Need for Alignment with new tires?

Bitterm3 · 03-30-2009, 02:47 PM

My stock RFTs probably have 2000 or so miles left on them at the 11000 mile mark, and I plan on replacing them with the Sumitomo HTR ZIII's. My service adviser not only tried to sell me another set of runflats when I went in for service but also mentioned that when i replace the tires I should do an alignment. Is it necessary to do an alignment? even if i replace them with (255/35/18 rear/225/40/18's front)? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

warmtoes · 03-30-2009, 03:12 PM

Wow, your service adviser is really trying to squeeze some money out of you. I've never heard of needing an alignment after changing tires let alone wheels.

Tom K. · 03-30-2009, 04:33 PM

If you are replacing control arms or other suspension parts, then an alignment would be necessary - but certainly not for tires.

BTW, why are you paying dealer prices for tires? I'd go to either a good local tire shop or Tire Rack.
Tom

cimbali · 03-30-2009, 05:00 PM

No need for an alignment as long as the tire are properly balanced. However, I try to have an alignment done every couple of years which is about how long my rear tires generally last. And I change all four when the rears are due.

bman6074 · 03-30-2009, 05:11 PM

The only time you may need an alignment when changing to new tires is if the old tires have worn unevenly. Which is usualy an indication of misalignment.

Bitterm3 · 03-31-2009, 01:16 AM

Thanks all. I was never planning on buying tires from the dealer, i just thought it was interesting he had mentioned an alignment. I figured it was crap.

philaf_666 · 03-31-2009, 07:05 AM

Actually, you don't NEED an alignment, but since they're brand new tires (read «expensive») you just want to make sure the alignment is ok. Else your tires will wear much faster and unevenly.

I'm having an alignment done once or twice a year, most of the time after putting on the winter tires and/or summer tires. But I drive pretty aggressively and the roads are quite bad in Canada due to changing weather (cold/warm).

Jcrewsn · 04-22-2010, 02:31 PM

bump I guess haha 1 yr.... anyways I just got new tires and my left rear wheel was pretty much out of alignment (I can post #'s if needed) and was not inclined towards spending $120 for alignment so I talked them down to $90 and went for it? Good deal or no?

03-30-2009, 02:47 PM	#1
Bitterm3 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: White.Coral 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Need for Alignment with new tires? My stock RFTs probably have 2000 or so miles left on them at the 11000 mile mark, and I plan on replacing them with the Sumitomo HTR ZIII's. My service adviser not only tried to sell me another set of runflats when I went in for service but also mentioned that when i replace the tires I should do an alignment. Is it necessary to do an alignment? even if i replace them with (255/35/18 rear/225/40/18's front)? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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03-30-2009, 03:12 PM	#2
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	Wow, your service adviser is really trying to squeeze some money out of you. I've never heard of needing an alignment after changing tires let alone wheels. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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03-30-2009, 04:33 PM	#3
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	If you are replacing control arms or other suspension parts, then an alignment would be necessary - but certainly not for tires. BTW, why are you paying dealer prices for tires? I'd go to either a good local tire shop or Tire Rack. Tom
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03-30-2009, 05:00 PM	#4
cimbali Private 2 Rep 73 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: us iTrader: (1)	No need for an alignment as long as the tire are properly balanced. However, I try to have an alignment done every couple of years which is about how long my rear tires generally last. And I change all four when the rears are due.
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03-30-2009, 05:11 PM	#5
bman6074 Major 103 Rep 1,254 Posts Drives: 14 M235i and 07 Lotus Exige S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	The only time you may need an alignment when changing to new tires is if the old tires have worn unevenly. Which is usualy an indication of misalignment. __________________
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03-31-2009, 01:16 AM	#6
Bitterm3 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: White.Coral 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Thanks all. I was never planning on buying tires from the dealer, i just thought it was interesting he had mentioned an alignment. I figured it was crap.
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03-31-2009, 07:05 AM	#7
philaf_666 Philaf_666 14 Rep 163 Posts Drives: Join Date: Nov 2008 iTrader: (0)	Actually, you don't NEED an alignment, but since they're brand new tires (read «expensive») you just want to make sure the alignment is ok. Else your tires will wear much faster and unevenly. I'm having an alignment done once or twice a year, most of the time after putting on the winter tires and/or summer tires. But I drive pretty aggressively and the roads are quite bad in Canada due to changing weather (cold/warm).
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04-22-2010, 02:31 PM	#8
Jcrewsn First Lieutenant 12 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Tustin, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i Sport [0.00]	bump I guess haha 1 yr.... anyways I just got new tires and my left rear wheel was pretty much out of alignment (I can post #'s if needed) and was not inclined towards spending $120 for alignment so I talked them down to $90 and went for it? Good deal or no?
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