Advice.....based on experience
I am interested in some Dinan mods but the nearest dealer is an hour away. Do I have to use Dinan for all my service requirements or can regular BMW dealers do the work?
1) Purchase and have installed any Dinan mods at an authorized Dinan dealer (either an indy shop or BMW dealer). If you are a BMWCCA member, you should expect to get at least a 10% discount on Dinan components (most indy shops/BMW dealers offer this). If you're not a BMWCCA member, it costs $45 to join, and you can do it online (
www.bmwcca.org).
2) For normal/routine service/maintenance, any BMW dealer is fine.
3) HOWEVER, if you have a warranty claim, even if it's seemingly unrelated to Dinan mods on your car, take your car to a BMW dealer who's also a Dinan dealer. It's too easy for a non-Dinan dealer to blame Dinan (or ANY other after market vendor) mods; and deny warranty claims. If there's a question, the BMW/Dinan dealer will work it out with Dinan (to decide the applicable warranty coverage). YOU won't have the hassle of being involved.
'Hope this helps.......
EDIT: If your mods include Dinan software, and your routine service/maintenance is going to include a BMW dealer downloading a software "update", 'best to take your car to a BMW/Dinan dealer. BMW software "updates" that affect ECU will override Dinan software. A BMW/Dinan dealer will reflash your ECU with Dinan software, and it's free.