Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

mechanic likes my new bimmer vert

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 25, 2015 | 05:55 AM
  #1  
chikoo's Avatar
chikoo
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 6
From: TX
Default mechanic likes my new bimmer vert

Wanted to share my latest experience with mechanics, and their love for a good car when they get their hands on one.

Most of you know I just gifted myself a 2005 BMW 330Ci ZHP convertible. After driving around, I figured I need a wheel alignment. So took it to the neighborhood Firestone where I take my other vehicles, i.e. Lexus, Mercedes , Mazda. Upon handing the keys over to them, I walk over to the work bays and see that the technician has taken it for a spin. Ok. No worries. Then he puts it up and does the wheel alignment and after that he takes it out for another spin to check if everything is ok. No problems again. Except that they NEVER did this with any of my other vehicles, or the other vehicles that were there for an alignment.

Can't blame them for not being able to resist the urge to take a spin. I couldn't and which is why I ended up buying it.

Happy Friday!

Last edited by chikoo; Sep 25, 2015 at 05:58 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2015 | 07:54 AM
  #2  
bagwell's Avatar
bagwell
Lexus Champion
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
Default

Because (in theory) they test drive beforehand to see if it was pulling left or right.......and then after they aligned it, they test drive to make sure it was done right and doesn't pull.

I've given up on firestone shti alignments... had to take 3 cars back because they pulled to the right worse than before....I'm done with them.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2015 | 09:44 AM
  #3  
chikoo's Avatar
chikoo
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 6
From: TX
Default

I got my IS250 done last week, and they did a great job on it. The BMW still needs some fine tuning and heading back today.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2015 | 09:48 AM
  #4  
jwong77's Avatar
jwong77
Pole Position
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 40
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by chikoo
I got my IS250 done last week, and they did a great job on it. The BMW still needs some fine tuning and heading back today.
I think its hit and miss with Firestone. Luckily the one near me has aligned my cars pretty well over the years.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2015 | 01:27 PM
  #5  
chikoo's Avatar
chikoo
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 6
From: TX
Default

Just came back from the Firestone that had done a great job with my IS. They were able to align the BMW to my expectations just as good (woohoo) despite the fact that they came clear beforehand that they do not have the "tools" for a BMW alignment. Does anybody know what tools they are talking about?
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2015 | 01:40 PM
  #6  
lalexusgs's Avatar
lalexusgs
Advanced
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 687
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

I also had Firestone and other alignment shops telling me they cant do a proper alignment to BMWs. But in my case they were not referring to any special tools, just said their equipment is not capable to align BMWs to BMW specs.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2015 | 07:01 PM
  #7  
bagwell's Avatar
bagwell
Lexus Champion
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
Default

They were able to align the BMW to my expectations just as good (woohoo) despite the fact that they came clear beforehand that they do not have the "tools" for a BMW alignment. Does anybody know what tools they are talking about?
Umm the alignment tools (machine)
LOL!!!!
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2015 | 01:53 AM
  #8  
freezingco's Avatar
freezingco
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: CA
Default

I would be pissed if they did that to my cars....
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2015 | 09:36 AM
  #9  
GSteg's Avatar
GSteg
Rookie
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,018
Likes: 81
From: CA
Default

I have Firestone lifetime alignment for my GS, but I haven't used it in years. Same story though. They said they need to test drive the car around to make sure the alignment is okay. Funny, they never asked to drive my father's old Camry around the block.... To top it off, the GS was still pulling after their 'test drive'. I went home and did my own alignment. It drives straight now.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2015 | 11:02 AM
  #10  
bagwell's Avatar
bagwell
Lexus Champion
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
Default

I think the thread title should be changed to "shtty Firestone alignment stories"
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2015 | 11:07 AM
  #11  
chikoo's Avatar
chikoo
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 6
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by bagwell
I think the thread title should be changed to "shtty Firestone alignment stories"
My original title was " I don't know what the title should be"
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2015 | 08:56 PM
  #12  
pman6's Avatar
pman6
Racer
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 20
From: CALIFORNIA
Default

Originally Posted by GSteg
I went home and did my own alignment. It drives straight now.
string method?
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2015 | 06:59 PM
  #13  
chikoo's Avatar
chikoo
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 6
From: TX
Default

and it happens again...this time at the BMW dealer. I went in to discuss some service options. As I pulled in, the service "host" takes down the odo, gets my service advisor name, and then the valet kid comes up to pull the car into the parking spot. But instead I watch him take a spin around the huge parking lot (where cars & coffee is hosted) and then finally comes around parks the car, and then walks up to me and asks "ZHP eh?" I nod in agreement, and he responds "This is pristine condition. Love it".
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
VQT
LX - 3rd Gen (2008-2021)
18
Sep 28, 2022 06:07 AM
maximakid
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
7
Mar 11, 2013 04:48 PM
PlacidBoi
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
3
May 3, 2012 10:31 PM
ADVocate
GX - 1st Gen (2003-2009)
13
Apr 21, 2008 06:32 AM
joshoowa
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
5
Apr 20, 2006 07:03 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:56 PM.