Alignment - dealer or else?

[Mless5]

Have 03 540 with Mtech, is it worth bringing it to the dealer after major suspension re-work for alignment or would a tire shop do ok? Do mtechs have their own spec? I am assuming for e39s it is toe in the front, camber and toe on the rear - correct?

Thanks.

[auaq]

Correct about front toe adjustments only and rear camber + toe adjustments only. Honestly, it doesn't matter if you take it to the dealer or to a reputable alignment shop. I wouldn't mind taking my car to Just tires for an alignment check and adjust if necessary. Infact, I do it myself.

[ezbmr]

I have always come back from my alignment shop pleased. Since the dealership is supposed to weigh it down. Why not tell the guy you want to stay in the car, while it is being aligned? You can bring a nice coffee drink and relax while he puts it in the right specs with you in the car.

[auaq]

But you would need two more passengers weighing each about 150#s and a full tank of Gatorade, and an additional 42# of weight in the trunk.

[Mless5]

Thanks.

Is there a difference in alignment between non sport, sport and MTech?

[auaq]

If referring to specs then most likely yes.

[16valex]

Tell the mechanic to remove all the negative cam if you want your tires to last longer.


Anybody know a decent alignment tool for the DIY at home? I'm talking something a little high tech but not breaking your wallet:eyecrazy here

[auaq]

Cnn did a DIY on home alignment. Pretty simple.

[16valex]

Cnn did a DIY on home alignment. Pretty simple.

Thanks Auag, but I want a little more high tech than that..

[auaq]

Ah, I see. By the way, it's 'auaq' as in question. I'm not sure if you guys are able to read the last letter as q or g.:shifty

[rf900rkw]

Yeah, but mentally I keep shifting the Q to the second letter. :)




For home use, I use a QuickTrick toe gauge, Xclinometer on an Android tablet for camber and castor, and a set of Longacre scales.

[16valex]

Ah, I see. By the way, it's 'auaq' as in question. I'm not sure if you guys are able to read the last letter as q or g.:shifty

You can call me anything you want just don't call me late for dinner!
What does auaq stands for anyway? Let me guess.... You don't to know what I have in mind.:D

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For home use, I use a QuickTrick toe gauge, Xclinometer on an Android tablet for camber and castor (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/#), and a set of Longacre scales.

Randy, I have no idea, but it sounds interesting.

[auaq]

You can call me anything you want just don't call me late for dinner!
What does auaq stands for anyway? Let me guess.... You don't to know what I have in mind.:D

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Randy, I have no idea, but it sounds interesting.
Well, if I had to tell you then I would have to ..... :killshot:

[ezbmr]

But you would need two more passengers weighing each about 150#s and a full tank of Gatorade, and an additional 42# of weight in the trunk.

Then bring a friend and some weight. I usually drive alone and without much other weight than me in the car. I think it would be fine. I have had it aligned without anyone in the car, felt fine.

[mxracer41]

Many shops around me instantly turn you away once they hear you say BMW.. lol.

However I work at a Firestone and I do alignments on these cars all the time, they come out just fine (assuming you take the time to do it right). The only time you should really go to the dealer in fear of not getting an accurate alignment is when you've lowered your car, as the machine doesn't compensate for the modified ride height. I actually took my own car (540) to the Firestone I currently work at for about a year before I started working there and they did an excellent job. Also lifetime alignment for $170 is awesome.

Just make sure whatever shop you go to has the right equipment and make sure you get before and current measurements too!

[auaq]

You do get away actually whether you are in the car or not. The hard part during the alignment was adjusting the rear toes. Thanks BMW for putting the toe adjustment real high and in a tight spot.

[rf900rkw]

Randy, I have no idea, but it sounds interesting.


You need accuracy and repeatability. This requires have true reference points for each wheel. While wheels are known to be warped and bent, it's the same reference point the machines use. You just need to make sure you have a flat surface to measure off of. Once you have that figured out for each car/wheel type, then the level app on a tablet has more than enough accuracy for what we are doing. The QuiickTrick (http://www.quicktrickalignment.com/) toe gauge has an accuracy (if you are very careful) of about +/- 5'. Not great, but acceptable.

[16valex]

Well, if I had to tell you then I would have to ..... :killshot:

Good one.

[auaq]

Aye.

[16valex]

You need accuracy and repeatability. This requires have true reference points for each wheel. While wheels are known to be warped and bent, it's the same reference point the machines use. You just need to make sure you have a flat surface to measure off of. Once you have that figured out for each car/wheel type, then the level app on a tablet has more than enough accuracy for what we are doing. The QuiickTrick (http://www.quicktrickalignment.com/) toe gauge has an accuracy (if you are very careful) of about +/- 5'. Not great, but acceptable.

Randy, for an old man you're such a tech savvy guy. It seems like yesterday I used some 2x4, strings and tape measure to align my front wheels after tie rods swapped out.

But, thank you for the tip.

[auaq]

Quick question on alignment machine. Do you adjust front toe with wintoe?

[Mless5]

If referring to specs then most likely yes.

Does anyone know for sure? I'd hate to have them align it to sport spec if Mtech calls for different digits.

Thanks.

[rf900rkw]

Yes, they are slightly different.

[SeanCollins]

Tell the mechanic to remove all the negative cam if you want your tires to last longer.


Anybody know a decent alignment tool for the DIY at home? I'm talking something a little high tech but not breaking your wallet:eyecrazy here


if you don't run staggered sizing, rotating every oil change cures that problem, the negative camber and toe in are in the rear suspension for a reason.

[mxracer41]

Does anyone know for sure? I'd hate to have them align it to sport spec if Mtech calls for different digits.

Thanks.

On the machine you can type in a specific VIN for the car you are aligning and it will pull the specs for that particular car. If you manually choose on the list it will give you a million different options so whenever you bring it to a shop to be aligned make sure you ask them to pull it by the VIN # (most do but you never know).

[Mless5]

On the machine you can type in a specific VIN for the car you are aligning and it will pull the specs for that particular car. If you manually choose on the list it will give you a million different options so whenever you bring it to a shop to be aligned make sure you ask them to pull it by the VIN # (most do but you never know).

Thanks. At least I know for sure what to ask them to do. I appreciate your help!

[zM3]

Does anyone know for sure? I'd hate to have them align it to sport spec if Mtech calls for different digits.

Thanks.

This question has come up before and at that time this reference was posted. I don't know the source.

485126

[Mless5]

This question has come up before and at that time this reference was posted. I don't know the source.

485126

:urtheman

[philly98540]

This question has come up before and at that time this reference was posted. I don't know the source.

485126

Is this for all years 97-03?

Interesting that the rear camber is less on the M Sport. I was thinking more negative camber would give slightly better grip on the rear and a bit more understeer, which goes contrary to "more sporty". I guess the thicker sway bars and spring rates/suspension balance allows the camber to be a bit less on the M sport. Probably allows the wider rear tire to trac a bit better too. I was hoping to get my camber reduced someday, so I thought this was interesting.

I was thinking when I get around to an adjustment, around -1.5 to -1.75 degrees rear camber was a good compromise on handling and tire wear. I was going to go with the M5 rear bar and keep my stock sport springs and ride height. Maybe new front bar someday.

Anyone have the M5 specs?

[rf900rkw]

Tis the same as the M-Sport.