How Much Have you Guys Spent To Align Your Car?

slow&rusty · 05-12-2006, 08:06 PM

I lowered my car a few weeks ago about 1.25" maybe a smidge more and I have to take in for a full alignment, I was quoted $249 at the Porsche Dealership...what are you guys paying?

This does not include corner balancing, as this is a street car, the Service Manager recommended to not corner balance and that I would not feel any difference on the street.

As I am in Colorado Springs, CO, the choices are somewhat limited.

Just thought I would ask.

Yasin

Jim Smolka · 05-12-2006, 08:12 PM

What year 911?

A local shop here can corner balance and align for under $300

slow&rusty · 05-12-2006, 08:34 PM

Sorry its an '89 930

deshetlr · deshetlr's Garage

Eurosport in Englewood just did mine for a tad under $200. Made a world of difference.

Jim Smolka · 05-13-2006, 03:18 AM

Most dealerships know very little about our cars. IMHO, best to find a local shop P-Car shops that have worked on them for years.

Halm · 05-13-2006, 03:44 AM

Local shop recommended by my wrench in Charlotte did mine for $150. Drives great.

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

Aligning a 930 is no more difficult then aligning a normal 911. The bits are the same. You could do it yourself for maybe $50 worth of material. Do a search for "String alignment".

dorschman · dorschman's Garage

Had mine aligned digitally to 0.01 of a cm. for under $150 in Durham.

bmgmd · bmgmd's Garage

Had mine aligned, lowered and corner balanced for about $200 at a local non-dealer shop familiar with early Porsches.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Found a Porsche guy at Big 10 Tire - $150 for a great job.

sega355 · 05-13-2006, 06:50 PM

I paid HK$1200 ($150) for full alignment from track setting to Street setting.

slow&rusty · 05-14-2006, 06:38 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by bmgmd
Had mine aligned, lowered and corner balanced for about $200 at a local non-dealer shop familiar with early Porsches.

Do you feel comfortable posting the shop name/location? Or if not, drop me a PM please? I'd appreciate it, Dan

KFC911 · 07:26 AM

I asked a local, well respected 911 shop owner/mechanic for advice on who to take mine to and he directed me to a specific Goodyear Tire store (where one specific guy does all 911s). Just an alignment (i.e. not corner balance), total cost: $79. There's nothing exotic about aligning these cars (think older VWs), you just need someone who 'cares' enough to do the job correctly and will not overcharge just because of the 'badge'.

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

IMHO, anything under $200 will NOT be a correct alignment for one of these cars. I had the luxury of performing a full alignment on mine on my mechanic's rack with his supervision. He wanted me to "understand" why he charged so much to do it. I spent a full 8 hour day getting it dialed in correctly. I imagine someone who does it often could reduce the time by half, maybe. I do all the work on my car, so I'm no novice mechanically. The ego usually convinces us that "the car handles better" after we pay for what we think is a deal, but the reality is that the settings were probably not dialed in the full amount necessary to get it right. It is difficult, and frustrating, because each adjustment affects the others, and a balance needs to be found. If you don't take the time to check, and re-check, it will not be right in the end.

jtratza · 05-14-2006, 12:34 PM

$100 at one of the best shops in Houston. Next to mine was a new vette used exclusively for racing.

slow&rusty · 05-15-2006, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZOANAS
IMHO, anything under $200 will NOT be a correct alignment for one of these cars. I had the luxury of performing a full alignment on mine on my mechanic's rack with his supervision. He wanted me to "understand" why he charged so much to do it. I spent a full 8 hour day getting it dialed in correctly. I imagine someone who does it often could reduce the time by half, maybe. I do all the work on my car, so I'm no novice mechanically. The ego usually convinces us that "the car handles better" after we pay for what we think is a deal, but the reality is that the settings were probably not dialed in the full amount necessary to get it right. It is difficult, and frustrating, because each adjustment affects the others, and a balance needs to be found. If you don't take the time to check, and re-check, it will not be right in the end.

I agree 101% with Zoanas. I am shocked that so many people can get an alignment in the $100-$150 range - WOW.

I ended up having my car aligned at the Porsche dealership locally, they were EXTREMEMLY courteous and friendly and they took their time as my car is quite low. It made me feel good to see my car in the bay with a GT3 and CGT next to it. Took their head mechanic the best part of 5hours to do front and rear and they explained the reasons for the extra time, the car feels less twitchy and much better. The price was higher than I thought it would be...but I guess thats the price of playing poker...peace of mind too.

Yasin

wcc · 05-15-2006, 07:41 AM

Since I lowered my car like you did I took it to the dealer to have them align it and I wanted a Certified Mech to look over my work. They quoted me $220, but it ended up costing me $350 cause the guy did a corner balance too. I thought it was reasonable.

Here is a link you may find interesting:
Alignment Cost