Why BMW uses spacers on M3 GT4

doba_s · 05-10-2010, 10:47 PM

I was looking at the parts list that is being used to build BMW E92 M3 GT4 and I noticed that they use:

BBS Wheels:

9.5x18 ET25
10x18 ET40

Spacers:

5mm
15mm

Is there a reason why BMW decided to use spacers ?

MasterDank · 05-10-2010, 11:02 PM

Sounds like some one FV<KeD ^ ...

Or there cheap

aus · 05-10-2010, 11:11 PM

LMB said they used an existing motorsport wheel, but it required spacers to fit the E92 M3.

rzm3 · 05-10-2010, 11:59 PM

^yup. way too low of a volume to get custom offset wheels.

doba_s · 05-11-2010, 12:17 AM

interesting ... so they are willing to spend money on all other parts (akrapovic, ap racing, suspension, seats, etc.) but not on wheels ?

swamp2 · 05-11-2010, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doba_s

interesting ... so they are willing to spend money on all other parts (akrapovic, ap racing, suspension, seats, etc.) but not on wheels ?

All "off the shelf component already on the market". What they really should have done is gone with a set of RAC RG63!

duk · 05-11-2010, 01:34 AM

nothing really wrong with spacers as long as they are within reason and right lugs/bolts right?

aus · 05-11-2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp2

All "off the shelf component already on the market". What they really should have done is gone with a set of RAC RG63!

Maybe BMW would if RAC made an 18" sized track wheel!!

Alekshop · 05-11-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

Maybe BMW would if RAC made an 18" sized track wheel!!

I would get them too in 18"

aus · 05-12-2010, 12:33 AM

I've mentioned it a few times in both GB thread, but no response from shep or anyone else. I know they couldn't make the RG63 fit the 380mm Brembo's for the E46 GB, so that maybe an issue.

FruitCake · 05-12-2010, 12:34 AM

Spacers are 100% okay if you do it correctly.

**ben@tirerack** · 05-12-2010, 04:19 PM

Porsche used to use some big spacers on the old 911 Turbo with the widebody. OEM's will do that sometimes, and it is ok if done right. All else equal, I'd rather not have to deal with it, but sometimes it's worth the slight extra hassle of one more piece to avoid having to get a wheel custom made.

noxredna · 05-13-2010, 02:12 AM

Spacers when installed properly in a necessary situation should by right have no adverse effects on the car. You must also be mindful that the gt4 cars run studs and nuts, many of which are forged and very strong- if not replaced every other race by new ones. Spacers have the potential to put additional pressure on your bolts or studs and therefore some people feel that its not the best thing to do when you use it for a long period of time on the street.

GTM_Challenge · 05-13-2010, 02:51 PM

This was a flow cast wheel BBS developed for BMW motorsport. It was made this way so they could put it on as many cars as possible. These are actually very light wheels for cast 18s. Were actually trying to get these made for us for our motorsports crowd right now. The cost should be pretty reasonable. It is not a wheel officially approved for "on road" use though. It is plenty strong regardles..

Maseroche · 05-14-2010, 03:35 AM

GT3 RS has a factory 5mm spacer in the rear so its not just BMW.

BMW269 · 05-14-2010, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maseroche

GT3 RS has a factory 5mm spacer in the rear so its not just BMW.

+1

05-10-2010, 10:47 PM	#1
doba_s Major General 405 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	Why BMW uses spacers on M3 GT4 I was looking at the parts list that is being used to build BMW E92 M3 GT4 and I noticed that they use: BBS Wheels: 9.5x18 ET25 10x18 ET40 Spacers: 5mm 15mm Is there a reason why BMW decided to use spacers ?
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05-10-2010, 11:02 PM	#2
MasterDank Boats & Hoes 21 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 13 F10 M5 Sakhir Orang,Chohiba Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: K-Town HI iTrader: (0)	Sounds like some one FV<KeD ^ ... Or there cheap
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05-10-2010, 11:11 PM	#3
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,031 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	LMB said they used an existing motorsport wheel, but it required spacers to fit the E92 M3. __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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05-10-2010, 11:59 PM	#4
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	^yup. way too low of a volume to get custom offset wheels.
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05-11-2010, 12:17 AM	#5
doba_s Major General 405 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	interesting ... so they are willing to spend money on all other parts (akrapovic, ap racing, suspension, seats, etc.) but not on wheels ?
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05-11-2010, 01:34 AM	#7
duk ///M 158 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	nothing really wrong with spacers as long as they are within reason and right lugs/bolts right? __________________ 2011.5 AW/FR E92 M3 6MT
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05-12-2010, 12:33 AM	#10
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,031 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	I've mentioned it a few times in both GB thread, but no response from shep or anyone else. I know they couldn't make the RG63 fit the 380mm Brembo's for the E46 GB, so that maybe an issue. __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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05-12-2010, 12:34 AM	#11
FruitCake Banned 88 Rep 1,680 Posts Drives: '10 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (19)	Spacers are 100% okay if you do it correctly.
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05-12-2010, 04:19 PM	#12
ben@tirerack M3Post Supporting Vendor 87 Rep 964 Posts Drives: 740i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Bend, IN iTrader: (0)	Porsche used to use some big spacers on the old 911 Turbo with the widebody. OEM's will do that sometimes, and it is ok if done right. All else equal, I'd rather not have to deal with it, but sometimes it's worth the slight extra hassle of one more piece to avoid having to get a wheel custom made. __________________ _______________________________________________ I have accepted a new position at Tire Rack and am no longer in the sales department. gary@tirerack.com is available to assist with M3 questions.
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05-13-2010, 02:12 AM	#13
noxredna Captain 63 Rep 672 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E30 M3, 1M, F10 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore & San Fransisco iTrader: (0)	Spacers when installed properly in a necessary situation should by right have no adverse effects on the car. You must also be mindful that the gt4 cars run studs and nuts, many of which are forged and very strong- if not replaced every other race by new ones. Spacers have the potential to put additional pressure on your bolts or studs and therefore some people feel that its not the best thing to do when you use it for a long period of time on the street.
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05-13-2010, 02:51 PM	#14
GTM_Challenge 270 Rep 2,946 Posts Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nashville iTrader: (7)	This was a flow cast wheel BBS developed for BMW motorsport. It was made this way so they could put it on as many cars as possible. These are actually very light wheels for cast 18s. Were actually trying to get these made for us for our motorsports crowd right now. The cost should be pretty reasonable. It is not a wheel officially approved for "on road" use though. It is plenty strong regardles..
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05-14-2010, 03:35 AM	#15
Maseroche Major 55 Rep 1,447 Posts Drives: '12 BMW M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bahrain iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 [0.00]	GT3 RS has a factory 5mm spacer in the rear so its not just BMW. __________________ Khalid '12 BMW E92 M3 '03 BMW E46 M3 '14 Mercedes-Benz S400 '18 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
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