[Veketti]

Dear All,

I bought used 2017 330e BMW with 75 000km / 46 000mi on the clock and had the wheel alignment checked. It was Toyota dealer but had good reputation on alignments and 3d alignment device. It needed some adjustment to Toe. Also they said that the front camber is out of specs. Differences between the wheels were too high, 1°2'. Ideal is 0°, max deviation +/- 30'. I checked all the suspension arms and didn't find any bends or damages. Also bushings looked good. What comes to the wheels left front wheel was worn more from the inner edge.

What confuses me more is that when I got home I drove the car directly to my garage and measured the Camber by accurate digital inclinometer by attaching it to the brake disc. I got the same value for right front wheel than the workshop got for left. I'm confused in which one to believe.

To make things more confusing I measured again the next day when the car has been standing still overnight. I got different values again. Differences between the two front wheels were smaller but this time it was positive camber on both front wheels. Drove the car for few meters and measured again and got the same results than I got day before.

So my question is could it be that the workshop somehow got wrong measurement from left wheel? I've read that the only way (factory way) to modify camber on these is changing wheel hub which have + or - 30' versions. But with this confusing data I’ve got I don't know what versions to get. Any thoughts from you who have experience in wheel alignment?

Attached are the measurements. Notice commas should be dots for US.

Thank you in advance

[Lancelot]

i'd check alignment with another shop, it took me a while to find one that does a proper job, most are not able to do a proper toe alignment anyway.

The performance shop i now go to check the fuel level to be abt 50%, will put some weight on the driver seat, all this can easily influence your readings by +/-0.5 degree as well.

Finally, if confirmed, and given the mileage, i would suggest a refresh of the lower control arms/tension struts may be in order, these could influence the readings you have by the order of magnitude you see if they're really worn out.

[Veketti]

Took the car to BMW specialist and they got similar results than I got by the digital inclinometer from the brake disk. So everything were within the specifications. So I shall not spend my money on aftermarket camber plate then... Thanks Lancelot.