Wheel Alignment

Kwj · 05-15-2021, 08:49 AM

2014 650i xDrive
This past winter, I hit a pothole so I went to the nearest tire shop to get it checked out; ended up getting a balance and an alignment done. The car still felt a bit off so I went to my regular mechanic who said I needed a "graph alignment," rather than a "regular alignment."

I've read here and there that it's just a fancy way to upcharge. Long story short, I had the "graph alignment" done and it actually did smooth out the ride. I'm hard pressed to believe they just re-balanced the tires and called it a day because they're quite a reputable bmw shop in the area. My question is, is this "graph alignment" another marketing/fleecing ploy, or do I have to really pay extra for this fancy alignment?

This got me thinking and wondering if the first shop I went to did some shoddy work initially..

DaveS86 · 05-15-2021, 11:03 AM

I have little trust in alignment places. My local well known chain (Kwikfit) in the UK did an alignment following a run in with a curb in the snow. Still didn't feel right, immediately took it elsewhere and they had done absolutely jack shit, all the values out of spec.

05-15-2021, 08:49 AM	#1
Kwj New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 650i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	2014 650i xDrive This past winter, I hit a pothole so I went to the nearest tire shop to get it checked out; ended up getting a balance and an alignment done. The car still felt a bit off so I went to my regular mechanic who said I needed a "graph alignment," rather than a "regular alignment." I've read here and there that it's just a fancy way to upcharge. Long story short, I had the "graph alignment" done and it actually did smooth out the ride. I'm hard pressed to believe they just re-balanced the tires and called it a day because they're quite a reputable bmw shop in the area. My question is, is this "graph alignment" another marketing/fleecing ploy, or do I have to really pay extra for this fancy alignment? This got me thinking and wondering if the first shop I went to did some shoddy work initially..
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05-15-2021, 11:03 AM	#2
DaveS86 Private 14 Rep 75 Posts Drives: BMW 640I Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I have little trust in alignment places. My local well known chain (Kwikfit) in the UK did an alignment following a run in with a curb in the snow. Still didn't feel right, immediately took it elsewhere and they had done absolutely jack shit, all the values out of spec.
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