The NTB in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Danvers</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">MA</st1:State></st1:place> is the WORST place on earth. Here's my story.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I own a 2001 Black 330CI with the Sport/Winter Package<o:p></o:p>
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April of this year I went in to get my alignment checked out and get my summer rims balanced. When I entered the store, they showed me that the front tires were getting close to needing to be replaced as well as the other items listed above. I agreed to replace all 4 tires (Yokohoma AVS) with new tires, get the car aligned and get everything balanced. It set me back about 600 - 800 bucks, but as I drove off I felt like I would be good on the new tires for a while. <o:p></o:p>
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Here I sit, December of the same year kicking myself for even entering that awful place. <o:p></o:p>
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I went back there about two weeks ago because the car was pulling all over the place. The Rep told me that the car was out of alignment, and it caused the front tires to wear to the point of being replaced. <o:p></o:p>
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I gave him the whole 9 yards. Telling him that I was there not but a few months ago getting the car aligned, and getting all new tires. He said, "You know these New England Roads!" To which I responded, "Ya my 3 mile commute is a real bumpy one." Anyways, I agreed to come back and get the car aligned and get new front tires...After all, who doesn't like spending 1000 on tires over the course of 4 months right? <o:p></o:p>
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This morning I went back to get the tires mounted and the alignment re-checked. The counter guy told me that I couldn't have the alignment done because the control arms and bushings needed to be replaced. <o:p></o:p>
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Now I'm not sure what "type of bus" he arrived to work on, but I was pretty sure that the control arms were ok. I explained to him that in June I had both control arms and bushings done. He stayed firm on the fact that they were spent and needed to be replaced before any alignment could be done. <o:p></o:p>
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I was so pissed off at this point of my morning (p.s. it's only 7:45am at this point) that I drove directly over to BMW. The tech was very nice and cleared my front end of all defects and sent me on my way at no charge. The BMW mechanic said that the movement that the NTB was claiming was causing tire wear was totally normal. Apparently BMW's have a lot of movement in the front end. I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion (it's 9:00 am at this point). He said the same thing. He said everything looked ok. <o:p></o:p>
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UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So to make a long story short, I've dropped another 250 on tires and the car is still all over the place. I've also got two opinions saying that the front end is ok, and the alignment shouldn't be a problem. <o:p></o:p>
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(By the way, when the mechanics put my rims back on the car, they left hand marks and grease prints all over the rims, and didn't clean them.)<o:p></o:p>
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NTB, I’m sorry but you're wrong on this one, and I'm telling everyone that I can the following advice: IF YOUR BMW, OR ANY CAR IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND NEEDS WORK, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. IF YOUR CAR NEEDS NEW TIRES, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. <o:p></o:p>
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Apparently if you need to replace the tires on your car, you should simply just replace the entire car. <o:p></o:p>
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The only good thing that came out of today was learning about Turner Motorsports. They are about an hour from where I am now, and will be performing my alignment. I heard that I should bring my wallet because they have a <st1:place w:st="on">LOT</st1:place> of awesome cool stuff there for 330's. <o:p></o:p>
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Ladies and Gents, thanks for hearing my rant, and please take my advice. <o:p></o:p>
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P.S. Before NTB was NTB, it was called NTW. NTW stands for No Training What-so-ever!<o:p></o:p>
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HMM this seems crazy.. sorry that happened to you

That DOES suck. I know the BMW dealerships are expensive, but it can be cheaper than having a novice shop work on it more than once. "Billy Bob" at NTB must of figured you had deep pockets. I hope it works out.

That sounds about on-par for NTB.

NTB scratched my wheel mounting a tire (225/45 on 17x7.5) and massively overtorqued the wheels (broke a craftsman 3/8" ratchet trying to get it off). Tirerack has a list of recommended installers, I used that the last time i needed a balance.