[Mustard3]

My car is 2 1/2 years old now and I've never had it checked. I don't know whether it would gradually go out of alignment over time or if it would stay the same as it was set up at the factory (assuming they got it right in the first place).

There isn't any particular issue with the steering or handling, just that doubt at the back of my mind 'what if it could be better'.

Going in on Monday morning to replace the run-flats with a set of MPS4S, so might be the ideal time to have it checked.

[jcdub]

I get mine checked twice a year. I always keep an eye on my tyres for abnormal wear

[Mustard3]

Originally Posted by jcdub

I get mine checked twice a year. I always keep an eye on my tyres for abnormal wear

And how often does it need adjusting?

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Mustard3

My car is 2 1/2 years old now and I've never had it checked. I don't know whether it would gradually go out of alignment over time or if it would stay the same as it was set up at the factory (assuming they got it right in the first place).

There isn't any particular issue with the steering or handling, just that doubt at the back of my mind 'what if it could be better'.

Going in on Monday morning to replace the run-flats with a set of MPS4S, so might be the ideal time to have it checked.

I think you're right to get it checked before fitting new tyres - even if the alignment was spot on when the car was new the effect of running over pot holes and such like takes its toll over time.

Personally I get alignment checked as a matter of course whenever I change tyres but being honest I ought probably to get it done a couple of times a year regardless. I had to replace the front tyres on my F31 because one had worn unevenly and an interim alignment check would have probably avoided that...

[XK140]

I wouldn't say it's routine maintenance.

My view is:

Does the car track straight and true on a bumpy,cambered country road at 60 mph?

Is the tyre wear totally even all round? (assuming you check the tyres as you should every month.)

Answer to both "yes" then nothing required.

[C320]

Originally Posted by XK140

I wouldn't say it's routine maintenance.

My view is:

Does the car track straight and true on a bumpy,cambered country road at 60 mph?

Is the tyre wear totally even all round? (assuming you check the tyres as you should every month.)

Answer to both "yes" then nothing required.

I’d go with the above too! If no abnormal wear and everything else appears to be in order then leave it.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by XK140

I wouldn't say it's routine maintenance.

My view is:

Does the car track straight and true on a bumpy,cambered country road at 60 mph?

Is the tyre wear totally even all round? (assuming you check the tyres as you should every month.)

Answer to both "yes" then nothing required.

Similar with me.

No need to have alignments, which often make things worse, unless you know something is wrong, (like poor steering precision, steering pull or drift), have had an impact, or tyres are showing abnormal wear patterns and signs of alignment issues.

A good tip is to find sections of road you drive regularly, where you know cambers and road conditions allow you to test for steering precision and straight line stability. You can then regularly 'check it out' as you drive.

[thescouselander]

I don't get the alignment checked unless there's reason to suspect something is wrong. As someone else said it can often make things worse depending of the skill of the mechanic.

[C320]

Originally Posted by thescouselander

I don't get the alignment checked unless there's reason to suspect something is wrong. As someone else said it can often make things worse depending of the skill of the mechanic.

Totally agree with this, a mate of mine has been back about 4 times trying to get his sorted. ‘If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it’ springs to mind!

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by thescouselander

I don't get the alignment checked unless there's reason to suspect something is wrong. As someone else said it can often make things worse depending of the skill of the mechanic.

This^

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by thescouselander

I don't get the alignment checked unless there's reason to suspect something is wrong. As someone else said it can often make things worse depending of the skill of the mechanic.

And it is not always as we might expect. To illustrate, I had issues with VW Technical concerning a Passat, still under warranty. The car ended up on a Beissbarth rig at a main dealer, with one of VW's UK Field Engineers present to sign it off.

The car was a right mess, appalling 'official' alignment, to sort out poor dynamics after fitting a new rear axle. Car couldn't steer straight and went around bends in an odd way.

With a string line, credit card and marker pen, it only took five minutes of my time to see the rear axle was not in line, whatever the readout showed. Had to fight VW, to allow the my local dealer to tweak it, to drive straight.

