Front 10mm Spacers. Safe?

[ki__]

Like the title says,

I can't seem to find any threads that answer this question. I know many people run 15mm & 12mm on their front wheels, but is 10mm safe as well?

Kian

[Denk]

As long as they sit flush, absolutely. I know that MS and TMS 10mm spacers sit flush on my hub and 220M.

[Vic311]

Why would 15s, 12s be okay but not 10s

Perfectly safe..just use hubcentric spacers with the right sized lug bolts

[ki__]

Originally Posted by Denk

As long as they sit flush, absolutely. I know that MS and TMS 10mm spacers sit flush on my hub and 220M.

Which do you prefer of the two?

[Denk]

Originally Posted by KEYON

Which do you prefer of the two?

TMS.

[THE TECH]

I use BBS 10mm spacers on mine.

[SROC3]

I have ZCP - 18mm works perfect. No rubbing.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Vic311

Why would 15s, 12s be okay but not 10s

See the quote from Turner Motorsport's web page for an explanation. I personally avoid 10mm spacers for this reason.

"A note about 10mm spacers: Any 10mm spacer is considered a custom fitment. The stock hubcentric lip on BMWs can stick out by as much as 11mm. This leaves a gap between the spacer and the hub which seriously compromises safety. We recommend using a larger spacer (12mm and larger do not have this issue) or check that the lip sticks out less than 10mm." Turner Motorsports


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-43...lications.aspx

[Vic311]

Originally Posted by slicer

See the quote from Turner Motorsport's web page for an explanation. I personally avoid 10mm spacers for this reason.

"A note about 10mm spacers: Any 10mm spacer is considered a custom fitment. The stock hubcentric lip on BMWs can stick out by as much as 11mm. This leaves a gap between the spacer and the hub which seriously compromises safety. We recommend using a larger spacer (12mm and larger do not have this issue) or check that the lip sticks out less than 10mm." Turner Motorsports


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-43...lications.aspx

Ahh..differences in the stock hub lip that could cause a 10mm spacer to not seat right..interesting read. I suppose then a 12mm would be the safe bet

[Z K]

10mm is fine if you are using the OEM M3 wheels. They have a tapered lip that makes it seat flush with the spacer. The only time you have to worry with 10mm spacers is with aftermarket wheels - you'll have to see if they have enough taper at the hub to sit flat.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Z K

10mm is fine if you are using the OEM M3 wheels. They have a tapered lip that makes it seat flush with the spacer. The only time you have to worry with 10mm spacers is with aftermarket wheels - you'll have to see if they have enough taper at the hub to sit flat.

I don't think the interface between the wheel and the spacer is the issue. It's the interface between the spacer, hub and hub centric lip. If the lip is thicker than the spacer then the spacer will be suspended away from the hub face - won't sit flat.

[ki__]

Originally Posted by Z K

10mm is fine if you are using the OEM M3 wheels. They have a tapered lip that makes it seat flush with the spacer. The only time you have to worry with 10mm spacers is with aftermarket wheels - you'll have to see if they have enough taper at the hub to sit flat.

I would put them on my ZCP wheels.

[ki__]

Originally Posted by slicer

See the quote from Turner Motorsport's web page for an explanation. I personally avoid 10mm spacers for this reason.

"A note about 10mm spacers: Any 10mm spacer is considered a custom fitment. The stock hubcentric lip on BMWs can stick out by as much as 11mm. This leaves a gap between the spacer and the hub which seriously compromises safety. We recommend using a larger spacer (12mm and larger do not have this issue) or check that the lip sticks out less than 10mm." Turner Motorsports


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-43...lications.aspx

I read that too. That's why I was uncertain..

[kawasaki00]

Mine were all fine but a buddie has a hub that stick out .397, 10mm x.03937 is .394. He cant run a 10 on the rear because of it. Measure first, if no problems run the 10

[Z K]

Originally Posted by slicer

I don't think the interface between the wheel and the spacer is the issue. It's the interface between the spacer, hub and hub centric lip. If the lip is thicker than the spacer then the spacer will be suspended away from the hub face - won't sit flat.

Totally spacer manufacturer and car model dependent. The MS spacers I have sit flush on the M3 hub no problem but it does have more of a bevel around hub lip. The issue here is with non-OEM wheels which may not have the bevel. OEM wheels clear no problem. So the problem is opposite what you describe.

Other manufacturer/car combos may have the hub-to-spacer issue that you describe. Totally up to spacer design.

Here is the 10mm:


Compared to the 12mm which has no bevel:

[ki__]

^ Very interesting, I never noticed that. I am assuming that they put that there so it is safe to use with OEM wheels?

Do TMS spacers have this as well?

[Z K]

Originally Posted by KEYON

^ Very interesting, I never noticed that. I am assuming that they put that there so it is safe to use with OEM wheels?

Do TMS spacers have this as well?

They have the bevel to allow the spacer to sit flush with the hub.

TMS has the bevel too on the 10mm.

[Denk]

Here are my MS and TMS 10mm spacer's, they're both sporting the same beveling. If you have a problem with one, you'll have a problem with the other regarding flush mounting.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by slicer

See the quote from Turner Motorsport's web page for an explanation. I personally avoid 10mm spacers for this reason.

"A note about 10mm spacers: Any 10mm spacer is considered a custom fitment. The stock hubcentric lip on BMWs can stick out by as much as 11mm. This leaves a gap between the spacer and the hub which seriously compromises safety. We recommend using a larger spacer (12mm and larger do not have this issue) or check that the lip sticks out less than 10mm."

Then why does Turner make 10 mm spacers for the e9x M3?
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-43...lications.aspx

I have a set of their 10 mm spacers and they fit perfectly and required zero modification to the hub length (on both the F and R, as well as on a 2009 and 2012 M3).

[JC919]

Originally Posted by slicer

See the quote from Turner Motorsport's web page for an explanation. I personally avoid 10mm spacers for this reason.

"A note about 10mm spacers: Any 10mm spacer is considered a custom fitment. The stock hubcentric lip on BMWs can stick out by as much as 11mm. This leaves a gap between the spacer and the hub which seriously compromises safety. We recommend using a larger spacer (12mm and larger do not have this issue) or check that the lip sticks out less than 10mm." Turner Motorsports


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-43...lications.aspx

Have had 8mm on my rears (IND made them for me) for about 30k miles without any issues.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Then why does Turner make 10 mm spacers for the e9x M3?
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-43...lications.aspx

I have a set of their 10 mm spacers and they fit perfectly and required zero modification to the hub length (on both the F and R, as well as on a 2009 and 2012 M3).

He quoted Turner's site in regards to the 10mm spacer as using caution when using their spacer. It's not to say it can't be done.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Then why does Turner make 10 mm spacers for the e9x M3?
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-43...lications.aspx

I have a set of their 10 mm spacers and they fit perfectly and required zero modification to the hub length (on both the F and R, as well as on a 2009 and 2012 M3).

My guess is that the tolerances are tight and maybe turner has seen some small variations in the OEM hub height and then there is the issue with the taper that one of the other posters outlined. The 10mm spacer gives no margin for error; while 12mm+ is a guaranteed fit. I think the only way to truly determine whether it won't be a problem for your given set-up is to do a test fit. I would start by inserting the spacers into the wheel to insure it can sit flush (no interference with the taper). Then I would separately place the spacer on the car and insure it can sit flush (no interference with the hub). If both of those things check out then you should be good.