Wheel Alignment - @ BMW

Z

Zed Five

Senior member
Hi,

I've been told that I need a new pair of front tyres (true!) but also a wheel alignment at BMW (around £150). Can anyone advise how this is going to be differment from 'old fashioned' tracking or laser alignment.

- price seems really steep (which I can only conclude is an hour and a half of labour?)

Many thanks.
 
It's expensive because (I'm presuming) it's for the KDS alignment which I understand is full 4 wheel alignment. You could get the same results from a Hunter machine or similar and a good alignment centre, like Wheels-in-Motion for example, for quite a bit less.

Normal tracking checks at a kwik fit type place just do tracking of the wheels. Proper alignment will concern camber, toe, thrust angles, all that stuff.
 
I'd agree with unleash if the car is handling well and no uneven wear then not a requirement.

If you do have it done the Zed is also unusual in that it needs to be correctly weighted before setting the tracking. This is 68kg in each front seat, a full tank of fuel and 14kg in the boot. If not then the settings are pointless and most garages as a rerult cannot do it.

as noted a full set up at Hunter equiped shop is around £100 as I've just had it done and it's a 2 to 3 hour job.
 
cj10jeeper said:
as noted a full set up at Hunter equiped shop is around £100 as I've just had it done and it's a 2 to 3 hour job.
Click to expand...

2-3 hours? Didn't you have some issues with yours for it to take that long? Mine was around an hour.
 
peddy said:
cj10jeeper said:
as noted a full set up at Hunter equiped shop is around £100 as I've just had it done and it's a 2 to 3 hour job.
Click to expand...

2-3 hours? Didn't you have some issues with yours for it to take that long? Mine was around an hour.
Click to expand...

Yes - I did have to have a track rod end fitted and had to make a return trip making near 5 hours in all. They spent a good 3 hours of pure set up time and really did everything in detail.
 
Thanks chaps.

yes, the front tyres are unevenly worn, so the alignment is a problem. I was just surprised at the cost.

Thanks again.
 
Anyone know anywhere in the SE london/kent area doing this hunter setup properly?as in puting weigths in the car etc?

I presume sitting 18's from my standard 17's has thrown it out completly? can they fix things like this?
 
+49 said:
Anyone know anywhere in the SE london/kent area doing this hunter setup properly?as in puting weigths in the car etc?

I presume sitting 18's from my standard 18's has thrown it out completly? can they fix things like this?
Click to expand...

It's not exactly local (just past the M40 / M25 junction) but Wheels in Motion is the best place I've been to. They completely transformed my Mx5, are real enthusiasts and very knowledgable. Well worth the drive:

http://www.blackboots.co.uk/blackboots-location.php
 
cj10jeeper said:
peddy said:
cj10jeeper said:
as noted a full set up at Hunter equiped shop is around £100 as I've just had it done and it's a 2 to 3 hour job.
Click to expand...

2-3 hours? Didn't you have some issues with yours for it to take that long? Mine was around an hour.
Click to expand...

Yes - I did have to have a track rod end fitted and had to make a return trip making near 5 hours in all. They spent a good 3 hours of pure set up time and really did everything in detail.
Click to expand...
I agree with cj here - 2-3hrs isn't that excessive, and the cost of around £100 is par for the course too. My local guy took around 2hrs setting up my Clio's suspension after I fitted coilovers. He also set up my Z4 but I had new suspension bushes fitted at the same time so can't comment on the time for just the alignment on it.
 
+49 said:
Anyone know anywhere in the SE london/kent area doing this hunter setup properly?as in puting weigths in the car etc?

I presume sitting 18's from my standard 17's has thrown it out completly? can they fix things like this?
Click to expand...


Not Hunter equiped i know buy I recenlty had my mums mgf done at "Big M " in Welling as i was told by SeTyres that Big M was the only place locally that would do the "four wheel allignment". I'm not sure that this is the same as what you are referring to above as it was only £30 but they are a big garage that seem to know their stuff.
 
Before you go anywhere simply put a call in to ensure they can do a Z4. Many can't and the Hunter equipment seems to be one of the few machines that can not only do the Z4 but has all the settings downloaded to memory and shops equiped with required ballast.

Even my local specialist who does all the exotica referred me straight out the door to a place that just happened to be a Hunter shop.
 
g14ash said:
+49 said:
Anyone know anywhere in the SE london/kent area doing this hunter setup properly?as in puting weigths in the car etc?

I presume sitting 18's from my standard 17's has thrown it out completly? can they fix things like this?
Click to expand...


Not Hunter equiped i know buy I recenlty had my mums mgf done at "Big M " in Welling as i was told by SeTyres that Big M was the only place locally that would do the "four wheel allignment". I'm not sure that this is the same as what you are referring to above as it was only £30 but they are a big garage that seem to know their stuff.
Click to expand...


Humm..

I know SEyres..got my last 3 Set's of tyres there.Near Woodman pub?

Big M's are ok for like budget stuff...not being snob,But wouldn't feel comfortable handing the Z over to them...They can't do full alignment there

Just rang Bexley motors and there telling me they got a Hunter Machine in 2 and half years ago ( just after the last time i went there) And i asked him if he'd put weigths to compensate for driver etc he said yeh?

£135 + VAT... Bit steep?
 
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