[Avenged328i]

Has anyone taken their car to another shop rather than the dealer to get your car aligned?

I was thinking of taking my car (07 328i) to Tire Pros which they are charging me $170 rather than the dealer price which is, well, starting price is at $250.
It seems as if Tire Pros knows what they are talking about. However, I seen a lot of research that the tech needs to know what they're doing.
So I am kind of hesitant on taking my car any where else now. I may just save a little more to get it done at the dealer. Then again, for some reason, my tires are shaking a little bit. Not while breaking, but while driving alone. I mainly feel it at higher speeds.

If you can chime in and put your 2 cents in about alignments and little theory behind it, that would be great.

Thanks everyone.

[AzRiz]

At that sort of price, I'd get the wheels balanced for 1/4 of the cost as that is just as likely to be causing your vibration issue as the alignment. Unless, of course, they were balanced quite recently. I'm from the UK so can't give any advice on where to go for alignment, sorry.

Az

[Blackhawk36]

How many miles on the car? Vibration from wheel balance is usually in the 50-65mph range. Alignment rarely causes it. If you want to use the dealer, look for online specials at all dealers in CA. Most dealers will match another's special and I see 4-wheel alignment specials in my area from dealers for $179 all the time.

Example: http://www.bmwsilverspringservice.co...-specials.aspx

[hockeyplayer]

Find an indy shop that specializes in German cars & they can probably do it cheaper than the dealer.

[///M3NACE]

Dealer close to mine is 170.00 with a coupon. I can't bring it to any other shop they keep complaining it's too close we don't want to take any liability etc. I never did alignment in the 8 years I've owned to car and a dozen diff wheels. I never had bad wear and drives straight. I get the alignment checked out and always within spec

[jt335i]

Per a friend's advice who races professionally, I took my car to a local performance shop he recommended that specializes in German and Asian performance cars and paid $125 for an alignment as compared to the dealer ($179). The alignment specs they used were different than the factory specs which made the ride even better. If you know someone who knows a good performance shop that does alignments for a reasonable price, I'd check into it.

[AzureHaze]

I never paid over a $100 for an alignment with a detailed report. Yes, in good ol' "everything is a rip-off" California.

Post your location and I can recommend a few places

[Avenged328i]

Originally Posted by index1489

Post your location and I can recommend a few places

I am in California.

Around Orange County / Inland Empire area.

[Avenged328i]

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

How many miles on the car? Vibration from wheel balance is usually in the 50-65mph range. Alignment rarely causes it. If you want to use the dealer, look for online specials at all dealers in CA. Most dealers will match another's special and I see 4-wheel alignment specials in my area from dealers for $179 all the time.

Example: http://www.bmwsilverspringservice.co...-specials.aspx

I'm in California, haven't checked for online deals, etc.
My nearest dealer to me would be BMW of Ontario (IE).
This dealer rapes peoples wallets.

http://www.shorelinemotoring.com OC (There are 2 tire shops at this address, one in the front is a chain place, make sure you go to the back)

http://www.europeanautosource.com OC

http://startechauto.com IE (These guys are pretty good, they know the E9X pretty well, will check front control arm bushings if they are blown they won't do the alignment and prefer you have newer tires as this affects the alignment (tread depth)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-end-alignment-gardena?nb=1 (The best period but far, I've driven 100 miles roundtrip just to see Darin) Especially good for modified setups.

http://themshop.com (Not a alignment shop, but a outstanding BMW indy, very honest, appointments are booked 1-2 weeks in advance).

[Avenged328i]

Originally Posted by index1489

http://www.shorelinemotoring.com OC (There are 2 tire shops at this address, one in the front is a chain place, make sure you go to the back)

http://www.europeanautosource.com OC

http://startechauto.com IE (These guys are pretty good, they know the E9X pretty well, will check front control arm bushings if they are blown they won't do the alignment and prefer you have newer tires as this affects the alignment (tread depth)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-end-alignment-gardena?nb=1 (The best period but far, I've driven 100 miles roundtrip just to see Darin) Especially good for modified setups.

http://themshop.com (Not a alignment shop, but a outstanding BMW indy, very honest, appointments are booked 1-2 weeks in advance).

West End Alignment looks great. I may just take the drive there.
Going to look at these places.

Solution found!

Thanks everyone!:

Darin is booked 1-2 weeks in advance, the alignment is around $100 and not open on weekends so keep that in mind.