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[calintexas]

Originally Posted by Chowster

Yes. Inside, right where the two body panels meet. I think that's what your pic is depicting, right?

I thought about taking a dremel to the plastic to smooth/remove 1-2mm of plastic to eliminate the rubbing - since it appears to be solid, not a hollow structure.

Any other brilliant ideas to help me out here Cal? Thanks!

I think you could do some grinding without causing another problem. Either that or go to a thinner spacer. My understanding is that the PZero's don't last long. PS2's or Continental's likely wouldn't have rubbed in the first place. Sorry, no brilliance here. Please post a pic when you've completed your grinding.

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by calintexas

I think you could do some grinding without causing another problem. Either that or go to a thinner spacer. My understanding is that the PZero's don't last long. PS2's or Continental's likely would have rubbed in the first place. Sorry, no brilliance here. Please post a pic when you've completed your grinding.

I assume you meant would NOT have rubbed in the first place?

And I really don't want to spend/waste money on another set of spacers. Grind plastic or remove the spacer entirely. We'll see - when I can find some time away from the kids.

[Brosef]

I had that piece trimmed on my car as well.

[Chowster]

How much can be removed, Brosef? Do you think I can get away with keeping the spacer if I grind the plastic? I'm sure the rubbing has taken 2-3mm off already.

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by Chowster

How much can be removed, Brosef? Do you think I can get away with keeping the spacer if I grind the plastic? I'm sure the rubbing has taken 2-3mm off already.

I'd give the guys at IND a call - they did it for me. Looks like they took about 6 or 7 mm off.

I'd also make sure you're not rubbing anywhere else though, because if you are you'll need to either get a smaller spacer, narrower tires, or pull the fender out.

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by Brosef

I'd give the guys at IND a call - they did it for me. Looks like they took about 6 or 7 mm off.

I'd also make sure you're not rubbing anywhere else though, because if you are you'll need to either get a smaller spacer, narrower tires, or pull the fender out.

Yikes, 6-7mm is quite a bit of grinding/smoothing. I can't really see where else the tire is rubbing. There are no marks or scuffs on the fender, or anywhere else within the wheel well. Perhaps others could chime in and let me know where else things could rub.

I was going to be brave and try some grinding on my own, but I think I'd better be smart (as a novice modder!) and just pull the spacer for now. My project is no where near as extensive as your IND machine! Maybe a 5 or 8mm spacer would be better. Or more likely nothing for now...

Thanks!

[Chowster]

Finally, a photo. I thought it was quite amusing that the P ZERO on the tire is so visible.

Is this the same location that we're all about?

[calintexas]

Originally Posted by Chowster

Finally, a photo. I thought it was quite amusing that the P ZERO on the tire is so visible.

Is this the same location that we're all about?

Looking at where you have rubbing and then going out and looking at my car, I think you could pretty safely take quite a bit of material away without being worried about creating a weak spot. It would be great if Brosef would post a picture of his car as modified so that we could see what IND did.

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by calintexas

Looking at where you have rubbing and then going out and looking at my car, I think you could pretty safely take quite a bit of material away without being worried about creating a weak spot. It would be great if Brosef would post a picture of his car as modified so that we could see what IND did.

I agree! It sure would be great if Brosef provided a photo of IND's handiwork. I'm not sure what's in behind that particular bump. It appears that it's indented only because of the body panel joint, not for any true functional reason.

Brosef??? No need for a fancy camera... I took that with my iPhone!

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by Chowster

I agree! It sure would be great if Brosef provided a photo of IND's handiwork. I'm not sure what's in behind that particular bump. It appears that it's indented only because of the body panel joint, not for any true functional reason.

Brosef??? No need for a fancy camera... I took that with my iPhone!

no magic word???

no problem - I'll see what I can get tonight, but I'm warning you it's going to be shit quality since my car is pretty low and the lighting conditions tonight will be poor.

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by Brosef

no magic word???

no problem - I'll see what I can get tonight, but I'm warning you it's going to be shit quality since my car is pretty low and the lighting conditions tonight will be poor.

PLEASE. Thanks. Crazy how good the iphone4 camera is with the flash up close.

[Brosef]

here's what I got for you. unless you can see something from these that I can't, it's largely inconclusive. the problem is that I couldn't even squeeze my index finger in there to feel if that knobby plastic protrusion has been trimmed. the pictures make the gap look much larger than it is.

here's a shot to give you an idea of how little room there is there:



in these next couple photos you can see there is some kind of square-shaped hole in the plastic that I'm guessing is there to provide access to the bolts securing the bumper (but if I have that wrong then they were probably trimmed).





and lastly, a shot from the passenger side (this was shot kind of pointing up diagonally).

[paradocs98]

Awesome thread, guys! The same thing is happening to me--2011 E90 M3, with Dinan stage III suspension and OEM Pirelli PZeros. I bought a set of 12.5mm Turner spacers all-around based on others here running 12.5/12.5, 15/12, or even 18/15 spacers without issues. I had to remove the spacers because of the same rear rubbing you guys are describing--moderate speeds, over dips and bumps. I, too, have two car seats with two kidlets in back. I'll have to check in the morning if I have a worn spot where you guys are indicating at the joint of the two panels.

