Alignment at 26K miles? Does that sound right?

[330cic_Newbie]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me what's the avg cost for alignment and tire rotation for BMW 330? I turned my car in for Inspection I today and they told me I need to have alignment ($150) + tire rotation and balance ($70). My car is less 3 yrs old and has only 26K miles on it ( i know it's low mileage ). I never got into any accident... Is is usual to get alignment every 25K miles?

I called NTB and got quoted ($90) for the alignment. Dealership is telling me that they do something "special" that other place couldn't do. And if I were to take it to NTB or other places, I would still bring back the car at the end to have the dealership re-do it. Is is true that they do a "better" or "special" job then others? If so, I don't mind paying the extra bucks... but do they really?

I'm a girl who doesn't know much about car. Please help me figure out.

 

[Abdoman]

Most dealerships don't have an alignment machine - they send it out to places like Hibdons, tires plus, etc. I have never heard of them having to do anything specific to the 330. Also, after 25k, you probably will need an alignment. The alignment changes due to bumps on the road, etc. Here in OK, I pay $60 for a front and rear wheel alignment. I don't know if Hibdon is in Houston, but they will rotate and balance your tires for free just to get your business.

 

[MrElussive]

You only need an alignment if you get unnatural vibrations in the steering wheel when driving on the highway, or if the car pulls in one direction unnaturally. Either of these problems occur from hitting some rough potholes or other road irregularities.
So unless your car is exhibiting either one of those symptoms you don't need an alignment. As for the tire rotation, you have a BMW 330CiC which come with wider tires in the rear and a bit narrower tires in the front (referred to as staggered-width). This staggered-width setup does not allow for rotation of tires.

 

[bmwrocks]

Great points MrE. I totally agree with MrE. Make a printout of the above response and take it to the dealer. Let them read it. Then ask them to explain to you how they intend to rotate non-rotatable (is that a word?) tires and why they think you need an alignment (if in fact your car isn't pulling to one side or the other).

 

[tuckster]

Even if your wheels are not staggered width (like mine), the manual actually states that they don't recommend tire rotation.

Alignment is sometimes necessary simply because bad alignment can eat away at your tire treads over time. So it might be necessary depending on the condition (if you run over a lot of potholes). But I've heard also that dealerships typically subcontract to someone else to do it for them, so they don't necessary do a better job of it.

 

[j2azz]

Few things.. Alignment like everyone said could be needed depending on how the car pulls. Typically a vibration in the steering wheel is NOT caused by a bad alignment (unless it's REALLY bad), but rather it is caused by an unbalanced FRONT tire/wheel. If the car itself vibrates on the highway, where it isn't focussed on the steering wheel, then it's probably a mix of all 4 wheels needing a balance.

As for tire rotation.. I don't own a 330i, but yes everyone is correct. You cannot "rotate" staggered width tires. HOWEVER. If the tires are Bi-Directional, you can rotate them from side to side. I would however have to assume that a 330's tires are unidirectional, thus you cannot rotate side to side either..

Just my 2 cents..

 

[bmwrocks]

My tires are directional but symmetrical (Conti Sport Contacts). So they can be rotated side to side. Only if they are directional and asymmetrical can they not be rotated side to side.

So I stand corrected from my statement above, her tires can be rotated I think, if they are directional and symmetrical, or not directional which defaults to symmetrical.

But only in extreme cases of uneven wear should symmetrical directional tires be rotated.

 

[MyHarley]

The manual does say recommended maintenance once a year for alignment........I had mine done two weeks ago, one year anniversary, 23,000 miles.......its a 4-wheel alignment and cost exactly $150.00.........you get a report reflecting alignment before and after, my dealership has the alignment machine....plus I have my tires rotated every 3000 miles (free with Discount Tire)..........they are rotated side to side, not back to front..........how else would I have known that 3 wheels are bent............ [???1] well that's another story........

 

[Abdoman]

You only need an alignment if you get unnatural vibrations in the steering wheel when driving on the highway, or if the car pulls in one direction unnaturally.

Your car might not show any symptoms and still need an alignment if the rear wheels are off. This is a common problem on the E39.

 

[epj3]

You only need an alignment if you get unnatural vibrations in the steering wheel when driving on the highway, or if the car pulls in one direction unnaturally. Either of these problems occur from hitting some rough potholes or other road irregularities.
So unless your car is exhibiting either one of those symptoms you don't need an alignment. As for the tire rotation, you have a BMW 330CiC which come with wider tires in the rear and a bit narrower tires in the front (referred to as staggered-width). This staggered-width setup does not allow for rotation of tires.

