Wheel alignment tips/info

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by c-bass

No

I guess I should have said I'm looking for alignment specs not just tips.

I'm well aware that getting an alignment with worn suspension is a waste of time but I'm also used to "techs" that don't know jack shit other than what their computer tells them.

Here are the BMW specs. I don't see any particular reason to deviate from them for the most part, unless you're looking to sacrifice handling for tire wear. The one thing that I did do on mine was pull the camber bolts on the front struts and max out front camber.

32 00 Wheel Alignment E53 Steel spring, 1-axle air suspension, 2-axle air suspension, not low-slung
Observe test conditions!
Front axle:
Total toe 0° 18' ± 12'
Adjustment* total toe 0° 18' ± 4'
Toe difference single wheel between left/ right max. 12'
Camber (difference between left/right max. 30') - 12' ± 30'
Adjustment* camber - 12' ± 25'
Toe angle difference (difference between left/right max. 20')
- with 20° lock on inside wheel - 1° 35' ± 30'
Caster angle (difference between left/right max. 30')
Front wheel displacement 0° ± 15'
Maximum wheel lock
- Inside wheel approx. ° 37° 06'
- Outside wheel approx. ° 31° 07'
Turning circle approx. m 12.1
Rear axle:
Total toe 0° 18' ± 12'
Adjustment* total toe 0° 18' ± 4'
Camber (difference between left/right max. 30') - 1° 50' ± 25'
Adjustment* camber - 1° 50' ± 5'
Geometrical axis deviation 0° ± 12'
*Note: To minimize adjusting errors*(measuring inaccuracies), use a narrower tolerance for adjustment.
**Note: Toe difference front axle*=*criterion for steering wheel inclination