Looking for tire and alignment shop recommendations.

**muzzy996** · 10-27-2008 12:39 PM

Just put in a set of H&R coilovers on my 1998 2.8 A6 and let them set in for a month. I'm about to dial in the final ride height and then take the car down for a set of tires and an alignment.

Question is, where should I take the car?

I'm particularly concerned since I lowered it a bit and am already seeing some wear on the inner part of the fronts.

If they'd allow installation of tires from TireRack that'd be a plus but seeing as I'm only looking for cheap tires I don't really care (was thinking of some Sumitomo HTR-Z's). Car's rolling on a set of 2.7T 5 spokes, 16" with current tires being Conti Contisports 215/55/R16.

Any advice would be appreciated !

**Crass!** · 10-27-2008 01:50 PM

If its a quattro you're probably going to want to take it to Audi of Hawaii. I had to take my A6 in for an alignment - checked with Rex Tire, the folks from whom I was buying my new tires. They racked up the car and then determined that they wouldn't be able to perform the alignment...

**muzzy996** · 10-27-2008 05:03 PM

Yep, it's quattro.

Bummer, and by brother in law just moved to BMW from there . .

Oh wells.

Nobody else can do 4 wheel aligment on these quattros ?

**HIS4** · 10-27-2008 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by muzzy996

Just put in a set of H&R coilovers on my 1998 2.8 A6 and let them set in for a month. I'm about to dial in the final ride height and then take the car down for a set of tires and an alignment.

Question is, where should I take the car?

I'm particularly concerned since I lowered it a bit and am already seeing some wear on the inner part of the fronts.

If they'd allow installation of tires from TireRack that'd be a plus but seeing as I'm only looking for cheap tires I don't really care (was thinking of some Sumitomo HTR-Z's). Car's rolling on a set of 2.7T 5 spokes, 16" with current tires being Conti Contisports 215/55/R16.

Any advice would be appreciated !

I had at least 4 sets of tires drop shipped from Tirerack to Hawaiian Tire & Auto Center in Aiea for them to install. They always took good care of my car. They can do the alignment too but they get really busy on the weekends and sometimes will not take on that kind of a job on a weekend. For alignment I've had Island Brake and Alignment do mine a few times and they were good too. Both of those shops are in the same complex. Harbor Center next to Cutter Ford. Price wise both are similar. Mounting & balancing for tires will be about $25/tire. Alignment might be a little cheaper at Island Brake. I think I had 4-wheel alignment done for less than $100. I'm pretty sure Island Brake does Tirerack installs too because they are on the preferred installers list.

**Raudi** · 10-28-2008 12:32 AM

Island Brake and Alignment has has done the alignment for my S4.

**longboard** · 10-28-2008 10:51 PM

Pacific Automotive Performance across from Volksgerman on Ilaniwai off Ward Ave in Kaka`ako. They installed tires I bought from Tire Rack on my lowered Passat. And alignment. They were a Tire Rack installer at the time, probably still are. They do race cars, exotics, any kine. Ken is the guy - conscientious and knows his stuff. Old school. 596-7732.
Rick

**tinydragon2001** · 10-28-2008 10:58 PM

Depends on where you live. I live in ewa so Island brake and alignment is where I go. One of the few places that could do my big truck, and they did my dropped S4. If your in town, Pacific Automotive Performance is good from what I've been told.

**calitri808** · 11-01-2008 11:46 PM

I work at goodyear stadium. And I've aligned my girlfriends 98 a4 avant quattro, and got everything within specs. As for tires, we order tires for customers through tirerack all the time. And we usually get the tires in like 2 business days. I do side jobs for friends that own shops that bring in rims and tires but don't got a machine to mount them. Same with alignments, if your anal about your rims and don't want them scratched, my sensors can mount to the tires if you like. But our alignment rack is down due to maintenence, and im in vegas for sema....

**easTTriver** · 11-03-2008 12:41 AM

question: my car is not dropped. for stock suspension, can I be less discriminating when choosing shop for alignment? Or would you still take it to somewhere respected?

**muzzy996** · 11-05-2008 11:45 AM

I'm always conservative as I'm guessing you are and that's why you're asking. My advice would be to consider one of these shops the guys have mentioned. Sometimes doing things cheap the first time only leads to spending more to do it right the second whereas spending more to start carries buyers remorse but also gives more peace of mind.