Dinan 335i Software Installed!!!

When it was time to trade in my aging BMW e46 M3 for the newest craze, the BMW e92 335i, it became very clear that the decision I made would become a heartbreaking and emotional experience. Of any car I've ever owned from the juvenile age of 16, letting go of my e46 M3 I coined "Betsy" was as gut wrenching as breaking up with my high school sweetheart. What seemed to be a practical thing to do turned out to be many months of separation anxiety.

What was it about this new BMW that made me feel so empty? I've owned a few and never felt this way before. How could such a wonderfully refined automobile with so much horsepower and sophisticated technology be so.... should I say, humdrum? It was quite puzzling to say the least and not even a box of Advil could cure this woe.

After many sleepless nights and hearing buyer's remorse knocking at the front door, I realized it was time to face the reality that my e46 M3 was gone and that this new BMW would require some major relationship building, much like marriage. But what scared the hell out of me was I was already on my second one.

What followed were many emotional ups and downs and although I was confident I'd overcome it, the feeling never quite hit any zenith. Sure, the bimmer is fast, but not fast enough and couldn't be because it would compete too closely with the new e92 M3. The brakes were far more amazing than my old M3, but unfortunately overkill for a car with 300 hp. And the handling was far too predictable and monotonous with no sense of excitement or danger. My new BMW felt like a summer movie flop and the only thing my mind could conjure up as any sense of relief would be to wait for the new M3. I'd have to stick with this marriage for a little while longer and be as patient as one man can be, and we all know that ain't easy.

Then the holidays trickled in. What a blessing in disguise. I could finally ponder other things rather than my bimmer and the sudden and surprising rants about how disappointing the new M3 is. It was one thing to be disenchanted about my 335i but now the M3? What was going on here? Was this a conspiracy my wife created so I'd stop obsessing over BMWs? A superpower that I didn't know about? More pondering.

Planning a Thanksgiving feast for friends and family isn't easy and nothing is more insane than hitting the malls on Black Friday. What is it about Black Friday that makes people so nuts? Is it the 50% off sales? What ever it is, I know for me, it's the build up of something great to come. And this Christmas something wonderful came along and it was Dinan's press release on December 10th, 2007.

Dinan announces their new BMW 335i warranty covered software reprogram that delivers a stunning 384 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 421 lb-ft torque at 4300 rpm! What incredible timing. Could this be the cure I've been searching for? Now, I've read about aftermarket chips and so on over the years and didn't take any of it too seriously. But this announcement really hit me like a drunken punch at a party gone wrong. Could a simple DME reprogram really produce such incredible results and actually not risk my BMW warranty? One call to Dinan and then to SFBMW validated my findings and before I could even ask my wife permission the appointment was made as hastily as the day I traded in my e46 M3.

Today I cautiously picked up my BMW with the Dinan software and within a quarter of a mile from the dealership I knew my bimmer had been reborn - much like Darth Vader at the end of Episode III. Although it's not speaking like James Earl Jones the exhaust sounds like him, honestly. It's throatier and the throttle mapping is smooth and absent of the jittery and jerky touches as it once had.

The sheer horsepower and torque is so shockingly sudden that the 335i rides on the edge of insanity. The hefty brakes feel in complete harmony with the power and the heavy steering and stiff chassis have now become synchronized. I knew after I hammered the gas pedal at 50 mph and lost traction that I had power under my control that was like nothing I had ever experienced in my e46 M3. My once humdrum BMW is now an animal that's thrilling and unpredictable.

After the rain broke this afternoon there were some mind-blowing moments driving through the twisties near Moss Beach. I felt like Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear test driving the new BMW M5 which I saw on youtube.com a few months ago. How exhilarating and imaginable. I'm baffled that just a simple software installation can produce such amazing results and I can truly say that I have finally found the perfect marriage of engineering, power and me.

My only criticism is now my neck hurts and you need to keep both of your hands on the steering wheel.

