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      11-06-2020, 06:24 PM   #1
ak340
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Warning: Do not install dinan springs

I've been running the Dinan Springs on my BMW 340xi for about 10k miles now and I must say it has completely ruined my driving experience and is probably my biggest regret. For the first 1-2k miles it was perfect, the car was planted and no longer "floaty." After that it was all downhill. The car began banging and rattling after the slightest of bumps. First my cars alignment kept going out and I kept hearing clunking. Took it to the dealer only to find out that the control arm, strut, and the steering rack all were damaged. Dealer blamed it on springs, said should've never used Dinan, and I ended up having to go through insurance which wrote BMW a $15,000 check (and raised my premium).

Yesterday, a few thousand miles after that incident, I was driving and heard a huge THUD after going over a speed bump at less than 5mph. Pulled over to find out that my car was sitting on the floor on the driver side, the side opposite to last incident, with fluid leaking everywhere.

These springs completely ruined my experience with my car, so I advise anyone who's considering installing Dinan Springs to think twice!
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      11-06-2020, 09:40 PM   #2
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Duplicate posts are bad form, especially when derogatory. If you've got a problem with Dinan that's who you should take it up with.
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      11-06-2020, 10:37 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Duplicate posts are bad form, especially when derogatory. If you've got a problem with Dinan that's who you should take it up with.
+1

Since Dinan sold the company. It doesn't come to mind anymore for me
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      11-06-2020, 10:57 PM   #4
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sounds like he blew a strut and damaged everything else when he hit a bump...I'm just trying to figure this out so it doesn't happen to me...

then he told the insurance company he hit a pot hole or something and got insurance to pay for it...
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      11-06-2020, 11:34 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Duplicate posts are bad form, especially when derogatory. If you've got a problem with Dinan that's who you should take it up with.
Did take it up with them, wanted to give other owners considering installing the product a heads up. It's not derogatory it's an honest review.
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      11-07-2020, 12:05 AM   #6
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The problem with the suspension is the front struts just sit on a cup and a pass thru at that. Why did BMW went with this design and not bolted like the rear is a mind boggling to me...if it's not tighten or you hit something hard the suspension just slide thru the clamp.

I don't understand in an engineering (I'm not an engineer) and safety stand point.


Someone explain to me this design.
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      11-07-2020, 12:09 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gen13 F36 View Post
The problem with the suspension is the front struts just sit on a cup and a pass thru at that. Why did BMW went with this design and not bolted like the rear is a mind boggling to me...if it's not tighten or you hit something hard the suspension just slide thru the clamp.

I don't understand in an engineering (I'm not an engineer) and safety stand point.


Someone explain to me this design.

A tech actually said the same exact thing to me. Said he's dealt with many f30's with the same issue. Not really suitable for cities with bad roads
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      11-07-2020, 05:59 AM   #8
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User error. Should have installed new struts at the same time, or gone coilovers. Latter is the smart route anyway even if not adjusting frequently. 100% chance of getting the drop you want.

There are so many posts here about bad experiences where someone puts lowering springs on old stock struts. It never works out well. Should have done your research.
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      11-07-2020, 07:53 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Logicoeur View Post
There are so many posts here about bad experiences where someone puts lowering springs on old stock struts.
Of course. The stock struts were designed to be used with the stock springs. If you change the springs you've got to change or modify the struts to a configuration that's designed to work with the new springs. You can't blame Dinan if your car gets messed up due to a half-assed installation.
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      11-07-2020, 09:59 AM   #10
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To be honest, it sounds like the bolt that holds the bottom of the strut backed out after a couple thousand miles and it took 8 thousand miles for it to back out enough for the strut to fall through.
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      11-08-2020, 04:59 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blumagic View Post
To be honest, it sounds like the bolt that holds the bottom of the strut backed out after a couple thousand miles and it took 8 thousand miles for it to back out enough for the strut to fall through.
Why can't they just have a fork and a bolted at the middle... BMW engineering
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      11-09-2020, 04:34 AM   #12
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If the clevis bolt on the wheel hub had been torqued correctly there is simply no way that a damper would be driven through it (causing a suspension collapse) coming off a speed bump at "less than 5mph".

Aftermarket springs are also unlikely to directly cause a sudden damper failure, and are unlikely to cause premature wear of the steering rack. Accelerated wear on suspension bushes is a possibility due to the high 'shock' loads which could be generated by running high rate springs.

A mismatched spring/damper could cause accelerated ageing if the spring rate was far too high (damper is unable to retard the state of rebound) or far too low (damper is unable to stop the damper meeting/exceeding its total range of travel), however, reputable aftermarket manufacturers will take these factors into account at the design stage.

From the info provided it sounds like a case of a bad installation causing a gradual settling/collapse of the strut, or hitting a substantial bump or hole at a far higher speed than 5mph.

