Alignment in Austin TX?

icanhazbeast? · 2nd July 2012, 03:29

I'm looking for a quality alignment shop in Austin TX for the M5, preferably with a roadforce balancing machine. Past recommendations pointed at Soulspeed but they are now closed. I'm not enthusiastic about taking the car to Firestone and the like, and was hoping for a shop knowledgeable about suspension as I have a vibration to deal with....

Thanks for any pointers.

judoslamm3 · 31st July 2012, 21:57

Hey buddy, I just purchased a Carbon Black e39 M5 last month. I hope someone responds, I need to find a good place here in Atx to work my alignment too. I've found Walker Tire and Dr Beemer had decent reviews.

icanhazbeast? · 31st July 2012, 23:25

Good to see another Austinite on here.

I went to the Firestone in the Arbor Walk and paid the extra coin for "lifetime" alignment and wheel balance. The service manager spent some time with me going over the alignment results and said doing an alignment at oil change intervals isn't unreasonable. When I mentioned I do my own oil changes at 5000 miles I'm not sure that was what he was thinking, but he didn't toss me out the door either.

I'd prefer to use a local indy, but lifetime access to a road force balancing machine and decent alignment equipment sold me. That said, I use Paul's Motor Werks on 2222 for major maintenance and repairs and have been happy with them.

rao · 31st July 2012, 23:46

Doing an alignment at oil change intervals strikes me as a little extreme

, but to each his own.

Remember that in the front the ONLY adjustment is toe in.

icanhazbeast? · 1st August 2012, 06:00

Agreed, I'll probably do 15k intervals which is probably what the manager was thinking. They also mentioned the toe.

The wheel balancing I will take more frequent advantage of I imagine.

tradin1 · 1st August 2012, 06:41

I dont know of any shops in austin, but i would give boost logic a call and see who they use. I'm friends with the guys there and they can point you in the right direction.

I have texas track works do my alignments, but they are in fort worth, so i have alignments done when i go home.

-R

judoslamm3 · 1st August 2012, 13:26

Sounds like I have a few good options. Has anyone taken their car to Terry Sayther? I'm going to attempt DIY on most stuff, but just in case I get in over my head, i'd like to know if he's as good as I hear.

icanhazbeast? · 1st August 2012, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by judoslamm3

Sounds like I have a few good options. Has anyone taken their car to Terry Sayther? I'm going to attempt DIY on most stuff, but just in case I get in over my head, i'd like to know if he's as good as I hear.

I have not had any work completed by them but they are well known in the BMW community.

When my differential seals started leaking (a VERY common problem on M5s) I called or emailed a a handful of shops in town for estimates. I got this back from Sayther "....we really need to look at your car before talking about what is needed since differential output seals usually don't leak unless there is some other contributing factor [like overfilled fluid or axle out of place]." Given that the seal issue is well known and widespread I thought the reply was odd and opted not to take my car to them. Paul's Motor Werks gave me a on phone estimate for parts at cost and a fair labor rate.

If you need access to a Peake code reader (highly recommend purchasing one) or some help with DIY maintenance drop me a PM. I've done brake rebuilds and upgrades (Stoptech ST60 BBK is going on this weekend!), oil changes, belts/pulleys, CPSs, fuel filter, spark plugs, headlight adjusters, stereo upgrades, rear sway bar, interior part replacements, etc, etc, etc. I know the car pretty well at this point.

I tackle as much of the work as I feel comfortable doing myself and farm out things like the diff seals, bushings and bearings.

judoslamm3 · 2nd August 2012, 16:17

Yeah that sounds good. My best friend has a Dakkar E36 M3, and we have the ocassional garage day DIY at my house. Would be nice to see another beast in my driveway, plus another set of eyes to troubleshoot is always good. Would be nice to get all the Austin Ms together for a meet and take pics. I bought my car knowing that I need to replace the disintegrated magnaflow catalytic converter on the passenger side. Throwing P011 peak code and some other code i cant remember. So of course if have the SES light on. 2 weeks after buying her the passenger window regulator went out. After adding brake fluid the other day the brake light is still on and i have a message to "check brake lining". So i'm goign to be tackling those issues pretty soon, and probably take her to a muffler shop to replace the cat. I can't PM you, looks like I have to reach 45 posts in order to PM anyone.

ard · 2nd August 2012, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by icanhazbeast?

. They also mentioned the toe.

.

But what did the SET the toe to????