Is a Supercharger Worth It? | Dinan BMW M3 S3-R

What happens when you bolt a supercharger and a bunch of suspension parts to an E46 M3?

You get the Dinan S3-R. Based on the E46 M3 (a 2004, in this case), the S3-R package included every part Dinan made for your M3. From engine to brakes, suspension to wheels, they fitted everything to it, bringing the power level up to Corvette and 911 Turbo numbers. So how does it feel to drive?

For decades, the biggest name in the U.S. for BMW modifications was Dinan Cars. Led by Steve Dinan, Dinan Cars built everything, from little bump stops to six-figure racing engines. Their main business was developing and selling parts to the everyday enthusiast. Strut tower braces, suspension kits, brakes, engine mods, and even wheels.

NOTE: I said the RS4 only came in automatic. I was wrong, and dumb, because I drove an RS4 in 2010 that had.....3 pedals.

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[markmisencik]

Zack & Matt treated me very well and it was a great experience!
- This was my daily driver for 6 years - Hence the 60K miles on the Dinan kit
- As my business car SMG worked great as I was stuck in Bay Area traffic a lot.
- This is one of 3 fun weekend cars now. Maybe 1500 miles a year now.
- When the SMG pump dies, it's time for the manual swap
- When you let your 25 year old setup the stance, this is what you get.

[driftattack]

Quick correction: the B7 generation RS4 only came in stick shift. You’re right that it’s nose heavy since the engine is forward of the front axle, but luckily the AWD system was able to send more torque to the rear wheels to help the car rotate around a corner. Still won’t rotate like this BMW though

[TheSmokingTire]

NOTE: I said the RS4 only came in automatic. I was wrong, and dumb, because I drove an RS4 in 2010 that pedals.

[evancondry]

Wow the E46 M3 looks better every year. The stance and wheels make this thing absolutely gorgeous. Great review, Zack!

[MRDAL]

Zach, I could listen to you talk about cars all day! You’re extremely watchable, and you deliver your reviews with thoughtfully crafted language and true authenticity. Thanks for the entertaining videos; you rock!

[BadJoJo]

This and/or a Horsepower Freaks Turbo M3 were goals for teenage me. Great video Zack

[JacesOwnWorld]

As a supercharged E46 M3 6spd manual owner (ESS 525 kit), I will say that I don’t think I could ever go back to stock power. Supercharged on this platform is very very good.

[WBizarre]

"but the headliner today..." I thought you were going to say the headliner is sagging 😅

[guspetch]

This might well be the best car review/drive on YouTube. I feel like I was in the passenger seat and the descriptions you noted hit the mark so well. I am a fellow Topaz Blue E46 M3 owner, btw. Mine is a 100% stock with 65K miles (and a 6MT).

[AudiSurferz]

In my anecdotal experience, a front strut bar makes a huge difference on initial turn in and mid corner feel. I try to have one on all of my cars.

[jamesgarvey]

It’s interesting you say that about the supercharger. I almost bought an E 92 M3 with an active auto works 625 kit. I was amazed at how it still felt like an M3 but just moved the power up. It was just a more powerful version of the same car with the same feeling in the same delivery.

[PaleD]

DSC light flashing in turns usually has to do with differing tire circumferences. Depending on what size tires you have it could point to a clue. Also older cars as you know had an updated MK60 dsc unit that allowed for the "half way" dsc or M track mode found on the CSL.

Beautiful car, Steve Dinan is a legend.

[gradn]

I remember the Road&Track issue that featured the Dinan-tuned E46 M3s. I gotta help my friend with his 315whp 02 Steel Grau slick-top track M3 on 285/30-18 Hoosiers next month.

[NickHazletonMusic]

It’s great. But after driving a Dinan s3 in the San Diego heat, heat soak is very real. It barely felt faster than a stock e46. I think the s2 is a better option for warmer weather.

[plizzle]

And the Headliner today... still intact, amazingly.

[patriciadevries]

Zack, this is what you do- High quality carbon airbox, good headers, replace the exhaust section one w/ high flow cats, (much better flow, loose the rasp) either leave the o.e. section 2 & muffler, or get a quality muffler but NOT loud, think like Eisenmann street, SuperSprint street, Dinan etc.. the goal is to have a little better quality sound, a little less weight maybe, and no rasp, but do not make the mistake so many E46 M3 owners make -TOO LOUD- (I even replaced my section 2 w/ a resonated S.S. x pipe to reduce/ deepen the sound more) last but not least, a proper tune- Tuning Techs (Frank Smith) is who I recommend, or like Evolve, ESS, Dinan, Active Autowerke, etc.. Letting that in-line six "Breath" combined with the ITBs is something special-

[PinkyPowers]

I want one.
Right now, my daily is a 190k mile 2011 Mustang V6 in manual. Oodles of fun, but I'd love to trade up to something like this someday.

[bigmountain]

My neighbor Paul has a very early Dinan, I would say it’s a early 80’s 3 series. When I asked him about the car he told me that he knows Steve Dinan personally. This car has been driven and now it’s starting to be restored. I remember these cars when they came out when I was a teenager. Very Rare and Lots of Fun. Naturally Aspirated is just fun and teaches you how to drive. If you need a turbocharger or a supercharger Your CAR HAS NO BALLS!! Thank You Enzo for that quote and I agree. Just think how Maurice Petty massaged those Hemi’s for his brother Richard. No Forced Induction in NASCAR!!!

[docwyte]

The problem with the Dinan supercharger system, besides the insane cost, is that it's not intercooled. My old E46 M3 had an intercooled Vortech kit from VF Engineering. It was far less expensive compared to Dinan and made 490 hp to the wheels, and since it was intercooled, it didn't get heat soaked. Dinan does good work but I wouldn't choose all their stuff as there are better choices out there that are less expensive

[evolicious]

I had an AA stage 1 on my e46 m3 smg, it was a perfect mod for a car that lacked just a bit of power beyond bolt-ons.
Miss that car so much. Don't miss the cost of repairing it though.