Wheel alignment, is the stealer the only option?
04-04-2012, 07:12 PM
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As the tittle states, is the stealer the only option for a proper wheel alignment? I need an alignment, but I'm not inclined to bring my own Vaseline for the raping that will ensue at the stealer. I have heard quotes for well over $200. Do you guys use other alignment shops, or is it strictly the stealer when it comes to alignment on your e60?
If you have had success with an alignment shop and you're located in the NYC area, can you please recommend?
If you have had success with an alignment shop and you're located in the NYC area, can you please recommend?
04-05-2012, 06:13 AM
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short answer, take it where you like.
Long answer, if you have active steering it's a little more complicated because the steering wheel has to be "centered" (and I don't mean just physically, you have to turn it to center and then reset something in the active steering controller.) Personally, I've never been happy with alignments done by anyone other than my dealer. Can't explain why, don't know what they do different, but the car just feels ....right. I can't put my finger on what they do but I haven't found anyone else that can. This was the case on my E36, my E39s and my E60.
That doesn't mean you can't find someone else, though. My dealer charges $129 so it's not *too* bad.
Long answer, if you have active steering it's a little more complicated because the steering wheel has to be "centered" (and I don't mean just physically, you have to turn it to center and then reset something in the active steering controller.) Personally, I've never been happy with alignments done by anyone other than my dealer. Can't explain why, don't know what they do different, but the car just feels ....right. I can't put my finger on what they do but I haven't found anyone else that can. This was the case on my E36, my E39s and my E60.
That doesn't mean you can't find someone else, though. My dealer charges $129 so it's not *too* bad.
04-08-2012, 06:36 AM
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As the tittle states, is the stealer the only option for a proper wheel alignment? I need an alignment, but I'm not inclined to bring my own Vaseline for the raping that will ensue at the stealer. I have heard quotes for well over $200. Do you guys use other alignment shops, or is it strictly the stealer when it comes to alignment on your e60?
If you have had success with an alignment shop and you're located in the NYC area, can you please recommend?
If you have had success with an alignment shop and you're located in the NYC area, can you please recommend?
04-08-2012, 07:35 AM
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04-08-2012, 08:42 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
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Take it where you like! 
04-08-2012, 02:23 PM
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Not too sure about where you're located but Tires Plus has same equipment as the $tealer KDS laser alignment. It's called "exotic alignment" and is lifetime warrantied cost about $100. They did good job on E60 but the wheel is just a little off center. JUST a tad barely noticable but if you have a 5er you're most likely anal about these things. It's never bothered me enough to go back though. I had a friend do the 3er on same equipment for $50 and i can tell you THE TOOLS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PERSON USING THEM. Needless to say he did a shitty job. I did a better job manually in my garage man. DEAD serious. I still have to take it back.Anyway I guess it all boils down to what you feel comfy with.