Thanks for taking the time to post that; it certainly sounds like the car is a total blast with the new software. It will certainly be something I will be considering in the spring time once all the snow is gone from here in PA

Keep us updated with how it works out down the road

Great write up, are you one of the striking Writers Guild members? LOL Had drama, action, all you need is a sex scene and you could turn this post into a made for tv movie. I'm probably going to go with the Dinan software also unless Hartge puts their software out. Thanks for sharing your experience, would be even nicer if you dyno your car and post the results.

great writeup. I'm also in the same boat, and understand what you went thru. I lost my M3 to an accident, and replaced her with the E92 335. I'm still in the phase of missing the M, and trying to love the 335. I've only had her for a week, but I think I'm coming around. The 335 truly is great tho! I guess some good mods can fix anything.

This review makes my bank account hurt

But this is probably the route I will take, Thanks for sharing your review

ahhh, yeah my dealer told me about this but he didn't seem to know much about it. Now when my car is payed off next year, will it be the e39 M5 i've been obsessing over or the 335?

By the way, if i was still in college i'd use this write up for a speech class or something.

My e92 335i (6mt) arrived two weeks ago! It's an absolute blast to drive. It goes into Autoscope in Plano, Texas first thing Monday morning for installation of the Dinan software, exhaust, and strut tower brace (which Dinan is throwing in for free with exhaust purchase). I can't wait. Just over $4500 for all that installed (ouch but at least Dinan matches the factory warranty)...

Long post, so I have to ask. What did it dyno to the rear? I know the first Procede made around 330ish to the rear.

Originally Posted by attorneyscott

My e92 335i (6mt) arrived two weeks ago! It's an absolute blast to drive. It goes into Autoscope in Plano, Texas first thing Monday morning for installation of the Dinan software, exhaust, and strut tower brace (which Dinan is throwing in for free with exhaust purchase). I can't wait. Just over $4500 for all that installed (ouch but at least Dinan matches the factory warranty)...

How did the installation of all this go?

Were there any complications with the strut tower brace? None of the OEM braces fit the 335i. I think there is a clearance issue with the air filter box. The carbon fiber strut brace from BMW Performance is beautiful!!!

I'm still curious to know how the 0-60 time changed after the install. Any thoughts?

I'm worried he might have done something crazy...

those HP numbers seem too high. Is this really possible. I was at the bmw dealer today and saw the stage 2 dinan upgrade with these numbers but didn't see a dyno chart. I would like to see what it does to the wheel.

also i have heard lots of things about the oil sensors or what not. pretty much if bmw could of made the exact same car with different ecu technology but with 50 more horse to the wheels why wouldnt they? to me there is something fishy to be uncovered here and im curious as to what it is. i have heard rumors that this mod will be pushing the car too hard and internals may get too hot. i would really like to hear back from someone that has 5k or so miles with this mod....

ive got 1k with the software and ive Autox'ed twice since without any problems. I've done over a dozen downloads and havnt had any complaints yet.

have they released it for the 535 or is it the same thing software for the 335, i know its the same engine and such so im pretty sure it would be exactly the same. by the way scott did you install the larger oil cooler?

this forum is really quite sad compared to e46 fanatics.

how long did you wait before installing it? I was told to wait til 1000-1500 miles

Here are your dyno results.

335xi Dinan Reflash Dyno Numbers, Before, After, and Review. Finally!! - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com

@ 3K w/the flash and loving it, the software is compatible with not only 335i but the 535i and 135i as well. Nice to see some consumer dyno results and although those numbers dont resemble Dinans, the possible difference is explained in this article by Steve Dinan.

what steve dinan article are you referring to? i haven't seen anything written by him to address this issue. just had dinan flash installed in my 335i several wks ago. sounds like a big difference in stats btwn what wolf's dyno revealed and what dinan is claiming. any thoughts on this? also, what is stage two going to be all about?