Not going to your usual Indy shop - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

mashimarho · 02-13-2013, 08:31 PM

My shop is a far drive, but I am wondering if I can go to a "conventional" shop to adjust my coils, get my alignment, and things that are not too big. Would it matter at that point?

Thanks,

GreekboyD · 02-13-2013, 08:36 PM

For it's all about whether someone knows WTF they are doing. It boils down to that. Lots of clueless people working on cars out there.

mlifxs · 02-14-2013, 03:30 PM

I have the same problem, bmw dealer and indys are far away. With regard to bread and butter repair shops, I agree with previous poster: "it depends".

I think if there's a repair in the DIY section that can be performed by folks on this forum, there's a good chance that a non-bmw specialist qualified mechanic can handle it. That said, I would ask enough questions to make sure the person is knowledgeable enough not to screw it up, or use the wrong fluids etc.

Maybe get quotes from specialists and non-specialists and go with what your comfortable with?

On the alignment...I bought a lifetime alignment contract from a tire store a few years ago, not knowing about some of BMW's special alignment methods. They've done three alignments and the car drives fine with no abnormal tire wear whatsoever.

Meeni · 02-14-2013, 03:43 PM

I went to NTB for alignment, they screwed up 5 times before I gave up on them and went to the dealer. I would never trust them to touch a single bolt on my car again. I've heard similar stories from most "chains". Do you think they will setup your toe and camber adjuster to spec? For me, they just "reset" them to 0, without even knowing that this is NOT the correct setup... They may know how to work on the random Civic that they see 20 times a day, but they are clueless when it comes to euro-imports and they do random stuff. The other problem is the "mechanics" are high school dropouts that have no formation. Not saying that none are good, but the average is pretty appalling.

Now, you can go to a MB independent, and if he accepts the car, you'll receive good service.

Beas · 02-15-2013, 02:10 AM

if they have an alignment rack, im sure they have somebody thats atleast decent at using it. As for adjusting your coils. just ask to look at the work to make sure they did it right.

02-13-2013, 08:31 PM	#1
mashimarho Boss Drives: e92 LCI 335i xDrive™ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, michigan Posts: 5,818 iTrader: (27) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i xDrive [5.00]	Not going to your usual Indy shop My shop is a far drive, but I am wondering if I can go to a "conventional" shop to adjust my coils, get my alignment, and things that are not too big. Would it matter at that point? Thanks, __________________ -Sean. 360 FORGED///DynamikiLLu51ions///ER///BMS///KW///VRSF///ARKYM///DD///CYBA///STOPTECH///BMW Performance /// My Progress: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770326
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02-13-2013, 08:36 PM	#2
GreekboyD Major Drives: 2009 BMW 335d Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 1,382 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335d [3.75]	For it's all about whether someone knows WTF they are doing. It boils down to that. Lots of clueless people working on cars out there.

02-14-2013, 03:30 PM	#3
mlifxs Diamond Geezer Drives: Jet Black 2007 328i Saloon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 947 iTrader: (0)	I have the same problem, bmw dealer and indys are far away. With regard to bread and butter repair shops, I agree with previous poster: "it depends". I think if there's a repair in the DIY section that can be performed by folks on this forum, there's a good chance that a non-bmw specialist qualified mechanic can handle it. That said, I would ask enough questions to make sure the person is knowledgeable enough not to screw it up, or use the wrong fluids etc. Maybe get quotes from specialists and non-specialists and go with what your comfortable with? On the alignment...I bought a lifetime alignment contract from a tire store a few years ago, not knowing about some of BMW's special alignment methods. They've done three alignments and the car drives fine with no abnormal tire wear whatsoever.

02-14-2013, 03:43 PM	#4
Meeni Gateropode Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN Posts: 786 iTrader: (0)	I went to NTB for alignment, they screwed up 5 times before I gave up on them and went to the dealer. I would never trust them to touch a single bolt on my car again. I've heard similar stories from most "chains". Do you think they will setup your toe and camber adjuster to spec? For me, they just "reset" them to 0, without even knowing that this is NOT the correct setup... They may know how to work on the random Civic that they see 20 times a day, but they are clueless when it comes to euro-imports and they do random stuff. The other problem is the "mechanics" are high school dropouts that have no formation. Not saying that none are good, but the average is pretty appalling. Now, you can go to a MB independent, and if he accepts the car, you'll receive good service.

02-15-2013, 02:10 AM	#5
Beas Private First Class Drives: e90 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NC Posts: 147 iTrader: (0)	if they have an alignment rack, im sure they have somebody thats atleast decent at using it. As for adjusting your coils. just ask to look at the work to make sure they did it right.