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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Just installed KW V1... Alignment HELP!!



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      09-16-2014, 04:34 PM   #1
N55guy
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Just installed KW V1... Alignment HELP!!

I just installed KW V1s on my 2007 335xi (loving it btw). I am having a really hard time finding a place that will do alignment for my car, apparently not many people can do alignment for BMWs in general?? at least that's what just about every place I called told me.

I finally found a place that says they do alignment for european vehicles including BMW. I called and they told me it would be no problem ($89.99... seems reasonable).

My regular indy BMW shop told me I made a huge mistake putting coilovers on and that the car will never be the same (he says that about everything I put on that is not OEM). I find that hard to believe since soooo many people here run KW V1s, and all other parts I have put on have been superior to OEM... chargepipe, DVs, intercooler, intake... etc. That guy told me the only place I should go to do an alignment is at the dealership.

Should I just be taking my car to the dealership for this alignment?? I mean it's just alignment, why are so many places making a big deal about this???

Sorry MODs I also made this same post on the xi section since that's where I thought I might find some more relevant help since I have an xi and most ppl there do KW V1s. Figured I'd post it in this section since it is "suspension"
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      09-16-2014, 04:54 PM   #2
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Stop stressing man. It is just a damn car. The fact that it as a roundel on the front does not change that fact. Any place that has the right equipment can do a four wheel alignment on these cars. The one thing to watch for is if the car is too low they might have a tough time getting it up on their alignment rack.
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      09-16-2014, 05:40 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwzimm View Post
Stop stressing man. It is just a damn car. The fact that it as a roundel on the front does not change that fact. Any place that has the right equipment can do a four wheel alignment on these cars. The one thing to watch for is if the car is too low they might have a tough time getting it up on their alignment rack.
Please don't get me the wrong way. I could care less if it was a BMW or not, I bought it because of how inexpensive it was to get more power out of it.

I'm just saying why is everyone that does alignment around me is saying they cant do it simply because it's a BMW? I thought I would get some insight from people who have gone through it.

I know exactly what you are saying, anyone should be able to do this which is why it is very frustrating to not be able to find any place closer then 45 min for an alignment.
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      09-16-2014, 05:58 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by 335sRus View Post
Please don't get me the wrong way. I could care less if it was a BMW or not, I bought it because of how inexpensive it was to get more power out of it.

I'm just saying why is everyone that does alignment around me is saying they cant do it simply because it's a BMW? I thought I would get some insight from people who have gone through it.

I know exactly what you are saying, anyone should be able to do this which is why it is very frustrating to not be able to find any place closer then 45 min for an alignment.
That is weird. It's no biggie like the other guy said. It's a car. No special bmw tools needed. I'd just drive up and say I need an alignment to a local shop. 9 outta 10 they will do it.
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      09-16-2014, 06:07 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Fundguy1 View Post
That is weird. It's no biggie like the other guy said. It's a car. No special bmw tools needed. I'd just drive up and say I need an alignment to a local shop. 9 outta 10 they will do it.
Thanks for the responses guys... I guess I'll just take it to one of these places close by and see if they'll do it if I just bring it in.
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      09-16-2014, 07:04 PM   #6
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>My regular indy BMW shop told me ...
IMO it's time to find a new indy shop because it sounds like they are bitching about you bringing them $. Or maybe it's because they are trying to sell you ~their~ setup? No matter, they should be happy with just your business.

I say this because with coilovers (and again this is IMHO) you should also do a corner balance (before the alignment), and not all alignment ships are capable of this.
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Last edited by IN54NITY; 09-16-2014 at 07:18 PM..
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      09-16-2014, 07:26 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aleckzandr
>My regular indy BMW shop told me ...
IMO it's time to find a new indy shop because it sounds like they are bitching about you bringing them $. Or maybe it's because they are trying to sell you ~their~ setup? No matter, they should be happy with just your business.

I say this because with coilovers (and again this is IMHO) you should also do a corner balance (before the alignment), and not all alignment ships are capable of this.
agree. .. im done with that place
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      09-16-2014, 10:35 PM   #8
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I just installed kw v1 on my e90 335i. Some places won't do the alignment if the car is too low. Firestone wouldn't do mine. Other places won't do BMWs because the alignment specs call for 150lbs in the driver, passenger, and rear seats so the car is loaded when it is aligned. I landed up going to pepboys. I barely fit on the rack; had 2 guys pulling up on my fenders so my m3 front didn't rub. I still landed up scraping.
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      09-17-2014, 08:48 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kfrazie1 View Post
I just installed kw v1 on my e90 335i. Some places won't do the alignment if the car is too low. Firestone wouldn't do mine. Other places won't do BMWs because the alignment specs call for 150lbs in the driver, passenger, and rear seats so the car is loaded when it is aligned. I landed up going to pepboys. I barely fit on the rack; had 2 guys pulling up on my fenders so my m3 front didn't rub. I still landed up scraping.
Some Firestone's have lifts that can clear low cars and some do not. Firestone aligns my car just fine. But if you talk to the manager he should be able to tell you which firestone can do your car.
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      09-26-2014, 12:56 PM   #10
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All alignment shops, bmw dealerships, indys, firestones, use the Hunter alignment and balancing system for wheels/suspension. Just find a place that's rated 4/5 stars and you got quality technicians.
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      09-26-2014, 01:31 PM   #11
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You could always just do it yourself
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