Dinan vs. Garage Tuners

[SMILLER@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Duane gives us his opinion on this Dinan thing...

>Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 14:15:45 -0400
>From: Duane <drcollie@domain.elided>
>Subject: Dinan Bashing
[major snippage - no, I won't repost the whole damn thing]
>
>On the other topic, Dinan does some unique products and for that they
>should be appaluded. 
>
>But they also do some really ridiculous stuff like take off-the-shelf
>aftermarket parts, grind off the mfg. logos and paint the damn things
>blue - - claiming these are THEIR parts (AutoThority does the same
>damn thing, too, and is even a WORSE offender). That's why they get
>bashed sometimes by us 'garage' tuners who do our own thang. Why
>pay twice the going rate for a set of re-valved Koni shocks that are
>painted blue? 

Well, Duane, some parts Dinan buys from other aftermarket suppliers. 
Some parts he has made to his specs (like re-valved Bilsteins).  Some
parts he manufactures in-house.  (To my knowledge, he has never
covered up the shock brand, he has advertised that he is using Bilstein
and Koni, and does just that.  Yes, I'm sure it was just a poorly chosen
example - maybe.)  His stuff is over there on the expensive side.  You
can do the same thing at home yourself much cheaper - IF you have the
time, IF you have the tools and a lift (well it helps), IF you don't mind
buying parts, installing them, trying them, then buying and installing
replacement parts when you aren't happy with the results, and selling
the parts you didn't like, and etc. etc. etc.  In fact, using this technique
you can probably come up with an even BETTER suspension (for
example) than Dinan.

BUT...

I (and others) don't have a lift and don't want to spend several months
of weekends installing and replacing suspension parts on my car to find
the right combination.  When I wanted a suspension (1988 535i), I
drove/rode in some cars and got an idea of what I wanted.  Dinan
already had it packaged and ready to install.  I paid probably almost
tripple what I would have if I just bought the parts from other sources
and did my own work.  But, it only took me one trip and everything
worked EXACTLY the way I wanted, no guessing, no buying and selling
and buying and selling...  And when there was a problem with a stock
sway bar mount, Dinan fixed it by installing beefed up mounts, no
questions.  And the results were a joy on the street, at the track and at
autocrosses.

Then there is the matter of engine mods.  Dinan has smog certified his
chips/software, turbos and superchargers (most applications) for use in
all 50 states.  Many (or most?) of the available alternatives are not CA
legal, or in some cases, even 49 state legal.  CARB certification costs
$$$$$s.  And Dinan supports his work by matching the factory warranty
or providing his own when the car is out of warranty.

Sure, you can buy and install your own turbo or supercharger.  Go
ahead.  Engineering your own mods is TONS of fun, especially when it
all actually works when you're done, and you still have an engine left!  :^)
 Is it legal?  Not in California it isn't.

Since I'm a Left Coaster, I can't speak about Autothority or similar shops,
but I'd bet they do their mods in a similar manner to Dinan.  Just a guess,
though.

So what I'm saying is, for some people,  a do-it-yourself mix-and-match
is a great way to save money, if that is your priority.  Sure wish I had the
time (and a lift!).  For the rest of us, there are the Dinans out there which
allows us to drive the car in, go watch a couple of movies for the day,
then drive home and really enjoy the results (faster AND poorer!).

>On the plus side, Dinan does pour GOBS of cash and support back into
>the local BMWCCA Chapter, so they're not evil guys. 

Several chapters, actually, and it isn't exactly cash he pours (well,
indirectly), but also his time and goodies.  He does great tech sessions,
gives us door prizes, and instructs at our drivers' schools, if he has time.
 And we appreciate it.

>Just know what you're buying and you'll be money ahead in the long
>run. If you're willing to spend the extra dollars there - they'll ba glad to
>relieve you of your cash surplus.
>
>Duane Collie
>RM3DR1/UUC/Bubba

Right, like I said....  Oh, and don't forget those valuable Dinan Points, good
for the purchase of a nifty Badge!  (That still sounds tacky to me...)

Scott Miller
GGC BMW CCA #44977
No affiliation with Dinan, but I wish there was...

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End of bmw-digest V9 #406
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