Would it be a bad idea to get my alignment done outside of bmw?

[MrBimmer]

4-5 weeks after getting the car, i hit it real good somewhere and knocked the alignment out. I was also told that both the rims were slightly bent in the front. If that was a problem, im sure they would have replaced it on the spot. But anyway, i was charged 195 dollars for the alignment. I almost cried as i handed the money over.

The worst thing is that in the back of my mind, i know that without warning some new imperfection in the roads that i normally take will spring up and screw my alignment up again. And surely it did happen, i hit something else and the alignment was off by a little bit. but last weekend i went over something as i was following behind someone and now when i put the steering wheel straight the car will go towards the left.

Am i alone on this? it seems that my alignment comes undone so easily. or maybe its easy to do while driving around in new york

I do not want to get raped again by the service department at bmw. im hoping that its not the only place i can trust -_-

[dyong]

Sorry to hear about your wheel alignment issues. I just did mine at BMW after a KW/V2 install. I inquire at a few shops and they all say they do not have the alignment specs for the 135i yet. So there is no choice but to go back to the dealer for alignment. Yes I agree $199 is an anormous sum for an alignment.

[HondaGoneRogue]

I thought an alignment is an alignment. You should be able to go to any reputable place. How do people with extreme set-ups get thier alignment done? The places out here will set your car up for a track if you want them to.

[dyong]

I mean they (not BMW dealer) don't want even to do my alignment because the 135i specs is not programmed in their machines. Maybe later in a year or two they also said. So maybe some other shops you mentioned use some other alignment specs other than the factory specs.

[HondaGoneRogue]

Yeah, I'm not too keen on all that. That is just what I thought. Maybe a mainstream place like autozone or something?

[MrBimmer]

i just want my steering straight without putting bullet holes in my wallet

[HondaGoneRogue]

LOL, I feel ya. I will need the same thing once I lower the car. I'm sure that it can be done outside of BMW satisfactorly (sp?). It's not like they are going to use second rate fluids or anything.

[WhiteOne]

Go to any reputable shop and hand them a list of the specs you want them to use.
The stealership is only used when it is free. Unless you have more dollars than cents.

[MrBimmer]

where do i get the specs?

[Lester]

What are you hitting, potholes in the road? Will your insurance cover road hazard damages?

You shouldn't have to bring the specs with you. If the shop can do it with their equipment, they will already have the specs - or they can get them from BMW. Phone ahead.

[BrokenVert]

Since you arr in Queens I would take a quick drive to JC Automotive in Oceanside. They are the best in the area. Thats where my uncle goes to get his sub 9 second drag car alligned.

That being said. I havent gone myslef in the 1er as I havent needed an alignment this year. I dont know why im so lucky, considering ive lost a runflat to a pothole and tacked 2nd Ave and Brooklyn. But I know theyre reasonable.

[WhiteOne]

If you do some research, you will find the factory settings are not the best for handling.
For example, more negative camber is supposed to really help with turn in and understeer.(and it is free)

[MrBimmer]

Anybody ever read this article about wheel alignments from tire rack? It explains in detail every part of the alignment process

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=4&

Apparently i want as much positive caster as possible and some negative camber for better steering feel and less understeer...

[MrBimmer]

JC Automotive will do the alignment for me for 85 dollars! that's awesome! thanks for the tip brokenvert

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by MrBimmer

JC Automotive will do the alignment for me for 85 dollars! that's awesome! thanks for the tip brokenvert

np. Glad I could help

[MrBimmer]

is that your car in the picture? what did u do to it lol ( not being negative btw )

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by MrBimmer

is that your car in the picture? what did u do to it lol ( not being negative btw )

Thats all blue painter's tape dude. I did that at an auto-x. The tape on the bumper is for if you knick a cone (you don't want to fuck your paint up) The hood stripes, numbers, and BMW on the windshield just look cool.

Although I have been toying with the idea of making the stripes out of black vinyl and putting it on the car.