Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Smiley1175]

Pretty much all threads I've read on wheel spacers has focused on the looks.
What I'd like to know is, from those currently using wheel spacers, have you noticed any improvement or difference in handling, steering etc?

What are your thoughts and what sizes are you running?

[BBursey]

Originally Posted by Smiley1175

Pretty much all threads I've read on wheel spacers has focused on the looks.
What I'd like to know is, from those currently using wheel spacers, have you noticed any improvement or difference in handling, steering etc?

What are your thoughts and what sizes are you running?

I just installed 15mm front and 12mm rear on my otherwise stock 135i with M Sport package. I won't claim to be any sort of guru on handling or car feel, but my second observation (after thinking it looks good) was that the spacers seemed to take the edge off the harshness that my wife dislikes about the car.

I haven't noticed any real difference in handling as a daily-driver, and I've not (yet) had my car on a track.

Cheers,
Bryan

[len v]

Spacers increase your track (width) which is good physics-wise but not likely noticeable other than on track with regard to performance.As with anything else, extremes can cause unintended consequences, but in moderation, no worries. Enjoy.

[GaryS]

In theory, spacers by themselves will cause increased torque steer.

Scrub radius is the distance from the centerline of the tire's contact patch to the point where the steering axis intersects the ground. Increasing the scrub radius allows forces generated by the tire more leverage to act on the steering. To the driver, this translates as torque steer under acceleration and braking.

To minimize the change in scrub radius, it's important to try to increase wheel width to the inside as well as the outside by paying close attention to the wheel offset. This puts more rubber on the road and increases the track width while maintaining the same scrub radius.

http://www.modified.com/tech/0506_sc..._transfer.html

But that is theory. I have no idea how much effect a 5mm or 15mm spacer has on our cars. I don't think I've ever seen a post here complaining about it.

[VMRWheels]

Iv personally used various sized spacers and multiple vehicles and I cant say iv felt the difference in handling. The track and scrub radius has increased, but not to the point in which I have felt a night and day difference.

-Charles@VMRWheels

[Smiley1175]

thanks everyone, it's pretty much confirmed my thoughts as well. No surprise really considering everyone has always commented on the looks primarily.

Cheers

[Mikeshot1]

I'm using 12 in front on stock tires but 10 in the rear with 255/35/18. As a daily can't say there is a difference. Some will say I increased understeer due to tire with in the rear. I mainly did for the looks and will go to wider front when they're worn. Must have more stability on turns is what I thought with wider track but am no suspension guru.

[mineo77]

no difference. only use them to get my 245's up front for the track

[1013mm]

i felt a big different with only a 5mm spacer on. i was understeering a lot before the 5mm but after the 5mm it was better. and yes, a 5mm made a difference.

[nachob]

I put a 10mm on the front of my 1M and the steering is different. Less eager and feels slightly vague. Don't like how it feels now. I loved the quick eager turn in but the spacer numbs it a bit. I didn't make alignment change, maybe that would make a difference but instead I'm going to try a 5mm spacer instead.

I know several with 1 series have said they felt no difference and that doesn't mean anyone is wrong here. The 1M and regular 1 series have entirely different steering racks. The 1M rack is much quicker and less turns to lock. It's possible that the slower, more turns to lock regular rack is not as sensitive to the quicker rack in the 1M. It is definitely noticeable to me and don't like it. I loved the quick, eager steering it had before.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by nachob

I put a 10mm on the front of my 1M and the steering is different. Less eager and feels slightly vague. Don't like how it feels now. I loved the quick eager turn in but the spacer numbs it a bit. I didn't make alignment change, maybe that would make a difference but instead I'm going to try a 5mm spacer instead.

I know several with 1 series have said they felt no difference and that doesn't mean anyone is wrong here. The 1M and regular 1 series have entirely different steering racks. The 1M rack is much quicker and less turns to lock. It's possible that the slower, more turns to lock regular rack is not as sensitive to the quicker rack in the 1M. It is definitely noticeable to me and don't like it. I loved the quick, eager steering it had before.

Just because you pushed the wheels laterally, effectively increasing your radius. Now requires more of a turn to achieve the same effect. Should act the same as putting wheels on with a 10mm different offset. The criticism as I understand is that it's a separate piece, and not as strong. Never heard of anything 10mm or under causing problems though.