Is an alignment needed or waste of money?
 

I got an '03 3.0i non-sport with 17"s. I just got 18"s(thanks feelgooduninc :thumbup: )...went to the tire shop to get the rims put on and to have two of the tires replaced. The guy at the shop is pushing me to get an alignment on top of the mounting and balance, etc.

The tires on the car now(the 17"s) look like they have weared evenly across the tire. So I was thinking an alignment would be a waste of money.

What do you all think? Should I get the alignment anyway since I will be putting on a bigger rim?

You're usually better off getting an alignment when you get new wheels put on. We just get new tires mounted and balanced, got an alignment with them. Although, the X has to go back, because the alignement is still off.

Yes.

JV

Sup there Raj! I would recommend to get the alignment also, how much were they charging at the shop?

sup aaron...they are charging me 89 bucks for the alignment

That's not a bad price for an alignment, however if it were me I would go to a BMW dealer and have them do it. It'll cost you about $150 at the dealer for a 4 wheel alignment.

Alignments are one of the few things that I would opt to go to the dealer for versus an independent shop.

Now as to whether you need it or not, I don't personally think that just because you are putting on another set of rims/tires that an alignment is needed. I have a set of 19" rims for spring/summer/fall and a set of 18" rims for winter, and I do not have the X realigned every time I swap between them. :tsk:

I'm w/UCrew...if the wheel/tire combo coming off have worn evenly across the width and there is not a steer.wheel pull prob., why get an alignment? If the align-guy is not nuts on, it may be of little help and just reset to slightly off specs. And, if I really needed one, I'd find TheBest Align joint, Stlr or privateer, in my area. My 2Cts.
BR,md

thanks fellas

AGREED! I've got 75,000 miles on my 2001 X5 4.4i, 2nd set of tires, NEVER ALIGNED, still tracks dead-on straight with normal tire wear.

The only reason to re-align is if you have "shocked" the suspension (i.e. large pot hole), curbed a wheel or had suspension parts replaced due to wear. My X5 was dead-on from the factory and I won't align it until absolutely necessary since my experience has been that they don't EVER get it right the first time.

I almost never get an alignment unless my steering is not straight. In your case, I would not do it. Maybe because in the past, I have gotten alignments, and the car tracks worst afterwards. My feeling is that the shops always recommend an alignment whether you need it or not because it's easy and quick money for them. Just my 2 cents worth.