Alignment Question

MRSSIIM3 · 01-28-2011, 07:17 PM

Just got my m3 2 days ago. Driving around boston, theres a lot of potholes and road crowns everywhere

Wondering if alignment ever gets knocked off, and I take it to the dealer to have it realigned, will it be as good as new? Obviously itll be back on spec but will I ever know it was realigned?

Kyoshi71 · 01-28-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamama3

Just got my m3 2 days ago. Driving around boston, theres a lot of potholes and road crowns everywhere

Wondering if alignment ever gets knocked off, and I take it to the dealer to have it realigned, will it be as good as new? Obviously itll be back on spec but will I ever know it was realigned?

It can definitely get knocked out of whack.

Whether or not it will be as good as new is subject to the degree of the pothole. Chances are though, you'll be ok.

JCtx · 01-28-2011, 10:30 PM

If it's misaligned, you could feel the difference, depending how bad it was. If it's pretty close to specs, you won't (I didn't). But even if you don't feel any difference, if you're out of specs, you're wearing out your tires more than normal. With such expensive tires, it's a good idea to align the car every tire change. Or before, if you suspect something threw the alignment off, or just bought the car, like in your case. Good luck.

WCH · 01-30-2011, 04:13 PM

Yes the roads are bad in Boston and even if you are careful, you will eventually hit some potholes. I haven't had much trouble with alignment from potholes but did re-align the car after getting new wheels and tires. You need to go to the dealer or a shop with a good Hunter Road force balancing set up to have it come out correct. If they have the right equipment and know what they are doing, it will be fine.

Congrats on your new M3! Hopefully I'll see you around.

montreal red · 01-30-2011, 08:52 PM

the roads in mtl are so bad i typically need to realign every 6 to 8 months. once ur car is realigned, it will feel like new again.

MRSSIIM3 · 01-31-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCH

Yes the roads are bad in Boston and even if you are careful, you will eventually hit some potholes. I haven't had much trouble with alignment from potholes but did re-align the car after getting new wheels and tires. You need to go to the dealer or a shop with a good Hunter Road force balancing set up to have it come out correct. If they have the right equipment and know what they are doing, it will be fine.

Congrats on your new M3! Hopefully I'll see you around.

would my dealer have the right equipment to align? herb chambers bmw?

and thanks, we should set up a boston meet or something when this weather clears up!!

WCH · 02-01-2011, 12:57 PM

I'm pretty sure the local dealers will have the correct equipment. Chambers did my wife's 335 vert which is very sensitive to alignment and it was perfect. You'll just pay more there.

Hope to see you around!

01-28-2011, 07:17 PM	#1
MRSSIIM3 General 148 Rep 1,348 Posts Drives: M4 SO Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (5)	Alignment Question Just got my m3 2 days ago. Driving around boston, theres a lot of potholes and road crowns everywhere Wondering if alignment ever gets knocked off, and I take it to the dealer to have it realigned, will it be as good as new? Obviously itll be back on spec but will I ever know it was realigned?
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01-28-2011, 10:30 PM	#3
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	If it's misaligned, you could feel the difference, depending how bad it was. If it's pretty close to specs, you won't (I didn't). But even if you don't feel any difference, if you're out of specs, you're wearing out your tires more than normal. With such expensive tires, it's a good idea to align the car every tire change. Or before, if you suspect something threw the alignment off, or just bought the car, like in your case. Good luck.
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01-30-2011, 04:13 PM	#4
WCH Lieutenant Colonel 347 Rep 1,844 Posts Drives: '20 M8C convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (8) Garage List 2022 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2020 BMW M8C [0.00] 2017 Porsche Macan GTS [0.00]	Yes the roads are bad in Boston and even if you are careful, you will eventually hit some potholes. I haven't had much trouble with alignment from potholes but did re-align the car after getting new wheels and tires. You need to go to the dealer or a shop with a good Hunter Road force balancing set up to have it come out correct. If they have the right equipment and know what they are doing, it will be fine. Congrats on your new M3! Hopefully I'll see you around.
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01-30-2011, 08:52 PM	#5
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	the roads in mtl are so bad i typically need to realign every 6 to 8 months. once ur car is realigned, it will feel like new again. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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02-01-2011, 12:57 PM	#7
WCH Lieutenant Colonel 347 Rep 1,844 Posts Drives: '20 M8C convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (8) Garage List 2022 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2020 BMW M8C [0.00] 2017 Porsche Macan GTS [0.00]	I'm pretty sure the local dealers will have the correct equipment. Chambers did my wife's 335 vert which is very sensitive to alignment and it was perfect. You'll just pay more there. Hope to see you around!
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