Wheel alignment, is the stealer the only option?
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: New york
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?
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Miami
My Ride: 05 545/6
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.
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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?
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: uk, newcastle upon tyne
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
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Take it where you like! 
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Joined: Jun 2009
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My Ride: E60 530i
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.