I have a 2004 MCS, still less than 3,000MI on the clock. Since about 1,000MI, I've noticed the car start to pull (gradually) more to the left. It isn't anything
bad, but within 3-5 seconds I'll be out of the lane on a highway.

I've been regularly checking tire-pressures to suggested OEM (40psi on the 16
dunlops) and dealer suggested psi. I drive 80% highway which is (mostly) in good shape. I don't drive to downtown detroit, so I can avoid the moon-cratered side roads.

When I had the dealer look at it on Friday they claim "it's from bad roads, probably needs an alignment". I've had a variety of cars, combined driving of over 100,000MI and required 1 aligntment on my 2002 vette. I wasn't surprised, because I hit a pothole so hard on the lodge fwy in southfield that it put the car
1/2 a lane over Otherwise, never had a problem with alignment that wasn't pressure related or that a rotation didn't completely fix...

What should I do? How much does an alignment cost???
I hope my MCS isn't going to be a needy child requiring alignments every 3,000MI If it does, adios Mini... Dig the car, but living 100MI from a dealer I can't deal with that...

 

So, They wouldn't do a alignment under warranty, at 3,000 miles ? It has done this since nearly day one, and they won't do a alignment under warranty ?

I drive the same exact roads you do, my MCS tracks as straight as and arrow with 2 different sets of wheels and tires and 13,878 miles on Odometer.

I do however use 32-34 psi, I would try that. My car will follow our numerous rutts but does not leave it's lane with no hands on the wheel on the freeway if the road is straight. If it did it when I picked it up, or with only 1,000 miles on it, I would have a hard time having the dealer refuse to align the car properly. If they fix it once, and you hit something, that's different. They need to at least get it right once, I would hope. Good luck.

I haven't had tire issues running between 30-34 psi, it does slightly improve the ride as well.

Rotating the fronts to the back is also likely worth a try. I am not sure who locally would be best at aligning one of these, if it comes to that, sorry.

 

40psi seems too high for an OE tire on the streets. As above, use 32-34psi and 38 psi if you have a lot of people on board.

 

I, too, drive the same roads in michigan and haven't had any problems with tracking. occationally it will pull left or right but only on a severly crowned road or rutted lane.

 

I also drive on SE Michigan roads and have no tracking problems. That being said, I have had to get quite a few alignments from potholes. It is fairly common. Then again, once I blew out a tire on a 8" deep sickhole but the car didn't need an aligment.