Wheel Spacer Install & Pics (56k Death)

[Hind]

Here is my install of the BMS Wheel Spacers. I bought 10mm for the Rear, and 12mm for the Front. Due to front passenger side wheel lug bolts being overtightened (not by me), and un-removable at this time I could only install the rears. It was hard to get exact before and after pictures, enough to tell a difference. While driving so far, the rear end does feel slightly less wobbly.

When I had my tires put on at a local Firestone, I'm thinking they overtightened the lug bolts. I went back today to have them loosened by impact air tools, but the employee claims they always tighten to spec. Even with the air tools, the front passenger bolts wont budge.

Following pictures are of just the Rear Passenger side. As usual with me, More pix the better.

Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR


Fat man trying to losen my lug bolts



BMS 10mm/12mm Wheel Spacers, New Torque Wrench, & Anti-Seize



Loosening the Lug Bolts



High Performance Formula1 Chocks



Wheel was very snug, had to kick it off the hub



Wheel off



Dirty!!!



After some brake cleaner and a good scrub, it looks... well the same.



All by myself...



All set to go



Pre-Lube with Anti-Seize. Do Not Use Grease, Anti-Seize has High temp resistance. Brakes get hot!



Spacers need a little assistance over the rusty crust



10mm Power



Tighten to 88 lbs


A few Finished Shots. The difference is subtle, but it was a fun install. Hopefully soon I'll have my 12mm up front.






GOT THE FRONTS ON NOW. 10mm Rear, 12mm Front




Plans for the future are Koni FSD & Eibach Springs...
Thanks for viewing.

[MITE82]

Very nice can't wait to see it when the car is lowered.... A bit overkill on the anti seize?? Haha

[mtechnik3]

Gotta love that improved stance. Can't wait till it's lowered. Great work bro!

How do you like your Conti tires? I was think of getting those as well.

[Hind]

Originally Posted by mtechnik3

Gotta love that improved stance. Can't wait till it's lowered. Great work bro!

How do you like your Conti tires? I was think of getting those as well.

I cant wait either, I'm in the middle of buying a house so mods gotta wait a bit. Conti DW tires made the car a BMW. Grip, handling, ride, comfort, & noise have all brilliantly improved. Cant recommend removing ur runcraps enough. 100% better.

[SlickShift]

Looks good man. When I was putting my spacers on (pre-Breytons) I used some WD-40 and sandpaper to get the rust off the hubs. It made it a lot easier to get the spacers on. I used the same anti-seeze too - works pretty well. You coming out Saturday?

[FDfranklin]

Looks like a fun install, your car looks good

^ Whats on Saturday?

[NFIDDY5]

I just did the BMS spacers too. 10mm up front and 15mm in the rear. I am on JIC CROSS coilovers. Had to cut a small piece of the plastic fenderliners on the rear wheelwells. But with the aggressive camber and a bit of toe out on the front, they fit really well and it looks awesome.

[Olagüe]

nice

[e84]

Do you know if 10mm will fit on the front?

[NFIDDY5]

Originally Posted by e84

Do you know if 10mm will fit on the front?

Fit perfectly. And my car is SLAMMED! No rubbing up front what so ever. And no more sunken wheel look anymore. 12mm should also fit just fine.

[Dackelone]

Nice DIY photos.

One tip, I would hammer the spacers onto the hub. I would have used a wire brush or scotch-brite pad to remove the rust from the hub lip area.

Q). Did you also use longer wheel bolts? Do they come with the BMS kit? How much if you don't mind me asking?

Also - maybe you could post some outdoor photos of your car w/the spacers mounted.


Dackel

[NFIDDY5]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Nice DIY photos.

One tip, I would hammer the spacers onto the hub. I would have used a wire brush or scotch-brite pad to remove the rust from the hub lip area.

Q). Did you also use longer wheel bolts? Do they come with the BMS kit? How much if you don't mind me asking?

Also - maybe you could post some outdoor photos of your car w/the spacers mounted.


Dackel

The BMS and Schnell kits both come w/ extended lugs.

[SlickShift]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

Looks like a fun install, your car looks good

^ Whats on Saturday?

