Wheel spacers

[Glen78]

Hi guys, just bought a 130i and i am looking for some wheel spacers. Would any one be selling or know where i can pick some up in sydney? Thanks

[walkie86]

Welcome mate. I'm looking at the moment too and have been perusing online.

I like the look of these but the postage is killer. Thinking of contacting them to see if there's another postage option:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/262234344...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

What size are you thinking? I'm leaning towards 12mm all round or possibly 15mm at the rear (on stock 7.5" F / 8.5" rear rims).

This is probably the best bet for local Sydney stockist:

http://www.bmraw.com/bmw-wheel-spacers/

[walkie86]

Just checked. That eBay link I sent has 2 sets of 4 12mm spacers + bolts left and shipping is the same cost for 2 sets as 1.

Where in Sydney are you based? We could buy both sets and split the shipping? PM if you're interested.

[Glen78]

Hi mate . I'm looking for 10-12 front 12-15rear

[thezone135i]

The Burger Tuning ones are the only ones I would get and they will costs you US$200+ shipping. Having said that the ones in ebay look the same. Without knowing for sure I wouldn't want to put my life on the line to save a hundred bucks or so.

Ive had a set of the Burger Tuning ones for three years with no issues whatsoever (other then initial rubbing).

[walkie86]

To the OP - let me know if you're interested in those eBay ones and we could buy 2 sets (4 each) and halve the postage. You could always onsell one pair of 12mm if you decided you want 15mm on the rear.

[glendo]

are spacers legal in Oz? I've avoided them due to this.

[Free_Willy]

Yes, I thought they were illegal.

[walkie86]

Can't give a technical answer but my understanding is they are, even though some manufacturers offer them as an optional part on new cars. Presumably this is because they're deemed to pass ADRs as part of OEM specification or some technicality.

I know lots of people that run then with no issues but theoretically if you had an accident with them fitted, the insurance company could attempt to void your claim, if they can prove the spacers were a contributor to the incident.

At the end of the day, make you're own decisions but unenclosed pod filters are also illegal in NSW

[phunky_monkey]

They're illegal in Vic I know that much.

I have recently put on ECS spacers after much research. Really nicely made, and zero complaints from me.

[glendo]

Originally Posted by phunky_monkey

They're illegal in Vic I know that much.

I have recently put on ECS spacers after much research. Really nicely made, and zero complaints from me.

Well that's me out... I am VIC rego'd

Dont get me wrong, I'd love to have them, but I wasnt aware if it was cool in Oz... We cant have half the toys the US/Europe get

[Glen78]

Thanks guys since they are illegal might save my biscuits and get some different rims

[walkie86]

Found this on an old NSW RMS PDF:

"The fitment of wheel spacers (or adaptors for dual wheel conversions) between the wheel mounting face
and the road wheel is not permitted unless fitted as original equipment by the vehicle manufacturer."

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/...si-09-rev4.pdf

[Dat Aus]

Yep, as far as I know, they are illegal in all Australian jurisdictions. With that being said, unless you are running ridiculous sizes with the wheel poking out past the guards, you shouldn't have any issues. Buy spacers the same colour as your wheel hubs and they're pretty bloody difficult to see that they're on there when the wheels are mounted.

I got defected in my old E39 for being too low and I forgot to take the spacers off when I went in for the inspection to clear the defect. Even those guys didn't notice them on the car and they were specifically checking the car for defects.

[Free_Willy]

Here's a scenario that I always imagine. You lose the end going through a roundabout and wrap the car around a telegraph pole. You are fine, but your car is towed off to a wreckers for assessment. Surely the assessor sees the wheel spacers and immediately says the insurance is void because you're running illegal spacers?

Isn't that how it would happen? I always imagine the insurance company will look for any reason not to pay out. Or am I just a skeptic?

[Dat Aus]

Originally Posted by Free_Willy

Here's a scenario that I always imagine. You lose the end going through a roundabout and wrap the car around a telegraph pole. You are fine, but your car is towed off to a wreckers for assessment. Surely the assessor sees the wheel spacers and immediately says the insurance is void because you're running illegal spacers?

Isn't that how it would happen? I always imagine the insurance company will look for any reason not to pay out. Or am I just a skeptic?

I suppose it would depend on the insurance company. When my E39 was eventually written-off, the claims officer didn't even look for them despite the car being very obviously modified.

The insurance company would have to either prove that the spacers played a part in the accident, or they would have to have a very very very clear policy with express provisions regarding modifications.

[Free_Willy]

But don't they ask when you apply for insurance "any modifications?". So if you don't say "I'm running 12mm wheel spacers", then if they see them when assessing the car, they can void you're insurance?

[Dat Aus]

Originally Posted by Free_Willy

But don't they ask when you apply for insurance "any modifications?". So if you don't say "I'm running 12mm wheel spacers", then if they see them when assessing the car, they can void you're insurance?

Again, it's never going to be black and white. There is no simple yes/no answer. It would really depend on the policy and how aggressively the insurance company want to pursue it. If they deny the claim based on a modification, they would have to be able to prove that the modification played a part in the event leading to the claim. They're not going to spend potentially tens of thousands of dollars litigating a claim worth maybe $25,000.

It really does depend on the company and how tight the policy is.

In most cases, I would be willing to wager that spacers won't cause any issues with a claim. Their claims officer won't attend the scene of the accident anyway. If the car is still drivable after the accident, just drive it home and remove them. If it's not, just pay out-of-pocket to have the tow truck deliver the car to your hose, remove the spacers, and then make your claim.