I bought new tires for my 99 SL500 (wll be installed next week) and I'm wondering if they should be aligned at a Mercedes dealer. The reason I ask is, when I was considering getting new tires (I had just gotten the car). I took it into a Mercedes dealer and had the car inspected, and in converstion the service writer told me that no matter where I get the tires and have them installed, that I should bring the car into them and have the alignment checked. He said it will cost about $150. He said that its important to do that after installing new tires. The tires that are on there now all seem to be wearing the same so I don't know whether the alignment inspection is nesscesary.
Thanks

 

i think he means "wheel balancing". (static or dynamic)

you will only do wheel alignment if there is uneven wear on tires or the car veers to one side.

 

Which balancing is better, static or dynamic?

 

dynamic of course.

no more static these days.

 

I wasn't sure and I wanted the opinions of people who knew. Would it be better to take the tires to the Mercedes dealer and have them mount & balance ?This is my first Benz and this forum is just what I need. Thanks

 

Only if you want to pay two to three times what it's worth to have the work done. For some odd reason, spending more money for the same thing makes some people feel better. Just take it to one of the many tire stores around where you live (Goodyear, Firestone, Merchants, etc). Maybe the place where you bought them, if they do mounting and balancing.

The advice to get an alignment is a hawkish sales tactic designed to part you with your money. As sleepwalker said, get an alignment if you need one, not because some service geek at the dealership wants to service your car for no other reason than to collect $150 from you.

 

Thats what I thought, but just wanted more opinions.
Thanks