of town and interested in a shipping option, PTech is willing to ship a package of Dinan Monoballs pre-installed into thrust arms (not shipping just standalone monoballs). We need a minimum of 5 buyers to entertain shipping a monoball+thrust arm package.
____________________________________________________________________

subscribed. thanks, michael
 
#42 ·
We just hit the minimum interested # this morning. Today is PTech's "Sunday" (they work Tues-Sat) so I probably won't have an answer until tomorrow. I try not to bother the owner on his weekend days about business related items if I don't have to.

I will work with PTech to get the following OTD shipped prices:

1. Dinan Monoballs + BMW factory thrust arms
2. Dinan Monoballs + Lemforder OEM thrust arms
3. Dinan Monoballs + Febi-Bilstein thrust arms

The monoballs will already be installed into the thrust arms prior to shipping.
 
#43 ·
Hmm...just did my control arms last year.
 
#44 ·
You can just do what Paul is doing and change out your bushings for monoballs if you want to retain your existing thrust arms (Package A).
 
#46 ·
Hey Mike! Good seeing you yesterday.

Not sure how long Joe is planning to keep this sale open for...my guess is probably until end of next month? I'll confirm with him.
 
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