[GroundLoop]

Just got back from dropping the x45e off for the annual free maintenance plan oil change and they tried to sell us a tire rotation and alignment for $349. Was not expecting that. I declined. Seemed unnecessary and over priced. Dealer service rep said it is recommended at 10k miles. I said I will rotate the tires this weekend. Anyone else experience this?

[streborx]

Discount Tire and other tire shops will sell you a rotation/balance package for a fixed price on factory OE tires, good for every 5K mile interval. This can save you a bundle over paying for each service at the dealer. Alignment shouldn't be necessary at 10K unless you've been doing some serious off-roading. Still, other shops will do alignment for much less.

[nZtiZia]

“recommended at 10k miles”? hogwash! I’m looking at the schedule, and there’s nothing listed about that. did they say any other reason they recommended it, like they saw something concerning about your tire(s)?

[chefwong]

Originally Posted by streborx

Discount Tire and other tire shops will sell you a rotation/balance package for a fixed price on factory OE tires, good for every 5K mile interval. This can save you a bundle over paying for each service at the dealer. Alignment shouldn't be necessary at 10K unless you've been doing some serious off-roading. Still, other shops will do alignment for much less.

I pretty much avoid any tech on wheels unless strictly necessary - and of if I'm going to my dedicated preferred tire joint that is not a big box. With these large heavy wheel assemblies and it if you have the larger Calipers, it's very easy to have it slip off the hub and scratch the calipers.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

“recommended at 10k miles”? hogwash! I’m looking at the schedule, and there’s nothing listed about that. did they say any other reason they recommended it, like they saw something concerning about your tire(s)?

Yeah, there is no need to do a full alignment at 10,000 miles.

[White340]

If I owned an auto repair shop I would recommend monthly or weekly alignments if I could charge $349.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by White340

If I owned an auto repair shop I would recommend monthly or weekly alignments if I could charge $349.

[MassWholeBimmer]

Last car I had an alignment done on was my 1972 Chevelle SS... Been fine ever since....

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by MassWholeBimmer

Last car I had an alignment done on was my 1972 Chevelle SS... Been fine ever since....

Can't remember the last time I had a wheel alignment and don't believe that I have ever rotated my tires.

[chefwong]

Wow. So many on no alignments.

I always get them if putting on fresh summers
IF I have extra rainy day funds, I'll spring for one if I'm passing by -the shop-.
Nothing is better than a freshly aligned car.

[eelnoraa]

if the car drive normal, tires wear pattern is normal, why alignment? It is a mechanical geometry setup. It is something will go bad unless the mechanical pieces have issue. But then, the fix is not alignment. That piece needs to be replaced.

Having that said, a good alignment place can easily $200-$250 for a 4 wheel alignment. But it is nothing one should do every year.

[chefwong]

On some parts of the road, we got storm drains on both left and right side of the freeway. Roads are terrible ;-/

[GroundLoop]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

“recommended at 10k miles”? hogwash! I’m looking at the schedule, and there’s nothing listed about that. did they say any other reason they recommended it, like they saw something concerning about your tire(s)?

No, this came up before they even took the car back to the work area. Sounds like it is just a way to generate revenue. They did do a overall check of the tires. I guess they did not see the tire plug I put in about a month ago.

[Gene Horr]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

did they say any other reason they recommended it, like they saw something concerning about your tire(s)?

Boat payment coming up.

[rmorin1249]

Dealers are struggling to make a nice profit. They have a hard time just selling vehicles so the service department is often the big money maker. I have found that many of the service recommendations are often NOT based on what's in the owners manual. IMHO alignments are only necessary if tire wear is abnormal.
Tire dealers will almost always recommend an alignment when you buy a new set of tires. I decline as long as my tire wear is even.

I just purchased a new set of Pirelli tires from Sam's Club. Paid $20 to mount and balance each tire. This provides lifetime flat repair, rotation and balance every 6k miles for the life of the tires. I did NOT get an alignment as wear on my OEM tires was uniform and very reasonable.

[bono]

Some many proudly claiming no alignment needed for years. Then I read that worn inner rear tires are normal on BMW. I would never pay BMW to do alignment. BMW specs e.g. forbtoe are to wide. You need to request minimum toe and I guess BMW tech may not be willing to accommodate - if the machine shows green, it is good. $100-120 is what I pay. I usually do alignment after winter / skiing season due to winter potholes.

[X6ix GTA]

Originally Posted by bono

Some many proudly claiming no alignment needed for years. Then I read that worn inner rear tires are normal on BMW. I would never pay BMW to do alignment. BMW specs e.g. forbtoe are to wide. You need to request minimum toe and I guess BMW tech may not be willing to accommodate - if the machine shows green, it is good. $100-120 is what I pay. I usually do alignment after winter / skiing season due to winter potholes.

I think it really depends on where you live and how long you keep your car for. If the roads are good and most folks are leasing for 3-4 year terms, most likely they won't need an alignment. We get lots of winter potholes here so I do get the alignment checked every couple of years. Yes $349 for alignment is excessive. Any decent shop would do it for $100-120.

[streborx]

Some car dealership owner in Florida just bought a $76 million mansion in Aspen. What else do you need to know about car dealerships?