View Full Version : Alignment Question


tallen32
11-15-2007, 07:07 AM
Just curious about alignment. When I picked up my 335i coupe my SA told me alignment is covered for 1200 miles. I have 900 miles on it right now and am not sure if I really have a problem or im just crazy. If my steering wheel is level the car goes straight. If I let it go by itself, the car will sometimes stray to the left after a few seconds and also sometimes to the right. But it seems to do it more to the left. Also sometimes it will go for a few hundred feet straight but only on the freeway. Am I crazy or do I need alignment?

mryakan
11-15-2007, 12:31 PM
Most probably it is following the imperfections in the road, esp. the left lane which tends to be banked left ever so slightly. This seems to be more noticeable in BMWs maybe due to their default alignment setting and also the wider profile tires contribute to some tramlining effect. Find a decent flat stretch of local/back road that doesn't experience any traffic and try it out there, if the car stays straight, then it is not an alignment issue. You can always take it in, but it could be a hassle for no reason? Am I safe to assume this is your 1st BMW? (I had the same reaction when I got my 1st).

aftp302
11-15-2007, 03:25 PM
Also sometimes it will go for a few hundred feet straight but only on the freeway. Am I crazy or do I need alignment?

From this statement, it sounds like your alignment is fine and you're just experiencing tramlining like Mryakan said. It happens on all cars, but is much more noticeable on these cars due to the tire/suspension setup.

tallen32
11-15-2007, 05:19 PM
I was curious since our roads tend to crown and I drive in the fast lane if my front left tire will wear more than my front right. If alignment is ok then could it be tire air pressure.