Wheel alignment recommendations?

[bungle]

Looking to get wheel alignment done (mk5 Golf GTi). I've looked on www.alignmycar.co.uk but it seems to have lots of broken links or nowhere particularly near, and I am conscious that the best machine in the world is really only as good as the operator.

Ideally Coventry, Solihull sort of way, but as my wife works in Tamworth (it's her car) then she could get it done round there.

I know about www.alineyourcar.co.uk in Dudley, as I've used them before, but not really too convenient location-wise, but I would use them if need be as I thought they were good.

And I see http://www.tyretraders.com/tyres_home.html do it at their depot in Minworth as well - anyone used them?

Any others? Thanks.

[Craikeybaby]

I've heard good things about Centre Gravity in Nuneaton, but haven't used them yet.

[MrC986]

I've used Tyre Traders at Minworth within the last year both for a tracking check on one car & a 4 wheel alignment check/correction on another....I was really pleased with the service/cost & will use them again. My Alfa had the 4 wheel alignment etc done & I managed to get the work done on a Saturday morning which you often struggle with given how long it can take - apparently they are open until 4pm which given they aren't on a retail park/main road is a plus too (I'm not related in anyway to them either)

I've also used Centre of Gravity on a Porsche I once owned....they are a great outfit although unless you want/need your car dialling in for specific reasons & also corner weighting etc. then you are probably better off with a more traditional 4 wheel alignment check etc - you definitely get what you pay for as well

Edited by MrC986 on Thursday 19th March 23:13

[bungle]

Many thanks both. Will look into Centre Gravity, not heard of it before. And good to hear about Tyretraders as well, given its proximity to my wife's workplace.

Much appreciated

[t400ble]

I'd have said A line in Dudley as well, but, can see your point regarding distance

[QBee]

bungle said:

Many thanks both. Will look into Centre Gravity, not heard of it before. And good to hear about Tyretraders as well, given its proximity to my wife's workplace.

Much appreciated

Much used by TVR owners, but get a quote before you give the go ahead.

[bungle]

QBee said:

Much used by TVR owners, but get a quote before you give the go ahead.

Thanks, I did, over £300!!

Wife went to tyretraders in minworth this week, was very impressed with it and would recommend. Alignment was well out, all corrected now, before and after pics, explanation of what was out and what they did, quick service, £54 total. Would recommend, and would go back again.

[QBee]

bungle said:

QBee said:

Much used by TVR owners, but get a quote before you give the go ahead.

Thanks, I did, over £300!!

Wife went to tyretraders in minworth this week, was very impressed with it and would recommend. Alignment was well out, all corrected now, before and after pics, explanation of what was out and what they did, quick service, £54 total. Would recommend, and would go back again.

[BullyB]

bungle said:

Thanks, I did, over £300!!
.

These guys are much more than just alignment however

[BUG4LIFE]

Just come across this old thread. I’m on the look out for a place to fit a couple of tyres (that won’t damage my perfect alloys in any way) and 4-wheel alignment, in the Cov/Solihull area.

I know about Centre Gravity (not sure if they’ll fit tyres) but haven’t got a clue if they offer alignment etc for less than the big money the chap mentions above. I imagine for £300 I’d be getting so much more than I probably need, so I’m not looking for that level of ‘detail’. I might still give them a call to see what they offer.

I see A-Line in Dudley are mentioned on this thread. I used to use them in the past but can’t remember if it was fitting tyres and alignment. I remember being happy with the work, so would use them again. It’s just it’s a bit of a journey over there.

A chap on FB has recommended a place called Wheels UK in Coventry. They have a Supertracker machine as appose a Hunter that I usually look for.

Any other recommendations guys?

[Craikeybaby]

There's "String theory" at Caffine and Machine, I think they just do alignment though.

I need new tyres and an alignment on my MR2, so keen to hear where is good near Coventry too...

[bungle]

As above, tyretraders were good, but they might have stopped trading? (seem to remember, could be wrong).

I've also used https://www.tyresrus-birmingham.co.uk/ in Aston for alignment, but again not great for Coventry.

Despite being near Coventry myself, I've always seemed to travel further for decent alignment recommendations (the service is only as good as the operator (not the machine), and all that...)

Re tyres, always just use someone mobile these days.

[Herr Schnell]

A- Line are tyre sales and fitters aswell as alignment, there's also BMTR in Perry Barr who are good but pricey.

[BUG4LIFE]

I was wrong in my above post, the chap on FB didn't recommend Wheels UK in Cov [so haven't got a clue if they're decent or not]. He was talking about Jeff Fowkes Wheels in Leicester. About the same distance as A-Line from me though.

Another FB member mentioned The Tyre Company in Nuneaton, who have a Hunter machine...so I'm panning to go there next week to have two front tyres replaced [they're happy to fit tyres I'll be taking with me] and 4-wheel alignment. I'll let you know how I get on!

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Thursday 22 August 15:39

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks, I'm pretty sure there owner is a PHer too...

[Craikeybaby]

Bumping this as my wife needs tyres and an alignment on her Yaris (Toyota dealer suggested a 4 wheel alignment, which I would not expect on a shopping car). I ended up getting the alignment on my MR2 done at an MR2 specialist.

Where do people recommend for tyres/alignment in Coventry/Nuneaton?

[Court_S]

Craikeybaby said:

Bumping this as my wife needs tyres and an alignment on her Yaris (Toyota dealer suggested a 4 wheel alignment, which I would not expect on a shopping car). I ended up getting the alignment on my MR2 done at an MR2 specialist.

Where do people recommend for tyres/alignment in Coventry/Nuneaton?

Bit further afield, but Stratford Tyres are good for tyres, they were cheaper than Blackcircles etc for me recently. They do a grand job fitting and balancing, certainly better than the guys who fitted the front GY’s on my 335i. Don’t think they do alignment though.

[havoc]

Court_S said:

Bit further afield, but Stratford Tyres are good for tyres, they were cheaper than Blackcircles etc for me recently. They do a grand job fitting and balancing, certainly better than the guys who fitted the front GY’s on my 335i. Don’t think they do alignment though.

They do, but they've got a Supertracker, not a Hunter or better.

...so they'll do a decent job, but the report isn't as clear and I'm not convinced it's as precise...

Getting proper alignment done seems to be getting more difficult - you've got top-end providers like Centre Gravity (and potentially String Theory, but never used them), and then you've got bottom-end stuff, but I'm struggling to find anyone 'good but not extortionate' anymore...

[Craikeybaby]

Yes, that is what I am looking for...

I have just spoken to The Tyre Company in Nuneaton, but they are about a month away from getting their alignment ramp set up.

It may be that the best bet is to get the tyres done locally, and get Toyota to do the alignment.

[BUG4LIFE]

For my car [Jag STR] and any future car I'll own, I'll be using Matt at Spires. It cost me £150, the last time I took him my STR. He obviously knows his stuff [hence why Harry of Harry's Garage took his Jag Project 8 to him].

For my Wife's Kia Sportage, we actually recently used Kwik Fit in Shirley, as they have a Hunter machine [or they did last time I checked]. I'm hoping they did a good job

I did use The Tyre Company a good number of years ago for tyres and alignment, when I owned a Subaru Forester STi. I can't remember what machine they had but I do remember they didn't have the specific facts and figure for an STi. I used them again to fit 4 tyres onto my Jag [but not alignment this time] as they did seem to take care not to damage the alloys! I'd be interested in knowing if they've got new equipment in.