[mob17]

I have recently lowered my E90 with AC Schnitzer springs and now want to do a 4 whhel alignment.

The place where i got my springs fitted say they have one of the best machines (apparantly only 10 garages in the UK have this machine) called John Bean? Pricing is £54 for normal tracking then £20/tyre for the alignment, if any camber is to be adjusted. So max price is £134.

Another place, Northampton Motorsports, said £90-180 + VAT.

How much do you reckon i should pay and any recommendations as to where i can get it done? Im in Northampton and travel to London quite a bit so don't mind if its on the way to or is in London.

[mobilejo]

Its irrelevant what machine they have and how fancy it is - the real question is can it replicate all of the BMW specs 100%? If not, its no good to you.

We know that the Hunter/KDS machine does it to BMW spec and there are alot more than 10 in the country, so I would stick to that. A place in Birmingham does it for £50-60 - could be worth the drive; The Wheel Alignment Centre

Unless you want to be the guinea pig for this new machine... In which case make sure you post your findings afterwards!

[Squintstream]

You really need a Hunter Hawkeye machine.

You can find the closest dealer to you via this site: http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

There was a discount coupon that you could download from it (last time I used it), cost around £50 all in

[mob17]

Didn't realise i should be going for the Hunter system. Good to know though. Don't really want to be a ginea pig.

I've checked www.alignmycar.co.uk and Northampton Motorsport came up, but they are expensive and the discount at the moment is 5%! So, can i assume that every garage on alignmycar.co.uk has that Hunter alignment system?

[seanblee]

Yes, that's Hunter's own alignment website. In the end, you can use the most expensive machine in the world and it can't compensate for an operator that doesn't know what they're doing - best sticking with a recommendation if you have one than just going for the nearest place with Hawkeye.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by seanblee

best sticking with a recommendation if you have one than just going for the nearest place with Hawkeye.

Yeah i agree. The only recommendation i have so far is from mobilejo, the place in Birmingham. Has anyone got any other recommendations, maybe somewhere a bit closer to Northampton, on the way to London, or even North West London?

[Business edition]

Mate I will recommend some one they are called tyres r us. The company is based in Birmingham.

Since I bought my bm the tracking was out. I changed my rear hub etc because every one said my tyre was bent.

I when to two tracking places which do 4 Wheel Alignment none of them knew what was wrong. I told them look how the tyre is sitting and all they say is its fine.

I when to tyres r us and guess what it was the wheel which was straight which needed cambering and this company sorted it out. Now my car is fine

Give them a call and check if they do what you want doing.
0121 356 3387 ask for andy his the boss of the place.

Hope this helps

[mob17]

Thanks Business Edition. Only thing is that it's in Birmingham. Im sure he's good but i just don't really want to travel that far

[Business edition]

No worries. I will find out if there is any good places in Northampton who do it too. I know a lot of people who live in Northampton. As most of them come to my car meets etc

[ibz.s.b]

i can recommend goodwin tyres in Ilford off Green Lane thats in East London/Essex...i went there and paid £130 for four wheel and cambers adjusted after i fitted my eibach springs in and they did it to bmw specification (their machine says what it should be from manufacture for each car) however you should let the spring settle first drive about 40-50 miles and add any spacers etc then get it done..a lot of people say your tyres will go within 5 miles if you dont get it aligned asap but mine we're fine just kept an eye on it and it worked out ok

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by ibrahimbeg

a lot of people say your tyres will go within 5 miles if you dont get it aligned asap but mine we're fine just kept an eye on it and it worked out ok

@ 5 miles. As you discovered yourself, the people that say that are very wrong. Sounds like scaremongering to me.

You will get premature tyre wear and wear in odd places, but you will do no damage in 5 miles. Unless you wheelspin for 4 of them!

I've waited 200 miles + after lowering to get mine done with no damage to tyres. I imagine thousands of people don't get their cars aligned ever.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by mobilejo

Its irrelevant what machine they have and how fancy it is - the real question is can it replicate all of the BMW specs 100%? If not, its no good to you.

We know that the Hunter/KDS machine does it to BMW spec and there are alot more than 10 in the country, so I would stick to that

What do you mean 'replicate BMW specs??'

BMW alignments are no different to anyone elses, the tolerances are wide too. All cars have 4 wheels to be aligned it's not rocket science. If you can do any RWD car you can do a BMW.

