[Mustard3]

Is it just when you've had suspension work done, curbed a wheel heavily or can it go out of alignment just through general usage over time?

My tyre fitters recommend every 6 months (they would I suppose) but they charge £120 odd on their equipment.

The car doesn't feel particularly 'planted' on the motorway, and bumpy country roads require quite a bit of concentration to hold my line.

[Digitalize]

Whenever I have tyres fitted, something feels wrong, ANY suspension work done, or if a big hit happens. You can usually feel if it needs it doing though, especially if it's dragging over the road etc. On a flat road you should be able to confidently open a drink or something without it veering off.

[Jules59]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

Whenever I have tyres fitted, something feels wrong, ANY suspension work done, or if a big hit happens. You can usually feel if it needs it doing though, especially if it's dragging over the road etc. On a flat road you should be able to confidently open a drink or something without it veering off.

Agree with that except cant see the point of doing it at tyre changes unless there already seems to be a problem with the steering etc

[Digitalize]

Just something I've always had done, it's usually the only time it gets done, if its been done recently then there's not so much reason.

Oh also if the wheel spec changes, spacers added etc, it all should mean an alignment done, but you start spending a lot on alignment! If you know you're doing more next month it can wait unless its bad/dangerous to drive.

[a11y]

Annually for me, usually around April/May when the worst of the potholes from winter have been fixed. But obviously when I've changed suspension in the past I've had it done a week or 2 afterwards, but I've resisted modifying the e90.

[Mustard3]

I've noticed the car feels different since I've had new wheels (CSL reps) fitted. Same size but slightly different offset. Maybe this has added to the 'queezy' feeling.

[E90F30er]

Is it best to get this at the dealer - the equipment there is laser guided as opposed to £40 at Kwik Fit. Even my independent BMW specialist said go to the dealer if you want the job done properly as our equipment isn't as good.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

Is it best to get this at the dealer - the equipment there is laser guided as opposed to £40 at Kwik Fit. Even my independent BMW specialist said go to the dealer if you want the job done properly as our equipment isn't as good.

Lol i dont think Kwik Fit do a 4 wheel alignment. You want one done preferably by a good machine (hunter) and good labourer.

[bmwak]

Have you tried Elite in Rainham? I know a few people who have had their BMW's done there. Apparently they are quite reasonably priced and use the Hunter machines for proper alignment.

Any alignment is only as good as the technician. I had the proper KDS done three times by BMW until it was acceptable.

[Subzero2003]

Go to alignmycar.co.uk and find a place to have your car properly aligned. Forget KwikFit, they haven't got the right equipment or anywhere near the right expertise to use it effectively.

I get mine done normally every 12 months for around £75 and it takes about 1hr 30mins.

[Mustard3]

Originally Posted by bmwak

Have you tried Elite in Rainham?

That's where I go for all my tyres, have done for donkeys. Their price is over £120 I think, but there is another place near me, 'Jet Tyres' who also have Hunter equipment but only charge about £75. So I need to ask what are Elite doing extra to justify the extra money.

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

Go to alignmycar.co.uk and find a place to have your car properly aligned.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

Just something I've always had done, it's usually the only time it gets done, if its been done recently then there's not so much reason.

Oh also if the wheel spec changes, spacers added etc, it all should mean an alignment done, but you start spending a lot on alignment! If you know you're doing more next month it can wait unless its bad/dangerous to drive.

Sorry, but that's cobblers.

It's the geometry of the car's suspension system that is set up. Adding spacers, changing wheels, fitting tyres - none of that makes a blind bit of difference to the alignment.

I'm in the 'annual' club. I tend to get it checked in the spring ready to enjoy driving through the summer.

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by Mustard3

That's where I go for all my tyres, have done for donkeys. Their price is over £120 I think, but there is another place near me, 'Jet Tyres' who also have Hunter equipment but only charge about £75. So I need to ask what are Elite doing extra to justify the extra money.

A combination of marketing, capability and well-deserved reputation.

Any garage can buy a Hunter machine, but if the user is no better than a trained monkey you won't get a good alignment. You might get lucky at the £75 place, but if you have to take it back because you're not happy, then you've lost your gamble.

[mob17]

For wheel alignment its true what they say, its only as good as the operator.

I go to a local motorsport outfit. They are generally better than others in my experience.

[E90F30er]

In the middle of the road (no camber) and hands off the wheel my car slowly veers to the left.... My BMW "specialist" replied that it's supposed to be like that in case you doze off on the motorway you go onto the hard shoulder!?!?!? That's only if you are in lane 1!

[q_jonblaze]

^^^^^hahahahahahaha....what a load of Shite!!

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

In the middle of the road (no camber) and hands off the wheel my car slowly veers to the left.... My BMW "specialist" replied that it's supposed to be like that in case you doze off on the motorway you go onto the hard shoulder!?!?!? That's only if you are in lane 1!

not sure if serious?