alignment shop?

[bren]

Anyone deal with a good alignment shop in the Baltimore area?

[Doby]

BMW of Towson does a great job. Call Bill first though. Seriously, that's where I get mine done.

[bren]

And they don't have a problem with custom spec's?

Now if only they were open on Monday....what good is a day off work if nothing else is open :sad:

[Doby]

And they don't have a problem with custom spec's?

Now if only they were open on Monday....what good is a day off work if nothing else is open :sad:

No problem at all with custom specs. I had -3.5 in the front and -2 in the rear last time I was there.

[clyde]

Now if only they were open on Monday....what good is a day off work if nothing else is open :sad:

Yeah, and you work so far away from there too. ;)

[BahnBaum]

Anyone deal with a good alignment shop in the Baltimore area?

Is this supposed to fix the issue where the rear wants to be the front? :grin:

Alex

[bren]

Anyone deal with a good alignment shop in the Baltimore area?

Is this supposed to fix the issue where the rear wants to be the front? :grin:

Alex
Well, uh...hopefully.

I'm going to blame that on equal parts driver error, alignment, and the darned Sport button. :oops:

[bren]

No problem at all with custom specs. I had -3.5 in the front and -2 in the rear last time I was there.
What sort of Toe do you run?

[Doby]

No problem at all with custom specs. I had -3.5 in the front and -2 in the rear last time I was there.
What sort of Toe do you run?

At the time, 0 Front, tiny bit IN -rear

[bren]

At the time, 0 Front, tiny bit IN -rear
I thought I'd be smart and 0 the front and rear to get the car to rotate real nicely but that was NOT a good idea....definitely need some toe in the rear :oops:

[Doby]

Yeah, there was only one person I know of that ran 0 toe in the rear, and that was RonK. He also ran a little out in the front. I'm running a little out in front and lots in at the rear.

[bren]

I'm starting to seriously consider getting those SmartStrings to be able to do some adjusting on my own. Dropping $100+ for an alignment just to "test" some settings is going to get awfully expensive.

[Doby]

I have the longacre camber gauge now, and measuring toe is just simply measuring with a tape measure. However, getting things perfect is worth the $125.

[bren]

....measuring toe is just simply measuring with a tape measure.
Well, yes and no. Don't forget about thrust angle. That's what is nice about the SmartStrings, they help you keep the car square.

I suppose I could use a tape and play with different amounts of toe until it feels good and then take it in to the shop to make sure everything is even. Problem is I can't really get to the limits of the car on the streets to get a feel for each setting. The way it's set now feels a little twitchy on the road but it wasn't until the autox that I realized how bad it really is. I just could not put power down without losing the rear end.

[Doby]

I just could not put power down without losing the rear end.

You do know you have an E46 M3

[bren]

I just could not put power down without losing the rear end.

You do know you have an E46 M3
:grin:

[greg sober]

yeah, it is not like you have an Acura or something

[bren]

I'd be in big trouble with VTEC :shock:

[Doby]

DOHC Vanos :D

[greg sober]

ghey

[1996 328ti]

To make this message board useful, let's keep on topic. ;)

[Doby]

Well to get this back on topic...

BMW of Towson just performed another alignment on my car. After changing spring rates, ride heights, and sway bay settings yet once again, I had them align it again. The alignment number are perfect, exactly where I specified them. Marshall (Tech) and Terrance (Service Advisor) rock!

[Jed]

I believe both Ken and John V had their alignments done at Towson to non-spec and were very happy with the results.

[Doby]

Dunno