Dinan Stage 2 PLUS BMW MPE (Akra) - Any regrets?

[adanny]

Hi Folks

After a lot of hunting, searching et al, I have recently bought a gorgeous 2015 M6 Convertible (San Marino Blue; Opal White interior; 10k miles)

Based on research on this forum, I am thinking of adding the Dinan Stage 2 module, plus the BMW supplied MPE exhaust, which I understand is a rebranded Akra. My objectives are to get the best possible performance, sound, without jeopardizing the warranty and without going over the top on the sound. The Akra appears to be the best option with the lowest probability of "droning", albeit it is the prici-est. Likewise Dinan Stage 2....

My question is: for those amongst you that have installed either or both of the above options, do you have any regrets after living with them for some time? My primary concerns are ......sound is TOO loud....reliability goes down.....Dinan S2 makes the rear wheels even harder to control....


would love your reactions

many thanks

[2007 to 2016 M6 Cab]

Glad you asked

I have the exact set up you speak of plus the super sprint catless down pipes!!!


I first had the catless down pipes go in at 2000 km ... now I could hear the turbo spool, but the CEL light came on intermittently due to emissions ...

Next the full akra evo titanium exhaust went on at 2500 km ... nice rumble ... no drone and just right ... and turbo spool even more distinct ... CEL on only occasionally ... bump in hp and rear wheel spin/hop

Then we did Dinan stage II with Dinan intakes at 4500 km (the next summer)... now we are estimated at 730 hp ... get lots of wheel spin and hope ... but on 325s on the rear not so much ... and slick on the stock 20s for track day very little spinning ... and the sound is amazing ... and CEL on rarely now :


Buddies of mine with ferrari's and Porsche 911 turbo's and Audi R8 with V10s love the sound of my 2016 M6 ... boy the sound!!!

No where Near the love I had for the sound of my 2007 M6 cab with the V10 and eisenman sport exhaust and K&N cold air intake .... but that was a different machine all together ... note I switched from the eisenamnn race to sport as the drone in the race killed me


I think you will love the sound ... not too much but just right with the Duncan stage II and Akra!!!


Welcome To the addiction

[adanny]

Thanks mate. That's super helpful. Sounds awesome

[melvyn]

I have the MPE (Akra)

I got the guys to wire open the valves from word go , it sounds fabulous coming off throttle and after a couple of k miles it's getting better and better.Its quite loud but not over the top , it's very refined and befitting of the car ,am so glad I bought it.Put your headphones into these couple of vids.

This one is a bit long winded on a tight back road but gives a good example of noise taking it easy.

This one is moving on a bit but don't like crossing the centre line like the mini behind me, it has a fab gear change at 1.08

This one short shifts in first but then flat

This one is flat in mdm auto

With a tune, I would imagine it would be better again

[2007 to 2016 M6 Cab]

Originally Posted by adanny

Thanks mate. That's super helpful. Sounds awesome

ENJOY IT ... The Akra Evo and Dinan Stage II fixes the whimpy exhaust note ... and the added power gains is not bad either

[adanny]

Originally Posted by melvyn

I have the MPE (Akra)






With a tune, I would imagine it would be better again

nice vids thanks

[adanny]

just ordered the MOE directly through my BMW dealer should be installed in a week or two

[adanny]

in the meantime, here is what she looks like

[melvyn]

Stunning

Brilliant combo, loving the leather

[kris1858]

Originally Posted by adanny

Hi Folks

After a lot of hunting, searching et al, I have recently bought a gorgeous 2015 M6 Convertible (San Marino Blue; Opal White interior; 10k miles)

Based on research on this forum, I am thinking of adding the Dinan Stage 2 module, plus the BMW supplied MPE exhaust, which I understand is a rebranded Akra. My objectives are to get the best possible performance, sound, without jeopardizing the warranty and without going over the top on the sound. The Akra appears to be the best option with the lowest probability of "droning", albeit it is the prici-est. Likewise Dinan Stage 2....

My question is: for those amongst you that have installed either or both of the above options, do you have any regrets after living with them for some time? My primary concerns are ......sound is TOO loud....reliability goes down.....Dinan S2 makes the rear wheels even harder to control....


would love your reactions

many thanks

I have the MPE and Dinan Stage 2.
Pro's: Exotic Sound that is not overwhelming.
Stage 2 tune gives you extreme power when you need it.
The carbon fiber CA intake looks awesome underneath the hood! (I also have an AFE CF engine cover).
So far no OEM warranty problems or engine problems with the tune.

