How Much For Wheel Alignment? !!!!!!!

[ianB]

I'm paranoid about knocking my Cooper's wheels out of alignment. So, after 6 months of ownership I thought it was about time I had it checked. My BMW dealers quoted me £150 for 4 wheel alignment

Has anyone else had or been quoted for wheel alignment by a BMW dealer in the UK and if so, how much?

My dealer suggested taking my Cooper to one of the tyre fitting specialists. Again, what are the views on these with regard to quality of work and prices?

Finally, can anyone offer any advice on how resiliant the MINI's geometry is to knocks from pot holes and rutted car parks etc.

Thanks.

ian

[Dom]

The dealer is charging a lot because they use KDS, the daddy of all wheel alignments!

A local tyre place should be just fine, unless you want it truly spot on

Never had the MINI tracked so can't answer last question, sorry

[MPJ]

My old dealer did mine FOC. Had it done twice, the first was after I had the left pull fix and the second was after we noticed the front nearside camber was very badly out.

However new dealer says it is 40 miles to the machine they use!! So I will have to live with the wonkey steering wheel I was left the last time.

M

[cristo]

150 sounds like a lot for an alignment. Sure, the KDS is
very precise, but without replacing bent or off spec
suspension parts or putting on aftermarket camber plates
or rear adjustable arms, you can't change the camber or
caster. You can adjust front toe-in, and to a lesser
degree, rear toe-in, but you can probably get reasonable
precision on these and a check on the camber for a lot
less money elsewhere.

[KenL]

Have you noticed any probs with your car like pulling or tyres wearing unevenly? I wouldn't touch it unless you knew you had a problem.

£150 is certainly a lot just to check it.

[ianB]

Quote:

Originally posted by KenL
Have you noticed any probs with your car like pulling or tyres wearing unevenly? I wouldn't touch it unless you knew you had a problem.

I haven't noticed anything, apart from I thought at one point it was turning a bit quicker to the left, but that has cleared up now. I think mostly it is the characteristics of the tyres changing as they wear. I just worry that after hitting so many pot holes and ruts that something must be out by now. As you say £150 is a lot to check it, so unless the tyres start to wear unevenly I'll spend my money on something else.

[Dom]

if it's just pot holes and the like you should getaway with a £20 effort from the local tyre place

[Nameless]

Merc dealers charge £140, so it's in the ball-park for rip-off German make dealers...

[MUK]

Try looking for specialised garages that offer laser 4 wheel alignment. This is normally about £50.00 - and what a dfference it makes on your car - regardless of the make/model... Don't go for the cheap tyre places that offer alignment for £20, its NOT exact and can do more harm than good (bald tyres)....

If you goto a decent tyre shop that uses laser alignment you will be fine. A local VW dealer near where I live actually uses the local tyre shop that charges £20 for the laser alignment and then charges the customer some hugely inflated price.

So you will be able to get a laser alignment done, with a print out for your records, for around £20.

J.

[JC04]

Got new back wheels fitted for my Mini from BMW. They said call back to get wheels alignment done. They quoted me £250!!! Other car garages i have rang said can not do back wheel alignment! Do i have to go back to BMW and pay £250 or does anyone know a place where I can get this done??

[DaFlake]

The dealer is charging a lot because they can. If you are doing non warranty work you should always find an outside source.

[I love MINI, Laura]

There is a number of tyre speciallists who have the same lazer allignment and only charge £25. We got ours done at Micheldever garage. Very professional and got a nice print out too. Search on this forum. This has been discussed may a time.

[GTT 280]

i got wheel alignment done once at a BMW garage... strange they charged me for it becuase they hadnt actaully adjusted the tracking rods. tut tut.

So, be careful. even those with brands can kid us on !!!

Cheers,
K.

[Stevemac]

Fitted 17" MCS alloys from 16" standard cooper alloys and the wheels were everywhere apart from straight. I've just returned from ATS, they adjusted the tracking last week and asked me to return within a week to check, advised that this must be done with a full tank of fuel, today they made final adjustments. Total £22.00.

They have the Dogs B@ll@cks for wheel adjustments, drives like a dream, and well impressed.

Steve Mac