$100 vs $300 Wheel Alignment - Worth It?

[Jkay]

Recently had my factory wheels put back onto my 997 and my local tyre shop in Sydney did the Alignment for $100. 

I noted that Porsche Independents and dealers charge a whole lot more for wheel alignment, and always wondered if there was anything in it. 

Well I now know there is, or there was in my case anyway. Got my alignment re done by a trusted local Porsche Indy three days after the initial alignment for $100 at my local tyre store. Seems alignment from my local tyre shop was a wee bit out. 

Results below. Hope they make sense. Initial is BEFORE alignment at the specialist but after alignment at local tyre shop and Final is AFTER getting aligned at my local Porsche specialist. They did a great job. 

Car feels much better now thanks to them!

[Stew F]

I had a wheel alignment done at the Bridgestone tyre centre when I got new tyres last year. The manager is a Porsche guy. They charged me60 bucks and did an awesome job.  I suspect the 300 alignment took longer than the 100 one and so they were able to achieve closer settings. Just my thoughts.

[Mike-S]

I had the Bridgestone place do the alignment on mine when it had 4 tyres last year and quite honestly, the $60 was a waste. NineAuto found the front wheels were pointing in completely the wrong direction when they did it 3 months later, so I guess it's down to ability & knowledge.

[WOKA]

..  and then you throw in some corner weighting etc..  Is that really worth it..?  The Corner weighting.?

[firstone]

My local guy knows his sh1t. 90 bucks.

 

[Jkay]

My local guy knows his sh1t. 90 bucks.

 

 Ill need some of that next time round

[ANF]

I had a wheel alignment done at the Bridgestone tyre centre when I got new tyres last year. The manager is a Porsche guy. They charged me60 bucks and did an awesome job.  I suspect the 300 alignment took longer than the 100 one and so they were able to achieve closer settings. Just my thoughts.

I go to Beaurepaires down here, have a good relationship with the manager and have bought a lot of tyres there over last couple of years. He knows his stuff and always gives me a printout of before and after so I can see what he has done. Very good and professional service, no problems or complaints so far, usually $60 -$70.

However I went to the Beaurepaires that was closer to home and got site service, and a bad wheel alignment.

Find a good one and stick to them, no matter the price :

[spiller]

unless you're going to the track and your car's suspension has been modified to achieve additional amounts of adjustability, not worth it in my opionion. On the flip side, absolutely.

[SimonN]

I think it all depends what you are after. If you want a standard set up, then, in theory, anybody should be able to do it and the local tyre shop discussed by the OP clearly didn't do a good job. You cannot take that example as typical of all tyre shops. I like to see a print out from whoever does my alignment and I do check it against spec, even on my everyday cars, because it can save you money of the tyres don't scrub out through poor alignment.

However, on my Porsches, I don't think I have ever had "standard" set up. A good specialist will be able to recommend a geometry set up to suit the type of driving you do. Normally there is a trade off between tyre life and set up, but when it is right, everything feels so good. And by right, I include corner weighting. I know it is an issue on later cars, but there is a reason why Porsche did it in the factory. I cannot remember when they stopped doing it on all their cars (I think it was with the 996), although they do still do it on a few models. The difference between a car corner weighted and not can be felt in the way the car transfers weight as you go on the brakes, lift off or as you turn in and load up the suspension - basically any change in the direction the weight is going.` 

So is it worth it if you don't go to the track? Well, it all depends on how you drive and what you are used to. For me, even at medium speeds, the smoothness of transitions and the bite on turn in makes it worthwhile. If you have  tendency to push on a bit on empty, twisty roads (while at all times obeying speed limits and considering other road users) I personally believe it does make a noticeable difference. Certain advanced driving techniques (trail braking) can be "entertaining" in a car that isn't well set up as the weight transfer becomes unpredictable and different on each side.

I should also add that there is a significant difference between how some specialists set their cars up, which is why i have tended to prefer to use specialists that have a distinct track focus to their work.

[clutch-monkey]

Had the 911 done mid road trip at a place in Western Sydney for $40 after I replaced the tyres with them. No faults that I could see, son of the shop owner is an acquaintance and ran me through the settings.

