Macht Schnell wheel spacer reference thread

One of the first things that can really enhance the appearance of your new M3 are spacers. Not only can they be aesthetically pleasing, but the added track width can improve handling characteristics as well. Often the question of "what size spacers can I run" is brought up numerous times on the forums. This can be a bit of a loaded question since there are many variables to account for.

This thread will serve as a reference to help make their decision based on the above criteria.

Examples:

- Wheel choice (OEM 18" or 19")
- Tire choice
- Suspension
- Driving habits/track use
- Aesthetic preference

Please format your entries using the following format:

1. The year/model of your BMW: (ie: 2008 M3)

2. Wheels/offset:
Front: (ie: 18x8.5 OEM M3, ET29)
Rear: (ie: 18x9.5 OEM M3, ET23)

3. Tire size:
Front: (ie: Michelin PS2 245/40-18)
Rear: (ie: Michelin PS2 265/40-18)

4. Suspension:
(ie: EDC w/ H&R Sport Springs)

5. Spacer size:
Front: (ie: 18mm)
Rear: (ie: 15mm)

Let's begin.

Installation

There's a bit more to installing spacers than yanking the wheels off and sandwiching them between the wheels. Here's how to determine what kit is needed.

The outermost point of your tire/wheel combo will be at the outermost "bulge" of your tire's sidewall. Using a straightedge or ruler flush with both the top and bottom of the tire - measure the clearance from the outer face of the tire to the inner lip of your fender and record the results onto paper for later.

In this picture, we can gauge the clearance using a tape measure (straightedge not shown):



Next, begin by jacking up the vehicle and securing with jackstands. Remove wheel and clean hub of all dirt and/or surface rush with a wire wheel to ensure a clean and flush mounting surface, eliminating the chance of vibration:



A small amount of anti-sieze on the hub lip will make spacer removal easier if needed:



Macht Schnell spacer mounted to front wheel, ready for wheel mounting:



Extended lugs must be used and are included with all Macht Schnell spacer kits. Secure wheel with new fasteners and torque to 85-90ft lbs, reinspecting after 50 miles.

before










equipped with Macht Schnell Competition Spacer kit: (18mm front, 15mm rear)


















Year/model BMW:
2009 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
Stock springs equipped w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 18mm
Rear: 15mm

(Normally referred to as "Bulldog Stance")

Before:




equipped with Macht Schnell Competition Spacer kit: (18mm front, 15mm rear)












Year/model BMW:
2009 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
Stock springs equipped w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 18mm
Rear: 15mm

Year/model BMW:
2009 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 VMR V710, ET20
Rear: 19x9.5 VMR V710, ET22

Tire size:
Front:Nitto Invo 255/35-19
Rear: Nitto Invo 285/30-19

Suspension:
H&R springs w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: None
Rear: 5mm

Before:




After:










Year/model BMW:
2009 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
Stock springs equipped w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 15mm
Rear: 12mm
______________

reserved 6

Year/model BMW:
2008 M3 Coupe

Wheels/offset:
Front: 18x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 18x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/40-18
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/40-18

Suspension:
H&R springs equipped w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 10mm
Rear: 15mm

Year/model BMW:
2008 M3 Coupe

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
H&R springs equipped w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 18mm
Rear: 15mm

Year/model BMW:
2008 M3 Sedan

Wheels/offset:
Front: 18x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 18x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/40-18
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/40-18

Suspension:
Stock

Spacer size:
Front: 15mm
Rear: 12mm

my E90 with H&R Sport, 15mm all around and OEM 19' wheels

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5184669#post5184669

Before:



After front 12mm spacer application










Year/model BMW:
2008 M3 Coupe

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19" HRE

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/45-19

Spacer size:
Front: 12mm
Rear: None

After:







Year/model BMW:
2008 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
Dinan Stage 1 Suspension w/ EDC

B]Spacer size:[/B]
Front: 15mm
Rear: 10mm

Year/model BMW:
2008 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
Eiback Pro Springs

Spacer size:
Front: 15mm
Rear: 12mm

Great reference thread, thanks guys. Should be a sticky.

Year/model BMW:
2009 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
OEM w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 18mm
Rear: 15mm

Year/model BMW:
2009 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
OEM w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 18mm
Rear: 15mm

Before:










After:










Year/model BMW:
2008 e90 M3

Wheels/offset:
Front: 19x8.5 OEM M3, ET29
Rear: 19x9.5 OEM M3, ET23

Tire size:
Front:Michelin PS2 245/35-19
Rear: Michelin PS2 265/35-19

Suspension:
OEM w/ EDC

Spacer size:
Front: 18mm
Rear: 15mm

i have heard a few people complain about a shaking feeling around 70-80mph with spacers installed. is this a common problem with all spacers?

MDBimmer wrote

i have heard a few people complain about a shaking feeling around 70-80mph with spacers installed. is this a common problem with all spacers?

If the car starts shaking it sounds like either the spacer was installed incorrectly, or a wheel balancing issue.

I see 18/15 the most popular and aggressive setup. Why haven't you'll gone for a square setup - 15 allround? I thought to maintain the stock handling it would be good to have a square setup.
Could someone enlighten me please? I am looking at getting spacers - may be 15 - but I don't want to have long term issues such as bearing failures and etc.

aussiem3 wrote

I see 18/15 the most popular and aggressive setup. Why haven't you'll gone for a square setup - 15 allround? I thought to maintain the stock handling it would be good to have a square setup.
Could someone enlighten me please? I am looking at getting spacers - may be 15 - but I don't want to have long term issues such as bearing failures and etc.

The stock offsets we got on our E92 M3 (18" OEM) is ET 29 Fronts and ET 23 rears. By putting on these spacers your eventual offset would be:

ET11 - Fronts
ET8 - Rears

So essentially here you're making the offsets closer together by doing this, but if you want to go with a 15mm spacer all around, there's no problem with that. I probably just wouldn't do 18mm all around unless you're ready with the fender roller