I'm booking my car in to have my tracking and camber set up as I've just fitted coilovers and was wondering if I should be getting 2 or 4 wheel alignment? Thanks

it's more expensive but get four wheel alignment done, apparently it's well worth it.

I'd have thought 4 wheel alignment would be better if you've got new suspension all round? According to another forum there's a place in Ferryhill that do it and are OK with lowered cars, can't remember the name though. I think there's one somewhere near Cannon Park in Middlesbrough too. Found this info in a topic on the VAGCars forum.

You cant really adjust the rear on the back of fabias. theres nothing to adjust because its just one solid beam across the back rather than like on the Golfs MK5 and Octavias and newer stuff with independent on the back.

You cant really adjust the rear on the back of fabias. theres nothing to adjust because its just one solid beam across the back rather than like on the Golfs MK5 and Octavias and newer stuff with independent on the back.

Thats what I thought, so whats the point of 4 wheel alignment?

You find the correct point of the wheels being straight ahead. Rather than guessing the position with two wheel alignment.

You can only adjust toe

Get the 4 wheel, there is no point in making any adjustment to the front if the backs are pointing in the wrong direction. Whilst the rear is non adjustable, getting it checked could highlight issues with bent or worn out components / bushes that will need to be replaced rather than adjusted.

Exactly, because the rear is fixed, if you are serious about aiming for a "sorted" car, starting by checking the rear end and using this as a reference to align the front to is the only way to do this - and that means getting four wheel re-alignment! (why can't some people understand that? - even VAG techs - ouch!!!)

Exactly, because the rear is fixed, if you are serious about aiming for a "sorted" car, starting by checking the rear end and using this as a reference to align the front to is the only way to do this - and that means getting four wheel re-alignment! (why can't some people understand that? - even VAG techs - ouch!!!)

Ahh.. I wasnt sure that by adjusting the front you can compensate for the rear (if incorrect).

So, could anyone give me an example? Is it like: if rear wheels toe is out by 0.5, front will need to be normal angle toe + x angle instead?

Right, in simple terms, if the rear axle is at an angle to the body centre line, then if you leave it this way you could end up with the front and rear displaced so the car would crab along the road - so handling/feel would be compromised. There are other scenarios as well.

Right, in simple terms, if the rear axle is at an angle to the body centre line, then if you leave it this way you could end up with the front and rear displaced so the car would crab along the road - so handling/feel would be compromised. There are other scenarios as well.

Yep, I understand that, but in that scenario can you adjust the front to make it handle like normal again? I thought if the rear has an issue then adjusting the front will do very little to rectify it..? Or is that not true?

You are right there, the rear would need to be right, or made right (though "not adjustable"), before sorting out the front.