How often to do an alignment?

09Monaco335i · 09-03-2014, 08:51 AM

Just curious what the recommendation is on how often to do an alignment? Once a year perhaps? I don't see any alignment recommendations in the owner's manual.

I paid an indy shop for an alignment earlier this year after 5 years of ownership. I noticed uneven tire wear after removing my winter tires. I paid $90 for the alignment.

Thanks.

e90Cam · 09-03-2014, 08:54 AM

Depends on the situation (new tires etc..)

I usually do mine once every 2 years

Roleez · 09-03-2014, 04:23 PM

I realign if any of the following occur:

1. Pulling to one side at highway speed with all tire pressures at spec and/or ...
2. Steering wheel is off-center more than 5 degrees

Yearly alignments are unnecessary and a waste of money if the car is tracking correctly and all tires show even treadwear, even after a year or two have passed. Same thing goes for alignments prior to new tires. Not needed if the prior tire set tracked straight and showed even wear. Of course the inevitable can happen. I did two alignments recently thanks to two potholes (one month apart) that knocked the tracking and steering off kilter. Oh, and realigning a 3 with Active Steering isn't wallet friendly either at $195/visit.

phamlay · 09-03-2014, 07:00 PM

I bought this lifetime alignment special from firestone and I get my alignment done probably every 3-4 months. I do it right when i feel the car pulling more one way of the other. I can go as many times as I want so why not?

techietaichi · 09-03-2014, 09:57 PM

I do it twice a year. Once for my Spring to Fall setup and the other for my Winter.

davejensen34 · 09-03-2014, 10:03 PM

Need = anytime to mess with suspension components. Bushings, struts, control arms, sway bars, etc.

Nice ta = whenever you feel like dropping $100. Or if you're like FireStone boy, whenever you want for nada...

JaysBlueE92 · 09-04-2014, 08:29 AM

depends like others say..if you are xdrive make sure you go somewhere that knows about that. Or you're wasting your time and money.

b-man · 09-04-2014, 07:41 PM

I have free alignment from sullivan tire. So I get alignment done when I swap winter-summer tires. Camber back to factory with winters, and more neg camber with summers

hockeyplayer · 09-05-2014, 08:42 AM

I usually do it whenever I buy tires, or if i feel the car pulling to one side.

09-03-2014, 08:51 AM	#1
09Monaco335i Private First Class 25 Rep 129 Posts Drives: Monaco 335i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [0.00]	How often to do an alignment? Just curious what the recommendation is on how often to do an alignment? Once a year perhaps? I don't see any alignment recommendations in the owner's manual. I paid an indy shop for an alignment earlier this year after 5 years of ownership. I noticed uneven tire wear after removing my winter tires. I paid $90 for the alignment. Thanks. __________________ 2009 E90 335i xDrive / Monaco Blue / Beige / 6-speed Manual / Premium / Sport / Cold / iDrive / iPod
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09-03-2014, 08:54 AM	#2
e90Cam Major 30 Rep 1,093 Posts Drives: e90 LCI Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	Depends on the situation (new tires etc..) I usually do mine once every 2 years
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09-03-2014, 04:23 PM	#3
Roleez E60 to E90 to E92 3 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	I realign if any of the following occur: 1. Pulling to one side at highway speed with all tire pressures at spec and/or ... 2. Steering wheel is off-center more than 5 degrees Yearly alignments are unnecessary and a waste of money if the car is tracking correctly and all tires show even treadwear, even after a year or two have passed. Same thing goes for alignments prior to new tires. Not needed if the prior tire set tracked straight and showed even wear. Of course the inevitable can happen. I did two alignments recently thanks to two potholes (one month apart) that knocked the tracking and steering off kilter. Oh, and realigning a 3 with Active Steering isn't wallet friendly either at $195/visit.
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09-03-2014, 07:00 PM	#4
phamlay Private First Class 18 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CALI iTrader: (0)	I bought this lifetime alignment special from firestone and I get my alignment done probably every 3-4 months. I do it right when i feel the car pulling more one way of the other. I can go as many times as I want so why not? __________________ 2009 e90 mtec\| alpine white\|black interior\| DC intake\| gloss black kidney grills\| LED Interior\| LED Exterior\| gloss black vinyl roof\| BBS RS-GT wheels\| 235/35/19 front\| 265/30/19 rear\| KW V1 coilovers\|CF trunk spoiler\| CF diffuser\| HKS catback exhaust\| Fully coded\|
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09-03-2014, 09:57 PM	#5
techietaichi Major 294 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Pre-LCI & 2010 X3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Massghanistan, USA iTrader: (1)	I do it twice a year. Once for my Spring to Fall setup and the other for my Winter. __________________
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09-03-2014, 10:03 PM	#6
davejensen34 Private 0 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive - Black Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Utah iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 355i [0.00]	Need = anytime to mess with suspension components. Bushings, struts, control arms, sway bars, etc. Nice ta = whenever you feel like dropping $100. Or if you're like FireStone boy, whenever you want for nada... __________________ [FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="1"]F30 335i xDrive(loaded)
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09-04-2014, 08:29 AM	#7
JaysBlueE92 Mr. Monaco 155 Rep 4,197 Posts Drives: Slow.. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E92 [5.00]	depends like others say..if you are xdrive make sure you go somewhere that knows about that. Or you're wasting your time and money. __________________
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09-04-2014, 07:41 PM	#8
b-man Major 604 Rep 1,090 Posts Drives: 328xi Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: maine iTrader: (2)	I have free alignment from sullivan tire. So I get alignment done when I swap winter-summer tires. Camber back to factory with winters, and more neg camber with summers
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09-05-2014, 08:42 AM	#9
hockeyplayer Captain 74 Rep 776 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2006 325xi Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I usually do it whenever I buy tires, or if i feel the car pulling to one side.
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