E70 wheel alignment

[martin33100]

Hi, I have an E70 with sports suspension and 20's and wondered if the usual problems of outer front and inner rear tyre wear is normal even when the alignment is within BMW's specification?.

I am in the process of choosing some new non runflat tyres, for around £700 I can get Falkens, Toyo's, Hankooks, Vedesteins etc.
I would like to try the new Michelin latitude Sport 3 SUV tyre but at another £250 a set they* would probably be wasted if they get scrubbed out on the edges like the Bridgestone's have in the past.

Any views on this will be greatly appreciated.

[ard]

Originally Posted by martin33100

if the usual problems of outer front and inner rear tyre wear is normal even when the alignment is within BMW's specification?.


I would like to try the new Michelin latitude Sport 3 SUV tyre but at another £250 a set they* would probably be wasted if they get scrubbed out on the edges like the Bridgestone's have in the past.

Any views on this will be greatly appreciated.

To answer your question, sadly yes.

Because the "BMW Specification" is too large and allows a very suboptimal alignment!!!

With an optimal alignment you can get 40k miles. On a poor alignmnet- but still 'within spec' you can get 15k.

What were you alignment specs the last time you had it done? If you just got a "yes it is in spec" then you dont have enought info.

Ive posted before, you can do a search- but you want to set the TOE almost right at the lower limit. So toe in like 0.01 to 0.02 at each wheel. Caster and camber at mid range. BMW dealers are the last place to get alignments done.

IMO

[martin33100]

Thanks for the reply. We have only had the car 6 months but when I had the alignment checked the toe was out at the front and this was corrected.
One of the rears was also out but due to a seized bolt this was left, my plan is to replace both rear udjusting bolts and get the alignment done before the new tyres go on.
There is a place near me called the alignment centre and it will be going there as thats all they do so they have a few years experience. They should be able to keep things at the better end of the specification range.

The main reason for posting is I don't want to get the alignment done, fit a set of Michelin latitude sport 3's and then wear the edges out like on my Bridgestones with 4-5mm left on the tyres.
If this is still going to be the case I will save the £250 a set and get the Hankook ventus S1 evo's or Vedestein ultrac vorti's.

[ard]

I hope you understading what I am saying.

"The toe was out and this was corrected" may mean they just put it somehwewre 'in spec'

The truth- and this has been validated by many owners here reporting their results- is that THE BMW SPEC IS TOO LARGE!!!!!!!!!!

They allow 0.00 to 0.08 per wheel with 0.00 to 0.16 cross toe.

This is HUGE.

At 0.08 you will get 15k miles. at 0.01 you will get 40k. WHERE WAS YOURS SET??????

I like going to a shop that specializes in alignments, day in and day out. They can easily hit these numbers. I tip my guy $10 if they are nice and engage with me in the process.

I got 32k on my first set of mich latitudes. (lemoned that car) Then 40k on the second set on a new 2012...Now on my third set

Life is to short to drive on crappy tires...

[martin33100]

This is the report below from the last company that did an alignment but I will be using another company locally that only do wheel alignment that are very experienced with it before the new tyres go on.
I was told the rear toe couldn't be adjusted until I had the seized adjusting bolts replaced or made good. Can you adjust the rear camber or is this fixed on the E70?
This is the last report:-

And this is the local company that will be re-doing it before my new tyres go on:-
Wheel Alignment in Southampton | Tyre Alignment in Winchester

[martin33100]

I forgot to ask are you running 20" wheels and sports suspension on your E70's?

[14thbmw]

Some of us are willing to give up a bit of tire wear for better turn in and cornering, so we like more toe or camber

[ard]

Originally Posted by 14thbmw

Some of us are willing to give up a bit of tire wear for better turn in and cornering, so we like more toe or camber

Oh please. first it is an SUV. Camber in spec is fine, and definitely you want negative in the rear. But toe? you really think that helps 'turn in and cornering' in a way that makes a bit of difference in a lumbering SUV??? You're kidding yourself.

These are not sport sedans, they are not track cars. The whole 'toe helps turn in' is a canard that isnt really applicable to an SUV.


OP- those specs are pretty odd. They look like their specs not BMW specs.

I do not like how the front cambers are out of whack- one neg, one positive?!

Set the toe to 0.01- 0.02" each wheel. Balance the front camber. Zero is fine. Rear at -1.x fine.

Do not fall for this nonsense about handling, turn in and cornering- with TOE...

[14thbmw]

Mine doesn't "lumber". But it does handle pretty nicely, including turn in. If you can't tell a difference, can I suggest a Suburban?

[martin33100]

Originally Posted by ard

Oh please. first it is an SUV. Camber in spec is fine, and definitely you want negative in the rear. But toe? you really think that helps 'turn in and cornering' in a way that makes a bit of difference in a lumbering SUV??? You're kidding yourself.

These are not sport sedans, they are not track cars. The whole 'toe helps turn in' is a canard that isnt really applicable to an SUV.


OP- those specs are pretty odd. They look like their specs not BMW specs.

I do not like how the front cambers are out of whack- one neg, one positive?!

Set the toe to 0.01- 0.02" each wheel. Balance the front camber. Zero is fine. Rear at -1.x fine.

Do not fall for this nonsense about handling, turn in and cornering- with TOE...

I don't know what to say about there alignment specs but I do know they have good 4 wheel laser equipment and lots of car clubs have used them in the past. I however am going to try the Wheel alignment centre(I posted the link above) so it will be interested to see what specs they work with.

I thought you could only changed the front camber if you fitted the camber correction top arms part no.6
RealOEM.com * BMW E70 X5 3.0d Frnt axle support,wishbone/tension strut
I also have a new pair of lower arms to fit before the alignment check due to slightly worn ball joints so this may help also.

Can you adjust camber on the rear of an e70 or just the toe?

Thanks for all your help so far.