W211 Suspension Geometry

[GlynC]

Just had my E320's alignment checked, previously adjusted a few months ago after I noticed abormal tyre wear. Last one didn't seem to make any difference so I took it somewhere else this time.
Excellent advice from the chap doing it who knew his stuff ( Watford if anyone wants the details) but I was appalled to find out that MB don't fit the adjustment bolts to allow the camber of the wheel to be adjusted which in my case appears to be the main culprit in the inside edges wearing. Expensive tyres at £200 a throw too.
I phoned MB dealers to be told that this is correct and they will have to check it -cost £163+vat and then if required fit the bolts required and adjust the camber angle to suit. Cost on top of the check etc.!
Probably £300 + by the time the have added on the cost of the oily rag wash!
Has anyone else come up against this..? Would have thought they would have fitted the required bolts it's almost certain to want adjusting at some point. My car has only done 19,000.. no kerbed wheels or damage.
Any help welcome!

 

[GordonTarling]

I'm afraid to say that my opinion of MB Watford is at an all time low - I wouldn't trust them to check my oil! Find somewhere else that knows their stuff and see what they have to say.

 

[GlynC]

Hi
Perhaps I mislead you
It wasn't MB Watford just a Tyre & Wheel bay
No experience of MB Watford as I live in Derbyshire just get around a lot

 

[Satch]

What wheels/tyres do you have on this car?

 

[Dieselman]

It is true that MB don't fit adjustment bolts as standard. The bolts cost around £7 and give a fixed amount of adjustment. You need to know whether the setting is out to start with then fit the bolt. There is no adjustment to do.

Most towns have a tracking centre that can cover full 4 wheel setup.

 

[GlynC]

Hi Thanks for the replies
The car is fitted with the 18" AMG wheels... part of the AMG package from new
245/40 front
265/35 rear
As far as the bolts are concerned, I know that this is the case and that most fitting scentres have the equipment.
My point is this:-
I have had a comprehensive check for free which detailed the camber is out and needs adjustment.
MB want £163+VAT to check this then they want to charge for the fitting of the bolts and the re-alignment!
If the bolts had been fitted, as they are in many cars (some of a lesser pedigree) I could have had the job done from start to finish for £100
I feel that for a car which cost nearly £50K new they are being very cheap leaving out adjustment bolts, knowing full well that they will be needed at some point in the cars life.
I am in communication with MB as I feel this should not be the case!

 

[adam1]

Been there done that......go with the Mbz dealer....they have the technology do do it right and you can complain if they get it wrong. It will cost you but u need an experienced tech to sort it. Not all W211 need camber bolts but they may be necessary....mine was adjusted to spec but still was not straight on a level road...so maybe camber bolts are needed....Jeevers is the expert.

Bye the way the charge for checking and fitting at the dealer was around 250-300 quid.... the bolts are £5-6 per piece.