BMW Performance vs Dinan Stage 1 Suspension

[jfj1336]

Any thoughts on price to performance ratio, or if anybody has had positive/negative feedback for one vs the other or if one is a better value than the other? Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

[Smac355]

It seems from what ive seen over the last few months people have been happy with both setups, obviously DINAN is an arm and a leg cost wise compared to the BMW perf. but I haven't really seen and direct comparison/feedback on someone experiencing both(would be nice to have though). I have a feeling the DINAN may a more aggressive susp. setup than the BMW but im no expert. I'm also debating between the 2...don't forget to add the install too if your not doing it urself since i know my DINAN rep had quoted about a Gnote for installation

[Speed Cat]

I had the Dinan set up and it was great... No complaints at all... 100 times better then stock....

I switched to KW just to be a bit lower, but after spending almost $2500.00CND with the install i sometimes ask myself if that extra .5 to .75 in drop was worth that price... I dont really feel a big difference in feel..

[old1]

Originally Posted by Speed Cat

I had the Dinan set up and it was great... No complaints at all... 100 times better then stock....

I switched to KW just to be a bit lower, but after spending almost $2500.00CND with the install i sometimes ask myself if that extra .5 to .75 in drop was worth that price... I dont really feel a big difference in feel..

Maybe we 135i owners should file a class action suit against BMW for their deceptive practices. I never dreamt that I was going to need to spend $2500 replace the stock "M-tuned" suspension just to make the car safe at speeds greater than 60 mph. After owing it for about six months, I could not be less happy with the way this stock car drives--for all the well documented reasons seen in this forum.

[MrRoboto]

^^^Maybe you should test drive cars before you buy so you know what you are getting into.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by old1

Maybe we 135i owners should file a class action suit against BMW for their deceptive practices. I never dreamt that I was going to need to spend $2500 replace the stock "M-tuned" suspension just to make the car safe at speeds greater than 60 mph. After owing it for about six months, I could not be less happy with the way this stock car drives--for all the well documented reasons seen in this forum.

Exaggerate much?

[Itanius]

Originally Posted by old1

Maybe we 135i owners should file a class action suit against BMW for their deceptive practices. I never dreamt that I was going to need to spend $2500 replace the stock "M-tuned" suspension just to make the car safe at speeds greater than 60 mph. After owing it for about six months, I could not be less happy with the way this stock car drives--for all the well documented reasons seen in this forum.

The stock 135i most definitely does NOT have an M-Tuned suspension, nor is it advertised as such.

[wlm50]

I drove the car before I bought it, and I knew the suspension was weak. So I also knew that I was going to have to spend $2500-$3000 to make it the way it should have been stock. I've had BMWs since 1977 (3 series and 5 series), and I really think BMW is making a mistake by not putting a better suspension under a car like the 135i coupe. This is the type of car you want to drive hard and take to the track. But I think it's borderline dangerous at high speed, it's not confidence inspiring as is, and I won't take it on a track for a DE event until I've done the suspension work. I think my 2000 540i with upgraded tires but stock suspension handled better than the 135i with the runflats (and the 540i was really quite excellent with a Dinan Stage 2 suspension - even though still too heavy). That said, once I put in the improved suspension (including rear subframe bushings), I expect the car will be what I would have hoped it would be at the beginning. And other than the suspension shortcomings, I like the car a lot.

[gts135]

Originally Posted by wlm50

That said, once I put in the improved suspension (including rear subframe bushings), I expect the car will be what I would have hoped it would be at the beginning. And other than the suspension shortcomings, I like the car a lot.

+1

So much that my Cayman is sitting in the garage a lot more than it used to. The 135 is just a fun car - not 'the best', but just fun.

[old1]

Originally Posted by wlm50

I drove the car before I bought it, and I knew the suspension was weak. So I also knew that I was going to have to spend $2500-$3000 to make it the way it should have been stock. I've had BMWs since 1977 (3 series and 5 series), and I really think BMW is making a mistake by not putting a better suspension under a car like the 135i coupe. This is the type of car you want to drive hard and take to the track. But I think it's borderline dangerous at high speed, it's not confidence inspiring as is, and I won't take it on a track for a DE event until I've done the suspension work. I think my 2000 540i with upgraded tires but stock suspension handled better than the 135i with the runflats (and the 540i was really quite excellent with a Dinan Stage 2 suspension - even though still too heavy). That said, once I put in the improved suspension (including rear subframe bushings), I expect the car will be what I would have hoped it would be at the beginning. And other than the suspension shortcomings, I like the car a lot.

amen brother