|
|
|
|
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
03-15-2018, 11:57 AM | #1 |
Private
18
Rep 69
Posts |
Should I get the car aligned at a dealer? Or is a reputable shop good enough?
Is it worth going to the dealer for the expensive alignment? I just got new PSS's and want to get an alignment to prevent any premature wear.
|
03-15-2018, 12:13 PM | #2 |
First Lieutenant
225
Rep 376
Posts |
Any reputable shop should suffice if you are on stock suspension. If you are lowered, camber plates etc... then you may want to use a shop that is familiar with modified suspension.
__________________
Past: 1979 RX-7, 1980 Civic, 1989 B2200 lowrider, 1990 Golf GT, 1995 Civic Si Turbo, 2000 Civic SiR, 2000 328i, 2003 540i M-Sport, 2008 Rabbit, 2014 Pilot, 2002 A4 1.8T, 2009 A4 2.0T Quattro, 2017 CR-V Touring 2020 CR-V Touring
Current: 2012 135i, 2015 228i x-Drive, 2023 CR-V Touring Hybrid |
Appreciate
1
desertman1232213.50 |
03-15-2018, 03:33 PM | #3 |
Captain
691
Rep 969
Posts
Drives: 2018 M2
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Winchester, CA
|
I'd actually recommend getting it done at the dealership. I haven't had good luck with other shops when it comes to alignments
|
Appreciate
3
|
03-15-2018, 03:43 PM | #4 |
Major General
4338
Rep 6,196
Posts |
You can have good/bad techs at both the dealer and independents. Really depends on the tech doing the job. At least at the dealer though, they likely have a very good machine, well, at least some of them do.
All of the MB/Honda/BMW alignments in our group are done by one guy at our MB dealer, they have an OK machine. Here at Acura, we are attached to our body shop, and we have a new OE BMW machine, it is flipping amazing. Most of the techs here I would not trust to do an alignment on my own car. A lot of them just set the front toe and throw it out. |
Appreciate
3
|
03-15-2018, 03:53 PM | #5 |
Needs a long road trip...
348
Rep 527
Posts |
I go to indy alignment shop simply because I track/autox my other car and they will do custom alignments. Some shops won't go outside of factory specs due to liability issues.
If you just need a standard alignment, I'd say go with someplace that you trust and has a good reputation. You'll probably pay more at the dealer... |
Appreciate
0
|
03-15-2018, 07:25 PM | #7 |
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
I do my own!
Not much fun, especially if you turn things the wrong way...
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
Appreciate
3
|
03-15-2018, 07:57 PM | #8 | |
European Editor
10589
Rep 22,992
Posts |
Quote:
I used to work at a dealership... where one "tech" would do a good alignment on his own car... make like 30 printouts... then when a car came in for an four wheel alignment... he would only adjust the toe. Hand in one of his preprinted alignment forms and collect his gravy. He was a real POS... but he turned in the hours... so management was happy. He made big money for his side of the shop. I wanted nothing to do with him. Like you said their are good techs and bad ones. And a lot depends on the machine said shop is using. This last summer I had a BMW dealer do a four wheel alignment... afterwards I was amazed on how much better the car tracked at high speeds(>150 mph). My car was always a little quirely at those speeds... but what ever they did to the rear alignment it worked wonders on my car! Dackel
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
2
MightyMouseTech4337.50 cerealwars78.00 |
03-15-2018, 08:10 PM | #9 | |
Captain
691
Rep 969
Posts
Drives: 2018 M2
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Winchester, CA
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
Dackelone10588.50 |
03-15-2018, 09:36 PM | #10 |
BMW Cool Aide!
903
Rep 841
Posts |
I had a 4 wheel alignment done at NTB. They did a good job. I could really feel the difference.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-15-2018, 09:41 PM | #11 |
Brigadier General
1541
Rep 3,071
Posts |
I prefer a good suspension & alignment shop.
__________________
2011 135i w/ DCT | ZSP Sport Pkg | PPK | Ohlins R
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-16-2018, 09:29 AM | #12 |
Major
1803
Rep 1,011
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-16-2018, 06:57 PM | #13 |
Second Lieutenant
87
Rep 265
Posts |
I tend to prefer BMW alignments. My dealership still weights the car as spec'd (with bags of ballast). Also, my last time around, I saw that the tech made notes that my car has lots of M3 suspension pieces on the alignment sheet. I asked my SA if I could have that tech ALWAYS because he is observant!
|
Appreciate
3
|
03-17-2018, 10:13 AM | #14 |
Major
815
Rep 1,199
Posts |
I found an alignment guy through my local autocross group. He works at a PepBoys but I just request him to work on my car with a custom alignment. Don't know where I'll go when he moves on, but I'm sure the autoX group will have another recommendation.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-18-2018, 09:29 AM | #15 |
Second Lieutenant
59
Rep 231
Posts |
Independent shop. Use yelp to find a good one.
But for tire wear the most important thing is tire pressure, especially making sure you don't underinflate. For PSS I suggest 42 PSI. Re-adjust once a month. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-19-2018, 11:12 AM | #16 | |
Major
815
Rep 1,199
Posts |
Quote:
42 is quite high. I run 32-34 front and 38-40 rear.
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
1
cerealwars78.00 |
03-19-2018, 07:15 PM | #17 |
New Member
19
Rep 27
Posts |
I think you'll be disappointing in most indy shops. It's hard to get our cars feeling "dialed in" unless done by a professional. Call around, maybe your local BMW dealer has the best alignment machine for your car. It really depends on how picky you are.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|