Dealership diagnostic fees

[Access]

I just bought a CPO 2007 from out of state dealer. After making only 100 miles on it I discovered that it pulls to the left.
I went to local dealership, they said they are going to charge me a $209 diagnostic fee to check if wheel alignment is needed and if it does (I more then sure, since it pulls to the left) another $200 for alignment itself.

If the car is CPO, should it be inspected for proper wheel alignment (along with other things that need to pass CPO inspection)? Is there anything can be done to wave that fees or at least diagnostic fee?
This is my first visit to the dealership, should I confront them or don’t bother?

Thank you

[ard]

This is a PERFECT example of why reliance on a CPO alone is foolish.

The CPO will not over alignment!

Yes, the selling\CPOing dealer should have checked and repairred this. But YOU failed to inspect your purchase. The new dealer is rightfully refusing to do free work.

However, you don't know much about cars since they are clearly taking advantage of the situation. Simply tell the "do an alignment". Don't diagnose, just align.

First call the selloign dealer, have them agree in writing to pay for the alignment if it fails to meet BMW specs.

The new deaerl MUST give you a 'before and after' set of values.

Here is the real horror story- failure to align can be a sign if damage...there is one fellow posting here where it turns out he discovered hidden damage now afetr he owns it.

Finally, this SA or this dealer is showing their spots. You've hidden your location, so we can only guess, but you might want to find an honest SA.

A

[alexmish]

Why dont you just find another place to do alignment... You can get it done for around $110-130.. If you feel that it pulls - check the tires pressure. If it is even all around and within the recommended specs, then you definetely need an alignment - so dont waste your money on the "diagnosis fees", and just get an alignment at a non-dealer place.

CPO is BS, I agree.

[Access]

Originally Posted by ard

This is a PERFECT example of why reliance on a CPO alone is foolish.

The CPO will not over alignment!

Yes, the selling\CPOing dealer should have checked and repairred this. But YOU failed to inspect your purchase. The new dealer is rightfully refusing to do free work.

However, you don't know much about cars since they are clearly taking advantage of the situation. Simply tell the "do an alignment". Don't diagnose, just align.

First call the selloign dealer, have them agree in writing to pay for the alignment if it fails to meet BMW specs.

The new deaerl MUST give you a 'before and after' set of values.

Here is the real horror story- failure to align can be a sign if damage...there is one fellow posting here where it turns out he discovered hidden damage now afetr he owns it.

Finally, this SA or this dealer is showing their spots. You've hidden your location, so we can only guess, but you might want to find an honest SA.

A

Thanks for the advice.

I'm from Brooklyn, NY , anybody knows an honest SA around this area?

[ard]

Originally Posted by alexmish

Why dont you just find another place to do alignment... You can get it done for around $110-130.. If you feel that it pulls - check the tires pressure. If it is even all around and within the recommended specs, then you definetely need an alignment - so dont waste your money on the "diagnosis fees", and just get an alignment at a non-dealer place.

CPO is BS, I agree.

Although I would usually agree to skip the dealer, the OP may need to get documentation about the alignment and any other issues that the first dealer missed. He should only go to BMW until he has a "clean" car. (ie no overhanging issues from the CPO/Sale)

OP- How far away was the buying dealership?

[THK]

Forget the dealer and his diagnostic fee and just get an alignment. Any alignment technician worth his salt will check shocks ball joints, tie rods and bushings prior to any alignment.

Get yourself to a business that specializes in alignments and front suspension repair only.

[Access]

Originally Posted by ard

Although I would usually agree to skip the dealer, the OP may need to get documentation about the alignment and any other issues that the first dealer missed. He should only go to BMW until he has a "clean" car. (ie no overhanging issues from the CPO/Sale)

OP- How far away was the buying dealership?

1000+ miles

[quackbury]

Here's another idea. Many BMW dealerships offer monthly service specials - someone is almost always running a special on 4 wheel alignments. Figure out who the 5 closest dealerships are to your house. Check each of their websites today, and again on October 1st. Odds are one of them will have an alignment special for $149.

Have that dealership do the alignment. The tech will inspect the suspension while he's doing it, and if there's any problem with any other suspension components, he will notify you. Saves you $250 and keeps all the work in the BMW "family."

PS: You don't by any chance have staggered wheels on your X5, do you? As hard as it is to believe, techs have been known to put the wrong wheels on the wrong corners. This would cause the pulling. (If this is the case, please pay me $200 for the diagnosis)

[Vsmvince]

Come to me for alignment. V & S Motor Service and Collision

www.vsmotorservice.com

718-229-6800

[wallyx5]

Originally Posted by alexmish

Why dont you just find another place to do alignment... You can get it done for around $110-130.. If you feel that it pulls - check the tires pressure. If it is even all around and within the recommended specs, then you definetely need an alignment - so dont waste your money on the "diagnosis fees", and just get an alignment at a non-dealer place.

CPO is BS, I agree.