Fitting aftermarket parts is always a case of risk-reward. OEM parts have been designed with an operating range and have been extensively tested to simulate the anticipated lifespan of the vehicle. This can run to several hundred thousand miles simulated or actual testing. Aftermarket manufacturers typically don't have the resources or the time to do this, and typically won't/don't warranty their products to an a level equivalent with OEM.

The vehicle manufacturer will always tell you that aftermarket parts caused the problem. They want to see their vehicles left as OEM, and a deviating from this provides them with a warranty 'out'.

It's frustrating when things don't work out, but that's the gamble.
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      11-09-2020, 07:12 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watsey View Post
The vehicle manufacturer will always tell you that aftermarket parts caused the problem...a deviating from this provides them with a warranty 'out'.
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      11-09-2020, 12:39 PM   #14
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I'm going thru getting my coilovers installed right now... learned a lot about suspension figuring it all out... from the sounds of it... he used the stock shocks which had miles on them... installed springs which is known to increase wear on stock shocks hence why everything was okay for 1-2k miles and then shock failed because of accelerated wear from the springs... Hit bump and was enough for final failure of the strut which means had no shocking effect causing excessive down force on strut housing forcing strut body thru the bracket... very possible and in conjunction of possibly not properly torqued bolts could of loosened and contributed to the situation....End synopsis is should of had it fixed at first signs of issues especially knowing he was on aftermarket springs instead of waiting ending up in massive failure... So I'd have to rule not Dinan's fault...

Last edited by FastF30; 11-09-2020 at 12:44 PM..
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      11-09-2020, 02:56 PM   #15
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Thanks OP for this PSA.

Note to self: Don't use lowering springs.
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      11-09-2020, 03:10 PM   #16
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Sounds very familiar.

I've run various manufacturers of lowering springs on all my sports cars, two Vettes, a Mustang GT, WRX, and a GTO and they all seem to sabotage the front suspension components with premature failures if you don't drive on slate level road conditions.

It's a little annoying but kinda of the cost of doing business with lowering springs.

FYI, I had coil overs on my e46 and still had chronic control arm bushings failures. So many in fact I just kept a stack on my parts shelf in the shop.
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      11-09-2020, 03:55 PM   #17
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don't want to negate the OPs experience but I've had Dinan springs installed for almost 12k now with Bilstein B8's and they've been excellent. Very taut and works perfectly fixing the stock F30 suspension.

I think the bad juju comes from Dinan marketing the springs as able to be paired with OE dampers. I don't think that's a good idea for any lowering springs that shortens travel. then it's exacerbated by folks taking that recommendation with ones that are already worn.
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      11-09-2020, 04:30 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Johnson View Post
Thanks OP for this PSA.

Note to self: Don't use lowering springs.

Note should read ... Don't use lowering springs unless you have the supporting components.... struts etc...
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      11-10-2020, 01:25 AM   #19
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Note to self:

There no replacement for OEM stock ride height😅
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      11-12-2020, 02:19 AM   #20
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My Dinan springs have got over 80,000 km on them with a Shockware reflash, and OE struts. They've been phenomenal so far. Quite comfortable and sporty enough.
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      11-12-2020, 10:21 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ak340 View Post
I've been running the Dinan Springs on my BMW 340xi for about 10k miles now and I must say it has completely ruined my driving experience and is probably my biggest regret. For the first 1-2k miles it was perfect, the car was planted and no longer "floaty." After that it was all downhill. The car began banging and rattling after the slightest of bumps. First my cars alignment kept going out and I kept hearing clunking. Took it to the dealer only to find out that the control arm, strut, and the steering rack all were damaged. Dealer blamed it on springs, said should've never used Dinan, and I ended up having to go through insurance which wrote BMW a $15,000 check (and raised my premium).

Yesterday, a few thousand miles after that incident, I was driving and heard a huge THUD after going over a speed bump at less than 5mph. Pulled over to find out that my car was sitting on the floor on the driver side, the side opposite to last incident, with fluid leaking everywhere.

These springs completely ruined my experience with my car, so I advise anyone who's considering installing Dinan Springs to think twice!
I have Dinan Springs there are good. You need shocks though. Even if you have shockware it's okay. My car only has 67k miles I say the setup only lasted for about 45k miles. The springs blew 3 out of the 4 EDC shocks. I'm now on Koni Yellows and it's 💯 times better than the shockware setup.
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      11-12-2020, 01:15 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CarolinaBavaro View Post
I have Dinan Springs there are good. You need shocks though. Even if you have shockware it's okay. My car only has 67k miles I say the setup only lasted for about 45k miles. The springs blew 3 out of the 4 EDC shocks. I'm now on Koni Yellows and it's 💯 times better than the shockware setup.
I totally agree. I am running Dinan springs and Koni yellows also..
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