All Comments about Wheel Alignment;)

["W.T. Chung" <wonchung@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello, Bimmers.

Thanks for your comments and advices.
W.T.

Here are all information, which I got so far.
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get the specs from the dealer and do it at the local shop... make sure you
are there the whole time while they are doing it... to make sure they do
it
and don't screw up... also find out if the local shop can do 4 wheel
alignments...

nico
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There can be very big differences in the equipment they use.
For example 4 wheel alignment is preferable to two wheel.

wilman
===============================================================
My dealer aligned my tires, they lasted 10k miles.  On Michelin MXV4 all
seasons.  Take it to a good tire shop, and you will probably be better
off.

Brent
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I had my alignments and rotations done at Firestone for a couple of years
with my truck and some of my cars.  When I noticed that the tires seemed
to be cupping, I stopped someplace else and they say it was way, way out
of alignment and had for quite some time (thus the cupping).  My opinion
is that I paid for many alignments and some rotations that never occurred.

My neighbor went to a Firestone shop for a 4 wheel alignment and rotation.
He has a habit of making a little mark on the left front tire, always in
the same spot.  When he came back to get the car a couple of hours later,
it was in the same spot he'd left it.  He went in, paid for his alignment
and rotation only to come out and find that his car had never even been
moved!

For my money, I'll go to the more reputable shop, not neccessarily the
cheaper one.

John 
======================================================================

Hi:
I have not been to Dreyers in years, and my BMW's
actually are not currently driveable,
however.....Matts  alignment downtown (about 700 N.
Capitol) has an excellent reputation on American
vehicles, you might inquire. Also, Autohaus Karl
Merkle on West Michigan St.is a German car
specialist.You might call Manfred there and see if  he
does alignments in house. Is Fred Ress still around?
He used to be downtown, and probably sends his stuff
out. Vaughn Motorwerks in Zionsville can probably
suggest someone. Black Forest Motors on Shadeland has
had mixed reviews,as with most places.I would think
(that) there are many dealer alternatives without
getting suicidal at Midas or Firestone. I would be     
most uncomfortable at Firestone, and I doubt (that)
you would save any money. 

Good luck. John 

===============================================================
Pay the $100!  Never take a Bimmer to a Tire Shop for an alignment if you
care about your car!  There is a good dealer in Indy as I recall...they
advertise in the Roundel.

John
==================================================================
I wouldmake sure that your dealer does the job
"in-house".  Most of the time dealers don't have this
equipment and they send it to a tire and wheel shop,
then charge you an extra $20-25.  So I would ask this
question.

Are you a BMWCCA member?  It would be worthwhile to
find out where some of the "racers"or Drives Ed guys
take their "babies", since they have specific needs to
set the car up.  These places can easily and
professionally do your stock settings, plus you'll
have a little more interaction with the technician
usually.                                
Hope that helps.

Peter       

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End of bmw-digest V9 #1630
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