[walendvay]

Has anyone had issues having someone other than the dealer perform a wheel alignment?

Do they need to hook anything up to the computer and calibrate anything in the steering rack, or can it all be performed by setting camber and toe on the front and rear wheels?

Thanks.

[The X Men]

I had it done in a tire shop and they did a good job.

[walendvay]

awesome, thanks.

[BruceOmega]

Originally Posted by walendvay

Has anyone had issues having someone other than the dealer perform a wheel alignment?

Do they need to hook anything up to the computer and calibrate anything in the steering rack, or can it all be performed by setting camber and toe on the front and rear wheels?

Thanks.

Do you have Variable Sport Steering?

Did not seem to be a problem using an independent shop if the car does not have VSS.

However, our X3 has VSS and when I called local independent shops they said they could not do an alignment.

I went to a local dealer. Interestingly, I had a wide variety of quotes from various local dealers. The one I went to ended up charging me less than the price they quoted over the phone.

Bruce

[walendvay]

Originally Posted by BruceOmega

Do you have Variable Sport Steering?

Did not seem to be a problem using an independent shop if the car does not have VSS.

However, our X3 has VSS and when I called local independent shops they said they could not do an alignment.

I went to a local dealer. Interestingly, I had a wide variety of quotes from various local dealers. The one I went to ended up charging me less than the price they quoted over the phone.

Bruce

Yes, we have VSS. According to the dealer, they don't need to do anything with s/w to align the car.

if you don't mind me asking, what did your local dealer charge for an alignment? Mine is asking $130.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by walendvay

Yes, we have VSS. According to the dealer, they don't need to do anything with s/w to align the car.

if you don't mind me asking, what did your local dealer charge for an alignment? Mine is asking $130.

$130 is not bad at all, I paid $100 at the tire shop and my dealer wanted $189.

[neelkc12]

Originally Posted by The X Men

$130 is not bad at all, I paid $100 at the tire shop and my dealer wanted $189.

==========
Like to know which tires shop you went to.

[fjrmann]

Not one local tire shop had the correct tools to perform a wheel alignment on my X3. Dealer charged $99.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by neelkc12

==========
Like to know which tires shop you went to.

Sullivan tire in Newton.

[RhoXS]

Is there reason to even check the alignment if the tires are wearing even and there is no other obvious issue?

My X3 going in for its yearly service in two weeks (I only put about 10K miles a year on it) so it is a good time to have them check/align it but don't want the expense if not needed. I haven't looked but doubt an alignment is covered under the warranty.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by RhoXS

Is there reason to even check the alignment if the tires are wearing even and there is no other obvious issue?

My X3 going in for its yearly service in two weeks (I only put about 10K miles a year on it) so it is a good time to have them check/align it but don't want the expense if not needed. I haven't looked but doubt an alignment is covered under the warranty.

Wheel alignment is only cover for the first two months of the car. If your tires are wearing evenly and your car is tracking straight with no pull, there is no reason to check the alignment.

[bowler_1]

I know this will seem a bit old fashioned to you younger guys, but an easy way to check for basic toe in - toe out issues is to lightly slide your finger tips backwards and forwards across the tread. If smooth both ways then everything should be fine.
What you are looking for is a rough feel one way and smooth the other. If that's the case then feeling rough going inwards indicates excess toe out and vice-versa.
Excess wear only on either shoulder indicates possible castor / camber issues. Often the old ways still work .

[BruceOmega]

Originally Posted by walendvay

Yes, we have VSS. According to the dealer, they don't need to do anything with s/w to align the car.

if you don't mind me asking, what did your local dealer charge for an alignment? Mine is asking $130.

The dealer charged $170.

Calling around prior to that, one dealer quoted a little over $300, the others varied from something like $230 up to $270 (I did not keep the quotes).

The dealer that I used was the $230 quote over the phone, but when I got there the SA said they have an internet special of $170 and that is what they charged me.

I went back to that same dealer this morning. I just put new tires on my 3 series and got that aligned for the same $170 price.

Bruce

[Radioactive]

Just had new tires installed at a Tire Rack recommended installer. Had a four wheel alignment done for $79 w/ coupon. LOL. Did a great job.

[BruceOmega]

Originally Posted by walendvay

Yes, we have VSS. According to the dealer, they don't need to do anything with s/w to align the car .....

Thanks, that is good to know. When I was calling around for our X3 I could not find a definitive answer.

The local shops I talked to were equating VSS with Active Steering, and said they cannot do an alignment for a car with Active Steering.

The BMW dealers gave mixed answers. Some said there is an extra cost for VSS and others said they would not know until they got into the alignment process.

Bruce