Getting an Alignment - Who to Trust?

[JWreck]

Howdy folks,

I'm slapping some new rubber (Michelin PSS) on my S4 tomorrow, and called up Audi to see what they charge for an alignment, as the last alignment I had done was covered under warranty since they claimed that's what caused my cupping issues on my OE Conti's. They quoted $189! It's been a while since I've paid for an alignment, but man, that sounded a little excessive.

That being said, who do you trust to perform an alignment on your S4? I'm a little weary of going to anywhere like Brake Check just because of the specifications for the S4. Is that fear warranted or am I right to steer clear of those places?

Any advice and thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Josh

[Riu]

I paid my dealer to do it long ago and 189-200 sounds right but with them, once you pay its lifetime. So i have had it done multiple times now with them at no additional cost.

[Johnnycash]

i paid $140 2 weeks ago at audi dealer in minnesota. brought it up to the shop i normally get alignments done at first and they said they could do it only to find out that they couldnt for some reason or another...

[SteveYem]

I paid my dealer to do it long ago and 189-200 sounds right but with them, once you pay its lifetime. So i have had it done multiple times now with them at no additional cost.

Can you elaborate on this? Does Audi have a policy that allows customers to pay once and have lifetime alignments, or is that specific to your local Audi dealer?
They also quoted me $189-ish plus tax for an alignment, so I took it to a local reputable performance shop that had me out the door for $127.

[JWreck]

I paid my dealer to do it long ago and 189-200 sounds right but with them, once you pay its lifetime. So i have had it done multiple times now with them at no additional cost.

Interesting, I specifically asked if that was the lifetime price, and he said no.

[Audibot]

Check your dealership's website. Sometimes they run specials on things like alignment. I frequently travel between MD and NJ, and one dealership had a coupon down to about $175, and I've seen one down to about $125. But they vary.

[RickFLS4]

I had mine done at a dealer and no one mentioned "lifetime" when I got it done so yes, details would be appreciated. I believe it was $179 or $189.

[ptper]

Yes, details please. If they offered lifetime service, I would do it.

[boss2k]

i paid 99 to dealer for alignment a month back

[PitchS4]

I don't get why people think you need to go to the dealer? It is honestly not that complicated no sense paying the Audi premium. It is actually easier on our cars then older Audis since the front tire rods and steering rack are down low. I had a body shop do it for 90. As long as the "after" specs are what you agreed on of course.

[Tumbleweeds]

A dealership typically charges 2 to 2.5 hours labor to perform an alignment. So depending on what your local dealer's labor rate is, it'll vary. Lifetime alignments are not an Audi policy but some shops offer this service as an incentive to gain your business. I rarely see it offered through dealerships but often through tire chain franchises. There's no reason to pay a dealership premium in order to have an alignment performed on your car. Check on pricing with Sears or a local tire shop.

[GREYTRACK]

Howdy folks,

I'm slapping some new rubber (Michelin PSS) on my S4 tomorrow, and called up Audi to see what they charge for an alignment, as the last alignment I had done was covered under warranty since they claimed that's what caused my cupping issues on my OE Conti's.

It's interesting you say that bc I have some serious cupping issues on my 2014 with Contis but figured they would blame it on my H&R springs.

[JWreck]

It's interesting you say that bc I have some serious cupping issues on my 2014 with Contis but figured they would blame it on my H&R springs.

It sounds like I'm running 35" swampers on my car when I drive at speed with the contis. Cannot WAIT until I get my PSS tomorrow.

[Luna's S4]

It sounds like I'm running 35" swampers on my car when I drive at speed with the contis. Cannot WAIT until I get my PSS tomorrow.

Lol! Just tried to picture that. Was going to say something like "You're gong to really like the PSS", but something tells me you have had them before.

[amz]

I thought you needed to go through a dealership for your alignment if you have adaptive cruise control, otherwise the front sensor can lock onto the wrong car? I don't have Adaptive Cruise Control myself to test.

[will13k7]

I got a "lifetime" alignment once, the indy shop went out of business in a year, only got one alignment.

[PitchS4]

I thought you needed to go through a dealership for your alignment if you have adaptive cruise control, otherwise the front sensor can lock onto the wrong car? I don't have Adaptive Cruise Control myself to test.

I guess this could be possible, but I don't see how moving tierods a few threads would affect anything? I don't have it either to confirm.

[JWreck]

I guess this could be possible, but I don't see how moving tierods a few threads would affect anything? I don't have it either to confirm.

Yet, it's amazing the number of shops I've called that won't touch the car.

[JWreck]

Got my PSS installed this morning. Amazing how much better the car rides compared to the crappy Conti's I had before. The annoying noises are gone!

[Tuned4Rings]

Just asked my dealer how much they charge for an alignment and they said it starts at $279 and that comes with lifetime. Sounds a bit pricey to me.

[mr shickadance]

Just asked my dealer how much they charge for an alignment and they said it starts at $279 and that comes with lifetime. Sounds a bit pricey to me.

most alignments are $100 out the door, that;s not bad for lifetime.

