Wheel alighnment

[Sabretooth tiger]

Hey Guys

Had my wheel alignment done by BMW, just before Easter. Was done on MP. I have never been so impressed with a car after wheel alignment before. Send the Mazda in and it did not feel well balanced when loaded.

Does BMW use weight bags? Sorry if this was discussed before.

 

[SP33DYV]

Yes, they do.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Yep, this is one instance where the agents usually get it right! So for this I will most definitely use them in future with my E90!

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I saw on the invoice its like R1100 for alignment. Thank goodness for MP.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Yep, it is pretty expensive, but they seem to nail it each time - far better than most of the normal tyre fitment centres! It is now literally two years that I have had my car and have only had the alignment done once which was at the beginning of the year while in for its service - car is very neutral and stable, especially now with the Bridgestones. So will let the tyre places "check" the alignment for free to see if anything appears wrong (chances are there will always be something wrong based on their results) and if the car does appear to be doing something odd will take it to the agents to adjust.

Over the years I have learnt that fiddling with the alignment, unless absolutely necessary, is just going to cause more problems - rather trust what you feel when driving the car and monitor tyre wear. Have the agents check and adjust every year or two for that matter. Basically, I would rather let the car eat some of the rubber but feel stable and confident than have the alignment adjusted to sort out a minor deviation and end up with an unstable twitchy ride.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

So I do not need to take it in every few 1000 km's?

 

[kabal]

I need to get this done, guess I just have to bite the bullet.

but for R1100,it better be perfect

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I need to get this done, guess I just have to bite the bullet.

but for R1100,it better be perfect

it will be

 

[Philip Foglar]

Tyre balancing as often as possible is a must, but unless you're driving on really bad roads, I don't think alignment should be done too often, but it does still depend on many things, so that's why I say trust what you are feeling - it's sort of what the car is telling you.

 

[Bayn46]

I'm about to get my tyres replaced, which obviously includes alignment.

Is there really a point to weighting the car? The majority if the time, it's just me and a tank of petrol in the car. Should I be driving with a 75kg sand bag in the passenger seat all the time?

I know that the quoted specs in the respective manuals includes weighting the car, but surely you can get accurate alignment without weighting?

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[Philip Foglar]

I'm about to get my tyres replaced, which obviously includes alignment.

Is there really a point to weighting the car? The majority if the time, it's just me and a tank of petrol in the car. Should I be driving with a 75kg sand bag in the passenger seat all the time?

I know that the quoted specs in the respective manuals includes weighting the car, but surely you can get accurate alignment without weighting?

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Now here's the typical scenario where I think it's best to leave the alignment alone. If your car is driving and handling fine other than the worn tyres, rather leave the alignment alone for now and see how it goes once the tyres have settled in. If your car is pulling to one side or doing other strange things, then most definitely have the alignment checked! :thumbs:

 

[Bayn46]

I'm about to get my tyres replaced, which obviously includes alignment.

Is there really a point to weighting the car? The majority if the time, it's just me and a tank of petrol in the car. Should I be driving with a 75kg sand bag in the passenger seat all the time?

I know that the quoted specs in the respective manuals includes weighting the car, but surely you can get accurate alignment without weighting?

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Now here's the typical scenario where I think it's best to leave the alignment alone. If your car is driving and handling fine other than the worn tyres, rather leave the alignment alone for now and see how it goes once the tyres have settled in. If your car is pulling to one side or doing other strange things, then most definitely have the alignment checked! :thumbs:

In my case, my current tyres are pretty far gone. The wear should be pretty even though, so replacing them with a fresh set should result in similar driving characteristics (minus the fact that they are new).

You do make a good point though, my car handles fine as is. I'll do a test drive once the new tyres have been put on and report back.

 

[zama]

R1100 is steep! Can't a person request a reputable tyre shop to use weights?

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

R1100 is steep! Can't a person request a reputable tyre shop to use weights?

Think some if them do.

 

[SP33DYV]

Which ones do? I am yet to find that does use weights.

 

[Bayn46]

Even in the states and the UK, the workshops don't provide weights. Some owners even resort to buying their own sandbags.

Another issue that I find is that most shops don't have the correct specs in the machine, particularly for cars with the sports pack. Best bet is to note the correct settings from the manual beforehand and monitor the alignment.

 

[petrivanzyl]

Wait, so the BMW dealers does wheel alignment on MP???

 

[SP33DYV]

Yes, but only if you ask them to do it...:=):

 

[calypso]

Something I have been preaching for a while. A dealer alignment cannot compare to a wheel shop alignment. I think it also has to do with looked after and maintained/calibrated equipment.

 

[Raybimmer]

Wheel balance issues from the front wheels should be felt through the steering wheel , rear wheel imbalance should cause the whole car to vibrate . Both should be felt if the balance is out of spec .
Wheel alignment should not be felt like this , the car will run to one side or cornering will be affected , handling deteroirates if alignment is out of spec .