SA says can't align car

AustinGelbM4 · 07-27-2021, 10:56 PM

SA says they can't align the car with 10mm spacers all round. I can't remember but its either because the machine can't do it or its out of spec with the spacers. Ideas/thoughts?

I was thinking of getting the alignment done then putting the spacers on after. Car is also lowered with the Eibach kit.

RugbyBro · 07-27-2021, 11:15 PM

I’m running 10mm spacers all around and lowered on MPHAS (lower than eibach) and have had my car aligned multiple times with no issues. I do custom alignments tho at a dedicated performance shop tho, so it’s possibly that your dealer just doesn’t want to align an “out of spec” car. More liability if something goes wrong

hellokitty · 07-27-2021, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinGelbM4

SA says they can't align the car with 10mm spacers all round. I can't remember but its either because the machine can't do it or its out of spec with the spacers. Ideas/thoughts?

I was thinking of getting the alignment done then putting the spacers on after. Car is also lowered with the Eibach kit.

Take your car to a performance alignment shop. Probably the same price or cheaper than a dealer alignment and you'll get more out of it.

melanthius · 07-28-2021, 12:45 AM

I've had issues with certain shops having a policy that they won't deal with any cars that have spacers. Stupid but they would rather stick to easy clueless customers.

shaddy · 07-28-2021, 12:47 AM

If you're so tied to going there take the spacers off for the alignment. But I'd 100% be looking somewhere else like a performance/track shop.

CanAutM3 · 07-28-2021, 05:41 AM

Spacers have no impact on alignment with the wheels straight, but will affect the Ackerman angle when the wheels are steered. This however should not have an effect on the ability to align the car. Worse comes to worse, you could get the car aligned without spacers and re-install them after the alignment.

Lowering springs will increase negative camber. If your car was borderline, it is possible they cannot bring the alignment within BMW spec with the springs installed. If that is the case, you’ll simply have to settle for an out of BMW spec alignment that works (i.e. more camber while keeping toe within stock specs).

Megabass · 07-28-2021, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinGelbM4

SA says they can't align the car with 10mm spacers all round. I can't remember but its either because the machine can't do it or its out of spec with the spacers. Ideas/thoughts?

I was thinking of getting the alignment done then putting the spacers on after. Car is also lowered with the Eibach kit.

I think because BMW uses the little holes on the wheels to hang the alignment machine and the spacers may block them? Just a thought.

e90335e36m3 · 07-28-2021, 07:57 AM

My CS is lowered on MPHAS, and my local dealership said they could not align my car because it was too low to get on the machine and sent me down the street to Porsche.

AustinGelbM4 · 07-28-2021, 06:19 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. Good info as usual.

Rockshaker · 07-29-2021, 03:37 AM

I have MPHAS and 12mm F/10mm R and my dealership aligned my car with no issues.

07-27-2021, 10:56 PM	#1
AustinGelbM4 Lieutenant 196 Rep 438 Posts Drives: Austin Yellow M4 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 30058 iTrader: (0)	SA says can't align car SA says they can't align the car with 10mm spacers all round. I can't remember but its either because the machine can't do it or its out of spec with the spacers. Ideas/thoughts? I was thinking of getting the alignment done then putting the spacers on after. Car is also lowered with the Eibach kit. __________________ 2016 F82 M4 Austin Yellow \| DCT\| LED\| HUD\| CCB\| CF Roof\| Surround View Done:Gloss Black diffuser\| CP Exhaust Tips\| Black Front Grills\|Eibach Pro\|10mm\|666M
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07-27-2021, 11:15 PM	#2
RugbyBro Brigadier General 7602 Rep 3,604 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I’m running 10mm spacers all around and lowered on MPHAS (lower than eibach) and have had my car aligned multiple times with no issues. I do custom alignments tho at a dedicated performance shop tho, so it’s possibly that your dealer just doesn’t want to align an “out of spec” car. More liability if something goes wrong __________________ Current: F80 Prior: F82, F32
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07-28-2021, 12:45 AM	#4
melanthius Second Lieutenant 255 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: May 2018 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I've had issues with certain shops having a policy that they won't deal with any cars that have spacers. Stupid but they would rather stick to easy clueless customers.
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07-28-2021, 12:47 AM	#5
shaddy Private First Class 151 Rep 133 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: DFW, TX iTrader: (0)	If you're so tied to going there take the spacers off for the alignment. But I'd 100% be looking somewhere else like a performance/track shop. __________________ IG - shaddyy
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07-28-2021, 05:41 AM	#6
CanAutM3 General 21117 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	Spacers have no impact on alignment with the wheels straight, but will affect the Ackerman angle when the wheels are steered. This however should not have an effect on the ability to align the car. Worse comes to worse, you could get the car aligned without spacers and re-install them after the alignment. Lowering springs will increase negative camber. If your car was borderline, it is possible they cannot bring the alignment within BMW spec with the springs installed. If that is the case, you’ll simply have to settle for an out of BMW spec alignment that works (i.e. more camber while keeping toe within stock specs). __________________ Porsche 911 turbo 2021 992 GT Silver Previous cars: M4cs 2019 F82 Limerock Grey / M4 2015 F82 Silverstone / M3 2008 E92 Silverstone / M3 2002 E46 Carbon Black
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07-28-2021, 07:57 AM	#8
e90335e36m3 M3 1426 Rep 725 Posts Drives: M3s Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Earth iTrader: (4)	My CS is lowered on MPHAS, and my local dealership said they could not align my car because it was too low to get on the machine and sent me down the street to Porsche.
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07-28-2021, 06:19 PM	#9
AustinGelbM4 Lieutenant 196 Rep 438 Posts Drives: Austin Yellow M4 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 30058 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the input guys. Good info as usual. __________________ 2016 F82 M4 Austin Yellow \| DCT\| LED\| HUD\| CCB\| CF Roof\| Surround View Done:Gloss Black diffuser\| CP Exhaust Tips\| Black Front Grills\|Eibach Pro\|10mm\|666M
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07-29-2021, 03:37 AM	#10
Rockshaker Second Lieutenant 237 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2018 M3, MG 318i 1997 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have MPHAS and 12mm F/10mm R and my dealership aligned my car with no issues.
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