Have to keep aligning every 4-5 months

buckybadger · 10-04-2019, 10:50 AM

The alignment keeps messing up. I just drove over a rough surface at 35 mph and it was not bad. Nothing compared to hitting a pothole. Now my car wheels are whacked up and probably need to re-align. It is not handling turns the same way it did prior to driving on the rough road. All my tire pressures are set perfectly. All my suspension components checked out fine at the dealer and all they said that it needs an alignment.

Is this a thing with modern BMWs? I only had to align my E90 once the entire 5 years that I owned and it was a much harder ride. That car drove straight and handled extremely well on any type of surfaces except potholes. But the point is that it didn't needed to be realigned that often.

Anyone else have a similar experience with F30 alignment?

OC_F32 · 10-04-2019, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckybadger

The alignment keeps messing up. I just drove over a rough surface at 35 mph and it was not bad. Nothing compared to hitting a pothole. Now my car wheels are whacked up and probably need to re-align. It is not handling turns the same way it did prior to driving on the rough road. All my tire pressures are set perfectly. All my suspension components checked out fine at the dealer and all they said that it needs an alignment.

Is this a thing with modern BMWs? I only had to align my E90 once the entire 5 years that I owned and it was a much harder ride. That car drove straight and handled extremely well on any type of surfaces except potholes. But the point is that it didn't needed to be realigned that often.

Unless there is something symptomatic a misalignment, i.e., pulling to one side or another/steering wheel cocked/uneven tire wear, I typically have the alignment done each time I change tires. Most shops where I in SoCal will warranty the alignment and recheck for free within 6 months.

I've had my F32 for north of 4 years. Couple of years into ownership I lowered it 1.75" front and 1.3" rear. No change in the frequency of when an alignment is needed.

capt_slow · 10-04-2019, 11:06 AM

Get an alignment check at a reputable tire/wheel shop. If the check shows out of spec, then have the shop do an actual alignment.

I would take the dealer's recommendation with a grain of salt and get a second opinion.

upsidedownfunnel · 10-04-2019, 11:42 AM

You shouldn't require an alignment every 6 months. I haven't experienced any issues with my car's alignment going out of whack. Even after installing M Perf suspension which is considerably stiffer.

How many times have you had to have it aligned? It sounds like something is just coming loose for some reason. Next time you get an alignment, see what is out of whack. If it's just one or two things in the same corner, mark those with a marker like factories do to confirm bolts were torqued. Then you can quickly check to see if those go out of alignment again after 6 months.

bimmer456 · 10-04-2019, 01:59 PM

My dealer always wants me to do alignment as it is a cash cow for them. Probably not necessary, sometimes they provide a printout showing they actually did something.

OC_F32 · 10-04-2019, 02:13 PM

What's interesting is how they determine an alignment is needed without having placed the vehicle on an alignment machine. I don't suppose is being done each time they car goes in for service. But I so suppose obvious uneven or premature tire wear would be an indicator. But that would mean it would be obvious to the owner/driver as well.

EDWYER · 10-04-2019, 02:17 PM

Too often. They are just wanting your $$.

buckybadger · 10-07-2019, 10:22 PM

Thanks everyone!

pshovest · 10-09-2019, 06:12 AM

Post your previous alignment sheet(s). It will show the before and after settings. Let's see how far you were out of alignment.

buckybadger · 10-09-2019, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshovest

Post your previous alignment sheet(s). It will show the before and after settings. Let's see how far you were out of alignment.

Thanks, please see attached. I did this in May 2019. Can I modify any of the parameters to make this alignment even more aggressive? As in, to further improve the on-center feel, accuracy and tightness.

pshovest · 10-09-2019, 01:57 PM

Don't see an attachment

buckybadger · 10-09-2019, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshovest

Don't see an attachment

Sorry, didn't upload for some reason. Can you see it now?

BeerHerder · 10-09-2019, 04:52 PM

My dealer wanted like $290 or something silly for a one time alignment. Got a 5 year package from NTB for $300. Unlimited alignment and transferable to a new car one time if needed.
I am currently having an issue with a slight pull to the right that I need them to fix...

buckybadger · 10-09-2019, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerHerder

My dealer wanted like $290 or something silly for a one time alignment. Got a 5 year package from NTB for $300. Unlimited alignment and transferable to a new car one time if needed.
I am currently having an issue with a slight pull to the right that I need them to fix...

Thanks, what's NTB?

Dnslater · 10-09-2019, 06:52 PM

Are your wheels significantly lower profile than your E90? If you drive on many bad roads, little sidewall can contribute to this. Here in the Midwest the roads have all gone to hell and I find myself paying for a lot of alignments (and wheels) each year.

Elvisfan · 10-09-2019, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckybadger

Thanks, what's NTB?

National Tire and Battery or NTB.

buckybadger · 10-09-2019, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dnslater

Are your wheels significantly lower profile than your E90? If you drive on many bad roads, little sidewall can contribute to this. Here in the Midwest the roads have all gone to hell and I find myself paying for a lot of alignments (and wheels) each year.

Yeah I have M performance suspension with 19 inch wheels, car is even lower than the stock sports suspension. But still, anyone I hit a rough patch of road, feels like car become a little less accurate in handling.

eluded · 10-10-2019, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckybadger

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshovest

Post your previous alignment sheet(s). It will show the before and after settings. Let's see how far you were out of alignment.

Thanks, please see attached. I did this in May 2019. Can I modify any of the parameters to make this alignment even more aggressive? As in, to further improve the on-center feel, accuracy and tightness.

