[got'eeem]

Hi all, just a quick question---

I recently got brand new 430 gran coupe about 2 weeks ago.. it has less than 100 miles so far.. I bought black wheels (18" 405M) for them. I plan to have dealer remove the current wheels and put the new black wheels. Aside from paying for the mounting and balance, should I also do wheel alignment at this time, even if it is pretty much a new car with less than 100 miles on the tires?

Dealer is recommending the wheel alignment (about $180) obviously..but just wondering if I should do it? I appreciate any help/feedback... thanks!

[alohasurftoad]

you don't need a wheel alignment

[EBS0712]

I would say NFW. The dealer is recommending to rip you off.

[cfm56d7b]

No wheel alignment is necessary. Too early.

[SunzOut]

Also why would you go to a dealer - Are they changing the wheels for free ?
I would have thought a tire place would be much cheaper, easier and quicker...not to mention doing it yourself ?

But to continue the answer...no alignment necessary! an for a Dealer to suggest that at your mileage is pretty stupid!

[Gen13 F36]

Nope... put the wheels on and drive it...if it vibrates or the car don't drive straight then you need alignment.

[cfm56d7b]

To be more fair to your question, are there any symptoms with the current wheels that may suggest that wheel alignment is necessary? Pulling to one side or another?

It's highly unlikely however.

[chowser51]

Any other tire place can remove your tires and tpms sensors and mount them on your new wheels. Cheaper than the dealer unless they offered to do it for free if you bought the wheels from them.

[metallicpea]

If the car is new and has not taken a serious bump and drives straight, no alignment is needed.

If they mount the wheels and something vibrates after, it is not the alignment - it is wheel balance or the new wheels are not true.

Good luck.

[got'eeem]

Thanks for the reply guys! The dealer is NOT doing the unmounting/mounting/balancing of new tires for free lol... I just thought to go with a bmw dealer to be safe?!

If anyone has tire place recommendations in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area that you have personally have gone with, please let me know..

[kern417]

Just FYI, I'm pretty sure wheel alignments should be free in the first 100 miles. Maybe even 1000 miles, I can't remember. Someone else might be able to reference the actual documentation. But I remember reading about issues like that within initial miles being covered as a factory defect.

All that to say if the dealer really wants to do one, make 'em do it on BMW's dime.

Edit: Here you go. Page 2 in the Warranty manual in your car.
https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...20Warranty.pdf

"Wheel alignment, balancing and wiper blade inserts are covered up to the first 2,000 miles on the vehicle."

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by got'eeem

If anyone has tire place recommendations in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area that you have personally have gone with, please let me know..

Post that question here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=423

There's no good reason to have a dealer do tire work, it's not a BMW specific job.

[got'eeem]

Good to know! But if they/I am changing the original wheels it came with (to another oem set though), do you think I can still request them to at least check wheel alignment?

Originally Posted by kern417

Just FYI, I'm pretty sure wheel alignments should be free in the first 100 miles. Maybe even 1000 miles, I can't remember. Someone else might be able to reference the actual documentation. But I remember reading about issues like that within initial miles being covered as a factory defect.

All that to say if the dealer really wants to do one, make 'em do it on BMW's dime.

Edit: Here you go. Page 2 in the Warranty manual in your car.
https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...20Warranty.pdf

"Wheel alignment, balancing and wiper blade inserts are covered up to the first 2,000 miles on the vehicle."

[alohasurftoad]

unless the car is not tracking true or youve encountered large potholes that could've upset your alignment, you dont need an alignment.

you'll have to pay for an alignment, even if it's just checking, because setting the car on the alignment rack is the essence of the alignment.

Typically alignments are done after any suspension mod, if tire wear indicates need, after collisions and poor roads. If none of this occurred you may do one every few years, for piece of mind, occasionally impending problems may be discovered.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by got'eeem

Good to know! But if they/I am changing the original wheels it came with (to another oem set though), do you think I can still request them to at least check wheel alignment?

I'm saying it's not needed, but if they feel that it is needed when putting another set of OEM wheels on then they can feel free to do it under warranty. Otherwise, skip it.

I expect that if you say that, they may take it for a test drive and say oh, it drives straight, it doesn't need one.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by kern417

I expect that if you say that, they may take it for a test drive and say oh, it drives straight, it doesn't need one.

At less than 100 miles if it needs it then it wasn't done right at the factory, so it would be a warranty issue, as that's a defect in workmanship.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

At less than 100 miles if it needs it then it wasn't done right at the factory, so it would be a warranty issue, as that's a defect in workmanship.

I said that already. Look 3 posts up.