[fullsmoke]

The time limit I was given was around 2000 miles or 6 months from delivery. I would notify them immediately if you notice it. One dealership denied my claim that it came from factory like that.

However, the point of this thread is to see if the rear eccentric bolts NEEDED to be replaced with new ones. Can anyone dig up their alignment receipt/invoice to see if they replaced the rear eccentric bolts? Would really appreciate that…

[Derko1]

Originally Posted by Shadak

I would at least let them know, depending on the dealer, they might say you did "something" while driving it for a month. Mine was corrected after some weeks but I told them the next day.

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I had one new car that turned out to have an alignment problem. That's what I get for not test driving it. I would have noted it right away.

But I drove the car a hundred or more miles just to be sure. When I was sure I was back at the dealer a few days later. Got the car aligned — alignment was off the tech was all over the car making adjustments — and after the alignment was superb.

So my advice is get the car in ASAP. My concern is if you wait too long the alignment problem could be blamed on something you did. I don't know what the rules are and it differs I'm sure but some brands of cars, some dealers, allow alignment issues to be addressed under warranty for a very limited time.

I will reach out to them tomorrow. Ask for a loaner and maybe I'll be closer to the 1200 miles at that point to have the service done in one shot.

[fullsmoke]

Originally Posted by M2siast

I can confirm you’re the only one who were informed new bolts were needed. It’s not something that’s needed in general. I got the alignment done and nothing else.

Thanks, but damn. Now I’m nervous. I’ve never had a car alignment that needed new bolts. Something is fishy…

[miiipilot]

Another update
It's been a week since my interaction with BMW Customer Relations, and it's radio silence

They said the Service Manager will be in contact. Nothing

When you have to follow up your own follow up, they don't really care. Left a message with the case manager but the person I spoke to said the cases have been reviewed and I won't be receiving assistance on their end

Utterly disappointed and amazed. I guess now I am looking for goodwill since they won't do what's right

Shameful

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by miiipilot

Another update
It's been a week since my interaction with BMW Customer Relations, and it's radio silence

They said the Service Manager will be in contact. Nothing

When you have to follow up your own follow up, they don't really care. Left a message with the case manager but the person I spoke to said the cases have been reviewed and I won't be receiving assistance on their end

Utterly disappointed and amazed. I guess now I am looking for goodwill since they won't do what's right

Shameful

DO not relent. Make a major fuss and tell them they are leaving your few options outside of Legal assistance. The dealership is inept and unresponsive etc. Send BMW Corporate a nice letter both nationally and regionally. Tell them your comments and situation are now fully public on social media, you will name the dealer etc. Describe how not premium, a PREMIUM brand is treating you.

I never leave my dealer in Germany with a new BMW that is not perfectly aligned. My dealer knows that and ensures they correct any alignment issues( all new BMW's I have bought were out of alignment in the rear), before they get 1 euro from me. This is a premium car and brand. Being nice goes only so far. Do not let this go. Its utter bollocks to put it mildly. Time to name the dealer, the BMW reps etc.

They have your money and need to provide EXACTLY what you paid for. NO bloody excuse. ZERO!

[T4dey]

Adding my experience-

I also noticed my steering wheel was turned slightly left right at delivery.

I didn’t say anything immediately to my dealer but mentioned it at the brake in service. Without pushback they scheduled the alignment service. That service just competed today covered under warranty successfully.

[LCDRJohn]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDrop

I also have this exact same problem. Currently 1300 miles in, steering is ever so slightly skewed to the left. My dealership covered alignment for the first time but issue still persists. Now they are asking 219 for another alignment kinda bummer since it came from factory like this.

Same here, I had the first alignment and it seems that it is not as bad, but I am still always moving the steering wheel to the left. It is somewhat speed dependent, and worse at 25-40mph than at 65mph.

Heck, I'd be willing to pay the $200 to get the alignment done right at this point! LOL! But what irks me is that when they do the first "Fix", they should give us a printout of the before/after. If they only do a 5 min adj of the front tie rods, it won't fix rear toe or camber issues, which also can ruin alignement...

[DeadlyDrop]

Originally Posted by LCDRJohn

Same here, I had the first alignment and it seems that it is not as bad, but I am still always moving the steering wheel to the left. It is somewhat speed dependent, and worse at 25-40mph than at 65mph.

Heck, I'd be willing to pay the $200 to get the alignment done right at this point! LOL! But what irks me is that when they do the first "Fix", they should give us a printout of the before/after. If they only do a 5 min adj of the front tie rods, it won't fix rear toe or camber issues, which also can ruin alignement...

Wow, you brought up a good point about the speed very interesting! I never paid attention to the speed when it's happening. But now I think about it, higher the speed less noticeable it is for sure.