I was in my local tyre dealer and there was a guy there with a Volvo that had been on an alignment rig at a Volvo dealer, several times, they couldn't get it to run straight. Totally frustrated the guy had popped into the local tyre shop for a second opinion. Although only having simple kit, they saw the problem almost immediately, made the right adjustment and the guy went up the road to test. Came back with big smile on his face.

Another issue many overlook, if there is a bit of wear in components and bushes, an alignment can be pretty much pointless. Target values can look OK, but how accurate is it? Perform it again and the values may be way off.

[Mustard3]

Well my steering is nicely centred, outside edge of tyre wear is minimal so I'll take the majority advice on this one and keep my wallet in my pocket for now.

I think what was troubling me was the awful steering feel, maybe that's down to the Pirelli R/Fs - hopefully the new PS4Ss will improve things.

[thescouselander]

Originally Posted by C320

Totally agree with this, a mate of mine has been back about 4 times trying to get his sorted. 'If it ain't broke don't try to fix it' springs to mind!

I would say though that there was a guy I once knew of back in Liverpool at a back street garage. There was something wrong with him - that's is he had some sort of mental condition and he "wasn't all there " but despite that he'd sort your tracking to be spot on in a matter of minutes every time. Clearly he had purpose in life but I'm not sure where he might be found now.

[Pequin]

Am I doing it wrong?

I only have mine checked after a tyre replacement, or if I hit a giant pothole.

[Manivxr]

No signs or symptoms. No check needed

[TiredGeek]

If you think there's a problem, find a specialist, preferably by recommendation.
Unless you want a problem avoid KwakFit or Halfrauds, you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
There's a motorsport shop in Wakefield, the guys there know how to work their Hunter machine and have sorted my Volvo in the past when the stealer completely screwed it up changing shockers. I'll go nowhere else now.

[jcdub]

Originally Posted by Mustard3

And how often does it need adjusting?

50% of the time the tracking is still within tolerance (just) or just outside the limit so it's adjusted either way.

[TQMp5135]

I got mine done at the main dealer after fitting my MPS4S. I last had it done maybe 6 months previously. Since then so had run over quite a few unavoidable potholes and was bullied into a curb by a bus so thought it wise. Only the cross toe angle was slightly out of tolerance. So it was worth doing in my opinion but wasn’t far off despite the punishment. That said would be good to take care of the mps4s by starting their life with perfect alignment. They will improve your steering

[WTruter]

As some have said, I only get mine checked when I believe something is wrong or see excessive wear on areas of the tyres.

I've just fitted some lowering springs and spacers, so this prompted me to get alignment checked. Car is over 3 years old and this was probably first time alignment was checked.
Most things were in spec, bar the rear toe angled.

Something I also do is make sure where ever I take it for alignment has a Hunter wheel alignment system. One of the most accurate on the market.

[Alice Coupe]

It’s free to get it checked at Farmers and they use Hunter kit.

[Mustard3]

Originally Posted by TQMp5135

I got mine done at the main dealer after fitting my MPS4S. I last had it done maybe 6 months previously. Since then so had run over quite a few unavoidable potholes and was bullied into a curb by a bus so thought it wise. Only the cross toe angle was slightly out of tolerance. So it was worth doing in my opinion but wasn’t far off despite the punishment. That said would be good to take care of the mps4s by starting their life with perfect alignment. They will improve your steering

Well I did get it done in the end. I was given a 'complimentary' alignment check and print-out after having the MPS4Ss fitted, which appeared to show (particularly rears) quite a bit out of alignment.

They claimed that some of the settings that needed doing wouldn't be measured or adjusted by anyone other than them or a BMW dealership (BS?) which is why they were a bit more expensive at £97.

Anyway, convenient to get it done while I was there. Can't say I can notice any difference in feel on the road though - only better traction from the Mitchelins.

Also got the 'complimentary' random amounts of air in the tyres, and a 5 x 3mm chip in the lacquer of one of my new(ish) alloys, for which they gave me £50 compensation. I went straight home and re-lacquered it, almost invisible now.