How long does a 355 alignment take?

So, our local Dobbs will do it for $135, but thought I would give our local Lambo dealer a call for a estimate (For better service). After speaking with their “Ferrari Specialist”, they said that it’s a 6 hour job and couldn’t get me in until July. I’m not even sure how much they charge an hour and didn’t bother to ask.

Did I just experience the “355 Tax” for the first time?

 

The 135 price is a joke.

Done properly it can take a bit of time but it is very dependent on how bad it is.

They are not "set the toe and let it go" alignments but the $135 price is predicated on that. It takes that much time to set up the equipment and putting in the ballast.


You want a hamburger from McDonalds or a real meal?

If the hamburger is good enough let me suggest getting a Tercel next time.

 

6 hour job..? in general that makes no sense..?

I am curious too if there is anything special/unique to align a 355.
im having my suspension lowered, and will likely go get it aligned after.

a shop that I bring other cars to, has a brand new alignment machine.
but I know for sure he has never aligned a 355 before..

 

How many have you personally performed?

 

i have never personally performed alignment on my 355..
I am basing the 6hrs to be unusual, based on other cars ive taken to be aligned..

thats why I asked is there anything special/unique to align a 355..
and if an experienced alignment tech guy, can align a 355, without having done one before..

 

Seriously? A person can't question an outrageous estimate without being told to buy a Tercel?

I understand you’re trying to sell the exclusivity, but it’s not always needed. Most shops don’t start charging until it gets hooked up on the rack. Same with Dyno’s.

Our local Dobbs sets up all of the HPDE cars, so they know their stuff.

 

There's nothing special that I know of except that it's a Ferrari and you probably want the alignment dialed in rather than 'within spec'.

Ever see someone lean on a tire to put it within range while his buddy prints off the sheet? I have, and that's close to what you will get for a $135 alignment.

EDIT- just saw the post above. If those guys are properly setting up road race cars for $135 they are giving it away.

 

Close to a full day job for sure to do "correctly"

Sears can do you one in an hour

But I don't think they will set your thrust angle much less SAI angles

 

Alignments are one of the most oversold and under performed jobs in the entire automotive industry. From personal observation I would say less than 5% of the people doing them have a clue how to do it. We have a saying in the business "after an alignment all the car really needs is a good alignment".

It is so bad all the equipment manufacturers have gone to electronic systems telling the operator what to do and how to do it, problem is the very few racks that even have Ferrari programmed in them have the wrong specifications. The specs Hunter has are a complete disaster.



Yes, bring it to either a Ferrari guy or a race prep type of facility and you just might get it done properly.

 

I didn't tell you to buy a Tercel.

I told you if and only if you are content with McDonalds hamburgers instead of real food a Tercel is a better choice.

Nor do I promote exclusivity, I promote quality work. Usually exclusive to each other.


Do not misquote me and try reading and comprehending for a change.

 

FYI... I was charged for 5 hours to align (including corner balance) my 355 at a Ferrari race shop.

 

Thanks everyone.

FYI. I always bring the specs that I want. I never trust what's loaded in their database.

 

Doing the job right takes time. If the suspension ride height has been changed it could take a lot of time.

Either get it right or save the money for new tires.

 

I have had two alignments done, both at the dealer. A 355 will require shims I think. My 348 did. Stock wheels were done last year since the major independent shop could not do alignments. No sweat. I lowered it last month on my new wheels and knew I would need the alignment with more camber, especially in the rear. It was already close to Challenge height up front even on stock wheels! Looks great now, handles great and approved and tested by certified Ferrari mechanic, who is also a club member. We may be consulting more often in the future. Changed my oil myself this spring but thinking about the clutch now that I am sure the friction point is high and spring is heavy. Both alignments were done for under $500 and took one day. Porter service in the Maserati Quattroporto was worth it!

 

It depends on what you are having done.

If the ride height will be adjusted, front to rear rake adjusted, corner weighed, front and rear toe adjusted, front and rear camber adjusted, front caster adjusted, etcetera, then yeah it's a several hour long, to all day process. But, if all you want is for the car to drive straight after some new tires, around an hour.

At least that is my experience on my 348.

 

+1

For whatever reason, finding a GOOD alignment guy for a sports/race car is a challenge. Must have something to do with improper equipment. The Just Tires alignment $99 special will get you only so far.

Typical price to align and corner balance my Exige is $350. Even then, i have friends who needed more corner balance fine tuning end up purchasing expensive equipment and performing it on their own.

 

I was scheduled to have my Exige aligned and corner balanced last week at a very reputable place called West End Alignment in Socal.

West End Alignment - Harbor Gateway - Gardena, CA - Yelp

However, i could not get my car ready in time for my appointment as I have quite a bit of new suspension bits needing to be installed including a new lsd. These guys are BOOKED like crazy. Appointments are weeks out. My next appointment will have to be 1-2 months out. That's when you know a "professional" alignment is different from a Just Tires $99 special. I'm personally not an alignment specialist, but I know when my car feels right and feels wrong.

 

Done one myself? yes, twice at a local tire shop with full tank of gas and used my own tools. They did me a favor letting me use their equipment since they did not want to mes s with it. 1 hr job four wheel alignment for $ 65.00
Its the same scenario when to patch a flat on a camry costs $15 but on a Ferrari is over $ 100.00 I was told Ferrari tire rubber compound was different by the employee. Funny how these guys think when you have a Ferrari you must be a ;(. Does it make sense to them that there is a reason you have a Ferrari?

 

The shop I had my alignment done has a 4-wheel laser alignment rig and the owner has a 1996 F355. He had mine done in less than a couple of hours and did an awesome job.

 

How did he check ride heights and the corner weights? or did he even bother?

 

To be fair, Eric asked only about an alignment , not corner balancing. 6 hours sounds pretty up there for an alignment, but of course it depends on what's going on with the car. I'd still recommend corner balancing + alignment if you want the car to feel right and preserve tire.

 

Excuse me for being a novice when it comes to alignment. What is "corner balancing"?

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QGC1IlRtoMw

Here's a relatively quick interview with the owner of West End Alignment. Hopefully this will help clear some air.

 

Alignment and corner balancing are two separate things. Corner balancing focuses more on evening out the weight of the car left to right with a driver in the car to help give a more balanced, predictable, and consistent overall feel.

 

I had just bought new tires for the 3.2 Mondial and shortly thereafter sold the car. But the new owner was flying down to drive it 1000 miles home. So I took the car to the dealer in Orlando for an alignment (one of only two that I trust for this).

About $400 or so later, with a nice car wash and light detail thrown in, I was happily on my way.

The current owner, after his drive home, reported that the car was "rock steady".

So when the time comes for an alignment on the 348 I know where I'm going.