grain

It might help if we knew your location so someone local can recommend someone. After a few appointment issues with my local dealership, they recommend a indy and $85 later I had a great alignment vs. the $250 alignment the dealer was going to charge.

DBJoe996

You bought the car with lowered suspension and now it needs a four wheel alignment "badly". What in your opinion is the right cost - $50, $100, $150? Let's see, $100 alignment poorly done, four new tires and wheel refinishing $1200 later, another "correct" alignment $345...all in for say ~ $1650. Now that seems steep.

You don't say where you are so we cannot help you there. Perhaps another dealer within 100 mile radius? Or someone on here will know of a Hunter Laser alignment shop near you. BTW - a correct 4 wheel alignment with your wheel/tire combination will more than likely last a very long time so it is almost a one time deal. Are you a PCA member? Many dealers will give you a discount for that. Also might check your PCA local chapter for advice. Another thought...a totally correct 4 corner alignment job, setup, suspension adjustments and balance, align and check is probably like a 2-3 hour process done right. So dealer/technician time all in for $345 doesn't seem way out of line.

911661

What a headache I called the indie shops and they recommended specific big ol tire and another big brand tire locations. I call them up and they say they don't want to work on it go to the dealer. Meanwhile the local dealer wants an arm and a leg and they are under qualified according to reviews. Man I cannot catch a break.

911661

I am located in Bakersfield California our local dealer is tiny and shares the service center with Audi and vw the reviews are bad and they are overpriced. Yes I bought the car knowing the alignment was bad after he had lowering springs installed.

DBJoe996

I get 46 Google yellow page listing for alignment shops in Bakersfield, some with 5 star reviews. Looks like the phone will be your best option http://www.yellowpages.com/bakersfie...alignment-shop

DBJoe996

These guys say they have the latest Hunter Laser alignment equipment http://www.fmautobody.com/

DTMiller

That will be of great help to OP.

911661

I appreciate the search, I just rang them up(mind you they're owned by the family motors auto group that owns the Porsche dealer) they said they no longer do just alignments. I guess they only use that rack when they do insurance jobs etc they're a bodyshop .

Bubrubb

If I were you, I would get in touch with the local PCA chapter.

http://gem.pca.org/

There is the "James Dean" Autocross on May 3rd.

Get in touch with either of the autocross chairs (Greg Fullmer & Omar Olivas) and find out how they are getting their vehicles alignments done.

Hell, maybe even head out to Shafter for the event and ask some members that are competing.

There has to be a shop close to you that handles their work.

911661

Yeah shafter is real close to me, but is there a cost to just show up and watch? I know there is a fee to participate with your car.

Rubik

Perhaps you guys can educate me but I thought with the new laser guided, computerized systems, it was idiot proof. No?

Bubrubb

There shouldn't be a fee to watch.

They might have a gate agent at the airport, tops.

A quick email to either autocross chair should cover any entrance anxiety.

Dennis C

Not as idiot proof as it should be. Early in my ownership of my 996, I was having tires installed at a big tire chain and they offered an alignment. I reluctantly agreed. Not long after I agreed, they called me back to the shop floor and said that they couldn't do the alignment because there was too much wear in the suspension bushings and this resulted in play in the suspension. I told them to leave it alone and I would get an alignment elsewhere. My independent Porsche mechanic aligned it perfectly. There was no play in the system at all. They were either idiots or crooks. I prefer to stay away from either of these options.

911661

Appreciate it, are you attending?

Bubrubb

I won't be attending. Have an event at Qualcomm down here in San Diego this weekend.

I might have to make the trip in the future if the Chargers move to LA and we lose Qualcomm's parking lot for autocross fun.