[BMSE92_Harry]

When you take your car to request for an alignment done NOT at a BMW, do you just go by how they align it? Or do you have a specific spec that you want them to align it to? negative value on toe.. etc.

I bought the lifetime alignment at Firestone for 189.99, some Firestone claims that they don't have the machine to do it, some say they don't have the techs that know how to do it, some would do it, but said I should really do it at the dealership since BMW would add "weight" to mirror as the car was driving on the road with a person's weight in it.

My dealership in Florida charge 199 for a ONE time alignment fee...

[simon]

Firestone is correct in that the car should be loaded with weight prior to alignment. Whether the dealer actually does this or not is another question.

Normally loaded position:
150 lb in each front seat
150 lb center of rear seat
46 lb in cargo compartment
full fuel tank

Realize the only thing that's adjustable in the front is toe, in which the tools you need are a 13 mm (if i remember correctly) combo wrench and torx bit (i don't remember the size). If you remove alignment pin then you have a tiny amount of camber adjustment, in which you need 13 or so socket and a pry bar.

In rear you have adjustment of pretty much everything, only tools required are combination wrenches.

Long story short I'd just go to a good suspension shop in your area and get their recommended alignment specs for your driving style.

Simon

[jwalker87]

An independent shop should still look up the factory-recommended alignment settings and get within those bands, since every car is different as far as optimum settings.

[mweisdorfer]

The Bentley repair manual has the specs. I would get a copy of them and take it in to a suspension/ front end shop, before you get your 4 wheel alignment.

[VTECaddict]

There's no special tools or machine required to align it. The alignment computer will have the specs in their system.

If you're not tracking or trying to fit aggressive wheels, the factory specs is what you should go with.