Con's: You will need the exhaustmeister to keep the exhaust valves open at low rpm.
Sometimes I want more exhaust sound (thus I will be installing HF catless DPs soon)
Dinan can't include aftermarket DPs in their tune. (emissions regulations)
Bad installation of the tune brings lots of drivetrain problems.
**ensure an authorized Dinan dealer installs the tune and wraps the wires in protective shielding**
Lots of traction issues when tires are cold, but then I am on stock rims/tires.

Overall, you will enjoy the upgrade, it's the M6 reborn!

[adanny]

Thanks kris. Decided to go MPE this year and D2 next year. Can't wait

[schnell1982]

You will love that setup.
You cant go wrong with the Dinan performance unlocking the potential power of the twin turbo V8
For the exhaust, Akra is always been the most refined sporty exhaust in my opinion but it is still too quiet for my specific taste.
But for the quality of the build you cant go wrong at all.

[2007 to 2016 M6 Cab]

Originally Posted by schnell1982

You will love that setup.
You cant go wrong with the Dinan performance unlocking the potential power of the twin turbo V8
For the exhaust, Akra is always been the most refined sporty exhaust in my opinion but it is still too quiet for my specific taste.
But for the quality of the build you cant go wrong at all.

+1

[Dr Thrillride]

Originally Posted by kris1858

Bad installation of the tune brings lots of drivetrain problems.

Can you offer a little more behind this comment? Thanks

[kris1858]

Originally Posted by Dr Thrillride

Can you offer a little more behind this comment? "Bad installation of the tune brings lots of drivetrain problems." Thanks

Sure...
The Cold Air Intakes (CAI) were not properly installed leading to the drivetrain problem.

Here are some of the codes that caused a drivetrain malfunction:

Code: 121201 Charging pressure sensor 1, plausibility, after run: Pressure to high (DME 1)

Code: 102A53 Hot film air mass meter 2, correction signal, operating range: Period duration too low (DME 2)

Turns out some of the internal parts of the CAI were installed backwards causing a sealant issue.
Lesson learned is that never let anyone besides a Dinan rep install or mess with Dinan equipment.
This includes unplugging the Dinan piggyback ECU before the car is completely powered down.

Hope this helps!

[Dr Thrillride]

Okay, thanks for that. The morale of the story is that you don't let plumbers into the operating room. No offense to all you plumbers.

People, if it would never occur to you to not disconnect the battery before disconnecting your DME, then please just close the hood before you hurt yourself. Or RTFM.

I've installed the Dinan CF intake(s) and Dinan Stage 1.5 sans exhaust on my 435 and M6 and has probably been the easiest install I think I could do. And I'm no brain surgeon.

[Twitch Massacre]

People still waste their money on Dinan's tune? :

[2007 to 2016 M6 Cab]

Originally Posted by Twitch Massacre

People still waste their money on Dinan's tune? :

we love our cars and our tunes

However ... not all have access to anything but Dinan based on where we live


But ... at LEA$T non of us are Beggars

[Twitch Massacre]

Originally Posted by 2007 to 2016 M6 Cab

we love our cars and our tunes

However ... not all have access to anything but Dinan based on where we live


But ... at LEA$T non of us are Beggars

At this point it sounds almost silly to me that Dinan still sells any of their tunes for the F12/13 with the alternatives out there. Not just from a price standpoint but from performance as well. Hard to imagine that the only thing available to some is Dinan. But hey, whatever works you know. Seems there's still some considerable gains from the Dinan over stock. I just scratch my head as to how exactly it's still preferred over some other piggybacks or flash tunes.

[adanny]

Originally Posted by Twitch Massacre

People still waste their money on Dinan's tune? :

How would you rate the other tunes available, and do they protect the warranty? and is the narrative that "Dinan does not violate warranty and therefore must be least likely to cause damage" just a myth?

[2007 to 2016 M6 Cab]

Originally Posted by adanny

How would you rate the other tunes available, and do they protect the warranty? and is the narrative that "Dinan does not violate warranty and therefore must be least likely to cause damage" just a myth?

Having NO warranty issues was key for me as well ... and my local BMW Dealer is Dinan Certified ....


thus less likely to have to should there be a warrant issue denied later and less - or - - or - - or - with the dealer

emoji's

[Dr Thrillride]

Originally Posted by Twitch Massacre

People still waste their money on Dinan's tune? :

Why would you even comment...I mean, for a guy who wasted his money on an I8