Spacer Question

rsmamg · 03-16-2009, 02:41 AM

I have a stock 08 e92 with stock 19's.. been thinking about putting some spacers on the front and back but i am not sure what sizes to go with.

Options:
1. 10mm in the front and 15mm in the back.
2. nothing in the front and 12mm or 15mm in the back (can i go wider in the back and leave the front the same?)
3 or 5mm in the front and whatever in the back.

lots of combos.. i want it to look flush, but im hoping those with spacers and these wheels can chime in. its not like i can "try" the spacers on so i gotta get it right the first time. I also dont want to worry about throwing stability or safety off.

Thanks in advance.

McLuVan · 03-16-2009, 02:57 AM

for the absolute flush look
go with...
20mm-front
15mm-rear

MrHarris · 03-16-2009, 03:07 AM

If it were me I'd go 15 front, 12 rear.

spyderco10 · 03-16-2009, 03:53 AM

are there any performance advantages to adding spacers?

New_m3 · 03-16-2009, 05:52 AM

No. Quite likely it will make the handling and suspension worse.

Bomex · 03-16-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

If it were me I'd go 15 front, 12 rear.

+1 seem to be the popular choice. I don't believe it makes the performance or handling worse, its just for looks.

Gladius · 03-16-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New_m3

No. Quite likely it will make the handling and suspension worse.

It's funny. Depending on who you ask, you get diametrically opposed answers. I've heard everything from handling better to handling worse.

tightie · 03-16-2009, 11:34 AM

i went 20 in the front, 12mm in the rear.

omegatlc · 03-16-2009, 11:52 AM

I just ordered the Matt Schnell 15mm spacers (front & rear) from EAS. I've seen the 15mm front & rear on an E90 with OEM 18's and it looks really good. I like the 15mm all around as it pushes each wheel out the same distance keeping the front/rear ratio the same (if that makes sense).

I've also heard positive and negative feedback ranging from wears out wheel bearings, negative performance gains to positive performance gains via wider wheel spacing, etc,etc,etc. Not sure what's what, but I say at least purchase a good quality set if you do this.

rsmamg · 03-16-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegatlc

I just ordered the Matt Schnell 15mm spacers (front & rear) from EAS. I've seen the 15mm front & rear on an E90 with OEM 18's and it looks really good. I like the 15mm all around as it pushes each wheel out the same distance keeping the front/rear ratio the same (if that makes sense).

good call on the ratio. didnt think of that. im definitely going with MS spacers, ive heard nothing but good stuff about them.

sayemthree · 03-16-2009, 03:09 PM

increasing the track can affect handling. for example in general wider front track reduces understeer. if you are taling 5 to 10 mm no big deal. much more and you could start changing suspension geometry.

normally the spacers are used for looks only on street cars. or to get the correct offset with aftermarket wheels?

tom @ eas · 03-16-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmamg

I have a stock 08 e92 with stock 19's.. been thinking about putting some spacers on the front and back but i am not sure what sizes to go with.

Options:
1. 10mm in the front and 15mm in the back.
2. nothing in the front and 12mm or 15mm in the back (can i go wider in the back and leave the front the same?)
3 or 5mm in the front and whatever in the back.

lots of combos.. i want it to look flush, but im hoping those with spacers and these wheels can chime in. its not like i can "try" the spacers on so i gotta get it right the first time. I also dont want to worry about throwing stability or safety off.

Thanks in advance.

15mm/12mm seems to be the popular vote.

Here's a recent install here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240884

JIO · 03-16-2009, 03:32 PM

With spacers, besides possible handling problems, won't the body behind the tires be more susceptible to rock chips?

rsmamg · 03-16-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIO

With spacers, besides possible handling problems, won't the body behind the tires be more susceptible to rock chips?

i was thinking that too.. especially in with the front tires sticking out more, the side mirrors might get chipped a little

spyderco10 · 03-16-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIO

With spacers, besides possible handling problems, won't the body behind the tires be more susceptible to rock chips?

yeah, prolly get a lot more chips

SoCalM3Mang · 03-17-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

15mm/12mm seems to be the popular vote.

Here's a recent install here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240884

I too have 15' Front and 12' rear. They look absolutely fantastic and I'm getting mad comments and props.

I would be interested in hearing more about the negative handling or performance effects at these levels?

I just had it done and I've noticed a rougher ride more bouncey/shakey feel. I do need an alignment though so it could also be the issue? Love to hear an experts input?

