Alignment necessary on regular basis
 

I have a 2001 3.0 X5 and I have never aligned it since I bought in 2004. Tires always wear to 55k-60k. slight normal drift to right. Are alignments necessary if you don't see an issue? I just had all four struts replaced, but I don't notice any pulling etc.

Yes. As things wear the control arms and tie-rods end up out of spec. You can have them out of spec and not notice any pulling. The rule of thumb is that you have an alignment when you do suspension work. I'd definitely do one with the shocks being replaced recently.

As I have lifetime alignment from Firestone and a Z friend works there, I have it done every 6 mos.

^I agree on that one, alignment is like a perishable item....good to get it done once a year at least.

BMW X5 4.8iS 2005

Wheel Alignment and balancing required almost every time... If you do a lot of 4WDriving and towing....either before or after.