simons2k

I plan on lowering my car soon. the set up will be new wheels and springs.

I will need to get the alignment reset, and want it done right. Should I have confidence in the dealer for the alignment, or should I bring it elsewhere?

Any of you local boys in So. Cal have any recommendations for alignment shops?

RazorV3

honda dealership should be sufficient...

ToyBoy

Actually, I disagree. Dearlerships may know the car a little better, and of course they have access to OEM parts and tools. But:
=> they are outlandishly expensive
=> they specialize in ripping people off with 15K- 30K- and 60K- mile "services." Check carefully what you get for the $500 services: "inspect" this and "adjust" that. These are for those drivers who do not ever read the maintenance schedules in their owner's manual. The dealers eat them up like chum.
=> Many cut costs in subtle ways. A local dealer here doesn't use Honda fluids, even though the owner's manuals call for it. Worse their service writers insist they do use it (you don't discover this cost cutting measure until you talk directly with the shop supervisor, to whom access is limited.)

You are so much better off finding an independent garage that likes our car and is willing to work with you. Before my S2000, I owned a Miata. There's a guy near here who used to work in a Mazda dealership, but couldn't stand the way they did things. Now, people from all over come to have him work on their cars. When my car gets older and needs non-warranty work, I'm gonna find someone like this Mazda guy: someone who loves Japanese sports cars and takes pride in the work.

RazorV3

ok i agree with what you said, but the honda dealership i work at isn't shady and does real good work. i realize there are some shady dealerships out there, thats why you need to find one you like and stick with it.

mas

Anyone with a good alignment machine (like the newer Hunters) should be able to do it right the first time.

BassMan

I'm planning to buy a set of wheels and new tires for next summer, and I will definitely go to a specialist tire and suspension shop for the whole package including lowering and alignment. I think that makes sense. Who will be more knowledgeable about this? A specialist shop who does nothing but tires and suspension - or a run-of-the-mill Honda dealership that only handles stock unmodified cars 99% of the time?

Just how I think about this.

CBeyond

Several people in Southern California have recommended Darin at West End Alignment. (310) 808-9233.

I have not used them yet, but I need to have my alignment corrected soon, and I'm going to give them a try. Here's one of many threads about West End:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...threadid=103334

Chiung

Depending on the aftermarket wheel, your Honda dealership may not be ABLE to do the alignment. Mine wasn't, their machine could not accomodate my Volk's.

simons2k

Thanks for the responses. I will look in to West End Alignment. The set up will be Work S2R- 18x8(F), 18x9