Thanks.

rsmamg · 03-18-2009, 09:34 PM

Soi have decided ill go with 15mm front and 12mm rear. however, i am not too sure which brand spacers to buy. Anyone want to chime in about quality between H&R and Macht Scnhell? Quality and safety is #1. But, if its just a piece of metal, i guess it wouldn't matter too much. Also, is there a quality issue I should worry about in regards to bolts or again are they just metal?

tom @ eas · 03-20-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmamg

Soi have decided ill go with 15mm front and 12mm rear. however, i am not too sure which brand spacers to buy. Anyone want to chime in about quality between H&R and Macht Scnhell? Quality and safety is #1. But, if its just a piece of metal, i guess it wouldn't matter too much. Also, is there a quality issue I should worry about in regards to bolts or again are they just metal?

The Macht Schnell units are machined from 6061-T6 aerospace aluminum and of very high quality - quite a few M3s are running them at the moment.

Unlike the H&Rs, the MS Competition Spacer kits come complete with matching extended lugs to eliminate any guesswork.

03-16-2009, 02:41 AM	#1
rsmamg Flying First Class Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CA Posts: 584 iTrader: (0)	Spacer Question I have a stock 08 e92 with stock 19's.. been thinking about putting some spacers on the front and back but i am not sure what sizes to go with. Options: 1. 10mm in the front and 15mm in the back. 2. nothing in the front and 12mm or 15mm in the back (can i go wider in the back and leave the front the same?) 3 or 5mm in the front and whatever in the back. lots of combos.. i want it to look flush, but im hoping those with spacers and these wheels can chime in. its not like i can "try" the spacers on so i gotta get it right the first time. I also dont want to worry about throwing stability or safety off. Thanks in advance.
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03-16-2009, 03:07 AM	#3
MrHarris yodog Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca Posts: 5,032 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [5.00]	If it were me I'd go 15 front, 12 rear. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs

03-16-2009, 03:53 AM	#4
spyderco10 Colonel Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,417 iTrader: (0)	are there any performance advantages to adding spacers? __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

03-16-2009, 11:34 AM	#8
tightie JOSH SHOKRI. Drives: 2013 E92 Coupe. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: los angeles, california. Posts: 4,842 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [3.85]	i went 20 in the front, 12mm in the rear. __________________ Speed District >> Past: 08 6MT E92 Matte Blue Gintani Supercharged - Present: 13 DCT E92 California Members Speed District M3 Track Days: May 31, 2012 @ Willow Springs Raceway (Road Course)

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03-16-2009, 02:57 AM	#2
McLuVan Lieutenant General Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Socal~818~ Posts: 13,121 iTrader: (1)	for the absolute flush look go with... 20mm-front 15mm-rear

03-16-2009, 05:52 AM	#5
New_m3 Second Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK Posts: 222 iTrader: (0)	No. Quite likely it will make the handling and suspension worse.

03-16-2009, 11:52 AM	#9
omegatlc Private Drives: 2008 Alpine White E92 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 64 iTrader: (1)	I just ordered the Matt Schnell 15mm spacers (front & rear) from EAS. I've seen the 15mm front & rear on an E90 with OEM 18's and it looks really good. I like the 15mm all around as it pushes each wheel out the same distance keeping the front/rear ratio the same (if that makes sense). I've also heard positive and negative feedback ranging from wears out wheel bearings, negative performance gains to positive performance gains via wider wheel spacing, etc,etc,etc. Not sure what's what, but I say at least purchase a good quality set if you do this.

03-16-2009, 03:09 PM	#11
sayemthree Brigadier General Drives: bmw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa Posts: 4,844 iTrader: (0)	increasing the track can affect handling. for example in general wider front track reduces understeer. if you are taling 5 to 10 mm no big deal. much more and you could start changing suspension geometry. normally the spacers are used for looks only on street cars. or to get the correct offset with aftermarket wheels?

03-16-2009, 03:32 PM	#13
JIO Captain Drives: '09 Space Gray E92 M3 w/DCT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 626 iTrader: (0)	With spacers, besides possible handling problems, won't the body behind the tires be more susceptible to rock chips?

03-18-2009, 09:34 PM	#17
rsmamg Flying First Class Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CA Posts: 584 iTrader: (0)	Soi have decided ill go with 15mm front and 12mm rear. however, i am not too sure which brand spacers to buy. Anyone want to chime in about quality between H&R and Macht Scnhell? Quality and safety is #1. But, if its just a piece of metal, i guess it wouldn't matter too much. Also, is there a quality issue I should worry about in regards to bolts or again are they just metal?