[nitrous_nit]

After hitting a pothole hard, which I didn’t see as it was covered in rain, here in Chicago, I feel like the car doesn’t drive straight anymore.

Is this covered under warranty, wheel alignment that is.

If it isnt, our x7 is a lease, and knowing the dealership, they will try to get me to pay for it.

Can I just go to any wheel alignment shop and get the wheels aligned?

TIA

[Sphinx_77]

Pretty sure BMW would not cover the cost.... and you can take it wherever you want.
I wouldn't take it just anywhere though.
A shop with a good reputation for sure.

[nitrous_nit]

Originally Posted by Sphinx_77

Pretty sure BMW would not cover the cost.... and you can take it wherever you want.
I wouldn't take it just anywhere though.
A shop with a good reputation for sure.

But they would be able to tell me for free, if it is out of alignment though, right?

[Sphinx_77]

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

But they would be able to tell me for free, if it is out of alignment though, right?

Sure.
As long as its a reputable shot that you trust.
Some of those chains may just tell you "yes it is out of alignment." Because they already know that's what you believe.
So they can get your $$$$.

That's my opinion anyways.

[nitrous_nit]

Originally Posted by Sphinx_77

Sure.
As long as its a reputable shot that you trust.
Some of those chains may just tell you "yes it is out of alignment." Because they already know that's what you believe.
So they can get your $$$$.

That's my opinion anyways.

I mean, bmw will assess for free if I need an alignment or not, is that a correct statement?

Thanks

[xueju1121]

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

I mean, bmw will assess for free if I need an alignment or not, is that a correct statement?

Thanks

I don't think they will do assessment on alignment for free. Basically you just go in and tell them to do four wheel alignment. I just had mine done at 10K service.

[nitrous_nit]

Originally Posted by xueju1121

I don't think they will do assessment on alignment for free. Basically you just go in and tell them to do four wheel alignment. I just had mine done at 10K service.

What was the cost, if I lay asking?

Also, what if I don’t need it, like it’s all in my head, most places give you a print out to show if it is out of alignment or not.

[xueju1121]

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

What was the cost, if I lay asking?

Also, what if I don’t need it, like it’s all in my head, most places give you a print out to show if it is out of alignment or not.

Depends on dealer. Mine was done at 299 since they are running a special promotion. Does yours have four wheel steering?

[nitrous_nit]

Originally Posted by xueju1121

Depends on dealer. Mine was done at 299 since they are running a special promotion. Does yours have four wheel steering?

No, it’s just a regular xdrive

[lee paul]

I usualy go to Chicagoland Tire https://chicagolandtire.com/ , price usually 50-75.

[nitrous_nit]

Originally Posted by lee paul

I usualy go to Chicagoland Tire https://chicagolandtire.com/ , price usually 50-75.

Nice, do you trust them with your bmw?

Thanks

[lee paul]

I took both my BMW and Tesla there. No issues so far.

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

Nice, do you trust them with your bmw?

Thanks

[xueju1121]

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

No, it’s just a regular xdrive

Then you should be fine with regular shop, as long they have a good track record. Alignment for BMW with Dynamic Handling Package can only be performed at dealer since they have different data reference.

[crackerjack15]

Just to let you know... if you have regular suspension any good alignment shop can align the car, it's not rocket science. (I aligned my X5 myself in the garage. Friend had caster/camber gauges and rods/strings) you dont need a machine to do it, although it's much easier.

It's hard to offer you a free accurate alignment check, because once they get it up on the machine and connect the equipment to the wheels, that's most of the labor.

Call around and see what different shops charge. BMW dealers are a RIP off when it comes to alignments.

[nitrous_nit]

Thanks all, got an appt today.

Will they check the suspension components for free, since I hit the pothole and just want to be assured that nothing is out of whack??

[xueju1121]

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

Thanks all, got an appt today.

Will they check the suspension components for free, since I hit the pothole and just want to be assured that nothing is out of whack??

Visual inspection is always free I believe.

[nitrous_nit]

So took it to the dealership and they did say it needs an alignment as well as the passenger rear wheel on the inside is slightly bent. They wanted $300 just for the alignment.

So I’m getting another tyre shop to do the wheel alignment on all 4 wheels and they will he also try their best to balance the bent wheel. Good thing is that the tyre isn’t loosing any air.

I don’t feel any vibration when driving so it can’t be that bad to get the wheel repaired right now.

[nitrous_nit]

Just an update, so whatever the wheel alignment shop did, the car is throwing stabilization messages on the screen now. Im assuming I will need to take it to bmw and get them to look at it ??

[xueju1121]

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

Just an update, so whatever the wheel alignment shop did, the car is throwing stabilization messages on the screen now. Im assuming I will need to take it to bmw and get them to look at it ??

Have you tried to restart your engine? If yes and the warning still comes up, the I highly recommend you to bring it in to service.

I suspect nothing major though, probably just a lose connector.

[nitrous_nit]

Originally Posted by xueju1121

Have you tried to restart your engine? If yes and the warning still comes up, the I highly recommend you to bring it in to service.

I suspect nothing major though, probably just a lose connector.

Ok so they found the passenger rear control arm is slightly bent, hence making it nearly impossible to adjust the alignment.

So even though I hit a pothole, will bmw cover this under warranty?

The pot hole was covered with water and I didn’t see it.

[DenverMisanthrope]

Originally Posted by nitrous_nit

So even though I hit a pothole, will bmw cover this under warranty?

Seems extremely unlikely, as that wouldn't be a manufacturing defect. It may be covered by your auto insurance, however, provided you have collision coverage.

[nitrous_nit]

Originally Posted by DenverMisanthrope

Seems extremely unlikely, as that wouldn't be a manufacturing defect. It may be covered by your auto insurance, however, provided you have collision coverage.

Yup, that’s what they said.

They said I need a new wheel and control arm.

How can a control arm be bent going over a pothole less than 20 mph??

Another thing that stood out was that the service advisor told me that they haven’t seen this sort of damage on an x7 yet.

Is it possible that it was weak or a manufacturing defect from the factory itself.

I rung up bmw of NA and they said that they stand behind their dealership word.

I have a beater car that I bought for $1500, 5 years ago and the times I have gone over and hit a pothole, never once has the control arm bent.

Like what are my options are? Can I try to take this further up the chain at BMW NA??

This is a lease.

Can I just let it drive like this, until the lease ends, or will I have to get it fixed now, since it is on the record?

The quote he sent me was over $2.5k to get it all fixed.