E70 Alignment

[entgegnen]

Hey everyone. Is there some special deal with getting the E70 X5 aligned? I just got some new Micheline Run Flats and wanted to get my x5 aligned (just to be safe after shelling out $1300). I went to my local Firestone place (thinking I'd buy the lifetime alignment) but they told me they didn't even have the specs in their computer. Is this true? I don't have active steering... and I cannot imagine anything "proprietary" about doing an alignment... Or was this just a lame Firestone shop? I was hoping to avoid paying 250 to the dealer (for a one time alignment)... when I could get a lifetime alignment from Firestone for around 160...

Also, does anyone know if shock and strut replacement is included on the BMW maintenance? Seems like a standard wear and tear item...

Oh, it may be worth mentioning, I got 45,000 miles from my original set of Latitude Run Flats... so needless to say, I'm happy with the tire, and replaced the old ones with the same.

Thanks.

[drivinfaster]

when i did alignments we had to 'purchase' the specs in package form from the manufacturer of the alignment machine. these were initially in the form of cd's, but now i believe they are either downloaded or flashed. similarly with repair manuals and such. i say that this particular shop has something along the lines of 'outdated' equipment, meaning the manufacturer has decided to not make any more updates for that particular model in the hopes of selling a newer alignment system, or the shop has decided not to upgrade to the latest specs (which has been a few years apparently).

regardless, there are options on every system that i have used fo allow for manual entry of the specs. it sounds to me like they either are afraid to do an alignment, or do not wish to do an alignment, on your vehicle.

as to the 'lifetime alignments', i believe that ntb also sells them with tire purchases. not sure, though. whatever the case on who sells them, the goal of the 'lifetime alignment' is to keep you coming back in hopes of getting the suspension and steering repairs in order to do said alignment. many times these can be 'voided' if the repairs are not done. i would ask lots of questions, get it in writing, and read the fine print.



df

[soldmystang]

lame Firestone shop, yes.

just got my 08's alingment done last month. by an independant shop.

how many times did you have the truck alinged on the first set of tires?


good luck getting shocks and struts replaced before 50k miles by the dealer. :confused:

[entgegnen]

well, that is my question - does the BMW maintenance cover shocks and struts? I've got them on the hook for the 6/100 maintenance (bought the extension).

As for the first set of tires, no realignments at all. No rebalancing. Just got a lot of miles out of them.

[soldmystang]

well, that is my question - does the BMW maintenance cover shocks and struts? I've got them on the hook for the 6/100 maintenance (bought the extension).

As for the first set of tires, no realignments at all. No rebalancing. Just got a lot of miles out of them.

and that is my point. get one alingment from a trusted source and be on your merry way untill you notice unusual tire wear. lifetime alingment doesn't make sense to me. especially if you have the extended warranty from BMW.

i bought the extended warranty also. i was concerned about the CV Boots that tend to fail around 60k miles. plus the Service II is pricey from what i hear.

if the shocks and struts fade in the 70k range they should be replaced, but who is to say they are not still within a tolerance level set forth by BMW. this would be a question for the warranty people at BMW i would think.