All wheel alignment can only be done at Audi dealer?

[Chrissy0874]

I need some advice please. Took my 2014 S4 for the 25000 miles service with Audi care. They told me I need to replace the tires. I am going to Costco for the PSS replacement this thursday, but the Costco guy said he doesn't have the machine to do the alignment.

The audi dealer service advisor said only Audi dealer has the special machine to do all wheel alignment which will cost me $160, but since my car has a rear back up camera, they will need to calibrate and that is an additional $340, for a total of approximately $500 plus/minus.

I live in Los Angeles, California does it cost that much to align the S4? And is it true only Audi dealer can do the all wheel alignment?

If it's not true, and independent shop can do wheel alignment, I would appreciate a referral (name and contact) for the LA/ San Fernando Valley area.

Thanks.

Chrissy

[jimrobbington]

Pretty sure you can get an alignment anywhere that has the appropriate machine. Not so sure about the camera portion, that sounds awful fishy and over priced. I would assume it's just a quick vag com calibration otherwise.

[MVR 155]

Pretty sure you can get an alignment anywhere that has the appropriate machine. Not so sure about the camera portion, that sounds awful fishy and over priced. I would assume it's just a quick vag com calibration otherwise.

This..... the quote of $160 for the alignment seems fair but another $340 to calibrate a backup camera??????? Usually if something smells like shit..... it is shit!!!

[jimrobbington]

This..... the quote of $160 for the alignment seems fair but another $340 to calibrate a backup camera??????? Usually if something smells like shit..... it is shit!!!

I agree about the cost of the alignment. That's actually a good price. The fact that they %100 lied to your face that you can only get an alignment at the dealer is bullshit, and i wouldn't want them touching my car for that reason. If they lie to you to try and keep you going to them, what aren't they willing to lie about to make money? A $500 fuel system cleaning that you "need"? A $500 cv axle replacement because they say your boots are "torn".

I would steer clear of that place. It's highly likely it's because you are a woman and mechanics are douches.

[AudiTFSI3o3]

I need some advice please. Took my 2014 S4 for the 25000 miles service with Audi care. They told me I need to replace the tires. I am going to Costco for the PSS replacement this thursday, but the Costco guy said he doesn't have the machine to do the alignment.

The audi dealer service advisor said only Audi dealer has the special machine to do all wheel alignment which will cost me $160, but since my car has a rear back up camera, they will need to calibrate and that is an additional $340, for a total of approximately $500 plus/minus.

I live in Los Angeles, California does it cost that much to align the S4? And is it true only Audi dealer can do the all wheel alignment?

If it's not true, and independent shop can do wheel alignment, I would appreciate a referral (name and contact) for the LA/ San Fernando Valley area.

Thanks.

Chrissy

Costco doesn't do alignments but any indy tire shop can. $160 is a bit pricey though..

[RickFLS4]

There are some other threads around noting the high cost of alignments in cars with adaptive cruise. I believe I read one that concluded the camera part of it may not be necessary in every case.

As far as a "regular" alignment goes any shop with the right equipment should be able to do it, but I'd get a recommendation (as you are trying to do) and ask the shop to confirm they regularly align Audi's with Quattro.

Edit: just re-read original post. Extra cost for backup camera is complete BS - should not cost anything extra for a backup camera. Extra cost should arise if you have adaptive cruise.

[AKPS4]

i feel like someone posted about this same exact thing that a dealer told them several months ago... tell the dealer to go F#(*$ themselves and never go back there again. OR better yet, have them explain what is so special about their machine vs the other machines at high end shops. I bet they cant tell you anything...

[Audibot]

$160 isn't bad, considering I shelled out $200 not that long ago. Check your dealer's website to see if they have an online coupon for alignments--it my be $25 or something, but would help.

