About to have new tires purchased for 2020 gle350. I’ve seen where alignments for bmw’s are very complex needing weights inserted into the car etc. does this vehicle have any unusual requirements? Is it necessary to take it to Benz dealer service or is it a straight forward 4wheel alignment that can be performed at a tire merchant?

 

checking again if our experts have any insights?

 

There is no need to have your wheels aligned just because you changed tires, IMO. Did your old tires wear unevenly? Does your car pull to one side on flat ground? Have you hit an object or potholes hard enough to be concerned?
You might ask your Dealer or call a competent Alignment Company to see wheat they say!

 

When I acquire a new-to-me Mercedes, my practice has been to do one alignment, at the dealership... Not immediately, but at least before my next set of tires, for good measure.

I choose to do the alignment mostly for peace of mind, even if the vehicle isn't obviously misbehaving. I just like knowing that it's correct. But I only do this once, principally because I don't know how the vehicle was driven before me.

In your case, if you've owned the vehicle since new, there may be no compelling reason to pay $200+ for the alignment work. Especially, as @Ron.s pointed out above, if you're not experiencing anything indicative of a problem.

Hope that helps!

 

Amazing but true - On the GLE the often quoted re assuring Full Front & Rear ‘4’ wheel alignment IS NOW ONLY BASIC TOE “DIRECTIONAL” ADJUSTMENT !
THERE IS NO LONGER - Front Camber and Caster or Rear Camber essential to adjust tire contact angles spread load more evenly. New car industry’s best kept secret.

Ex-factory Camber is now set at showroom height. It is all to do with cost cutting and ever increasing speed of new car assembly lines. The onus back on owners to fund premature tire replacement.

Nothing to cater for day to day commuting encountering excessive edge tire wear through load carrying or lowering. Or excess passengers side edge wear through high cambered roads. Fitting wide profile tires or just having ongoing adjustment capability for curb knock damage.

SEE SPOILER RE W167, V167, GLE, GLS FRONT & REAR BOLT-ON KITS.



AUDI to VOLVO - K-MAC Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings Since 1964 !

 

@K-Mac I like my camber just as it is!

I'll accept the improved handling and sacrifice 2,000 mi of rear tire wear.
Otherwise, I would have bought a different car.

 

Can’t blame a guy for peddling his wares!

 

Yes it is an expensive purchase - yet you’re content, not unhappy to discover only have basic Toe settings. No ongoing Front or Rear Camber adjustment facility to cater for other then showroom height conditions !



AUDI to VOLVO - K-MAC Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings Since 1964 !

 

Yes, I am. No need to comment on my happiness, though.

If anything, I'd add more camber to the front, but only for 1% of my driving. The other 99% I would be wearing out tires faster than I want and making my handling too jittery.

I also don't want to insert any potential movement into my forged aluminum AMG suspension parts.

 

So is it a straight forward alignment most tire shops can do, or is,it like some bmws where weights have to be added into the car and more complexity?

 

GLE V167 “FULL ALIGNMENT” IS NOW ONLY “TOE IN OR TOE” OUT (DIRECTIONAL) ADJUSTMENT !

Background is last 40 or so years obtaining Camber, Caster adjustment has been quite labor intensive. Requiring time consuming removal of control arms. Pressing out suspension bush. Then pressing in a replacement offset bush at a particular clock setting Example 1 O’Clock for one degree. 3 O’Clock for 1.5 degrees.

Refitting arms / trialing on alignment rack. Then having to repeat entire procedure if setting change needed.

GONE ARE THOSE DAYS K-MAC CHANGED ALL THAT. UNIQUE PATENTED DESIGN BREAKTHROUGH - bush extraction / insertion tools provided and with no other special tools needed, or for arm removal PLUS EASY ACCESS ULTIMATE PRECISE SINGLE WRENCH ADJUSTMENT ACCURATE “UNDER LOAD” DIRECT ON ALIGNMENT RACK !

Whether catering for excess passenger side premature edge tire wear through high cambered roads. Rear wheel squat through load carrying or Lowering height / Roll center for improve handling / safety.




AUDI to VOLVO - K-MAC Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings Since 1964 !

 

The alignment is straightforward, but the adapters may not be correct for their alignment equipment.

The factory alignment adapters are more precise, since they insert through the small holes in the wheel and mate directly with the appropriate surfaces.

Most tire/alignment shops provide free "checks." In my experience, they are seldom repeatable. I go to the Dealer.
MB shops are also required to have Road Force Balancers, giving a better chance of balancing the first time. Hunter 9100 or better.

 

Thanks. Kmac you can rest now

 

Yes that's right!! - as general opinion is "surely such a expensive model there simply must be full Front & Rear OEM adjustment" !




AUDI to VOLVO - K-MAC Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings Since 1964 !

 

It’s ok kmac….the show is over

 

did you end up getting wheel alignment done at an independent shop or at dealer? I also have a 2020 as well and was told I need new tires soon. rear ones more so than the front but should do them altogether. how many miles are you

also getting up getting new brale pads and rotors. did you get them replaced yet?