The spec is just a table of angles that a skilled aligner could do with any machine. Hunter/KDS just have a sales deal with BMW thats all.

Saying the Hunter Machine 'does it' to BMW spec is nonsense, the Hunter/KDS machine doesn't DO anything, its just a measuring device. Its a bit like saying wow my 'ruler' can measure to BMW spec, any ruler can do that, its the operator that determines the accuracy.



BTW - Johnbean make the fastest and most accurate 3D optical alignment rigs in the world. Tuning shops and garages use them and they are approved by BMW (and everyone else) worlwide.

Car Planet Racing in Warrington set my car up on one, absolutely spot on perfect in every angle. It vies the wheels in a virtual 3D environment and works at any height or angle to set the wheels perfectly relative to each other .

Go for the Johnbean place OP - they obviously know what they are doing if they've spent all that dosh on a top machine.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by doughboy

What do you mean 'replicate BMW spec??'

BMW alignments are no different to anyone elses, the tolerances are wide too. All cars have 4 wheels to be aligned to, TBH, failry similar angles.

If you can do a RWD car you can do a BMW.

The spec is just a table of angles that a skilled aligner could do with any machine.

Hunter/KDS just have a sales deal with BMW thats all.

Agree, its all in the operator though.

BTW - Johnbean make the best alignment rigs in the world. Top motorsport teams and tuning shops us them.

Car Planet Racing set my car up on one, absolutely spot on perfect in every angle.

Probably a bad choice of wording. I meant has all of the BMW specs so that the aligner knows what he's working to.

e.g. if it only has Vauxhall specs, its no good for a 3 series.

[doughboy]

OK fair, but the specs are just in a book / CD on the machine, they'll buy the lot in one go.

They will have the specs for all cars I'm sure otherwise they would have to refuse you when you booked in.

[mobilejo]

I see your point - which is why you say that all that matters is how good the operator is? Makes sense - a monkey on Hunter can still mess it up if he doesn't have a clue what he's doing (and I have seen this first hand, which is why I stick to the same place!)

[mob17]

Ok so far i've got 2 choices. 1st Northampton Motorsport who seem really good and do dyno tuning etc. they are expensive at £90-180.

So doughboy confirmed that the place i got my springs fitted were not lying. Their johnbean machine is good. Prices are good as well at £54-134. So i suppose its fine if its not a Hunter/KDS one, actually better.

[jimpom23]

Chris Franklin at Centre Gravity gets my vote, very, very good - did my S2000 and loads of others as well as lots of Porsches. He will also travel and his customer service is second to none - I wasn't happy after driving mine with one of the settings and he drove up from the Midlands to Leeds, left me his car, drove it back down there, sorted it and drove it back up at no cost

[doughboy]

I paid £125 for the alignment at CPR on a John Bean machine, and it took about an hour including adjusting all 4 corners spot on.

The operator went through it all as I was allowed to be in the workshop with them.

[stuartfung]

Hi, can anyone recommend 4 wheel alignment in Stockport or Wigan area as I have been to two places (one uses BlackTech) and both have not resolved the issue.
Issue being that the car drifts towards the left when on a straight motorway speed line with the steering wheel slghtly pointing to the right when going straight, and more wear (slightly) on the inside of my rear tyres.

[mob17]

Just spoke to Centre Gravity. Seem very good and thorough in their work. But they are expensive, 4 wheel alignment for £300!

After getting everyones opinion i am still not sure who to go for. My 2 choices are:

1) Northampton Motorsports
Pros
- They definately know what they are doing as they do a lot of road/race tuning.
- Hunter/KDS machine
Cons
- Pricey at £90-180

2) Georgina's Garage
Pros
- Johnbean machine
- Cheaper at £54-134
Cons
- They staff do not seem as experienced/skilled as Northampton Motorsports

What shall i do

[Greg330]

I'm lowering mine tomorrow, is it essential to have it aligned?

I never had my 330 aligned after it was lowered and it was fine.

Surely you are just replacing the springs and not fiddling with any alignment?

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by LeMansBlue330d

Hi, can anyone recommend 4 wheel alignment in Stockport or Wigan area as I have been to two places (one uses BlackTech) and both have not resolved the issue.
Issue being that the car drifts towards the left when on a straight motorway speed line with the steering wheel slghtly pointing to the right when going straight, and more wear (slightly) on the inside of my rear tyres.

Your problem may not be alignment - is there a reason you think it definitely is?