[SeaBassHWD]

There are a few Firestone Tires around my area and they offer lifetime alignments for $199 or a one time alignment for $89. I'm not sure if our Audis need anything special but when I finally get my springs and new tires installed in the spring/summer, I might go with them.

[slowbmw]

Got my alignment done by my local grease shop for $60+ Tax. They just bought a brand new laser alligner and it has actual pictures of the location of the bolts to turn and everything.

you're and idiot if you think you need to go to the dealer for an alignment.

[Audibot]

There are a few Firestone Tires around my area and they offer lifetime alignments for $199 or a one time alignment for $89. I'm not sure if our Audis need anything special but when I finally get my springs and new tires installed in the spring/summer, I might go with them.

I got this. So frustrating, but they won't align my car so long as I have the 19" wheels on.

Got my alignment done by my local grease shop for $60+ Tax. They just bought a brand new laser alligner and it has actual pictures of the location of the bolts to turn and everything.

you're and idiot if you think you need to go to the dealer for an alignment.

you're an idiot

And not always. We all don't have local grease shops with super laser alignment tools and sharks that show you exactly what to do. So lucky you. I've done Sears before w/ decent luck (I think it was $70-$80 out the door). Alignment is one of those things I hard a hard time trusting some random shop to do.

[Docwyte]

Alignments aren't rocket science, especially on these cars as not everything is adjustable on them. I've taken several of my previous Audi's, along with my current S4, to the local Firestone. They align it to my specs, no sweat, never have an issue.

They don't care if I have 19" wheels on it or not. I got the lifetime alignment from them, I get one done at the end of every winter before I put my summer wheels on, just in case any monster pot holes have knocked things out of alignment.

[boss2k]

why do you need an alignment if you are just putting on new tires ?

[mr shickadance]

^best to get an alignment with new tires as a bad alignment can cause excessive wear on your tires. It's not necessary, but over time your car will come out of alignment, maybe not serverly, but all those bumps and potholes over the course of a single tire life would be enough to warrant the alignment on a new tires.

not necessary, but not the worst way to spend 100

[SDF1]

If you have Dynamic Steering you NEED to go the dealer. The bodyshop tried to align my car and my car freaked out. My Cluster had Christmas lights.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lesson-learned

[Audibot]

Alignments aren't rocket science, especially on these cars as not everything is adjustable on them. I've taken several of my previous Audi's, along with my current S4, to the local Firestone. They align it to my specs, no sweat, never have an issue.

They don't care if I have 19" wheels on it or not. I got the lifetime alignment from them, I get one done at the end of every winter before I put my summer wheels on, just in case any monster pot holes have knocked things out of alignment.

Then you're lucky. I've gone there on two separate occasions and they bitched that they can't do it b/c I have 19" wheels. But that's probably just my local shop. It's Maryland, what can you say.

[Johnnycash]

why do you need an alignment if you are just putting on new tires ?

also just speaking for me but I buy warranty certificates for my tires in case they wear prematurely or get damaged from a pothole or any kind of hazards on the road, they are replaced for free, but the caveat is that you have to be able to prove that you maintained the tires properly by rotating them on schedule and also making sure your vehicle is properly aligned so as not to cause premature wear to the actual tires...

[Audibot]

also just speaking for me but I buy warranty certificates for my tires in case they wear prematurely or get damaged from a pothole or any kind of hazards on the road, they are replaced for free, but the caveat is that you have to be able to prove that you maintained the tires properly by rotating them on schedule and also making sure your vehicle is properly aligned so as not to cause premature wear to the actual tires...

I got these too. Haven't had to use them though since my alignment has been pretty good. Or will be until I replace lower control arms in the next month.

[Johnnycash]

I got these too. Haven't had to use them though since my alignment has been pretty good. Or will be until I replace lower control arms in the next month.

i buy the certificates for all of my tires and they have paid for themselves in spades especially on awd cars. i had a blowout from a pothole on my last subaru got a prorated amount for new rubber all around...

[Audibot]

Nice. I've been fortunate enough NOT to have to that happen (they have survived Maryland potholes so far).

[Luna's S4]

The other day a young lady tagged a front wheel while my car was parked. Long, odd story that continues to get more strange with VINs and insurance coverage, but not going into that.

In this case I am having my local Audi service team address, regardless of what is covered because steering wheel is off center and she flippin' hit it hard based upon damage to the side of her car. Otherwise, any reputable shop should do.

[JKrups06]

Alignments aren't rocket science, especially on these cars as not everything is adjustable on them. I've taken several of my previous Audi's, along with my current S4, to the local Firestone. They align it to my specs, no sweat, never have an issue.

They don't care if I have 19" wheels on it or not. I got the lifetime alignment from them, I get one done at the end of every winter before I put my summer wheels on, just in case any monster pot holes have knocked things out of alignment.

I got a firestone right next to me that told me on some audis bmws Benz they can only align the toe and nothing else as they need special tools for the rest of the alignment. Was firestone able to do a complete alignment on your s4? Does an alignment on a s4 require special tools?

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[HeymyAudi]

I got my alignment done at a local National Tire and Battery here in MD before I drove to FL... While in FL I had my buddy check it and it was spot on with his machine. He said there isnt much to aligning these cars.