Unfortunately, I have to travel 2 hours (140miles or so) to the nearest dealership, and I constantly checked my alignment on the way there. And to my surprise it seemed like it was centered, or maybe ever so slightly off to the point it's kind of hard to tell... car is pretty sensitive to steering input from dead center and it made me to question myself because every time I correct the steering it would respond so sensitively and it would confuse my judgement because car tracks straight without steering input and steering is centered when I let go of the wheel. This was all done cruising at 80 mph.

Now I am not sure anymore lol... I ended up not doing alignment and just did break in service. I was not confident in dealerships ability to fix this issue and also thought it was little pricy for regular alignment job. I will probably drive little more and see how it does and if issue gets worse or persists, I might give indy shop specialized in bmw a shot.

I also questioned if it can be affected by brand new tires? Maybe tires need to wear little bit before alignment settles in? I know it sounds not plausible, but steering is just SOOOO slightly off to the point that it can be anything you know haha.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDrop

Wow, you brought up a good point about the speed very interesting! I never paid attention to the speed when it's happening. But now I think about it, higher the speed less noticeable it is for sure.

Unfortunately, I have to travel 2 hours (140miles or so) to the nearest dealership, and I constantly checked my alignment on the way there. And to my surprise it seemed like it was centered, or maybe ever so slightly off to the point it's kind of hard to tell... car is pretty sensitive to steering input from dead center and it made me to question myself because every time I correct the steering it would respond so sensitively and it would confuse my judgement because car tracks straight without steering input and steering is centered when I let go of the wheel. This was all done cruising at 80 mph.

Now I am not sure anymore lol... I ended up not doing alignment and just did break in service. I was not confident in dealerships ability to fix this issue and also thought it was little pricy for regular alignment job. I will probably drive little more and see how it does and if issue gets worse or persists, I might give indy shop specialized in bmw a shot.

I also questioned if it can be affected by brand new tires? Maybe tires need to wear little bit before alignment settles in? I know it sounds not plausible, but steering is just SOOOO slightly off to the point that it can be anything you know haha.

Tires have adapted to the alignment in 1200 miles.

BTW, just bought a 2024 BMW 230i xDrive today. On test drive I noticed the steering wheel was not centered. I pointed this out to the salesman and during prep the tech put the car on the rack and centered the steering wheel.

Don't even have 100 miles on the car yet but it feels pretty darn good.

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Tires have adapted to the alignment in 1200 miles.

BTW, just bought a 2024 BMW 230i xDrive today. On test drive I noticed the steering wheel was not centered. I pointed this out to the salesman and during prep the tech put the car on the rack and centered the steering wheel.

Don't even have 100 miles on the car yet but it feels pretty darn good.

Again - another example for the OP in this thread to literally DEMAND this be fixed by BMW/Dealer. This is not hard to do and no care should EVER be delivered with such a noticeable defect. Its just a lazy dealer making things worse for a caring customer. Oh and BMW if you are reading this - FIX IT!

[apez]

Realized today my wheel is also not aligned. Car feels fine but I kept finding myself almost off the road to the right coming out of corners. Realized it is definitely the wheel off by a good 10 or 15 degrees to the left.

Car feels like it tracks fine though, and I do have a full report from HAS install.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by apez

Realized today my wheel is also not aligned. Car feels fine but I kept finding myself almost off the road to the right coming out of corners. Realized it is definitely the wheel off by a good 10 or 15 degrees to the left.

Car feels like it tracks fine though, and I do have a full report from HAS install.

The alignment can be fine. Just the steering wheel wasn't centered when the car was aligned. The steering wheel can be centered *without* another complete alignment. At least this is my experience with other cars.

[Shadak]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

The alignment can be fine. Just the steering wheel wasn't centered when the car was aligned. The steering wheel can be centered *without* another complete alignment. At least this is my experience with other cars.

it should be, when i had mine done the tech said if i feel like its still a bit to the side they can move it by how much id want

[Sebis]

My steering wheel is not aligned as well, just discovered earlier this week thanks to this thread. Planning to stopping by the dealer next week.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

The alignment can be fine. Just the steering wheel wasn't centered when the car was aligned. The steering wheel can be centered *without* another complete alignment. At least this is my experience with other cars.

Mechanically the steering wheel centre point can be set with even adjustment of the tie rod ends either side, but the steering rack reference point for when the wheels are pointing straight ahead needs to be re-learned / reset. This may require ISTA or an equivalent tool.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Mechanically the steering wheel centre point can be set with even adjustment of the tie rod ends either side, but the steering rack reference point for when the wheels are pointing straight ahead needs to be re-learned / reset. This may require ISTA or an equivalent tool.

Have not encountered that with my BMWs. But save for the steering wheel centering done before I picked up the 230i none of my BMWs has had any steering/alignment work.

