The Dealer wants $299 to align my car

Kloogy · 01-16-2010, 11:14 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

I took it in because my car is going spazoid on codes and they showed me uneven wear in my 2 rear tires. They said their "special" Bmw maching will align it to specs for the special price of $299. I told him NO. That sounds a bit ridiculous to me. He said no other shop can align it like they can.

What do you guys know about this ?

luv135i · 01-16-2010, 11:33 AM

WOW! My deaeler charges 129.99 for a 4wheel alignment.

Metro · 01-16-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv135i

WOW! My deaeler charges 129.99 for a 4wheel alignment.

Same. That seems insanely high priced. Maybe their special machine can re-allign his head and then quote you a proper price.

Bartman619 · 01-16-2010, 12:00 PM

Keep checking Cunningham/South County BMW specials. I got mine there for 129.99 also.

SV Concepts III · 01-16-2010, 01:08 PM

Check another dealer or independent shop with a Hunter Laser Alignment system, there are no special tricks to aligning these cars but you want it done on a reputable machine by a reputable shop.

Perhaps the dealer just invested in a new machine and needs to pay it off

lopealle · 01-16-2010, 02:58 PM

yea thats sounds crazy. my stealer charges $99. ^^^^^ you could be right about trying to pay offa machine just purchased.

forza1976 · 01-16-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv135i

WOW! My deaeler charges 129.99 for a 4wheel alignment.

Same for me... They took extra long and did it for 109 for the inconvenience.

Delta0311 · 01-16-2010, 03:10 PM

$129.00 is right on the money..

doctor_vino · 01-16-2010, 05:35 PM

do you have active steering? i recently had to get an alignment done, and they told me active steering was in the $2xx range

raceyBMW · 01-17-2010, 09:32 PM

I have active steering, and still got mine done for ~$120

T7R_Sky · 01-18-2010, 01:11 AM

I did my own alignment at my auto shop class at college and there is nothing different or special in our suspension that takes any extra work. Just nuts and bolts like any other car. But if I could suggest one place local, I say AJ USA in Mira Mesa. They do my alignments 99% of the time

paulcheung · 01-18-2010, 05:38 PM

thats crazy not even any labor involved

TL · 01-18-2010, 06:27 PM

i had mine done for $69 at a local tire chain store

Kloogy · 01-20-2010, 09:50 PM

Thanks for the info. The car is still at the dealership after almost one week. The alternator spazzed out and sent too much voltage to a lot of things and caused major issues.

persian54 · 01-20-2010, 10:34 PM

I can get you aligned using a hunter machine with laser for about $75 (used to be 100+, but after taking about 28 or so cars [lost count honestly], he's working very well with me)

but I'm a bit far from you...

persian54 · 01-20-2010, 10:35 PM

oo but if you have active steering... that's a different story...

Kloogy · 01-20-2010, 11:25 PM

I do not have active steering. Might be worth a drive with the family

Romanian nightmare · 10-01-2012, 04:42 PM

Just thought I'd update this thread to 2012....

So I need an alignment and my BMW dealership in town is charging the special price of $189 to align my 2007 335i e90.....the kicker is that they are the only ones in town that can do it....so tomorrow morning, I'll be $189 lighter....

It's the special price we pay for driving the "Ultimate Driving Machine".....

Cbozz · 10-01-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kloogy

I took it in because my car is going spazoid on codes and they showed me uneven wear in my 2 rear tires. They said their "special" Bmw maching will align it to specs for the special price of $299. I told him NO. That sounds a bit ridiculous to me. He said no other shop can align it like they can.

What do you guys know about this ?

take is tire kingdom and they will do it for $60... I don't see the problem!

cvc 22349a · 10-01-2012, 08:22 PM

Go to an indy shop. You shouldn't pay more than $125.

Hooy · 10-01-2012, 10:53 PM

The dealership is correct. Only they can calibrate your adaptive steering.

But will you need it? Not unless you get into an accident or ram the curb.

monkey_wrench · 10-02-2012, 07:03 AM

So which of the aforementioned shops follow the procedure in the BMW manual, taking in account the ballast in the seats when aligning the car?

