Hello, I need to get an alignment on my '05 Mini S. The dealer in Sterling Va is charging $200 for the alignment. I was wondering if anyone knows of any good shops near Arlington, VA or DC metro area that I could take my car too. Also, is it worth getting it done outside of the dealership? Thanks in advance...dondada

 

I know you can have an alignment done almost anywhere, but I prefer to have experienced MINI mechanics when I can. I've looked and can't find any shops that I believe have done much work on MINIs, though they claim to and even post pictures of MINIs at their shop. If they have done work, I don't know who paid the rates they are trying to charge. One shop tried to charge me $1200 to put on a BBK up front and disks on the back w/new pads. I don't know what their hourly rate was, but I went over to my buddies shop in Clinton MD and we did it together in about 3 hours. I don't want to pay $400 an hour. I go to Sterling sometimes and my buddies shop when I want to help out and learn something. He's not a MINI specialist though, so, we are both learning and on some jobs, that's OK. Sterling is putting on my new DINAN suspension next week. Good rate. Good Luck.

 

Mach V/Ultimate did mine twice....$150. Pricey, but, they've got experience setting up racecars. There's also Curry's which specializes in BMW's....some have had some bad experiences there (me included, but my buddy swears by them), so take that for what it's worth.

 

Yeah, both those places are probably cheaper and maybe better than Sterling MINI, but they are also in Sterling. If like me you live in Arlington, it's a real pain to go all the way out there. If you find a good place, near Arlington, let me know.

 

Curry's has 5 locations now, one in Arlington I think. www.currysauto.com

edit - Fall's Church.

105 Falls Avenue
Falls Church, Virginia 22046

Tel: 703.533.1107
Fax: 703.533.0520
Email: FallsChurch@currysauto.com

 

Thanks for the great info.
I'll certainly be checking out Currys in Falls Church.