Cars & Coffee at Reeves Motorsports

Originally Posted by SlickShift

Looks good man. When I was putting my spacers on (pre-Breytons) I used some WD-40 and sandpaper to get the rust off the hubs. It made it a lot easier to get the spacers on. I used the same anti-seeze too - works pretty well. You coming out Saturday?

Now that I think of it. It was a scotch pad, not sandpaper!

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Don't really understand why anyone adds additional rotating unsprung mass instead of buying a wheel with the proper offset?

Because spacers are cheap and new wheels and tires are expensive.

[STX21]

Looks awesome man. While the difference may be small, looks well worth it in my opinion!

[Hind]

Thanks for the comments!

Originally Posted by SlickShift

Looks good man. When I was putting my spacers on (pre-Breytons) I used some WD-40 and sandpaper to get the rust off the hubs. It made it a lot easier to get the spacers on. I used the same anti-seeze too - works pretty well. You coming out Saturday?

Cant come tomorrow, out going house stuff, plus I got a new job... got a lot going on.

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Nice DIY photos.

One tip, I would hammer the spacers onto the hub. I would have used a wire brush or scotch-brite pad to remove the rust from the hub lip area.

Q). Did you also use longer wheel bolts? Do they come with the BMS kit? How much if you don't mind me asking?

Also - maybe you could post some outdoor photos of your car w/the spacers mounted.


Dackel

I did hammer the spacer onto the hub. I tried a bunch of remedies, I guess I'm either weak or didnt try hard enough. Either way they are gonna be a pain getting off if I ever need to get them off. I paid BMS retail price which is $99 pair, and they come with new lug bolts.

Originally Posted by maxnix

Firestone is death to good wheels and lugs! They just don't care. It is like taking your BMW to Jiffy Lube or NTB and expecting competent service.

Don't really understand why anyone adds additional rotating unsprung mass instead of buying a wheel with the proper offset?

Hopefully you will get a competent shop to install your suspension.

Like mentioned above, spacers are cheaper, and I like my wheels. I plan on installing the suspension myself with a mechanic friend I have. Only had firestone switch my tires out a few months ago, cuz I cant do that. Come'on, can you switch tires urself with the average man's tools? Um.. no

Firestone also damaged my wheels + BMW Wheel warranty = wheels look new again for free.

[BBursey]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but Hind, do you think you could have fit a 12mm spacer on the back? It looks like you're on stock suspension with 261m wheels.

I'm having a hard time coming up with a definitive answer to spacers for a stock set-up. I've seen vendors suggesting everything from 18mm front / 10mm rear to 10mm front / 15mm rear.

I couldn't be more confused!?!?!?!?

Thanks,
Bryan

[Hind]

Originally Posted by Canucker

Sorry to bump an old thread, but Hind, do you think you could have fit a 12mm spacer on the back? It looks like your on stock suspension with 261m wheels.

I'm having a hard time coming up with a definitive answer to spacers for a stock set-up. I've seen vendors suggesting everything from 18mm front / 10mm rear to 10mm front / 15mm rear.

I couldn't be more confused!?!?!?!?

Thanks,
Bryan

12 will be fine. Do u have oem wheels? Oem suspension? I chose a smaller size for rear cuz it's already flared some.

[Bimmer-Bob]

If you're not stock, 12 mm may be too much. I rubbed with 12's in back, but I'm lowered on Bilstein PSS9's and running Star Spec 255's in back (which I'm told run wide). Just FYI.

[ptack]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Because spacers are cheap and new wheels and tires are expensive.

Yes so why should anyone be impressed with a cheap fix on their 1?

[Hind]

Originally Posted by ptack

Yes so why should anyone be impressed with a cheap fix on their 1?

Only person I'm trying to impress is me, plus I like my OEM wheels. It makes a little more of a wide stance, subtle but looks good imo.

Additionally, considering the price difference between wheels vs spacers, yes its "cheaper", but the quality of the spacers are top notch. I wouldnt say anything about this mod is "cheap"...

[bubb2521]

Funny... I think the stock wheels look better than most aftermarket wheels. Aftermarket takes away from the "class" of the car. Only thing they need is a little depth. So spacers, in my opinion are the answer.