goober71

Hi,
I brought my car (2014 E350 sport) to the dealership last month to get an issue with the battery checked out, and they said all the tires were low on tread and one was almost completely bald. They quoted $295 per tire, so i went to Discount Tire instead and got 4 Barum Bravuris with 40K mile warranty for $406 installed.
My question is.....do i need to get a wheel alignment done? The dealer had recommended it along with tire replacement, but it is really necessary? The car drives fine, steering does not pull or anything like that. Just want to make sure it's not needed for proper tire wear, or anything like that.
Any help will be appreciated.

G

2011E350

Your discretion but I Would say YES. New tires new wear patterns, good to have a base alignment to also see if any other suspension components, are going, bushings, Tie Rod Ends, Control Arms, etc...….If you spent all the money on Tires I would strongly recommend YES. Especially if you have no recent history of a four wheel alignment. NTB is or at least was offering a Nationwide Five year Four wheel alignment for around $150. Well worth it and they allowed a ONE TIME NO FEE Transfer to another vehicle. I had it on my Taurus SHO and with two years left I was able to transfer the package to my 2011 E350. My plan is every time I get tires rotated and balanced I will get the alignment checked too. At least until Jan 2021.

If you are getting the...new tires what's another $150 ..... Even with the $150 alignment and new shoes you are still less than half the dealer cost. Definitely recommend alignment as a base. Of Course dealers are going to recommend it. I would get alignment and if able would be a good deal to get both tires and alignment at same time.

Another question: Are they just telling you its bald or did they show you in person. Always ask to see while still on the lift...….keep them honest....Especially Dealers!!

Mud

It's always arguable to say that alignment should be checked when new tires are installed, but my personal perspective is that unless the car is pulling, has a hard time returning to center after turning, or the tires are showing odd wear/cupping I don't do it. If toe-in is excessive you may not necessarily feel a pull but the tire edges will start scrubbing. However, as mentioned above, if there is zero history on the car/alignment, it's not a terrible cost to pay to get a good baseline.

The dealer is pretty much the most expensive place that you can have an alignment done. If you are concerned, find a good local indy garage familiar with MB/European and use them. In my case, I did just get an alignment done after installing camber bolt kits, the indy was $95, dealer would have been $180. I think others here may have used Firestone or similar chains, but I don't like the way the locals here treat vehicles. Might be better in other areas.

KEY08

If you live in heavy pothole country and find them unavoidable, I would seriously consider an alignment or risk uneven tire wear to your new set. Otherwise forget it.
MB is always pushing alignments and as has been said there are plenty of shops that can beat them at price.

mellonc

I'll chime in. It's hard to get it perfectly correct. I've had alignment issues after an alignment job so many times that I don't do alignments at all. If you are OCD like me, be very choosy of which shop does the alignment work.

cetialpha5

Yeah, there are lots of other places that can do alignments. Usually places like Goodyear, Firestone, NTB etc offer 3-5 year tire alignment warranties which cost about as much as a single one at the MB dealer. Lots of potholes around here so I end up getting one at least once a year.

goober71

Thank you all, for the responses. We have an NTB close by, i'll check to see what deals they have on alignments.

G

thefisch

One of my local MB dealers just had a coupon for $99 alignment. Normally $150. If old tires had even wear and there is no pulling I usually don't bother.

homeofstone

Not all alignment shops can align a Mercedes. If they have the correct equipment and training then they can.

cetialpha5

There's not too much you can set on them, mostly they just adjust toe and pretty much all shops with an alignment machine can do it. If you need bolts, then you probably have other suspension problems.

mrenaud

A lot of Discount Tire stores have alignment arrangements with nearby providers so that you get a discounted price by showing you bought your tires from Discount. The one near me saves 25%.

K-Mac

Yes that is correct OEM there is only front and rear Toe directional adjustment.

No Camber or Caster to adjust tire contact angles to fix it right the 1st time. Resolving costly, premature edge tire wear.

Fluted bolts only provide 1/8 inch (0.3 of one degree) change. Only available for front and inaccurate having one offset position.

We saw the need therefore to re-instate from the early 90's full front Camber and Caster, Rear Camber (and extra Toe). Providing up to "4 times" the adjustment range of the fluted bolts.

The K-MAC unique patented design replaces the 4 front and 4 rear highest wearing bushings at the same time.

Is precise single wrench adjustable. Accurately (under load) direct on alignment rack.

Catering for other than showroom height conditions - day to day commuting encountering high cambered roads, fitting of wide profile tires / wheels, altered height through load carrying or lowering. Correctly resolving steering pull. Ongoing adjustment for curb knock damage.

Front Camber and Caster Adjuster kit #502916 K $480

Rear Camber (extra Toe) kit #502226 K $480

Delivery $30 Worldwide $20 each additional kit

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