I've also heard that there can be variation in overall width of the same section width tire between different manufacturers, but this apparent discrepancy between Michelin and Pirelli is crazy! If the new Michelin SuperSport has the same width and shoulder profile as the PS2, it makes me wonder if we could have success with a 275/35-19 rear SuperSport with the 12.5mm spacer...

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by Brosef

here's what I got for you. unless you can see something from these that I can't, it's largely inconclusive. the problem is that I couldn't even squeeze my index finger in there to feel if that knobby plastic protrusion has been trimmed. the pictures make the gap look much larger than it is.

Thanks very much for the photo attempts Brosef. You're right, your gap is SMALL. I'm surprised that you don't rub at all right now. Leave it to IND for these things to be done properly.

Oh yeah... NICE WHEELS.

Originally Posted by paradocs98

Awesome thread, guys! The same thing is happening to me--2011 E90 M3, with Dinan stage III suspension and OEM Pirelli PZeros. I bought a set of 12.5mm Turner spacers all-around based on others here running 12.5/12.5, 15/12, or even 18/15 spacers without issues. I had to remove the spacers because of the same rear rubbing you guys are describing--moderate speeds, over dips and bumps. I, too, have two car seats with two kidlets in back. I'll have to check in the morning if I have a worn spot where you guys are indicating at the joint of the two panels.

If the new Michelin SuperSport has the same width and shoulder profile as the PS2, it makes me wonder if we could have success with a 275/35-19 rear SuperSport with the 12.5mm spacer...

Hi Paradocs... we're in the same boat! Your setup sounds exactly the same as mine - Dinan stage 3 and 1 are equivalent drop heights in the rear. I'm still pointing my finger at the P Zeros, and their extra width and square-er shoulder profile. My solution will also be spacer removal. Just curious though, did you also remove the front spacer to maintain the same front-to-back tire-track-width ratio? Or did you end up keeping the front 12.5 for looks?

I think the Dinan setup also has to take some of the blame here, since there is in fact increased travel WITH the 1/2" drop, effectively allowing the wheel to travel further up into the wheel well. It's definitely part of the whole equation.

Dinan Stage 1/2/3 + 275/35/19 SuperSports + 12.5mm doesn't sound out of the ordinary from my forum readings, but neither did Dinan Stage 1 + 265/35 + 12mm. When I get new rubber next time around, I'll probably go with 275/35 (SuperSports or Vreds) without spacers. The 275 vs the 265 will already effectively give 5mm of additional offset.

Other option would be 265/35 and try a 12mm (or more like search the forums like crazy and PM you first to see what you did!). I just hate wasting time and money on trial and error.

[Brosef]

Chowster - if you want, I could get some better photos this weekend.

[Chowster]

No worries Brosef. I'm 99% decided to just remove the spacers and be done with it, especially after hearing from paradocs too. Much less hassle than screwing around with the dremel.

That way I also don't have to worry about spacer removal each season when my winters go on.

[evilspiritM3]

Brosef- if you get a chance I would like to see how much material IND removed. I am having the same issue but for somewhat different reasons. I have Dinan stg 1 and a 10.5 inch wheel et20, with 295/30/19 PS2s. Thanks.

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by evilspiritM3

Brosef- if you get a chance I would like to see how much material IND removed. I am having the same issue but for somewhat different reasons. I have Dinan stg 1 and a 10.5 inch wheel et20, with 295/30/19 PS2s. Thanks.

This is interesting, too, because a fully "Dinan-ed" M3 would have the suspension and the Dinan 19in wheels with 295/30-19 rear PS2s (as described on their website), and this setup would presumably not rub. So the Dinan rear wheels must be 10in wide instead of 10.5in and/or their offset less aggressive than evilspirit's rears.

[evilspiritM3]

I am not sure what Dinans offsets are, but et20 is aggressive and is probably more the source of the rubbing than the springs. I am wondering, because of the travel I am getting with the Dinan springs, how much material I would have to remove and would it be enough. In the end I suppose it will just be a trial and error game with my dremel. It appears a good amount of the plastic was removed from Brosefs wheel well.

[Brosef]

happy to get some better pictures once I get back in town. my rears are 19x10.5 ET22, so 2mm less aggressive than yours and IND had to pull my fenders out slightly to make the 295 PS2's fit. I'm guessing the reason it needed a lot more work to make it fit in my case is that (1) I have a coupe and (2) I'm dropped a bit more.

[evilspiritM3]

Originally Posted by Brosef

happy to get some better pictures once I get back in town. my rears are 19x10.5 ET22, so 2mm less aggressive than yours and IND had to pull my fenders out slightly to make the 295 PS2's fit. I'm guessing the reason it needed a lot more work to make it fit in my case is that (1) I have a coupe and (2) I'm dropped a bit more.

Thanks!

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by Brosef

happy to get some better pictures once I get back in town. my rears are 19x10.5 ET22, so 2mm less aggressive than yours and IND had to pull my fenders out slightly to make the 295 PS2's fit. I'm guessing the reason it needed a lot more work to make it fit in my case is that (1) I have a coupe and (2) I'm dropped a bit more.

10.5" with ET22 and 295s sounds pretty aggressive, with or without a drop! I can see why IND had to do so much work to make it fit. Props to IND.