01-16-2010, 11:14 AM	#1
Kloogy Major 48 Rep 1,265 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X5 Sport Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Escondido, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2004 Ford Mustang GT [0.00] 2008 Bmw 328I Coupe [0.00]	The Dealer wants $299 to align my car Featured on BIMMERPOST.com I took it in because my car is going spazoid on codes and they showed me uneven wear in my 2 rear tires. They said their "special" Bmw maching will align it to specs for the special price of $299. I told him NO. That sounds a bit ridiculous to me. He said no other shop can align it like they can. What do you guys know about this ? __________________ 2011 X5 Sport Black Sapphire w/ Black Perforated Nevada/ DK Bmboo Technology/ Vented Seats/ Cold & Convenience / Multi Contour seats/ 20" wheels and more... 2004 Mustang GT Vert. - Modded
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01-16-2010, 11:33 AM	#2
luv135i Major 60 Rep 1,073 Posts Drives: White Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	WOW! My deaeler charges 129.99 for a 4wheel alignment.
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01-16-2010, 12:00 PM	#4
Bartman619 Captain 25 Rep 701 Posts Drives: Bimmer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SDCA iTrader: (2)	Keep checking Cunningham/South County BMW specials. I got mine there for 129.99 also.
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01-16-2010, 01:08 PM	#5
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	Check another dealer or independent shop with a Hunter Laser Alignment system, there are no special tricks to aligning these cars but you want it done on a reputable machine by a reputable shop. Perhaps the dealer just invested in a new machine and needs to pay it off
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01-16-2010, 02:58 PM	#6
lopealle Resident Black Guy 251 Rep 2,302 Posts Drives: Lion Join Date: May 2009 Location: Federal Way, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 M5 [10.00]	yea thats sounds crazy. my stealer charges $99. ^^^^^ you could be right about trying to pay offa machine just purchased.
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01-16-2010, 03:10 PM	#8
Delta0311 Banned 7478 Rep 10,120 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	$129.00 is right on the money..
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01-16-2010, 05:35 PM	#9
doctor_vino Captain 38 Rep 802 Posts Drives: really slowly Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (6)	do you have active steering? i recently had to get an alignment done, and they told me active steering was in the $2xx range
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01-17-2010, 09:32 PM	#10
raceyBMW king of the hills 92 Rep 2,915 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	I have active steering, and still got mine done for ~$120
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01-18-2010, 01:11 AM	#11
T7R_Sky "I know you know that I know you know..." 24 Rep 795 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite E90 328i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Escondido, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 E90 328i [0.00]	I did my own alignment at my auto shop class at college and there is nothing different or special in our suspension that takes any extra work. Just nuts and bolts like any other car. But if I could suggest one place local, I say AJ USA in Mira Mesa. They do my alignments 99% of the time
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01-18-2010, 05:38 PM	#12
paulcheung Captain 10 Rep 621 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i BSM Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (1)	thats crazy not even any labor involved
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01-18-2010, 06:27 PM	#13
TL Brigadier General 283 Rep 3,102 Posts Drives: Happy on H&R coil overs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Hub iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335xi [1.00]	i had mine done for $69 at a local tire chain store __________________ 2008 E92 335xi ------->Links to my Mods: H&R Street Performance Coil Overs \|\| 19" Alufelgen CS7 \|\| Interior Swap: Black to Coral Red My Website \|\| My Flickr \|\| My Tumblr \|\| My Twitter\|\| My Facebook\|\| My 500px
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01-20-2010, 09:50 PM	#14
Kloogy Major 48 Rep 1,265 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X5 Sport Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Escondido, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2004 Ford Mustang GT [0.00] 2008 Bmw 328I Coupe [0.00]	Thanks for the info. The car is still at the dealership after almost one week. The alternator spazzed out and sent too much voltage to a lot of things and caused major issues. __________________ 2011 X5 Sport Black Sapphire w/ Black Perforated Nevada/ DK Bmboo Technology/ Vented Seats/ Cold & Convenience / Multi Contour seats/ 20" wheels and more... 2004 Mustang GT Vert. - Modded
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01-20-2010, 10:34 PM	#15
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	I can get you aligned using a hunter machine with laser for about $75 (used to be 100+, but after taking about 28 or so cars [lost count honestly], he's working very well with me) but I'm a bit far from you... __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
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01-20-2010, 10:35 PM	#16
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	oo but if you have active steering... that's a different story... __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
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01-20-2010, 11:25 PM	#17
Kloogy Major 48 Rep 1,265 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X5 Sport Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Escondido, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2004 Ford Mustang GT [0.00] 2008 Bmw 328I Coupe [0.00]	I do not have active steering. Might be worth a drive with the family __________________ 2011 X5 Sport Black Sapphire w/ Black Perforated Nevada/ DK Bmboo Technology/ Vented Seats/ Cold & Convenience / Multi Contour seats/ 20" wheels and more... 2004 Mustang GT Vert. - Modded
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2012, 04:42 PM	#18
Romanian nightmare Second Lieutenant 26 Rep 249 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 M50i Alpine Weiss Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South iTrader: (0)	Just thought I'd update this thread to 2012.... So I need an alignment and my BMW dealership in town is charging the special price of $189 to align my 2007 335i e90.....the kicker is that they are the only ones in town that can do it....so tomorrow morning, I'll be $189 lighter.... It's the special price we pay for driving the "Ultimate Driving Machine".....
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10-01-2012, 08:22 PM	#20
cvc 22349a Colonel 164 Rep 2,556 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (11)	Go to an indy shop. You shouldn't pay more than $125. __________________ 2007 E90 335i, TiAg, 6AT, ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, 6FL, HD Quaife lsd, ETS fmic, GIAC s/w, Dinan intake/exhaust/oc, Koni/M3 susp, Apex Arc 8, Mich PSS
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10-01-2012, 10:53 PM	#21
Hooy Colonel 205 Rep 2,770 Posts Drives: E92 328i, E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 328 [5.00]	The dealership is correct. Only they can calibrate your adaptive steering. But will you need it? Not unless you get into an accident or ram the curb. __________________
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10-02-2012, 07:03 AM	#22
monkey_wrench Caught the Bimmer-Bug 50 Rep 639 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	So which of the aforementioned shops follow the procedure in the BMW manual, taking in account the ballast in the seats when aligning the car?
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