mis3

I was thinking to do a wheel alignment to my 2004 CLK320.

The MB dealership will do it at double than outside rate. I asked my service advisor why. He told me that the outside shops will only align the wheels to be straight but in MB, they will align it in accordance to MB specs to work with the suspensions.

What do you think?

mis3

Anyone cares to comment?

agent0002

After you get it done with MB... and if its not perfect.. they always blame it on your tires...my personal experience....

mis3

So, does MB dealers do anything special with wheel alignment?

I am still deciding should I spend $200 (CAN) in MB or do it outside for $100.

rsatmans

I have had the same experence i have had my car aligned two times with camber bolts installed and i have not been impressed in the end they said my tires needed be replaced to correct if i was you i would probaly try the outside first

MarcusF

I'd ask the outside shop what specs they'll use. Specifically, how much rear camber at the existing ride height. You may want to ask if they use a spreader bar. You may want to ask the dealer how many alignments they do a week. Whoever does the alignment, you may want to ask for the before and after specs.

On a related note, what is it you're trying to correct?

RDD

Go to an alignment shop that services only high end cars like Porsches and you should be fine.

mis3

Well, no other reason than the last time I did a wheel alignment was 3 years ago.

eub

my recent alignment experience. ymmv. slightly long.

installed new tires. took my car to wheel works after installing tires, they called back and said my car didn't need any aligment, gave me a computer print out, didn't charge me, and i drove off.

i studied the numbers on the printout, the left and right were always different but most were within the 'factory specs' range. some were outside the range. i was a little surprised they said everything was ok despite some of those numbers being outside the range, but they didn't charge me anything either so i wasn't too concerned.

kept driving the w209 on and off (winter season, drove the suv more), and in the last couple of weeks i really noticed that the steering couldn't possibly be aligned. i am not a pro driver, but things just didn't seem as crisp as the car was 28k miles ago. there was also a slihgt but noticeable pull to the right.

most of the other shops int he area refer their business to wheel works, so i figured i'd set up an appt at the dealer. dropped off car. quoted $185. around noon dealer calls back to report that 'camber bolts' were required to properly align the car. total cost, $555.54.

i was sticker shocked, hadn't heard of camber bolts for a long time (i understnad this is very much needed on some lowered cars). the svc rep simply told me that camber bolts are required on my car and suggested that mercedes cars are different fom the rest. i really felt this was a canned answer but i figured i was $185 in the hole already and at least the dealer promised to fix the problem whereas wheel works just overlooked it.

took delivery of the car. no computer printout, but alignment feels good. they also reflashed the transmission software which made an improvement to my jerky 2-1 downshift but still not perfect.

my conclusion? not sure. it seems a proper alingment is possible, but maybe not everyone can do it and those who can charge more for it?

SilverMelo

At this time you certainly have concluded that it's impossible to align a W209.

Sad but truth...

Louie D

I had mine done today at a local place $90.00 he did it to MB specs. I saw it on the PC screen was kinda intresting never seen a car get aligned before.

ahmadk

Dealership will always rip you off... just do it in a reputable shop and it should be good

Mka77

Same here. Had mine done a Hunter unit that is attached to a computer that uses specs specific for your model and year. A print out was provided and explained on what everything meant. 96.00 total. I watched the whole process. The ghostrider camber kit makes it very easy to get everything dialed in with camber and toe.

SilverMelo

Yeah, computer graphics, technical bla bla bla, all green, all OK.

But on the road...---------->>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mka77

ZERO problems here

lowpost

I've never had an alignment done outside the dealer that wasn't to the manufacturers specs. They're bull sheeting you

Mka77

Everyone has an opinion.

The worst alignment I have gotten was at the MB dealership.

Zero problems since.