Benefits of Wheel Spacers on E92 M3?

hubbman · 10-20-2011, 01:45 PM

I'm seeing a lot of aftermarket wheel spacers out there.

What is the performance benefit of this relatively low cost mod?

Thanks

1sikbmr · 10-20-2011, 01:47 PM

none really. I think their purely for looks.

juan@aep · 10-20-2011, 01:48 PM

the flushness.

F82_SID · 10-20-2011, 01:51 PM

I dont know about a performance benefit other then the fact that it widens the track of the car. I was considering spacers to make my tires sit more flush with the fenders until I just got my new tires put on. I opted for wider tires then stock (275 & 255 vs 265 & 245) and now 80-90% of the gap between the wheel and fender is gone!

captainaudio · 10-20-2011, 01:55 PM

Apparently the main purpose is to upset the geometry of the suspension.

CA

Nelrock · 10-20-2011, 02:13 PM

Just for looks, but my favorite mod out of all the ones I've done. I didn't go crazy...subtle...but what I feel gives it an appropriate look.

Grail05 · 10-20-2011, 02:15 PM

no its not just for looks.

ajvee · 10-20-2011, 02:55 PM

Some people run spacers so that their wheels clear big brake kits.

My own experience is that my steering felt off when I had spacers on the front wheels. It felt less precise for some reason.

LarThaL · 10-20-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainaudio

Apparently the main purpose is to upset the geometry of the suspension.

CA

Not true in all cases. Running a spacer is no different from running a wheel with a more aggressive offset. All German road vehicles are required by TUV standards to be able to fit tire chains and as such almost all of them will come from the factory with a slightly narrower track than is needed.

While it is true that spacers are added usually for cosmetic reasons, a smaller spacer will not affect the car's suspension geometry to any great degree. I would say that under 15mm, you are fine.

Certain cars even come stock with different wheel options that have differing offsets which is no different than adding a small spacer. On a Porsche Cayenne, for instance, you can get factory wheel options from 8.5 to 10 inches in width and from a 60mm to a 45 mm offset.

I am running 12mm spacer F/R with my ZCP wheels and have found no detrimental issues whatsoever. In fact, I feel it is a little harder for the rear end to break sideways as a result of the overall wider track.

shendrick · 10-20-2011, 04:11 PM

Spacers are a great way to introduce shimy, vibration, and out of roundness all in the name of vanity.

rye m3 · 10-20-2011, 04:50 PM

Porsche's are offered with 5-10 mm spacers from the factory. A wider track will improve lateral acceleration, up the point where you could over stress the wheel bearings. All said, my experience with BMW's is that they are very sensitive to wheel balance and type of wheel. I'm sure it would be easy to have a bad experience with spacers, even good ones.

smmmurf · 10-20-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shendrick

Spacers are a great way to introduce shimy, vibration, and out of roundness all in the name of vanity.

+10000000000000000000

hate spacers. tried the MS and Rogue spacers and road force balanced the michelin PSS's twice, still a slight shimmy.

remove spacers, voila, no more vibration.

ModBargains III · 10-20-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVG

Not true in all cases. Running a spacer is no different from running a wheel with a more aggressive offset. All German road vehicles are required by TUV standards to be able to fit tire chains and as such almost all of them will come from the factory with a slightly narrower track than is needed.

While it is true that spacers are added usually for cosmetic reasons, a smaller spacer will not affect the car's suspension geometry to any great degree. I would say that under 15mm, you are fine.

Certain cars even come stock with different wheel options that have differing offsets which is no different than adding a small spacer. On a Porsche Cayenne, for instance, you can get factory wheel options from 8.5 to 10 inches in width and from a 60mm to a 45 mm offset.

I am running 12mm spacer F/R with my ZCP wheels and have found no detrimental issues whatsoever. In fact, I feel it is a little harder for the rear end to break sideways as a result of the overall wider track.

+1

There is a small benefit in traction to spacers... Other than that they're purely for good looks, or what most track guys use them for, is for brake clearance issues.

Mike323 · 10-20-2011, 05:05 PM

better road holding I guess, from the slightly wider wheelbase.

Technic · 10-20-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shendrick

Generic, non hub-centric spacers are a great way to introduce shimy, vibration, and out of roundness all in the name of vanity.

Fixed.

ShadeD1 · 10-20-2011, 05:32 PM

I run them on my track wheels because they are an 18x10 square setup and they won't clear the front suspension otherwise.

Brucewonder · 10-20-2011, 05:39 PM

i did it for the looks and dont notice any shimmy/vibrations

rantarM3 · 10-20-2011, 05:58 PM

Spacers should also change the angle at which stress is placed on the hubs, perhaps causing excessive wear. I would expect that using spacers will require longer and stronger lug bolts. Since most folks don't keep their cars that long, they probably won't care about additional wear on suspension components.

Nelrock · 10-20-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantarM3

Spacers should also change the angle at which stress is placed on the hubs, perhaps causing excessive wear. I would expect that using spacers will require longer and stronger lug bolts. Since most folks don't keep their cars that long, they probably won't care about additional wear on suspension components.

I would imagine it's standard with all spacers, but mine came with lugs sufficiently long enough to compensate.