Yes I'm sure it's possible but have not read it here but my search button is broked. All of my other cars run a more aggressive alignment than stock. Not sure what to about this thing. My fronts roll over and chew up the side wall. I think it's gonna kill the tires before the middle tread is gone.

pshovest · 10-10-2019, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eluded

........ My fronts roll over and chew up the side wall. I think it's gonna kill the tires before the middle tread is gone.

What tire pressure do you run? Increase front to 40. This will save the outside edges of the tires.

pshovest · 10-10-2019, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckybadger

Thanks, please see attached. I did this in May 2019. Can I modify any of the parameters to make this alignment even more aggressive? As in, to further improve the on-center feel, accuracy and tightness.

Now I see it. Your car was not out of alignment. They made minor adjustment to front toe, but it wasn't out of spec before they touched it.
What tires and air pressures are you running? Do you have the 2VL, variable sport steering option?

10-04-2019, 10:50 AM	#1
buckybadger BMW forever! 1392 Rep 2,420 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	The alignment keeps messing up. I just drove over a rough surface at 35 mph and it was not bad. Nothing compared to hitting a pothole. Now my car wheels are whacked up and probably need to re-align. It is not handling turns the same way it did prior to driving on the rough road. All my tire pressures are set perfectly. All my suspension components checked out fine at the dealer and all they said that it needs an alignment. Is this a thing with modern BMWs? I only had to align my E90 once the entire 5 years that I owned and it was a much harder ride. That car drove straight and handled extremely well on any type of surfaces except potholes. But the point is that it didn't needed to be realigned that often. Anyone else have a similar experience with F30 alignment? __________________ 2020 BMW X5 2019 BMW M2C 2014 BMW 335i 2009 BMW 328i
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10-04-2019, 11:06 AM	#3
capt_slow Captain 556 Rep 906 Posts Drives: 2017 F31 328d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 VW Golf SportW ... [0.00] 2017 BMW 328d xDriv ... [10.00] 2020 BMW i3 Rex [0.00]	Get an alignment check at a reputable tire/wheel shop. If the check shows out of spec, then have the shop do an actual alignment. I would take the dealer's recommendation with a grain of salt and get a second opinion. __________________ 2017 328d xDrive Sports Wagon: Estoril Blue, Black Sensatec, M-Sport Pkg 2020 i3 Rex: Capparis White, Giga World
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10-04-2019, 11:42 AM	#4
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 2001 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	You shouldn't require an alignment every 6 months. I haven't experienced any issues with my car's alignment going out of whack. Even after installing M Perf suspension which is considerably stiffer. How many times have you had to have it aligned? It sounds like something is just coming loose for some reason. Next time you get an alignment, see what is out of whack. If it's just one or two things in the same corner, mark those with a marker like factories do to confirm bolts were torqued. Then you can quickly check to see if those go out of alignment again after 6 months.
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10-04-2019, 01:59 PM	#5
bimmer456 Major General 2984 Rep 6,036 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	My dealer always wants me to do alignment as it is a cash cow for them. Probably not necessary, sometimes they provide a printout showing they actually did something.
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10-04-2019, 02:13 PM	#6
OC_F32 Private First Class 119 Rep 191 Posts Drives: 2015 428i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1)	What's interesting is how they determine an alignment is needed without having placed the vehicle on an alignment machine. I don't suppose is being done each time they car goes in for service. But I so suppose obvious uneven or premature tire wear would be an indicator. But that would mean it would be obvious to the owner/driver as well.
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10-04-2019, 02:17 PM	#7
EDWYER Yoda of mods 1676 Rep 3,006 Posts Drives: X5 RWD Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NC iTrader: (40) Garage List 2015 X5 RWD [0.00] 2016 BMW M2 [10.00]	Too often. They are just wanting your $$. __________________ Current: 2020 Explorer ST (Agate Black Metallic), F15 SGM RWD F87 AW (retired) F30 SBM 316rwhp/440rwtq (retired) Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdwyerCLT YT: https://www.youtube.com/@DWYERGARAGE/videos
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10-07-2019, 10:22 PM	#8
buckybadger BMW forever! 1392 Rep 2,420 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone! __________________ 2020 BMW X5 2019 BMW M2C 2014 BMW 335i 2009 BMW 328i
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10-09-2019, 06:12 AM	#9
pshovest BMW CCA 69606 86 Rep 227 Posts Drives: '15 435i,'10 535i,'08 X5,'98M3 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DE iTrader: (0)	Post your previous alignment sheet(s). It will show the before and after settings. Let's see how far you were out of alignment.
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10-09-2019, 01:57 PM	#11
pshovest BMW CCA 69606 86 Rep 227 Posts Drives: '15 435i,'10 535i,'08 X5,'98M3 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DE iTrader: (0)	Don't see an attachment
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10-09-2019, 04:52 PM	#13
BeerHerder Lieutenant 251 Rep 426 Posts Drives: F30 335, G01 X3, Victory Vegas Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: IL iTrader: (1)	My dealer wanted like $290 or something silly for a one time alignment. Got a 5 year package from NTB for $300. Unlimited alignment and transferable to a new car one time if needed. I am currently having an issue with a slight pull to the right that I need them to fix... __________________ Glacier Silver Metallic 335i X-Drive - Can't leave well enough alone... Fabspeed DP, Wagner Evo Comp II IC, ER CP, BM3 Stage 2 93 OTS, Bimmertech Amp (more to come... always more) Graphite Metallic X3 (nothing yet, but... you know)
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10-09-2019, 06:52 PM	#15
Dnslater New Member 12 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2014 328i Touring Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Are your wheels significantly lower profile than your E90? If you drive on many bad roads, little sidewall can contribute to this. Here in the Midwest the roads have all gone to hell and I find myself paying for a lot of alignments (and wheels) each year.
	Appreciate 0 Quote