What have your local BMW dealers charged for a front end alignment? 2003 Z-4. Mine quoted me $330 which I think is ridicules. They claimed its a 3 hour job. My Dodge dealer did the front end on my 1 ton dual wheel truck for $60 in about and hour.
Front end alignment
- Thread starter B & Js Z
- Start date
It is on the hight side, IMHO... Although the 4 wheels alignment might not be as quick as a Dodge.
On the Z4 everything but front caster is adjustable. This means front camber and toe and rear camber and toe. BMW RECOMMEND using a special tool adjust front camber and rear toe and RECOMMEND replacing a self locking nut when adjusting the rear camber.
I took my wife's Z4 at Firestone to have the alignment checked last Sundays and the rear camber and toe was out of spec but they couldn't adjust it because they didn't have the tool nor the nuts. I guess since they could be liable they only follow the RECOMMENDED procedure.
By the time the place the car on the machine, set the reflectors, start the reading it's already 30 minutes. It took them another 15 minutes to adjust the front toe (only angle that doesn't require anything custom) and another 15 minutes to take everything off. I wouldn't be surprised if a complete alignment (meaning everything is out of spec) would take close to 2 hrs; 3 hrs seams a little excessive.
I end up buying the tool for the rear toe for $50 and the two nuts for $1. Firestone had a special on Labor Day for $129 for lifetime alignment. You do the math.
If you take it to Firestone make sure they select the correct suspension setting for your car: standard vs sport as they have different camber
I had my alignment done at Firestone on the Z3 and I was very pleased of the job... But guess as usual it depends on the place...
On the Z4 everything but front caster is adjustable. This means front camber and toe and rear camber and toe. BMW RECOMMEND using a special tool adjust front camber and rear toe and RECOMMEND replacing a self locking nut when adjusting the rear camber.
I took my wife's Z4 at Firestone to have the alignment checked last Sundays and the rear camber and toe was out of spec but they couldn't adjust it because they didn't have the tool nor the nuts. I guess since they could be liable they only follow the RECOMMENDED procedure.
By the time the place the car on the machine, set the reflectors, start the reading it's already 30 minutes. It took them another 15 minutes to adjust the front toe (only angle that doesn't require anything custom) and another 15 minutes to take everything off. I wouldn't be surprised if a complete alignment (meaning everything is out of spec) would take close to 2 hrs; 3 hrs seams a little excessive.
I end up buying the tool for the rear toe for $50 and the two nuts for $1. Firestone had a special on Labor Day for $129 for lifetime alignment. You do the math.
If you take it to Firestone make sure they select the correct suspension setting for your car: standard vs sport as they have different camber
I had my alignment done at Firestone on the Z3 and I was very pleased of the job... But guess as usual it depends on the place...
alignment at my local BMW dealer is $189...
the Z needs 150lbs of sand bags to be placed at strategic locations to replicate a loaded car and a full tank of gas to do an alignment or else it will be out of specs when you are done. otherwise, same procedure as other cars....
the Z needs 150lbs of sand bags to be placed at strategic locations to replicate a loaded car and a full tank of gas to do an alignment or else it will be out of specs when you are done. otherwise, same procedure as other cars....
BlackSapphireZ said:
Costs about the same at my local stealers. ~$190. That dealer might've quoted the OP $300 for the alignment because they assumed the car had active steering, which the Z4 does not.
However, it's probably better to go in with 1/2 tank of gas rather than a full tank. That way the camber specs don't change more drastically in either direction when you from a full tank of gas down to 1/4 or 1/8 of a tank. Sand bags might not be needed if it's a competent shop doing the job as they can take the driver's weight into calculation and set the alignment specs accordingly. (this doesn't apply to places like Firestone or Goodyear - they don't put sand bags because they don't know better and 99% of the cars they work on are not performance cars).
Personally, I wouldn't take my Z4M to either places like Firestone or the dealer. Dealers do an OK job but they over-charge you for the work. Just find a local reputable indy shop that specializes in BMW's/Porsches. Usually cheaper and does better work than the dealers.
FRONT CAMBER
Tightening torque is 34Nm. The nut p/n is 31 31 6 769 731.
FRONT TOE
Not all places are aware of the markings to set the steering wheel steight, but they eyeball it. It's worth reminding them.
Torque is supposed to be 45Nm: I'm not sure how you wouldmeasure since I dunno of a torque wrench with an open socket.
Also TIS recommend to "Carry out stearing agle sensor offset" using the GT1 after any adjustment to the front axle alignment. I'm not sure what it means but I know there's a steering angle sensor which is involved with the DSC... I would guess it's an adaptation value so there's something that should readjust itself.
Tightening torque is 34Nm. The nut p/n is 31 31 6 769 731.
FRONT TOE
Not all places are aware of the markings to set the steering wheel steight, but they eyeball it. It's worth reminding them.
Torque is supposed to be 45Nm: I'm not sure how you wouldmeasure since I dunno of a torque wrench with an open socket.
Also TIS recommend to "Carry out stearing agle sensor offset" using the GT1 after any adjustment to the front axle alignment. I'm not sure what it means but I know there's a steering angle sensor which is involved with the DSC... I would guess it's an adaptation value so there's something that should readjust itself.
REAR CAMBER
The collar nut p/n is 33 32 6 760 668. 2 are required and MSRP is $0.57 each
After replacing the nut (before camber is adjusted) it's supposed to be tight at 5Nm. Once adjustments are complete is supposed to be tight at 77Nm.
A camber change involves a toe-in change so it should be adjusted first
REAR TOE
The draw is not that clear of where the trailing arm is: if you look under the car, just in front of the wheel you'll see it.
The special tool is the one I posted pix of. I was told it could be done without it, but some places might not do it because they could be liable. Te tool seam to allow a more precise adjutment, IMHO.
Tightening torque is 77Nm
The collar nut p/n is 33 32 6 760 668. 2 are required and MSRP is $0.57 each
After replacing the nut (before camber is adjusted) it's supposed to be tight at 5Nm. Once adjustments are complete is supposed to be tight at 77Nm.
A camber change involves a toe-in change so it should be adjusted first
REAR TOE
The draw is not that clear of where the trailing arm is: if you look under the car, just in front of the wheel you'll see it.
The special tool is the one I posted pix of. I was told it could be done without it, but some places might not do it because they could be liable. Te tool seam to allow a more precise adjutment, IMHO.
Tightening torque is 77Nm
WOW...thanks for all the info!
ZetaTre said:
I had an issue with the angle sensor after alignment. On one of our group road trips, all the DSC and flat-tire alert lights cam on, and would not go off. Turned out the steering angle sensor had not been set properly after the alignment. It took the car a few days to register the fault, but once it did, it really did. Had the sensor re-adjusted, and all's been well since.
I would recomend to be sure to have it re-set after any front alignment.
Shipkiller
Lifer
I had my Zed aligned about six months ago at a BMW Specialist, not the Stealer. It cost me about $100 and took about 45min....
The car was in barely in 'SPEC' but he dialed it in perfectly...
The car was in barely in 'SPEC' but he dialed it in perfectly...
Thanks for the info Shipkiller but what is a BMW Specialist? thanks
B & Js Z, check this out for any recommendations: KC CCA Chapter forum
