Front End Alignment Questions (archive)

I've taken my M5 to several repair shops (not BMW) to have the front end alignment checked or adjusted. I receive two types of responses. One place said they cannot perform the alignment because they don't have the means to place the weights inside the car like BMW recommends (I think it is 150 lbs in driver's seat; 150 lbs in each rear seat .... or something like that). The other place just blindly said that can't do BMWs. I understand that on the 535i, the only adjustment that can be made is the tow-in, correct?

How does BMW accomplish weighting of the car? Do they pull on the frame from the bottom side with load cells? Do they gather up extra mechanics around the shop to have them sit in the car (exactly 150 lb. mechanics, that is) ? Is the alignment with the added weight really necessary?

What does everyone else do? I'm sure there are many non-BMW shops doing alignments to these cars.

Thanks for your help.

-Wayne

Follow Ups:

Re: Front End Alignment Questions Neil Deshpande 22:42 9/08/2001 (0)

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