4 Wheel alignment rip-off

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rees_A

Banned
Joined
Jan 24, 2005
Messages
760
Location
North London
Car
CLK55 AMG
I need to get a 4 wheel alignment done on my car so thought I'd call Mercedes as I've been to a couple of places and they can't do it. Guess how much they want to do it.....No actually, you won't be able to so I'll tell you...

They said it will take 2.5 Hours and will cost £115.00 per hour!!!!!!

Are they having a laugh or what!!! OIther places will do it for £40 on their electronic Alignment machines based on total time of approx 30 mins.. Why are Mercedes going to take 2.5 hours!!!

What a nightmare!!!!

The reason the other places can't do it is because the things that adjust tracking are seized. Does anyone know what the parts are to replace adjusters both front and back.

Car = C36 AMG 1996

Rant Over and Cheers,

Alan
 
I was quoted about £120 to have some tyres fitted, 15 minutes per tyre plus valves and weights etc.

Not exactly a bargain. They are competitive on parts prices but labour is just silly :)
 
Hi Alan,

I don't know about the parts, there is a place in Greenford called the Alignment Centre they have all the latest equiptment the Tel No is 020 8998 7486 ask for Alan mabey he can advise you.
 
C43AMG said:
Hi Alan,

I don't know about the parts, there is a place in Greenford called the Alignment Centre they have all the latest equiptment the Tel No is 020 8998 7486 ask for Alan mabey he can advise you.
Also used The Alignment Center, these guys are very good - Alan knows exactly what he's doing.

-simon
 
Unless I am forced and have no other option My C43 will never see a Mercedes dealership. I simply will not Pay £90 hr + labour charges. High overheads or not their is no excuse for that.

I was equally as shocked when I went for a 4 wheel alignment and got it done at my Indi for £35. :bannana:
 
any indies in the north west that can do this??
 
I thought Mercedes normally have set prices for wheel alignment?
 
Its not in any way a defence of Mercedes Benz charging policy, but as I understand it wheel alignment on relatively new MBs is more complicated than most cars as it has to be done in three different dimensions, putting it in a different league to the equipment and skills posessed by your local Kwik Fit fitters.
 
rees_A said:
I need to get a 4 wheel alignment done on my car so thought I'd call Mercedes as I've been to a couple of places and they can't do it. Guess how much they want to do it.....No actually, you won't be able to so I'll tell you...

They said it will take 2.5 Hours and will cost £115.00 per hour!!!!!!

Are they having a laugh or what!!! OIther places will do it for £40 on their electronic Alignment machines based on total time of approx 30 mins.. Why are Mercedes going to take 2.5 hours!!!
Alan

Half hour waiting for you to go, half hour to drive to nearest tyre dealer, one hour waiting for work to be done and half hour driving back, easy :D :D :D
 
Four wheel alignment rip off

Rose Chap said:
Its not in any way a defence of Mercedes Benz charging policy, but as I understand it wheel alignment on relatively new MBs is more complicated than most cars as it has to be done in three different dimensions, putting it in a different league to the equipment and skills posessed by your local Kwik Fit fitters.

The Alignment Centre do have the skills, i woud'nt think anyone would have there car aligned at Kwik anyway.
 
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wheel alignment

Geoff2 said:
Half hour waiting for you to go, half hour to drive to nearest tyre dealer, one hour waiting for work to be done and half hour driving back, easy :D :D :D

That is very true.
 
Thanks for the tip on The Alignment Center, I've given them a call and they said they can do it but may have to change some bolts??? for the front toe and camber. Guess I'll go visit them tomorrow.
 
Rees, you could also try Goodwins in ilford, they specialise in the same!

they are about 20 min drive round the A406 from n. london
 
rees, they have 2 bays dedicated to wheel alighnment, i dont use anyone else!

goodwin wheels and tyres -
 
rees_A said:
Thanks for the tip on The Alignment Center, I've given them a call and they said they can do it but may have to change some bolts??? for the front toe and camber. Guess I'll go visit them tomorrow.
Do yourself a favour and spray the adjusters with WD40 tonight or at least as soon as possible before you go along, reduces the chance of something being siezed solid when they get round to adjusting them and the consequent charges.

C43AMG said:
..as I understand it wheel alignment on relatively new MBs is more complicated than most cars as it has to be done in three different dimensions..
What, like most other cars nowadays? Any place that can 'do' alignment should be able to handle this, but at the end of the day it's the skill and attention to detail of a decent operator that will get the desired results, not the equipment they are using. There is nothing worse than a monkey with a 'Turboalign 2000 4-wheel laser alignment machine' thinking he can actually work it :rolleyes:
 
rees_A said:
Thanks for the tip on The Alignment Center, I've given them a call and they said they can do it but may have to change some bolts??? for the front toe and camber. Guess I'll go visit them tomorrow.
It's good practice to use new bolts every time it's adjusted. They're just doing it by the book. The bolts are cheap anyway.
 
My local dealer told me I need a 4 wheel alignment after I asked about poor wear on the OSF tyre, He suggsted going to MB in Hertford or Bishops Stortford, any one have any idea how much they would charge.

The local tyre place(Kwik fit dont do this service) want £30 to check the car plus £100 if it needs adjusting and £15 per bolt to buy the bolts from MB to actually do the adjustment on the rear.

IS 4 wheel alignment really going to fix a problem with just one wheel?
 
Probably.

The bolts should cost about £7 each, but are only for the front castor or camber. The rear toe is adjustable as built.

Expect to pay £45 at a good tyre centre.
 
Thanks dieselman I will search around
 

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