Have had my baby for only 6 days. Straight out of the showroom the steering wheel was about 5 degrees off-center to the right. Took it to the dealer and they "re-alligned the wheels". Now its 5 degrees off-center to the left and the car drifts to the right when I let go of the steering wheel. Can any wheel shop correct this or do I have to take it back to the BMW dealership again.

I can't believe that BMW will allow a $60,000 car to leave the factory like this. Bad.

 

I had the exact same problem when I took delivery of my car. I have a 2008 535xi which I drove to virginia the second day I bought it. It was then that I realized that the stearing wheel was off center. My sales rep called me on the way to virginia to see how things were going and I told him about the offset. He told me to bring the car in as soon as I back to NY which I did. It's now fixed.

Do not take it to a wheel shop take it back to BMW and let them fix it correctly like they did mine. Trust me , I was pissed too.

 

You're assuming it left the factory like that.

Having been to the factory, I'd be more inclined to suspect shipping damage.

While your problem seems more severe than this, be sure to watch out for the crown in the road when you feel the car pulling.

To test it, check on a stretch of flat, two-lane freeway. It should pull slightly right in the right lane, and slightly left in the left lane. Some roads have more crown than others.

 

Take it back to the dealer. My 530xi had a crooked steering wheel, also off to the right about 5 degrees. Some people don't care about issues like this, but driving straight with a crooked wheels drives me insane! My dealer realigned it, no questions asked. It's now perfectly straight. I'd keep taking yours back until they get it exact. You deserve no less, and I am sure the dealer is used to others having this similar issue. I always tell whomever it is that aligns my cars that if the steering wheel isn't perfectly centered afterwards that I'll be back as many times as it takes for them to get it right...just so they know to pay special attention to this detail.

 

Appreciate everyones input. I took it back to the dealer again and they finally got it right. This car is a dream and I can't wait to hit the 1500 mile mark before I go wild. I guess alot of people would disagree with me on the importance of this break-in period.