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  #21  
Old 01-17-2024, 05:17 PM
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If it has a problem on snow it should have a problem on dry pavement too. You said it doesn't though?


The alignment shop is just going to put it back on the rack, check spec, fix it if it's wrong, and that's it. They don't know how to troubleshoot handling problems on their $50 alignment.
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  #22  
Old 01-17-2024, 07:03 PM
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It's an all inclusive shop, they do everything, mechanics, alignment, tint, audio systems, collision repair etc.

The alignment cost me $320 CAD the first time. I hope they don't try to charge me again.

They said that the rear alignment got out of spec. How lol? I drove 100 km back and forth, on straight highway. No idea how it got out of spec.

But they did troubleshoot if, took it for a drive, aligned it, took it for a drive again and said it's driving perfectly in snow now.

Will pick it up tomorrow and test it!

One thing they did say is that the front alignment is maxed out and cannot be aligned to spec, probably due to the lift kit.
I wonder if I should buy custom strut plates to be able to align it more. But right now, as is, it's tracking straight.
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  #23  
Old 01-17-2024, 07:43 PM
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$320 for just an alignment??? You must have gotten something else for that money right?



I hope it all works out.
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  #24  
Old 01-18-2024, 10:31 PM
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I know it seems excessive. They only did rear alignment on top of that.
Basically this is what happened.
I told them I have a lift kit from ecs tunning, and custom alignment kit on the rear.
They booked me for 2 hours, as they thought my alignment might require extra work.
Whether the job actually took 2 hours or less, I have no idea.
But it looks like the rate is $140 per hour, so 2 hours is 280, add tax on top and it's over 320 lol

Second alignment today was a success, but seems like the front just cannot be aligned because of the lift kit.
I need to find some front camber plate for X5.
The vehicle is a lot more drivable now, but I'm still not 100% happy. At 100kmph in snow, it's still unstable and scary to drive.
I'm not sure if it's still alignment, or tires, or the fact that the front cannot be properly aligned.
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  #25  
Old 01-18-2024, 10:32 PM
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  #26  
Old 01-18-2024, 10:37 PM
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New alignment
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  #27  
Old 01-19-2024, 12:10 AM
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Camber plate isn't going to fix it.. your front camber is in spec... the caster is what's off.



Why did your front and rear toe get out of spec in between the first and second visits? You had toe in when you left, and toe out on all four wheels when you brought it back... great recipe for making the car feel unstable.
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  #28  
Old 01-19-2024, 12:10 AM
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Do you get the feeling you are a beta tester for ECS's product right now? I kind of have that feeling from reading about your experiences.
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  #29  
Old 01-31-2024, 01:20 AM
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Yes 100% felt like a beta tester lol! You nailed it.

I really have no clue why the front and rear toes got out of spec!
I checked under the car, and the markings they did on the control arms are different.
So there's like two sets of paint markings. I assume for 1st time alignment, and 2nd alignment.
For now we haven't had much snow, so I couldn't test drive much on snow
But if my toe gets out of alignment again, I will probably replace the silver project control arms with hardrace, before spending money on another alignment.

BTW here's what ecs tunning had to say

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  #30  
Old 01-31-2024, 10:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwe5320023.0 View Post
Yes 100% felt like a beta tester lol! You nailed it.
I can't believe the work you have done just to get this working. I had never even seen that thread measure tool before.

After the alignment fiasco and their (lack of real) response, the whole thing looks impossible to get right. But I bet if anyone can, it'll be somebody with your skills. You might be the 1st person outside of ECS who actually gets one of these kits to work!

Speaking of that: THey had a bunch of videos with the lift kit. I wonder if one of them has a clean shot of the rear wheel fitment inside the well? I'll go lookin'...

Found a frame from this video. Also, check it at 13:22. He talks about the alignment specifically being different than factory due to the lift kit.
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Last edited by PropellerHead; 01-31-2024 at 11:19 AM.
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