I just took my S2000 to the dealer for its second service at 11,170 miles. The first
one was after a year had passed, but I hadn't reached 5000 miles yet. I was told
at the first service that I should put new tires on the front, but I wanted to wait
until they were completely worn out. Now they're bald on the inside edges and
have the wear bars showing everywhere else. The left rear also has the wear
bars showing and the right, with 2500 less miles on it, is close. I don't mind not
getting a lot of miles from the tires, since they perform very well.

I ordered a new set of S02's from Tire Rack, got them sooner than promised, and
am completely happy with the price they charged me. I took them to the dealer
with me to have them installed.

What's interesting, though, is that even though I had the car aligned about 6000
miles ago, they recommend it be realigned whenever new tires are installed. I'm
having them align it, but that seems curious. I also noticed that they recommended
to at least two other people who were dropping cars off that they align their cars
every 20,000 miles.

Since an alignment is about 10% of the cost of a new set of tires, I'm assuming
it's worth it.

Do any of the rest of you get an alignment every time you get new tires?
__________
Read about my drive through 11 western states and 12 national parks at:
http://www.geocities.com/srnelson_s2000/Overview.html

 

I get an alignment when I change suspension settings, with abnormal tire wear, or when I suspect a problem after impacts driving especially bad surfaces. With normal driving on reasonable surfaces there should not be any reason for an alignment on a frequent schedule.. suspension wear is not that rapid.