Just got a new set of tires.
Pig drives straight, tire wear looks normal
Obliviously tire shop recommends alignment - Should I do it ? My concern - on my other cars some issues usually developed after alignment - i.e. they started to pull to a side.

 

If you don't have issues then I would leave as is.

 

Did they give you the currents spec on paper? If yes, then compare and go from there.

 

No, specs on paper, just a suggestion to pay for alignment

 

Well then if it looks normal, leave it alone but keep an eye on it. Get her up to speed and see how she tracks after letting go of steering......

 

When I installed a stage 2 racing suspension in my 997 that eliminated all the rubber bushings from the suspension and installed camber lock plates etc and then had the car aligned and corner balanced, I haven't realigned the car since that day as nothing moves or wears any more, the tire wear is nice and even, and the car drives perfectly - that was 5 or 6 years ago.

The only reasons alignment will change on a Cayenne is if you hit something that jars the suspension (pothole, curb, etc) or more normally, all the rubber bushings in the suspension that contribute to the smooth and quiet ride age and deteriorate allowing for some additional sag or play. If the tire wear looked good on the old set of tires, I wouldn't bother. Maybe have it done about half way through the new set to make sure nothing changed and you get the full life out of them. If you replace a suspension component, like a control arm, then definitely do an alignment after something like that.

 

I would skip the alignment until your next suspension parts replacement.

 

Everything nice and straight at highway speed can let go off steering and it goes straight

 

Thing is - This is Chicago - you can't go to a store with out hitting a half a dozen potholes.
I am ok paying for alignment - i just afraid it only going to make things worse. May be in my previous experiences (with other cars) shop didn't put enough torgue on - but I believe my unaligned Cayenne drives better now than all other freshly aligned cars I had

 

Plenty of places will check alignment for free and give you a printout. When I bought new tires for my Cayenne at Tire Barn, they charged $50 bucks for the alignment. Due to wear patterns on the old tires, I knew things were off and it showed up on the before and after printouts. I've personally never had any problems after an alignment...it's pretty much foolproof with modern equipment (as long as it isn't a scam shop).

As far as tracking straight and not pulling after taking your hands off the wheel...any set of brand new tires will perform that way even on a moderately misaligned suspension. I'll pay the $50 to $75 up front so I don't have a $1,000 set of tires that feel and look like crap at 15K miles.

And yes, Chicago roads suck...I think they're designed to last 6 months. I miss plenty of 928 gatherings in IL because I won't drive my 928 there.