Got it redone a year or so later and my regular shop had to readjust it, but due to the somewhat aggressive setup my car is apparently more prone to losing alignment especially on the long trips I take the car on (less than perfect roads..)

[BAFE]

Ive noticed with my car that anytime i'm near full lock which is of course parking at low speed the front wheels feel like they are skipping and scrubbing quite severely.  

Had it served last week at PCM and mentioned it to the guy and he said "yup that's normal, i'd say your car is set up perfectly.  What 'til you hear one of the new Panameras, you'll think its going to snap something!!"

 

 

[tazzieman]

My experience is that most average tyre shops only do the front end. Rears send them into a tizzy.

That said , my 928 requires some knowledge ; it's not a Panamerica you know.

[ANF]

My experience is that most average tyre shops only do the front end. Rears send them into a tizzy.

That said , my 928 requires some knowledge ; it's not a Panamerica you know.

I always ask up front what the $$ includes, if not front and rear, go elsewhere

It's a supercar

[tazzieman]

I always ask up front what the $$ includes, if not front and rear, go elsewhere

It's a supercar

With special needs as far as front alignment goes 

[daretobedifferent]

With something like this it really depends. For the street, a good alignment can be done anywhere.

However if you're chasing lap times, it might be well worth it to pay a Porsche oriented shop to do it. They'll know what works and what doesn't on these cars. However if you know the exact alignment specs (down to the figures) you're after, a good wheel alignment shop can replicate it for you. 

[Shady Speedway]

Had a local Porsche shop charge me $400 for alignment and corner weight after I rebuilt all the suspension. 

When I questioned the Mechanic that did it. He said I got the alignment fairly right. (Well I did get distinctions for wheel alignment). Then when asked about the corner weights he said "we didn't do it" funny........ I was charged for it.

Since then I go to an old school wheel aligner in Adelaide. Old equipment, years of experience, car feels great and it cost me a 1/4 of what the Porsche shop charges. 

Know what you are really getting. I feel sorry for you if you're at the mercy of Mechanics. I'm almost embarrassed to say I am one. It seems I belong to a dishonest industry. Sad.

[tomo]

$120 with a print out at my local Trident Tyre guy with a coffee while you wait  

[LeeM]

Had a local Porsche shop charge me $400 for alignment and corner weight after I rebuilt all the suspension. 

he said "we didn't do it" funny........ I was charged for it.

Sounds familiar. Bet I know exactly who that was! 

[SimonN]

With something like this it really depends. For the street, a good alignment can be done anywhere.

However if you're chasing lap times, it might be well worth it to pay a Porsche oriented shop to do it. They'll know what works and what doesn't on these cars. However if you know the exact alignment specs (down to the figures) you're after, a good wheel alignment shop can replicate it for you. 

I am not so sure about that. I guess it depends on what car. For instance, on my 3.2, even for fast street/occasional track, you cannot dial in the best settings without modifying certain components.I bet there aren't many wheel alignment shops who know what to do. 

[9elf]

If you are in Brisbane and need a wheel alignment and corner balance consider Flat Six Motorsports at Slacks Creek (0419 990 993).

Brett there made my car a confidence inspiring bullet

[XLR8]

My local guy knows his sh1t. 90 bucks.

 

@firstone, who/where's that. I need someone in the NR?

[firstone]

Hall tyres in Murwillumbah.

0267721133.

Make sure Michael is there.

[XLR8]

Hall tyres in Murwillumbah.

0267721133.

Make sure Michael is there.

Fantastic! Much appreciated. Thanks.

[slipangle]

Anyone recommend any alignment places in Melbourne - South East where they've had a good experience (at a fair price!)?

[edgy]

A good wheel alignment makes  a huge difference! 

Surpised at the camber settings, but maybe I'm using to seeing them read 2.xx* & 3.xx* ? 

..  and then you throw in some corner weighting etc..  Is that really worth it..?  The Corner weighting.?

Yes in all cases if you have adjustment on each corner, the most noticeable attribute on the road is that it won't tramline if corner weighted right. 

unless you're going to the track and your car's suspension has been modified to achieve additional amounts of adjustability, not worth it in my opionion. On the flip side, absolutely.

It doesn't cost much more to have done up here so it usually gets done! ? About $400~ for a full alignment and corner weight usually.