Really wierd question, not that I mind driving to Flow to get my MINI aligned, but I was wondering if there was a place here that could do it. One place I talked with said that because it has sandbags in it, that they wouldn't do it and send me to the dealer. I didn't know if any BMW dealer could do it or not. I will not go to Leith though, I got totally railroaded by them when I bought a car from them.

Michelle

 

I haven't had an alignment done yet, but Goodyear did rotate my tires. Couldn't see paying Flow $60 to rotate the tires, when Goodyear will do it for $60 the first time and free after that.

 

Yeah, I can understand that. The alignment is what is killing me though because of the sand bag, no one wants to do it. Oh well...I think I can handle it this once and then get my tires done elsewhere! Thanks a bunch! The good thing is that this gives me a chance next Friday to watch the new Van Helsing Movie. Thanks a bunch for the advice!

Cheers!
Michelle

 

Sand bags? I had mine aligned last weekend, after intalling my new springs. No problem whatsoever and not very expensive.

>>Yeah, I can understand that. The alignment is what is killing me though because of the sand bag, no one wants to do it. Oh well...I think I can handle it this once and then get my tires done elsewhere! Thanks a bunch! The good thing is that this gives me a chance next Friday to watch the new Van Helsing Movie. Thanks a bunch for the advice!
>>
>>Cheers!
>>Michelle

 

I'm curious what these sandbags are too. Sure they were not sandbagging you? :smile:

 

I called Just Tires to see if they could do it, I saw where NTB had too many bad marks about bad workmanship, and I'm not going to take my MINI to them, and Just Tires said that some European cars put sandbags in them to simulate a passenger or a spreader bar...not sure exactly what these are, but I called Flow to check it out and called the maintenance department....they told the girl who told me that they do put sandbags in the cars, so I made my appointment at Flow to get it done. If anyone knows about these "sandbags" and if the car does have them, I'm at a loss. I would hate to pay $90.00 to Flow if I can get it done cheaper elsewhere. I just hate making an unecessary trip to Flow if I can get it done here.

 

>>Really wierd question, not that I mind driving to Flow to get my MINI aligned, but I was wondering if there was a place here that could do it. One place I talked with said that because it has sandbags in it, that they wouldn't do it and send me to the dealer. I didn't know if any BMW dealer could do it or not. I will not go to Leith though, I got totally railroaded by them when I bought a car from them.
>>
>>Michelle
I just had Merchent's Tire on Ashville Ave align my car when I purchased new tires. They seemed to have done a good job.

Chris

 

What price did you pay for the alignment?

 

>>What price did you pay for the alignment?

I haven't paid yet...my appointment at Flow is this Friday, and it's $90.00 for the alignment and I was getting tires rotated as well and that's $45.

 

Sandbags, Some higher end shops place sandbags on drivers side to simulate the drivers weight when doing a performance alignment. Some shops have the driver sit in car. Most don't bother and just want you to sit it out in thier waiting area or come back when it's done and stay out of the way.
Why do you think you need an alignment??

 

It's pulling to the right, and I don't want to mess up my tires since they are run flats.

 

norm03 is right - the sandbags are to simulate driver weight. This is much more critical when corner weighting the car - something that can only be done with coilovers - so it isn't really required on a stock MINI, but it does give a more accurate alignment.

The MINI shouldn't be quite as expensive as other cars, because the caster and camber are set. The only thing adjustable on a stock MINI is the toe - which is what was knocked out to cause your car to pull to one side. Make sure the shop understands that they will only have to adjust toe, and it may save you some money.

Hope that helps!
Randy

 

How many miles on the car? Have you hit anything or had an encountered with any pot holes, curbs or something that you think could have caused the alignment to change. What I'm getting at is if this was caused by an event or is something loose that the dealer should service under warranty. If it was an event shop the name brand shops for price by phone or advertisement specials and get it fixed before a wear pattern starts. In some area's you telephone book has discount coupon's in it for local shops.

 

I hit a couple of pot holes here in Raleigh in the rain! Sucks that I couldn't see it...gotta love the Raleigh roads! I have 22,230, or close to that on the car. I just don't want to ruin the tires...I'll talk with the guys when I get there on Friday morning and let them know exactly what it's doing! Thanks a bunch! I know a little about cars, but not a lot, and all the advice does help! Thanks again!

Michelle

 

>>I hit a couple of pot holes here in Raleigh in the rain! Sucks that I couldn't see it...gotta love the Raleigh roads! I have 22,230, or close to that on the car. I just don't want to ruin the tires...I'll talk with the guys when I get there on Friday morning and let them know exactly what it's doing! Thanks a bunch! I know a little about cars, but not a lot, and all the advice does help! Thanks again!
>>
>>Michelle

Michelle,

Many cities will pay for damage caused by poor road conditions. They will here in Charlotte, NC. You might want to see if Raleigh will pick up the tab for your alignment.

See ya,
JS

 

I've had friends try to go after the City of Raleigh because she ran over something in the road and it cracked her axle...Talk about wanting first borns in this...they didn't want to do it because no one complained until now. Getting the City of Raleigh to pay for anything or part is like giving the DNA for your first born! Wonder if they will take it from my kittie??? I can try, but I can't get my hopes up for this one! Thanks a bunch guys!

Michelle

 

There's plenty of places out there that will charge much less than $45 to do a tire rotation.

If you're a Costco member, check with them as they do it for free! and balancing the tires only costs $30.00

If you have a Discount Tire close by, they do it for free!! Looks like there is plenty of Discount Tire stores in NC. Check here! Remember, they rotate for free. Save yourself the 45.00 and go out and have a nice dinner instead.

 

>>What price did you pay for the alignment?

I paid ~$60 at Merchant's Tire, but I think there was a discount in that price because they kept my car overnight because the tires didn't get there until long after my appointment.

 

That's the price I'm finding, but where I like to take my car won't do it because of the sand bag thing! Oh well, I guess it gives me an excuse to go motoring on Friday! Possibly check out a movie or something! I do appreciate all the advice and help! I know a little about cars, but I know enough that when something needs to be done, I can get it done...military showed me some stuff, so I can change a tire like the best of them!

I'm looking forward to meeting you all that do go this weekend to Charlotte! You guys have been a great help!

Michelle