When does the e60 need wheel alignment?
01-17-2008, 09:37 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Current - MY2008 530i comfort access,active steering, HUD, prof nav/TV, bluetootth etc .....
Old - 2006 530i comfort access, active steering, HUD, NAV/TV, Bluetooth
In the absence of damage to the steering/wheels or obvious signs or tyre wear, it has been my practice to get the wheels aligned every time I replace the tyres.
a) Is that really necessary on our cars?
b) I have seen comments on the forum of having BMW service do it and not the tyre supplier. Is this the consensus?
c) what sort of special tool will the wheel aligner need to do the job to BMW specification?
BTW - this will be the first set of replacement tyres for me and I will be moving to NON-run flats.
a) Is that really necessary on our cars?
b) I have seen comments on the forum of having BMW service do it and not the tyre supplier. Is this the consensus?
c) what sort of special tool will the wheel aligner need to do the job to BMW specification?
BTW - this will be the first set of replacement tyres for me and I will be moving to NON-run flats.
01-17-2008, 10:57 AM
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
The only time you need a steering alignment is when the car fails to go straight (drifts) when the steering wheel is centered.
If this isn't the case with you, then you should only need wheel balancing and a check to make sure the wheel camber is within specs - both are normally done when new tires are installed.
Do a search on steering alignment.
If I remember correctly:
1 - this service is NOT covered under BMW's warranty.
2 - cars with Active Steering require special equipment for this procedure.
If this isn't the case with you, then you should only need wheel balancing and a check to make sure the wheel camber is within specs - both are normally done when new tires are installed.
Do a search on steering alignment.
If I remember correctly:
1 - this service is NOT covered under BMW's warranty.
2 - cars with Active Steering require special equipment for this procedure.
01-17-2008, 04:53 PM
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NorCal
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT
And the cost for aligning an Active Steering E60 costs big bucks ranging anywhere around $250 - $400 depending on the dealer. Call around for the best price.
01-17-2008, 07:13 PM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicagoland (US)
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i with Sport Pkg, Nav, HUD, Cold Weather Pkg, Rear Shades
Originally Posted by Roleez' post='519375' date='Jan 17 2008, 07:53 PM
And the cost for aligning an Active Steering E60 costs big bucks ranging anywhere around $250 - $400 depending on the dealer. Call around for the best price.
Unless you are being charged that much due to your mods??
01-17-2008, 08:51 PM
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NorCal
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT
Originally Posted by JStraw' post='519432' date='Jan 17 2008, 08:13 PM
Not true. Dealer price is typically around $150 for an alignment. If you are getting charged way more than that, then you should probably find another dealer.
Unless you are being charged that much due to your mods??
Unless you are being charged that much due to your mods??
01-18-2008, 08:05 AM
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicagoland (US)
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i with Sport Pkg, Nav, HUD, Cold Weather Pkg, Rear Shades
Originally Posted by Roleez' post='519448' date='Jan 17 2008, 11:51 PM
I paid about $150 this past summer to have my car re-aligned and the car doesn't have Active Steering. I've been charged this same price before I had my Dinan mods put on. But unfortunately yes, the dealership will charge more $$$ to align an Active Steering car. My friend has an '04 530i with Active Steering and she paid a little over $300 to re-align her car.
Cheers.
01-18-2008, 08:48 AM
#7
Members
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: nyc,usa
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 04 545 jet black/beige, smg sport,premium,sunshades,logic7,cwp,nav,pdc,bluetooth,16.0,light tint all around,Pirelli PZeroNero
i think the steering alignment and wheel alignment are 2 diff things,maybe that's why dealer's charge is different?
01-18-2008, 08:57 AM
#8
Contributors
I recently inquired at Bloomfield BMW (NJ) and they quoted me somewhere around $300 as well. I even had a coupon for $149, but it couldn't be used for Active Steering cars.
01-18-2008, 09:37 AM
#9
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 7,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
Originally Posted by faarcanal' post='519216' date='Jan 17 2008, 10:37 AM
In the absence of damage to the steering/wheels or obvious signs or tyre wear, it has been my practice to get the wheels aligned every time I replace the tyres.
01-18-2008, 11:35 AM
#10
Members
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco, The City By The Bay
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Currently MB SL 500 Roadster
Next: 2009 535i. Hopefully summer '08
Originally Posted by vegastrashed' post='519656' date='Jan 18 2008, 02:37 PM
Like others have said don't bother with an alignment if you're replacing tires.