As for report of shimy...mine have been on for almost a year...and Ive experienced none. Tire wear is even.

J08M3 · 10-20-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smmmurf

+10000000000000000000

hate spacers. tried the MS and Rogue spacers and road force balanced the michelin PSS's twice, still a slight shimmy.

remove spacers, voila, no more vibration.

This... I have a set of used MS 10mm just sitting in a box.... No need on this car, it's just cosmetic.

Titanium Silver · 10-21-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainaudio

Apparently the main purpose is to upset the geometry of the suspension.

CA

+1

I think it is to throw off the precise engineering designed at BMW.

Also a great way to unbalance your wheels... custom wheel wobble on the highway.

Ateam · 10-21-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajvee

Some people run spacers so that their wheels clear big brake kits.

My own experience is that my steering felt off when I had spacers on the front wheels. It felt less precise for some reason.

Spacers have nothin to do with clearing BBK

10-20-2011, 01:45 PM	#1
hubbman Enlisted Member 5 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2020 G30 M550i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kentfield, Marin County iTrader: (0)	Benefits of Wheel Spacers on E92 M3? I'm seeing a lot of aftermarket wheel spacers out there. What is the performance benefit of this relatively low cost mod? Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-20-2011, 01:47 PM	#2
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	none really. I think their purely for looks. __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 01:48 PM	#3
juan@aep AE Performance 16 Rep 218 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Valencia,CA iTrader: (0)	the flushness.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 01:51 PM	#4
F82_SID Brigadier General 207 Rep 3,153 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6mt HK Silver Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO. USA iTrader: (2)	I dont know about a performance benefit other then the fact that it widens the track of the car. I was considering spacers to make my tires sit more flush with the fenders until I just got my new tires put on. I opted for wider tires then stock (275 & 255 vs 265 & 245) and now 80-90% of the gap between the wheel and fender is gone! __________________ 2011/E92/M3/MR/BB/ZCV/ZP2/EDC/2MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 01:55 PM	#5
captainaudio World's Foremost Authority 1181 Rep 4,535 Posts Drives: M4 Cab - Cayenne GTS - Jag XK Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Upper East Side Manhattan - Boca Raton FL - Lime Rock CT iTrader: (0)	Apparently the main purpose is to upset the geometry of the suspension. CA __________________ Drivers Club at Lime Rock - International Motorsports Research Center - Society of Automotive Historians - Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society (0nly a VP) - BMWCCA - Porsche Club of America - M Gruppe - Polish Race Drivers of America (PDRA) - Glen Club (Watkins Glen International) - Jaguar Club of Southern New England
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 02:13 PM	#6
Nelrock Lieutenant 14 Rep 514 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	Just for looks, but my favorite mod out of all the ones I've done. I didn't go crazy...subtle...but what I feel gives it an appropriate look. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| Melbourne Red \| Black Novillo w/Carbon Leather Trim \| M-DCT \| Competition Package \| Premium Package 2 \| Convenience Package \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Heated Front Seats 2004 E46 M3 \| Silver Grey \| - Retired
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 02:15 PM	#7
Grail05 Putcha ang ganda... 279 Rep 5,441 Posts Drives: 17 F82 M4 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Brea CA. iTrader: (10)	no its not just for looks. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 02:55 PM	#8
ajvee Major 118 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: None iTrader: (13)	Some people run spacers so that their wheels clear big brake kits. My own experience is that my steering felt off when I had spacers on the front wheels. It felt less precise for some reason.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 04:11 PM	#10
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	Spacers are a great way to introduce shimy, vibration, and out of roundness all in the name of vanity.
	Appreciate 1 ronniem348.00 Quote

10-20-2011, 04:50 PM	#11
rye m3 Lieutenant 33 Rep 489 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	Porsche's are offered with 5-10 mm spacers from the factory. A wider track will improve lateral acceleration, up the point where you could over stress the wheel bearings. All said, my experience with BMW's is that they are very sensitive to wheel balance and type of wheel. I'm sure it would be easy to have a bad experience with spacers, even good ones. __________________ E92 M3 MR on Red/Black ZCP Sound Carbon 2007 997S - sold 2003 E46 M3 Steel Grey on Red- sold 1997 E36 M3 Arctic Silver on Black- sold
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 05:05 PM	#14
Mike323 New Member 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 320d SE E90 Manual Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Wales iTrader: (0)	wheel spacers better road holding I guess, from the slightly wider wheelbase.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 05:32 PM	#16
ShadeD1 First Lieutenant 38 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 xDrive 35i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	I run them on my track wheels because they are an 18x10 square setup and they won't clear the front suspension otherwise.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 05:39 PM	#17
Brucewonder Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,541 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 yea boi Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Socal iTrader: (4)	i did it for the looks and dont notice any shimmy/vibrations __________________ 2011.5 E92 ///M3 SSII/FR
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 05:58 PM	#18
rantarM3 Captain 205 Rep 729 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (3)	Spacers should also change the angle at which stress is placed on the hubs, perhaps causing excessive wear. I would expect that using spacers will require longer and stronger lug bolts. Since most folks don't keep their cars that long, they probably won't care about additional wear on suspension components.
	Appreciate 0 Quote