30-40hp sounds pretty high for dinan mods.. check out
http://www.e46fanatics.com forum's for lots of info about this.

G


<John Lee> wrote

Agree. The following link is to a guy who had his 3 series modified by Dinan
and except for suspension work, which Dinan does do a good job, he says its
not worth it. Steve Dinan makes excellent, albeit expensive, suspension
packages, but the rest of his stuff is questionable. For more see here:
http://www.mindspring.com/~pmbenn/dinan3.htm

"tom thumb" <tom (AT) thumb (DOT) com> wrote

Perhaps you should look at a 328 or 330 instead.

-Adam

<John Lee> wrote

There is no increase in horsepower, but there is enhanced performance. What is
does is give you the horsepower that is available at a lower rpm. Meaning you
have higher road speeds in each gear. It also removes the factory top speed
governor so the car attains its natural top speed. It speeds up the throttle
response.
The High Flow Cold Air Intake System improves the engine's intake air flow for
greater engine efficiency. They put it behind the front bumper and below the
headlights.
The Free Flow Exhaust is not noisy like typical after market mufflers and is
lighter than the stock muffler, thereby reducing the car's weight. The 2003 is
49 State Emissions Legal but not yet in California.
The High Flow Throttle Body improves intake air flow which gives you quicker
throttle response.
The Strut and Shock Tower Braces provides sharper handling by reducing flex.
The Suspension System (1, 2 and 3) reduces body roll. 3 adds front Camber
Plates to System 2 which reduces understeer.
The larger Performance Wheels give better grip and reduce understeer even more.

The Carbon Fiber Engine Covers are just for looks as are the Signature floor
mats and the Dinan Deck Lid Badge.
Dinan's warranty matches BMW so you have their warranty as long as you have
BMW's warranty.

This is for the 325, years 2001-2003
Dinan Signature Series:
Peak Horsepower…………195 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Peak Torque…………………182 lb/ft @ 3500 rpm

Dinan S1:
Peak Horsepower……………197 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Peak Torque…………………182 lb/ft @ 3500 rpm

Dinan S2:
Peak Horsepower…………197 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Peak Torque…………………182 lb/ft @ 4000 rpm

If you are actually wanting more horsepower, you need to buy a car with more
horsepower. If the salesman actually said you will have more horsepower PERIOD
rather than more horsepower at lower rpms, he was not telling you the truth.
If he said it raises horsepower *response*, that is correct. The maximum
horsepower purchased with the car is the same horsepower after Dinan is
installed, you just get to the higher horsepower faster. Your top speed will
increase since the governor is removed allowing you the top speed BMW intended
you to have.

People mistakenly think it increases horsepower. It doesn't, but it increases
horsepower response.

Very true. I was actually looking at a 2003 325i and it was $3k less
than what I'm seeing now for 2004 model because you can get it at
invoice price (if there is any left that is). I just thought I'd look
into the 2004 since it's got the new adaptive lights, LED backlights
and facelift. In all practicality, those minor changes are not worth
the extra $3k, but it still seems cool to have. Who knows what we'll
have in store for 2005 when Bangle gets ahold of it. This might be the
last of the "normal-looking" 3 series for those that like the E46
look. Well, that's what I read anyway.

John

Wow! Thanks for all the info. That sure seems like a lot of changes to
be made to the car. No wonder it's so expensive. I guess this is best
left to the dealer or some certified Dinan mechanic. The idea of
getting more torque at a lower RPM is intriguing, but I don't know if
it'll be worth the cost since that's the real benefit of it. Removing
the governor isn't a bid deal to me since I won't be flying down the
freeway at 120+ mph.

I guess he didn't really know what he was talking about then. =)

So do you think it's worth it?

Thanks!
John

Scary thought.

This might be the
I think he had part in this E46 if I'm not mistaken.

I don't know. I think I would go for a car with higher horsepower. Just get
the 03 so it's less expensive. Shop around and also, some places will give you
better deals over the Internet.

BTW, they usually don't, they just want their commission. Some do, but usually
it's not the case.