Laser alignment

[Ollie1977]

Hey all. When I get a new car I normally have the wheel alignment sorted. Amazing how far out it can be on a new car. Just wondered, do Porsche adjust wheel alignment from the factory. The last few cars I've had it made a massive difference to the drive, but equally the life of the tyres. Be good to know the experience of Porsche lifers being a newbie. Thanks

[Twinfan]

It'll need adjusting, same as any other new car. Porsche don't spend time getting it spot on.

[AW10]

It should be within spec but even dealers will allow a car to go out with toe or camber settings at opposite sides of the car at the opposite ends of the range and still call it within spec.

[Rick101]

Pretty shocking that manufacturers that we're told spend 'millions on R&D' are wiling to send out a car with the wheels pointing the wrong way.


Sports cars especially should be right from the factory. I know some people will want a altered setting for a particular use but a lot of the stuff that goes out is just plain wrong.

[Porsche911R]

I would say don't worry, 99.9% cars don't have a geo done from new.

If you want the best and fussy like me you have one but then you have one with aggressive settings anyway, but on the whole Porsche do a good job imo.
If I were staying oem geo then I would not have a Geo done.

[Twinfan]

It's only £99 where I go and the difference in handling from standard to max camber all round was quite noticeable. If you want to improve things then it's a good value way to spend money, even if it's only to ensure tyre wear is even.

[Porsche911R]

Twinfan said:

It's only £99 where I go and the difference in handling from standard to max camber all round was quite noticeable. If you want to improve things then it's a good value way to spend money, even if it's only to ensure tyre wear is even.

As we know on here though maybe 1% go away from oem, so we can shout about a good set up but no one does it :-(

[Taffy66]

From my experience i would always take a new Porsche to a reputable indy even for road use as uneven tyre wear is very common on new Porsches due to bad alignment.

[bcr5784]

Taffy66 said:

From my experience i would always take a new Porsche to a reputable indy even for road use as uneven tyre wear is very common on new Porsches due to bad alignment.

+1 Mine was out both ends (front slightly toed out, rear very toed in) To be honest it didn't make much difference to the handling - not as much as I expected -- slighly more steering feel and initial response, and a slightly less planted rear. Made a massive difference to rear tyre wear however.

[Ollie1977]

Thanks all. Good to know. As I say usually have it done, for tyre wear if nothing else. Some cars I've noticed the difference but don't profess to being an expert.

Wondering if I could my OPC to give it the once over. Will ask and see what they say...

[Rockster]

Ollie1977 said:

Thanks all. Good to know. As I say usually have it done, for tyre wear if nothing else. Some cars I've noticed the difference but don't profess to being an expert.

Wondering if I could my OPC to give it the once over. Will ask and see what they say...

My new 2002 Boxster alignment was great from the factory/dealer. At 25K miles the alignment got "off" when I had it in for a RMS replacement under warranty. I think during this repair the car was lowered and rolled off the lift to make way for another car and this affected the alignment.

My new 2008 Cayman S didn't feel right after spending a bit of time -- just day -- with the car. I took the car back to where I bought it and at first got a bit of push back from the service department bringing a "new" car in for an alignment check. I told the SM that if the tech found no adjustment necessary I'd pay the going rate for an alignment. But if the tech found any adjustment necessary I expected the alignment to be free. SM kind of backed off a bit and said he didn't realize I had just bought the car and he'd have the tech look into it right away. A few minutes later I could see the tech all over the car adjusting the alignment. I knew it was out. Afterwards the car drove much much better. Made a big difference.

Here in the USA alignment issues have a short "warranty". One might get 90 days or so but beyond that the dealer may balk at checking the alignment and could charge for the service. I expect much the same there where you are.

Really, the best time to get action is if during the test drive if you note a suspected problem with alignment to have an alignment as part of the pre-purchase condition. Be sure you get a before and after printout of the settings/adjustments too.

Trouble is sometimes a new car test drive just doesn't really give a new owner a chance to experience the car. Dealers balk at extended test drives as they want to keep the miles down on the new cars. (And I have to admit I never drove the Cayman S before I bought it. I had driven my Boxster close to 200K miles by that time and I felt I knew what the Cayman S would be like to drive. After I bought Cayman S and even before the alignment the car met my expectations and then some.)

[Krobar]

Taffy66 said:

From my experience i would always take a new Porsche to a reputable indy even for road use as uneven tyre wear is very common on new Porsches due to bad alignment.

Have done 22000 in mine and still some life left in the tyres. First car I've ever got more than 10K out of the driven tyres.