[wweoholic]

Theres 2 service centers in my area. I have been bringing the car to location #1 for a few months and everything has been free, as per BMW's agreement when they lease e90's. I just brought it to location #2 because its easier to get home from loc. #2.

Now Location 2 wants to charge me a diagnostics fee of 100$ plus 220 for wheel alignment.

I brought them the car because it doesnt feel tight any more and actually felt quite wobbeley.

Is this fair?

[Bimmerista]

This does look smelly to me. Tell dealer 2 that this is all free at dealer 1, that you would like them to explain why they charge since you will call BMWNA to get more info on this (which hopefully will make them inclined to let it go for free) and.....go to dealer 1 from now on.

[KL2DC]

Not sure about the diagnostic fee but I believe full maintenance although comprehensive, doesn't cover tires and alignments...

[carjon]

didn't think wheel alignment was "free". The free stuff has nothing to do with lease - it is part of the BMW maintenance and warranty. Maybe you should have told them that the car wasn't handling right and seemed wabbly rather than told them it needed an alignment. Then it is their problem to diagnose. I understand the only way to tell if a car needs an alignment is to do one, so charging you for both is als bs.

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by wweoholic

Theres 2 service centers in my area. I have been bringing the car to location #1 for a few months and everything has been free, as per BMW's agreement when they lease e90's. I just brought it to location #2 because its easier to get home from loc. #2.

Now Location 2 wants to charge me a diagnostics fee of 100$ plus 220 for wheel alignment.

I brought them the car because it doesnt feel tight any more and actually felt quite wobbeley.

Is this fair?

Wheel alignment is not free, if the car needed an alignment and they had to diagnose it they can charge you since it is not covered by the warranty, if you said I need an alignment they can't charge you for the diagnostic fee. Many dealers will just do the diagnosis for free since it part of the 4 year 50k bumper to bumper, but I think it gets a little sketchy with alignments since they are not covered and are driver fault not the manufacturer (they are covered for 2k IIRC). What dealers are you dealing with? Westchester and what is the other one???

[wweoholic]

The port chester service center....

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by wweoholic

The port chester service center....

So the new Greenwich BMW service center. I have never had any experience with them but I do know they dropped a ton of cash on that place and they have 40 lifts, 54 bays. It is huge and cost over 12 million to build it. I am surprised that you are having issues with them, it is one of the largest and highest ranked service centers in the country from what I gather, and they have 60 loaners. I would imagine it is because you did not buy the car from them. Most dealers treat their own customers better than outsiders, it is sad but true. So was the alignment indeed off? Did they do it, and how off was it, they can give you the print out. I wish you the best, but you must realize that the alignment is not covered so they can charge you that, I bet if you bought the car there they would not charge for the diagnosis and tell you that they did you a favor so you come back the next time..... Keep an eye on your tire pressure also it can affect the driving, on the roads in White Plains (287,95). The car tram lines a lot b/c of the grooves in the pavement (95) and on 287 the road has channels in it almost from where the cars drive it is sunken in and not level. My Mini Cooper S had lots of issues with this, but the E90 with the 16" and winter runflats is not bad, when I have the 17" Sport staggered wheels on it is insane to drive on 287, I get pulled every which way b/c the car does not fit in the channels/grooves whatever you want to call them, so I tramline as it were.This more of a road issue and the runflat /suspension of the car not seeing eye to eye. Best of luck!

[Broken1]

Your tires probably need to be pumped.

I wouldn't trust the free air at garages though.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Broken1

Your tires probably need to be pumped.

I wouldn't trust the free air at garages though.

Yeah, give your tires some dumbbells and get them pumped!

Not trust "free air"? I'm confused about that one... yeah everyone knows that when it comes to compressed air you get what you pay for.

[wweoholic]

OMG! I thought I was insane! So it is 287 eh? 287 SUCKS for cars with sport packs.... I HATE IT! But I did notice that the left lane is MUCH better (the way the pavement goes). What should be the correct tire pressure??

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by wweoholic

OMG! I thought I was insane! So it is 287 eh? 287 SUCKS for cars with sport packs.... I HATE IT! But I did notice that the left lane is MUCH better (the way the pavement goes). What should be the correct tire pressure??

Left lane= no trucks so they don't wear the groves in (lowest bidder gets the paving contract :mad: )
correct pressures are in the manual and/or in the door jam, I don't have either in front of me at the moment.

Yeah the staggered tires do a number on the tramlining on that road. My Mini Cooper S had a hard time with that. The Audi has issues with the sport as well, that road is crap! Best way to test out the car and tires now is to get on the new portion of 684, it is real smooth and nice Best of luck!

[wweoholic]

Where in NY do you live? Do you participate in the meets?

[govtec]

i was charged for diagnostic fee and wheel alignment also when i ran over 2x4 wooden blocks. in my case it wasn't covered under warranty and knew it was coming out of my pocket.

[NaTuReB0Y]

free maintenance = free oil change....whoooopidooooo!

[KevinC]

$220 for a freakin' alignment? For that kind of coin, they should also give you back crack adminstered by a hot naked chiropractress and align your crooked teeth. That's hideous.

Go to a competent frame & alignment shop and get it done for more like $60, and they'll probably do it right the first time, too. I'ave had horrible experiences with stealership alignments in the past - they ALWAYS seem to screw it up.