efivefiveamg

Anyone have a good recommendation for an indy alignment shop near OC or LA? Don't want to go to dealer, indy only.

TIA

efivefiveamg

Anyone? I've searched the forum without finding anything. I've also searched the web and found a few places but I'd rather go with a forum recommendation than internet reviews. Need to get this done ASAP. Thanks.

Vic55

You can try Stuttgart Performance in Costa Mesa--- they do all my work on the 997TT. Their machine is top notch.

I would get my GTR done there but the dealer does it for free.

Click Here

grimm

I recommend West End Alignment

18008 S Vermont Ave
Gardena, CA 90248

(310) 808-9233

efivefiveamg

Thanks, Vic -- I'm going to swing by SP after work.

grimm -- has West End aligned your E55? Do they have SDS?

220S

+1 million on West End. The guy is brilliant. He preps a lot of race team cars. It's about a 2 week waiting list, but he's an absolute perfectionist. And yet prices are very reasonable. It's him and him only doing all the work.

I had him corner balance my Porsche and he was super meticulous about it all.

dkindrumr

+1 on WEA

efivefiveamg

Thx all, I've got an appt. with WEA soon (I guess I was lucky but he had an opening on short notice). I'll let you know how it goes.

BenzoBoi

I've heard GREAT things about West End. I have a few track guys who swear by him. Hopefully I'll be going to them in the future sometime!

pearlpower

Bumping this up; did OP get your alignment? If so, through who? Results? Price? Thanks

efivefiveamg

PP - thx for bumping this up and reminding me that I meant to report back.

I went to West End and they are top notch. I've never had a better alignment. Call them for a price but IIRC it was approx. $100. They're a father/son team (Darin/Chris) and they are extremely knowledgable and friendly. Call ahead though as they're typically booked days/weeks out. LMK if you have any other questions.

220S

Glad to hear it worked out at West End. I've taken all my cars there and will never go anywhere else. Darin is brilliant. Talk about a guy who knows his stuff and takes it very seriously.

I never met Chris. Is he really his father? I haven't been there for about a year. When the race season starts there can be a 3 week waiting list.

efivefiveamg

^IIRC Chris is Darin's son.

220S

Cool. I didn't know he had a son. I did hear some people 'complaining' that a 'new guy' was doing some of the work and that he was Darin's 'student.' But I'm sure he's being taught well. Good to see he's interested in his Dad's work and might carry the torch eventually.

Cirilian

I know everyone is raving about west end but, I just got off the phone with them and asked about the use of a spreader bar. They don't use one. I'm not saying that they don't know what they're doing but don't our cars require the spreader bar for a correct toe adjustment? I have seen arguments from people saying that it's not necessary but once you understand what it does, how can you argue that it doesn't give you a more precise toe adjustment?

TonyC

I've been taking the Benz (and the rather low S2000) to Temple City Auto for the last 3 years:

9237 Lower Azusa Rd. # N
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 287-6417

A lot of the ricer kids with slammed suspensions visit them, so they're use to difficult setups.

pearlpower

Does you car have airbags? I have been told by many that is the reason shops will not touch it and may do not even have a listing for our cars.

BerBer63

west end was awesome. Chris is darin's son and I believe they did you a spreader bar and they paint the tires to do toe? Either way great guys, great work, I just wish they recorded my alignment values for future adjustments because I have no idea what I'm running. I asked, but I guess they forgot

Cirilian

I must have talked to the son when I called? When I asked him over the phone, if they used a spreader bar, his response was "What's that for?" After I explained what it was and why it's used, he said, "Oh yeah, I know what that is, we don't use it, we can do the alignment without it." I am not debating weather or not an alignment can be performed without the use of a spreader bar. What I'm simply saying is that using one allows for a better dynamic toe setting, as in when you're not standing still. I just have some concerns about West End if they don't know what a spreader bar is?

pearlpower

Agree. Will know soon enough when Io call.

_AMG_

I recently got my alignment done at Globe tire & Motorsports on La Cienega. Great service and price.

pearlpower

Mind sharing how much, hate to drive my car there, but might if need be

220S

Next time ask to specifically talk to Darin Nishimura. He absolutely does know what he's doing. He preps track cars for lots of people every season and has an extremely excellent reputation. I hate to see his name get dragged through the mud for something that may have been a misunderstanding or miscommunication, etc..

His son is learning the business and no doubt has a lot to learn, but Darin is an incredibly smart guy. If Darin does the alignment, you have nothing to worry about. He'll set up the car the way you want it, depending on your style of driving. He's aligned and corner balanced my Porsches for years. But it's very possible he may not be the best choice for a sedan like a big E Class, I dunno. But at least talk to him about it.

He's no dummy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGC1IlRtoMw

Cirilian

I hope I didn't come off like I was flaming West End. It's obvious the guy knows what he's doing, I was just expressing some concerns in getting my benz aligned. I do have an appointment with them for next week. I'll report back.

krztaco

Clark's House of Suspension in Lake Forest, Orange County CA.

I"ve been to Clark for over 15 years now. He's worked on my Porsche Boxster S, 2 Toyota Trucks I've had on air bags (in my college low riding days), my GSR sedan lowered integra, and definitely my E55 that I'll be picking up here in the next few weeks.