MercedesFTW

Went to get an alignment, and the dealer is saying that I need new alignment bolts that cost around $300. They "wear away with everyday usage, and when we remove them to do an alignment they strip and need to be replaced. It's a common thing on C55s and E55s, just remember next time you change tires you will need another alignment and another set of these bolts."

WTF?

Zeppelin

Run as fast as you can from that dealer. Going to a dealer for an alignment is probably a bad idea anyway.

Why do you think you need an alignment? Unless you hit a curb or have unusual tire wear I would not waste money on an alignment.

MercedesFTW

The steering wheel was pulling to the left. Annoyed the ***** out of me.

MB_Forever

Very suspecious, do you have another dealer near the area.........

evilsaint

If it's not too far for you to drive, come to the NTB up at Rand and Dundee (I want to say it's in Palatine, the city, but I'm not sure). They do great work extremely efficiently, the guys there all drive damn nice performance cars too, and for wheel-balancing, alignments, tire-changes and basic maintenance, they're cheap and really can't be beat 'cept for maybe an indie shop that you have a hookup at. I'm not sure about the others in the Chicagoland area, 'cept for the Vernon Hills one which is SLOOOOOOOW

Hell, I think you can get a 3-year warranty fully digital alignment (you can get a new one every 5k miles within the three years, if you want) for something like $190... What was the dealership going to offer aside from a loaner, maybe?

Walla

BS..........

The only adjustment bolts you need is Camber and that is when you Smack a Massive pothole.

alignment is recomended every 10 000 miles if you drive on bad road..

As for the cost, we needed some for the old ladys car at R180 for a set it is dirt cheap, Rand Dollar makes it $25.

kjb55

What dealer did you visit???

Zeppelin

Unless you hit something the car should not need an alignment. I am constantly doing my own alignment because I use some washers on the struts to get more camber at the track. I use a broomstick to make adjustments that are far from ideal and I have never had a pull with the car.

Are you sure you are not driving on a road with a crown?

MBHustla858

swap the tires from left to right and see if it pulls to the other side.... then its a tires issue.

fivepointfivev8

I just did an alignment because I really needed to, my tires ruined at 14k miles. They found cracked bushings and replaced them under warranty. I do remember him telling me how much it would be for the alignment and he did say something about the bolts (but my mind was wandering at that moment) but fortunately I didn't need them. I didn't realize how expensive they were, damn! I'd get a second opinion, and if you need them, bite the bullet and get it done. My car runs much smoother than before. I'll probably go back and get the tires rebalanced soon, with this car you feel everything.

MercedesFTW

Well they got my money this time

I have no idea why the car was so badly aligned. I've got 7500 miles on the car, haven't really hit anything. *shrug*

The dealership was Motorwerks in Barrington. I've had bad experiences with them before when I had the Ml, but for the C55 this is the first time they tried anything fishy. Oh well, next time I'll take it to NTB, I know exactly where it is, thanks evilsaint!

evilsaint

Maybe try the MW in Hoffman Estates (just a Benz branch) too, for actual service; they seem to have their heads on straight, and since they're a much smaller dealer than the main Motorwerks, they seem like they can accommodate people with much better service/loaners/etc...

Talk to the SA Jason at the HE one and he should be able to help you out. He still has the mentality that w/e costs the most $$$ is best for your car, but he can be easily persuaded to do it your way

MBNAPER

I can't verify the prices but I am an employee there. I am pretty sure I saw that car on the alignment rack. It required some adjustments to get in specs. If you want PM or email me. I can hook you up with one of our techs and he maybe can help you out. I'll talk to the alignment tech and try to reply again.

t1n0

I just my car out of a tire kingdom alignment. I opted for the 5 year alignment plan, for about $249. Sounded like a good idea, considering one time/6 months alignment is 109 anywhere else. They had me in and out in about 25 minutes, and the car rides great.

The guy did tell me that if the car had been out of aligmnment for too long, the radial belts can get slightly moved/warped within the tire, causing a slight pull no matter how well the alignment is. At that point all you can do is replace the tires.