[lsturbointeg]

Hey you guys just doing some research here but besides the dealer what are some of the independent shops charging for an alignment? And do I need to ask them if they have a specific equipment for our BMW's like Hunter? And my last question is for those running 21's any issues with the shop unable to get the camber to line up even after the alignment? I remember on the wife's Accord because she was on 18's and dumped the camber was way off that even after the alignment they couldn't get the camber within specs. I had a shop who specialized in suspension heat treat and bend the arms which than we're able to get the camber in specs. I ask because I took my car out of storage and you guys in cold areas know that the salt will leave white marks on the tire. I should've taken a picture but there was no white marks from the salt on the outermost of the tire so I know I'm definitely having some serious camber. Hopefully even after lowering on KW1's the camber can still be fixed...thoughts?

[jooobi3]

My BMW dealer told me that they were the only one in town that can do the alignment needed to perform on my F10. I'm not sure if that was bullshit or not but it was needed so I pay for it anyway.

[550Reasons]

camber is not adjustable in our cars, i paid 80$ for an alignment at a shop that deals with racing cars, lowered cars, ect.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by 550Reasons

camber is not adjustable in our cars, i paid 80$ for an alignment at a shop that deals with racing cars, lowered cars, ect.

Camber or caster? I can't imagine camber not being adjustable.....

[lsturbointeg]

Camber and caster should be adjustable

[550Reasons]

rear is a tad adjustable, front isnt, but you can find out

[550Reasons]

Here is my last alignment. I gotta raise the front by about .5" to get some positive camber back (its eating the inside) and have some more clearance.

[ndinh]

Paid $125 here in SoCal recently, from a reputable mod shop. Camber/caster front isn't done but rear is.

[lsturbointeg]

Thanks for the input. Just wondering how low I can go without camber wear? Any difference being that I don't have EDC?

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by 550Reasons

Here is my last alignment. I gotta raise the front by about .5" to get some positive camber back (its eating the inside) and have some more clearance.

How low are you sitting bro?

[Luki]

Have a question also regarding alignment...

I have done alignment on my winter 18' rims.
Steering wheel set correct while car goes straight.
After putting summer wheels 20" car still goes straight but steering wheel is turned to the right while driving straight.
When I put back winter wheels all correct.
What can cause such thing?

[550Reasons]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

How low are you sitting bro?

Pretty low, not sure exact measurements tho, but I do need to raise my front a tad, too low, I have no front lip and I have scrape marks on the bottom of my bumper, sad part is that it looks low from the side but looking at it from the front it doesnt look that low

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by Luki

Have a question also regarding alignment...

I have done alignment on my winter 18' rims.
Steering wheel set correct while car goes straight.
After putting summer wheels 20" car still goes straight but steering wheel is turned to the right while driving straight.
When I put back winter wheels all correct.
What can cause such thing?

that's pretty weird! i'm not sure why?

[Luki]

Could be something with tires for example ?!

[Luki]

Originally Posted by Luki

Have a question also regarding alignment...

I have done alignment on my winter 18' rims.
Steering wheel set correct while car goes straight.
After putting summer wheels 20" car still goes straight but steering wheel is turned to the right while driving straight.
When I put back winter wheels all correct.
What can cause such thing?

So I found an answer.
On my 20' rims I had new tires in the front and used ones in the rear.
Now when I put 4 new tires all is ok.
So old tires in the rear caused that problem.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by Luki

So I found an answer.
On my 20' rims I had new tires in the front and used ones in the rear.
Now when I put 4 new tires all is ok.
So old tires in the rear caused that problem.

Glad u found out! So my dealer wants $169 for the 4wheel alignment. Sucks but it is what it is

[SLVSRFR]

I was told by multiple BMW performance shops here in SoCal (two of them to be exact) that getting an alignment done on a LOWERED newer bmw is pretty much useless if your car is in a good ballpark zone already. With the sole fact that they come with a slight camber from the factory. When you drop your car, that camber/caster becomes exaggerated. You can correct slight uneven tire wear, but the inside walls are still going to be eaten up due to the stock configuration. Nature of the beast.

[mikekilpatrick]

Sears has a three year unlimited alignment for 189.00. They are one of the few places that have the alignment add on to do alignments in bmw and more importantly, bmw vehicles with adjustable electronic suspension. Sure beats the one time 200-300 dollar charge by dealer every time they do it.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by mikekilpatrick

Sears has a three year unlimited alignment for 189.00. They are one of the few places that have the alignment add on to do alignments in bmw and more importantly, bmw vehicles with adjustable electronic suspension. Sure beats the one time 200-300 dollar charge by dealer every time they do it.

I may have to give them a call. They service my truck all the time! Have you had them do yours?

[mikekilpatrick]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

I may have to give them a call. They service my truck all the time! Have you had them do yours?

Yup, have had four alignments done in the past year. Cause of the 19 inch rim change, then the 20's, then winter to summer tires and once when I hit a pot hole. They actually have a guy that knows bmw very well. They also did the rear view camera adjustment which ties In with alignment. Very under known deal for alignment

[mikekilpatrick]

And for road force balancing....AAA auto care. Firestone offers lever less tire removal.

All of these are dealer provided, but if you shop around you can save hundreds of not a thousand dollars doing tire and alignment maintenance

[Teddylongtooth]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Hey you guys just doing some research here but besides the dealer what are some of the independent shops charging for an alignment? And do I need to ask them if they have a specific equipment for our BMW's like Hunter? And my last question is for those running 21's any issues with the shop unable to get the camber to line up even after the alignment? I remember on the wife's Accord because she was on 18's and dumped the camber was way off that even after the alignment they couldn't get the camber within specs. I had a shop who specialized in suspension heat treat and bend the arms which than we're able to get the camber in specs. I ask because I took my car out of storage and you guys in cold areas know that the salt will leave white marks on the tire. I should've taken a picture but there was no white marks from the salt on the outermost of the tire so I know I'm definitely having some serious camber. Hopefully even after lowering on KW1's the camber can still be fixed...thoughts?

LS you have 2 options, take it to an Indy shop that knows custom cars or take it to the dealer. As you know I'm lowered on H&R sport springs and I took my car to the dealer after I installed my springs and they wanted the car for 2 days and $390 to align it and program, the SA told me they put weights in the seats to represent the load of people and they reprogramm your parking sensors, headlights, parking assist and what ever else that is connected to the suspension. My car has all that shit and DHP, but I said F that and took it to a shop were my buddy works at. He uses a hunter laser alignment rack and said I was only out 1 degree of negative caster (from BMW specs) on the right front, he adjusted the suspension but couldn't do any of the reprogramming and said if nothing went crazy I didn't need the programming. I've been driving it lowered for a year and everything works like it did before I was lowered, I'm not getting any unusual tire wear and my car goes straight. So if I were you I would find a shop that can align a lowered car or take it deep at the dealer, I got lucky and you could too but probably not your car has a Ganga rear negative camber.