Alignments can only be done at a dealer??

[noE30]

So I just tried to get my e30 aligned by a reputable shop here in town and apparently no one can do an alignment on a bmw with out special equipment available only at a dealer. Wtf is that all about? Sounds like total bs or is there some truth to this?

Whats better yet is that they let me make an appointment 3 days ago for the bmw and they didn't realize they could do it until I pulled in the lot this morning.

Does any one have any real info about alignments, or do I need to learn to do it myself. (we have no bmw dealers for 100+ miles in any direction.)

[mccor023]

The only thing anyone can do on a stock e30 is adjust toe up front. Anyone can do this with2 13mm wrenches.


Also, just curious how do you have 2000 posts and not know this? Maybe I misunderstood the question.

[noE30]

The only thing anyone can do on a stock e30 is adjust toe up front. Anyone can do this with2 13mm wrenches.


Also, just curious how do you have 2000 posts and not know this? Maybe I misunderstood the question.

I understand that only toe can be adjusted. I just didn't really want to do it myself, plus I have all new suspension components so I kinda was hoping to find somewhere to do it more accurately than the string up method.

[george graves]

I'm guessing you took it to a Les Swab kind of place? They don't know what they are talking about. Their manual says they need a special tool.

Just go to an independent shop. Don't try to do your own alignment. I tried the string method, and it took forever to do, and I was way off in the end.

[campbellj25]

Thats BS. But what he might thinking about is most if not all BMW factory wheels have little holes in between the lug bolt holes. Those little holes are where the alignment head pins go through so it is flush/anchored up against the rotor. Most side shops don't have this type of attachment and they attach their heads to the rim or lip of the wheel. Going against the rotor is more accurate, but if they use their stuff up on the rim I wouldnt be too worried about a toe adjustment. Maybe go to another shop.

Im getting ready to align a F02 at work and I will snap a pic of our setup and post it up so you can see what I mean.

[campbellj25]

Also if you have aftermarket wheels that dont have the little holes then you might be out of luck at a dealer anyways. The ones I have worked at didnt have any other way to attach the alignment heads to the car.

[jlevie]

The only thing special about aligning a BMW is that BMW specs the numbers with the car weighted (150lb in each front seat, 100lb in the center of the rear seat, and full tank of gas). The only adjustment on a stock E30 is front, which isn't all that critical and perfectly good results can be obtained with toe plates or strings. The major advantage of putting and E30 on an alignment rack is being able to find out if there are camber or rear toe errors from worn or damaged parts.

I prefer strings over toe plates because it is easier to keep the steering wheel centered.

[campbellj25]

the dealers mounting system I was talking about, but like I said it wont make that much of a difference for a toe adjustment. Could have been the weight issue also as jlevie said. Ive done alignments loaded down with sandbags, no sandbags and only sandbags in the driver's seat if they are the only one ever driving the car. Some people actually request it be done that way. Honestly Ive never noticed a big difference

[noE30]

I guess it's something with the weights, they told me that I was SOL and would have to drive to a dealer. "That's what you get for driving a bmw" they kept saying, overall I was not pleased with the lack of service. I'm going to try find another shop that can do it, I would really like to see the readouts to see what is in spec and what isn't. The car basically has all new suspension components but its never had an alignment, so I know its off and needs to be straitened out.

[campbellj25]

I guess it's something with the weights, they told me that I was SOL and would have to drive to a dealer. "That's what you get for driving a bmw" they kept saying, overall I was not pleased with the lack of service. I'm going to try find another shop that can do it, I would really like to see the readouts to see what is in spec and what isn't. The car basically has all new suspension components but its never had an alignment, so I know its off and needs to be straitened out.

Dont sweat it. Shouldn't be too hard finding another shop with an alignment rack. Good luck!

[MR 325]

The E30 is literally one of the easiest cars in the world to align. Those guys are morons.

Any alignment shop should give you a printout after it's done. If not ask for it.

[kronus]

I have never had issues getting e30s aligned, even with front and rear adjustable camber/toe. Sounds like the techs at the place you went to can't think even slightly outside of the manufacturers' factory procedure manuals.

[DaveSmed]

They did you a favor, it sounds like those idiots had no business touching your car anyway.