View Full Version : $219 alignment? Really? Hit the curb :(
freeflow
02-20-2010, 08:25 AM
So last night I had to swerve to avoid a cab that slammed on his brakes in NYC and tapped the side of a curb with the drivers side front wheel bcause of a little black ice patch... now my steering wheel is at 11 o'clock (almost 10) when the car is driving straight. Really hope I didn't bend anything......
Called my local dealer and they said an alignment costs $219... keep in mind I bought the car in south Fla so it's not quattro, but the service tech said I still need a 4 wheel alignment.
Can I do the alignment somewhere else or should I not risk it cuz of our suspension? And can I just get the front aligned or do I need all 4?
Thanks for your input.
chrislane31
02-20-2010, 08:30 AM
Just take to any tire shop that does alignments. I think Midas also does free alignment checks.
Papachristou
02-20-2010, 09:30 AM
my audi dealership charges $99 for a four wheel alignment. last two times i have been there, its been $79.99
and keep in mind, thats slammed with Stern ACAs with specific alignment requests
parimal
02-20-2010, 09:39 AM
Yea, thats the same price I got from my dealer, I just went to the my local townfair tire, $99 to rotate, balance, and align. No problems.
Theyll also do front wheel alignment for like half that, but not sure if you need to get all four?
parimal
02-20-2010, 09:42 AM
Look like 4-wheel alignment is suggested whether or not its fwd or awd
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318635
freeflow
02-20-2010, 10:31 AM
Awesome thanks for the replies guys... i will avoid the dealership then cuz theres no way im paying $219+ tax for an alignment unless I have to.
freeflow
02-20-2010, 11:35 AM
i also just noticed that the ESP button no longer functions and the dash light is signaling that it's 'off' with the yellow skid icon... is this a vagcom fix or did i really screw something up?
audimeister
02-20-2010, 02:18 PM
You probably bent something. I'd plan on spending way more than $219 to make it right...
killerb7
02-20-2010, 05:54 PM
ouch. Id get that checked.
SEXICÄN
02-20-2010, 09:44 PM
did you ask them if was only an alignment they were fixing for 219? i bet they are going to be fixing a lot more of your shit that you jacked up and the total cost will be 219
freeflow
02-20-2010, 09:49 PM
did you ask them if was only an alignment they were fixing for 219? i bet they are going to be fixing a lot more of your shit that you jacked up and the total cost will be 219
$219 was just for the alignment... they haven't seen the car yet so i doubt they'd be including anything else in that price.
There isn't any pull to either side of the road with my hands off the wheel, and at higher speeds there's no wobble which is a good sign. I'm really hoping that it's just alignment and not something bent... I'm going to bring it into the dealership on monday to have them check it out and give me an estimate for repairs... then I'll decide what to do, which will prob b going to a 3rd party german car specialist because I couldn't sleep at night knowing I paid $219 + tax for alignment at the stealership.
Matt@EuropaParts
02-21-2010, 09:07 AM
Lol, the alignment I usually get is expensive, and its still $100 less than what you got quoted.
SEXICÄN
02-21-2010, 10:27 AM
Lol, the alignment I usually get is expensive, and its still $100 less than what you got quoted.
My alightments are WAYYYYYY LESSS than he was quoted!
I wouldn't have even thought about getting an alignment for $219!!! You must have been talking to one of the new service adviser or he/she heard you wrong....
freeflow
02-21-2010, 12:41 PM
My alightments are WAYYYYYY LESSS than he was quoted!
I wouldn't have even thought about getting an alignment for $219!!! You must have been talking to one of the new service adviser or he/she heard you wrong....
LOL... well I sure as hell will not be getting the work done here in manhattan at the dealership. Will be heading to Tyrol Sport (http://www.tyrolsport.com/) to get the estimate and work done. Have read good things about them for the tri-state area.
But yes.... that price ($219 + tax) was simply for an alignment... i called back to confirm. WHAT A RIPOFF!!!
Matt@EuropaParts
02-21-2010, 01:55 PM
^Mike is a good guy. You'll have no issues over there.
VMRWheels
02-22-2010, 02:57 PM
the local shops around my area generally charge between $70-90 for a 4 wheel alignment.
MSMITTY
02-22-2010, 06:49 PM
^Mike is a good guy. You'll have no issues over there.
^^^^^2nd to that, Mike's a great guy & knows his stuff, only place i bring my car, good luck!
edited: they did my 4wheel alignment & no issues!
smitty
freeflow
02-23-2010, 03:32 PM
Just an update: took it to TyrolSport (Mike was sick and out unfortunately), but had them check out everything and they couldn't tell if anything is bent, which is very positive to say the least... I hope. Taking it to my dealer just to have them check it out and confirm if anything else is wrong, then will go back to Tyrol for the work.
Wrote me up an estimate under the assumption that par of my tie-rod is bent, so I'd have to replace the inner and outer ($140 + 1 hour @ $98), and have an alignment done ($120 compared to $217 w/ dealer lol).
So $389 total, assuming nothing else is bent or broken... oh and they'd check and replace my cam follower for $65 + 1 hour @ $98... bringing total to $567 (will prob DIY).
quattro16
02-23-2010, 08:07 PM
Something is bent from the sounds of it. What did they dio the esp light not working for? 219 for an alignment at Manhattan Audi is not a ripoff at all. Your in Manhattan! They have the highest prices on the east coast!!! If you choose to go to Midas then you get what you pay for. I can bet and count the number of times these cheap shops do an alignment and have no idea how to adjust camber.
freeflow
02-24-2010, 05:50 AM
Something is bent from the sounds of it. What did they dio the esp light not working for? 219 for an alignment at Manhattan Audi is not a ripoff at all. Your in Manhattan! They have the highest prices on the east coast!!! If you choose to go to Midas then you get what you pay for. I can bet and count the number of times these cheap shops do an alignment and have no idea how to adjust camber.
You're right, there might be something bent, but they didn't visually see anything bent at the shop with the wheel off on the lift, and there's no pull or shimmy with the steering wheel at any speed (tested up to 75 the other day).... going to the dealer to verify by audi-specific techs and make sure nothing's bent and that the tie rods are everything that needs replacing (will ask to have damage pointed out visually).
As I said, I will not be going to midas... but TyrolSport, a respected and skilled german car tuning/bodywork/you-name-it shop in queens... and they do a laser alignment for $120.
As for the ESP light, they scanned it and a code came up saying that the wheels weren't lined up anymore... nothing serious. After the tie rods and alignment, it should just be an easy 'clear'... but again, hopefully the dealer will be able to give me more info and I'll post up to let you know!