Alignment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 52
Alignment
I got a $140 quote from the Lexus dealer, for a 4 wheel alignment on my 2011 IS 350 AWD. I also got a quote from a local BrakesPlus store for, at $60. I understand that you often get what you pay for, but this is an alignment. Can anyone help me understand what value the dealer could add to a simple alignment, that would make it worth an extra $80? Or even $40 .... or $20? I can't think of a single thing.
Well you can ask the dealer what they are giving you for $140. Just an alignment is not worth $140, but they may also calibrate the steering ECU after alignment. Whether or not this is necessary is up for debate, I lean towards not necessary, so I'd get the $60 alignment.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: TX
I'd just save the money and get the $60 alignment. I got mine done at a very reputable shop and they had all the correct gear to do it and I can tell right after I drove it. Lexus quoted me the same thing while waiting for a 20,000 maintenance done from warranty but I told them naw. Very happy with my $60 alignment. The place I went to here in Houston Texas actually shows you the improvement numbers on each wheels after the alignment has been completed.
Ask to look at the equipment the "budget-friendly" shop uses and ask what they use to hold the steering wheel straight doing the alignment process.
My local Lexus dealership has an in-ground state-of-the-art Hunter rack with all the latest and greatest gadgets for it. Heck, they do alignments for the $130k Porsches for the dealer next-door. Good enough for 911 turbos, good enough for me!
Just how I see it.
My local Lexus dealership has an in-ground state-of-the-art Hunter rack with all the latest and greatest gadgets for it. Heck, they do alignments for the $130k Porsches for the dealer next-door. Good enough for 911 turbos, good enough for me!
Just how I see it.
^ what he said. Those new Hunter racks are so cool!
On a side note, after I got springs installed by Tommy @ musicbox, I went to get an alignment. No changes were necessary. Even after I got coils installed by Tommy, I got another alignment and to my surprise, no changes were necessarily made. Does this say something about the installer?
On a side note, after I got springs installed by Tommy @ musicbox, I went to get an alignment. No changes were necessary. Even after I got coils installed by Tommy, I got another alignment and to my surprise, no changes were necessarily made. Does this say something about the installer?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 558
Likes: 10
From: 2015 GS350 San Antonio, TX
go to one of those shops that do lifetime alignments for $140 or so. With the IS you will need alignments every 6 moths for sure.
Last edited by carlos3366; Jul 13, 2014 at 09:00 AM. Reason: sp
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I run a shop in North Houston (Conroe Area). We do our alignments for 89.99 and most alignments we also re-calibrate the steering angle sensor (if applicable). $140 is way to much for a basic alignment. Just my opinion.
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