Idk about the camera dealie--can you just decline that? It sounds a bit fishy to me, especially if it's some quick calibration you can do with VCDS

[MacFady]

I called my local Audi to inquire about an alignment a few years ago and they told me to take it to the Volvo dealership. Which would be funny enough in its own right, except that two years prior when I had called the BMW dealership about the same thing (for a BMW), they told me to call Audi!

[moyenecorniche]

Find a better dealer, one who is intent on earning and keeping your business. The days of " It's a woman, jack up the estimate, she'll never know better " are long gone fortunately and the businesses who still function as Neanderthals should revert back to archaeology.
BTW is this an independently owned dealer or is it part of a conglomerate ?
I don't often go to them but back east from CT I go to RI to a Penske owned Porsche/BMW/Audi dealer. Yes Audi's are expensive but in 7 years and 2 Audi's, the second not even having been bought at this dealership, I have never been quoted over what needed to be addressed or if there was additional repairs, then I was always shown the proof that it needed to be done. Maybe not that day but definitely soon. When my fuel pump expired, they replaced it ( car was out of warranty by then ) but the gauge read only 3/4 full when it was actually filled. They took the car back in, looked in and diagnosed that the mechanic had mistakenly pinched the fuel line, thus warranting a new 2nd fuel pump replacement. They picked up the car at home, left me an Audi loaner, replaced the pump, all at no charge to me... That is the type of dealer I will buy a new Audi from and will continue to bring my S4 to when it is something I cannot repair myself.

[Audibot]

I called my local Audi to inquire about an alignment a few years ago and they told me to take it to the Volvo dealership. Which would be funny enough in its own right, except that two years prior when I had called the BMW dealership about the same thing (for a BMW), they told me to call Audi!

Funny enough, Audi was full when doing my alignment and had to borrow Subaru's alignment rack. Luckily it's right next door.

[Sales@DriveAuto]

We do them every day - definitely not an Audi-dealer-only service.

[Chrissy0874]

Find a better dealer, one who is intent on earning and keeping your business. The days of " It's a woman, jack up the estimate, she'll never know better " are long gone fortunately and the businesses who still function as Neanderthals should revert back to archaeology.
BTW is this an independently owned dealer or is it part of a conglomerate ?
I don't often go to them but back east from CT I go to RI to a Penske owned Porsche/BMW/Audi dealer. Yes Audi's are expensive but in 7 years and 2 Audi's, the second not even having been bought at this dealership, I have never been quoted over what needed to be addressed or if there was additional repairs, then I was always shown the proof that it needed to be done. Maybe not that day but definitely soon. When my fuel pump expired, they replaced it ( car was out of warranty by then ) but the gauge read only 3/4 full when it was actually filled. They took the car back in, looked in and diagnosed that the mechanic had mistakenly pinched the fuel line, thus warranting a new 2nd fuel pump replacement. They picked up the car at home, left me an Audi loaner, replaced the pump, all at no charge to me... That is the type of dealer I will buy a new Audi from and will continue to bring my S4 to when it is something I cannot repair myself.

This dealer is part of the "Auto gallery group" with many locations throughout Los Angeles which has porsche, audi, ferrari and maserati I think. I took my car there for the service covered by audi care because they are so close and convenient to me.

Thanks everyone for your opinions and advice. So grateful to have resource like this forum to go to, because single women should not be penalized for driving nice performance car when they take their cars in for service!

Chrissy

[youloze]

My advice is find a local performance shop that does alignments or an alignment place that specializes in performance alignments. They will 1) be able to perform a 4 wheel alignment and 2) be more open to custom specs and/or actually be able to get everything in spec (especially if they have to shift the front subframe to even the camber).

I have been going to the same alignment shop for years because they know what they are doing and will listen to what I want and work with me to get it right (I'm on coilovers with adjustable front upper control arms). They also charge only $100 for a 4 wheel custom alignment to my specs. The shops are out there, you just have to find them. Maybe ask around in a local forum.

[chris@fifteen52]

Normally only the dealer will do a subframe adjustment if it needs it.