|
|
|
06-30-2014, 12:01 PM | #1 |
First Lieutenant
142
Rep 324
Posts
Drives: 2018 M2 Black Shadow Edition
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: United States, Beverly Ma.
|
Wheel Spacers
What is the purpose of wheel spacers? I thought it was only to give clearance for over sized break calipers.
Someone suggested that they might make the car look more aggressive as well as widening the stance and improving handling slightly. Is this worthwhile?
__________________
2018 M2 Black Shadow Edition
|
06-30-2014, 12:10 PM | #2 |
Second Lieutenant
64
Rep 256
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-30-2014, 02:45 PM | #3 |
Major General
43592
Rep 7,224
Posts |
I think wheels spacers would look nice. The wider stance would help with handling but a quick check on the internet said that some people suggest you check/tighten your lug nuts periodically and that makes me nervous.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-30-2014, 03:03 PM | #4 |
Lieutenant General
2282
Rep 12,565
Posts
Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT
iTrader: (99)
Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75]
E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22] |
Functionally the serve purpose of pushing wheel out to clear either suspension or brakes, typically from running the wrong offset wheel (too high). One could argue the increased track width also improves handling. Visually, people like having the wheels sit flush with the fenders since it gives the car a more aggressive stance. All this needs to be weighed against increased weight and it's potentially less safe (depending on quality of spacer, thickness, it's one extra thing that can go wrong).
Sometimes it's unavoidable when you run aftermarket suspension so go smallest spacer as possible (ie 3 or 5mm). My rule of thumb, don't run 10's as those can be tricky on our cars (due to hub lip being right around that). If you need to go big or bigger, stick with 12-15. Anything over 15, and you're just really running the wrong wheel size. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-30-2014, 04:50 PM | #5 |
Banned
1130
Rep 4,686
Posts
Drives: L'Orange
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
|
try to avoid them if you can.they add plenty of unsprung weight which is the worst enemy on the suspension....unsprung weight is generally considered 6 to 8 times in actual effect----so 5 pounds of unsprung weight is something like 30-40 lbs equivalent of added weight to a car....
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2014, 12:10 PM | #6 | |
Major General
456
Rep 6,478
Posts |
Quote:
Let me know what you think - risky?
__________________
E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP
F30 N55 XDrive EBII |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2014, 12:59 PM | #7 |
Captain
68
Rep 627
Posts
Drives: '09 E88 135i M-Sport/6MT/SGM
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Vancouver
|
There are so many school of thought regarding wheel spacers. I am not technical and though I do spirited daily driving, I never subject my car to anything intense like tracking. What have I gained in adding the spacers is a much better looking silhouette. Also the wider track in the rear adds more understeer. After the apex of a turn if I hit the gas my car will slingshot straight. It isn't natural, but I mind it less than the stock wiggly backend. I'm thinking when my RFT are done and I go +1 in sizes I will have to take them off.
__________________
| Dinan S2=>MHD | e46 M3 trans mounts | Dinan CF CAI | ER CP | HKS SSQV4 BOV | RB PCV Valve | VRSF DP | N55 MP | BMW PE | OC | VRSF 7" FMIC | UUC Evo3 SSK | EBC GD Sport Rotors | EBC Redstuff | TRW F+R | | Whiteline KDT918 | H&R Front Sway | BMWP 313 | MPSS 225/255 | Scopione CF Rear Diffuser | iCarbon CF Rear Spoiler | P3 v2.1 Gauge | Interior LED Retrofit |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2014, 03:13 PM | #8 | |
Captain
32
Rep 919
Posts |
Quote:
Hell, even the Porsche 911 GT3 runs spacers in the rear from the factory. They offer them on the Carreras as an option, also. Good times. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2014, 05:44 PM | #9 |
Captain
60
Rep 704
Posts |
Wheel spacers are always controversial. They add unsprung weight (which you may have paid a lot to reduce with expensive light wheels), and lessen mechanical strength. They pose a risk of introducing vibration, depending on a variety of factors. Some say those issues are too small to worry about, some don't.
Personal opinion. If you're buying new wheels, it's preferable to choose appropriately sized wheels and make cosmetic concessions about wheel styling instead of using spacers to make something fit. Spacers basically just change offset, and there's nothing spacers give you that you can't get with the right wheel offset. Depending on the wheels you now own spacers are a much cheaper way to change offset, of course. Last edited by 128Convertibleguy; 07-03-2014 at 05:54 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2014, 07:37 PM | #10 | |
First Lieutenant
130
Rep 351
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Ohlins Road & Track Coilovers / Apex ARC 8's 245/255-35 MPSS / Wagner Downpipes / Wagner EVOII Intercooler / ER Charge Pipe / Forge DV / PowerFlex RSFB / PowerFlex Differential Bushings / MFactory 3.46 Torsion LSD / MHD Flasher
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|