The vibration is usually caused by a tire balance, not alignment. When I replaced my steering rack and tie rods, I obviously had no way to align the tires -- It was off by almost 5 degrees total, and I had no wobble, just a very weird pulling.

 

[330cic_Newbie]

Now the dealership is telling me they can't do the alignment until they change out the strut mount. What's that? Now they want to charge me for Alignment($150) + Strut Mount($781) . Should I believe in everything the dealership is telling me? Or should I go to just any generic mechanic to get my car fixed?

 

[Abdoman]

What year is your car? Did you hit something??

 

[Bryan330i]

The manual does say recommended maintenance once a year for alignment........I had mine done two weeks ago, one year anniversary, 23,000 miles.......its a 4-wheel alignment and cost exactly $150.00.........you get a report reflecting alignment before and after, my dealership has the alignment machine....plus I have my tires rotated every 3000 miles (free with Discount Tire)..........they are rotated side to side, not back to front..........how else would I have known that 3 wheels are bent............ [???1] well that's another story........

I think this sounds like a good idea but some say no. To those that say no don't you think it can make some sense to side-to-side rotate tires? Of course this would involve removing all the tires from rims and remounting for direction. I would think this would result in more even wear and perhaps better performance resulting from the even wear.

 

[epj3]

Now the dealership is telling me they can't do the alignment until they change out the strut mount. What's that? Now they want to charge me for Alignment($150) + Strut Mount($781) . Should I believe in everything the dealership is telling me? Or should I go to just any generic mechanic to get my car fixed?

I don't know why the strut mount would be bad... that's quite odd.

Isn't it still under warranty? It should be covered. Strut mounts (which are in the rear, there are strut bearings in the front) arent something that wear out THAT fast unless it's under a lot of stress.

I'd say get them to replace it under warranty and if they won't, take it somewhere. Strut mounts are very easy to replace and you shouldn't be charged more than $200 for labor. Parts are cheap too.

 

[bmwrocks]

Now the dealership is telling me they can't do the alignment until they change out the strut mount. What's that? Now they want to charge me for Alignment($150) + Strut Mount($781) . Should I believe in everything the dealership is telling me? Or should I go to just any generic mechanic to get my car fixed?

Are they saying the strut mount (or bearing) is worn out because you didn't keep up with the recommended alignment....therefore not warrantied because it is consequential damage from a non-warranty item (alignment)?

Hmmmm. Kinda makes me want to do an alignment whether it needs it or not just to protect against a $781 strut repair......damn the stealerships.

 

[epj3]

Are they saying the strut mount (or bearing) is worn out because you didn't keep up with the recommended alignment....therefore not warrantied because it is consequential damage from a non-warranty item (alignment)?

Hmmmm. Kinda makes me want to do an alignment whether it needs it or not just to protect against a $781 strut repair......damn the stealerships.

She said strut mount. The strut bearing is totally different and is what is in the front. The strut mount is in the rear (where the strut does not have to turn). $781 for ANY suspension work is REDICULIOUS. You can find a very reputable mechanic (one who will do better work than the dealer) who will do the strut mount replacement for $400 or less including parts. The dealer's price is just absolutely rediculious.

 

[mjbst111]

fisrt of all, why the hell is the person inspecting your car telling you to get an alignment??!?! (Or to rotate your tires for that matter) That's not stuff they should be checking. Just if you have enough tread.

also you can put a directional tire anywhere you want... you just have to take it off the rim to put it on the other side.

one more thing... the stut mount should not effect the alignment, unless they plan on drilling and moving it.

i would run away from the dealershift and the place you got your car inspection. act like you know everything about cars. tell them you do your own work... sounds like everyone is trying to hose you.

 

[Abdoman]

Although the strut mount does not effect the alignment, you will have to do another alignment after the strut mount is replaced.

 

[mjbst111]

you mean for camber? Are we talking front or back? The rear (really isn't a strut) is just taking off a few bolts and taking it out. No adjustment.

Front, would not need adjusted except maybe the camber or toe.

 

[MrElussive]

I think this sounds like a good idea but some say no. To those that say no don't you think it can make some sense to side-to-side rotate tires? Of course this would involve removing all the tires from rims and remounting for direction. I would think this would result in more even wear and perhaps better performance resulting from the even wear.

But the thing is with a lot of staggered-width tire setups, the tires wear from the inside out (or the other way around). So even when you rotate from side-to-side, it still messes things up because all of a sudden you've reversed the wear pattern.