Wheel Alignment - is this correct info? | Wheels, Tyres, Brakes & Suspension (2024)

Afternoon all,

Just a quick one. I've ordered my new tyres to be fitted tomorrow through black circles. Thought I'd give the garage a call just to as if they could fit me in for a 4 wheel alignment. I mentioned that I have a C-class (w204 c250 CDI)

They said that they couldn't do it because they don't have a Romess machine and apparently anyone claiming that can do it wouldn't be doing it properly and it has to go to Merc?

Now I've never heard of this before and done a bit of googling and looks like a machine to set ride height? Isn't this to do with air suspension?

Any insights please guys?

Ta.

esscee said:

Wheels-in-Motion at Amersham are well regarded by many on this Forum.

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Yep I also second wheels in motion, used them for my previous W211, and my current W213, they know how to set up the mercs, they are an hours drive for me, but worth the drive.

Kwik Fit have Hunter Hawk Eye.

I had the wheel alignment adjust one one of our cars today. My preferred place couldn’t get the system to recognise the car, and Hunter still hadn’t responded to their query after 2 weeks so I took it elsewhere.

My preference would be to go to Wheels in Motion, but that’s a trek too far for me. My criteria was somewhere with a Hunter Hawk Eye, was not a nationwide chain, and which looked like a “professional” set up.

I could guess it would be in the £100-500+ range, depending on what needs to be adjusted.

If alignment is basically there when they check, I would expect the bottom end of the price.
If it needs new parts, e.g. adjustable camber or whatever bolts, then there's the cost of those, plus fitting and then fiddling around setting it up. As a premier alignment specialist, I think it would be reasonable to charge in the £100-200 an hour region. So the most simple outcome would be the lower end, and well, the sky's the limit depending on what you want or need doing.

As you suggest, a call will be best bet for a better guide, but it won't be £40 for a quick volume based chain garage job. And a good thing too

Bobby Dazzler said:

Kwik Fit have Hunter Hawk Eye.

I had the wheel alignment adjust one one of our cars today. My preferred place couldn’t get the system to recognise the car, and Hunter still hadn’t responded to their query after 2 weeks so I took it elsewhere.

My preference would be to go to Wheels in Motion, but that’s a trek too far for me. My criteria was somewhere with a Hunter Hawk Eye, was not a nationwide chain, and which looked like a “professional” set up.

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For reference, today I had a four wheel alignment in the Midlands it was free to check, and then adjustments were charged by axle if required.

It was £54 including VAT per axle. My car only need to be adjusted at the front - the rear was within specification - so I just paid £54 to check four wheels and adjust two.

The place I originally intended to use charges £72 to check and any adjustments are included.

I expect Wheels in Motion to charge more. A similar place - Centre of Gravity - quoted me £375 but I’m sure would have been next level given their attention to detail.

Bobby Dazzler said:

For reference, today I had a four wheel alignment in the Midlands it was free to check, and then adjustments were charged by axle if required.

It was £54 including VAT per axle. My car only need to be adjusted at the front - the rear was within specification - so I just paid £54 to check four wheels and adjust two.

The place I originally intended to use charges £72 to check and any adjustments are included.

I expect Wheels in Motion to charge more. A similar place - Centre of Gravity - quoted me £375 but I’m sure would have been next level given their attention to detail.

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C of G has a super reputation with Porsche aficionados but they are next level, from what I understand. You don't need the level of set up they offer for your vehicle.

WiM is excellent and the initial set up cost me about £170 with or without VAT, I don't recall. However, they do say that quality is remembered long after cost has been forgotten. In my case, the cost was increased because of the supply of eccentric bolts required in order to adjust the castor. They are official MB parts though and this is the difference that they offer, where other conventional alignment places with a hunter won't have the adjustment available.

Bobby Dazzler said:

For reference, today I had a four wheel alignment in the Midlands it was free to check, and then adjustments were charged by axle if required.

It was £54 including VAT per axle. My car only need to be adjusted at the front - the rear was within specification - so I just paid £54 to check four wheels and adjust two.

The place I originally intended to use charges £72 to check and any adjustments are included.

I expect Wheels in Motion to charge more. A similar place - Centre of Gravity - quoted me £375 but I’m sure would have been next level given their attention to detail.

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Which place was this in the Midlands?

Martin 1 said:

Hi, £50 to £80, any more they're crooks.

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Okay, so how much is a set of adjustable bolts to allow proper setup of the wheel alignment?

And then existing bolts might be siezed/difficult to get out.
And then there is the training and equipment costs to cover.

So, from £50, just how much profit are they making from the job, and how long do you think all of that will take?

Hah! you got me. It was a good wind up

Martin 1 said:

Hi, £50 to £80, any more they're crooks.

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bolidemichael said:

C of G has a super reputation with Porsche aficionados but they are next level, from what I understand. You don't need the level of set up they offer for your vehicle.

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Yes, it was through Porsche circles that I first came across them. Very impressive service but not for the average road car, and not for the average budget!

Just getting my tyres fitted now.

Thought I'd give them another chance as I can see the Hawkeye machine in their workshop and they may have misunderstood me on the phone yesterday.

Nope, can't (won't) do it because it needs Romess machine.

Phoned another local, trusted tyre place and have it booked in with them in an hour's time.

Maybe these guys don't need the work?