Did encounter this with my Porsche Turbo, though. Long story short while the steering angle sensor might need to be reset even though I removed the old (bad) battery and replaced it with a new battery there was no alert/message regarding the sensor. Apparently I was quick enough with the battery swap the sensor didn't lose its setting. Back at the dealer in talking with the tech he told me even if the sensor alert had come on with some driving (I don't recall him stating how much some driving was) it would reset on its own.

'course, that doesn't mean the BMW steering angle sensor would reset on its own.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Have not encountered that with my BMWs. But save for the steering wheel centering done before I picked up the 230i none of my BMWs has had any steering/alignment work.

Did encounter this with my Porsche Turbo, though. Long story short while the steering angle sensor might need to be reset even though I removed the old (bad) battery and replaced it with a new battery there was no alert/message regarding the sensor. Apparently I was quick enough with the battery swap the sensor didn't lose its setting. Back at the dealer in talking with the tech he told me even if the sensor alert had come on with some driving (I don't recall him stating how much some driving was) it would reset on its own.

'course, that doesn't mean the BMW steering angle sensor would reset on its own.

I don't have access to the current ISTA, but the EPS may be self-learning from a centre perspective. Any BMW with hydraulic steering in the past that has a steering angle sensor and DSC (basically E-series cars) needs a steering angle sensor calibration if the tie (track) rod ends are adjusted more than about 1/6 of a turn asymmetrically.

On my Z4M after a small adjustment to centre the steering wheel I ended up with DSC and ABS systems disabled due to a wheel sensor mismatch error, as the ECU thought the car was turning (due to the steering angle sensor input) when it was being driven in a straight line.

[miiipilot]

Hopefully final update

Took it to another dealership across town.

They were great. No attempt to circumvent the warranty. Complete acquiescence. Empathetic commonsense

I have no idea how far the measurements were outta whack but here goes:
LEFT FRONT TOE -0.2mm
LEFT REAR TOE +0.3mm
FRONT STEER AHEAD. -0.9

As I was typing this, my car manager from BMW said He ran it up every flagpole and is pleading with the offending dealer to do anything to make me happy. Disappointed but it's all good now

Thank again for all your input people

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by miiipilot

Hopefully final update

Took it to another dealership across town.

They were great. No attempt to circumvent the warranty. Complete acquiescence. Empathetic commonsense

I have no idea how far the measurements were outta whack but here goes:
LEFT FRONT TOE -0.2mm
LEFT REAR TOE +0.3mm
FRONT STEER AHEAD. -0.9

As I was typing this, my car manager from BMW said He ran it up every flagpole and is pleading with the offending dealer to do anything to make me happy. Disappointed but it's all good now

Thank again for all your input people

Good for you!

The numbers don't mean anything to me. I like to get a *before* and *after* printout. This has graphics that show the perfect settings, what the settings are. But if the car feels better chances are the alignment is on the money. Service would be on high alert to do the job right to avoid a come back.

Just stopped at BMW dealer an hour ago and booked my 230i xDrive in for an alignment next Wednesday.

Steering wheel still not centered and steering feels a bit twitchy. I'm pretty OCD about alignment having burned up some tires over the years due to bad alignments.

Service advisor told me BMW generally likes the new vehicle driven around 700/750 miles to give time for the suspension to "settle". I said I could drive the car some more miles -- the car had 270 miles on the it when I was there -- but he went ahead and set up an appointment for next Wednesday at 2pm. In the meantime I'll put more miles on the ar but probably not enough to get it to 500 miles.

Was told the alignment can take 2 hours. I may wait or get a shuttle ride home -- I live just 5 miles from the dealer -- then get a shuttle ride back to the dealer to pick up the car. Or my sister who lives just a few doors down from me could give me a ride to the dealer.

[JHole]

Had the issue of steering wheel off-center to the left. At the 1200 mile service my service advisor said no problem we'll take care of it.

Alignment fixed the problem and was covered under warranty. (Of course they first checked for wheel/suspension damage.)

Here is the alignment report. Car has OEM wheels/tires and no suspension mods.

[miiipilot]

Wow! I keep reading these posts of others having alignment issues and the dealer just TAKES CARE OF IT. No fight, no issue, just acquiescence, no begging for good-will, or favors.

Avoid Classic BMW in Willoughby Hills, OH

Max Ostro was the SA that said. "I don't see the steering wheel not being straight...AS a defect!" And wouldn't entertain the idea that an alignment would ever be covered under warranty (not in his 17years). Even when I presented BMW's own warranty eBooklet
Dave Penny is the service manager and never followed up even when BMW Corp advised him too.

AVOID

[Carefree]

The “M” on my steering wheel was positioned between 11 and 12 o’clock (closer to 12) when dealer had to realign the car after it arrived without port installed HAS documentation. Corrected yesterday without dealer objection/resistance.