Wheel Spacers

[Hyperion.uk]

Looking at a lot of the pictures posted, I do like the look of spacers on much of them and how they improve the look.
I am considering these, seems 15mm front and 20mm rear is the most common combination?
But are there any negatives to consider when adding spacers, and, which brand are generally considered the go-to? I would appreciate some recomendations.

 

[jakubw28]

I've been advised to add 10mm back and 05mm front spacers to improve ride quality, I do want to go for 20mm back and 15mm front but since my car is a daily driver I'm scared it'll damage the wheel bearings over time

 

[Zedebee]

I've been advised to add 10mm back and 05mm front spacers to improve ride quality,

That sounds like complete rubbish. Added spacers to the rear of an E85 on standard wheels certainly improves the aesthetics, but any spacers will places additional stresses on the suspension components. I usually run 15mm at the rear but not at the front as I have had issues with rubbing in the past.

 

[Paul345]

I've been advised to add 10mm back and 05mm front spacers to improve ride quality, I do want to go for 20mm back and 15mm front but since my car is a daily driver I'm scared it'll damage the wheel bearings over time

Hi,i run 15 at front and 20 at rear. Not had any issues at all. Done around 5000 miles.

 

[coldel]

Not sure why adding spacers would improve ride quality? Same shocks and springs. You should see a reduction in body roll but I would say thats a performance improvement rather than a ride quality improvement.

Adding spacers will of course move the supports for the cars weight further out. What effect does that have on each individual component, who knows, I have never seen any empirical evidence showing the effects. Does it look better, yes for sure.

I had 15mm and 20mm on my E85 with MV2s and there were no rubbing issues at all.

In terms of brands, just go for something mid priced, I've not heard any stories of mid budget spacers falling apart or failing (to be honest its one component that is hard to fail just by the sheer fact its a lump of metal). I think I paid 75 quid for front and rear off ebay.

 

[MikeyH]

Iv'e been tempted to put some on the front but I'm worried that it will make the steering worse.

 

[damocell]

I run 20mm front and rear without any issues, stock camber at the front but lowered on eibach springs.

Untitled by Damien Bower, on Flickr

Wheels are exactly the same specs as stock Z4 18's

I've also run spacers on multiple cars on both road and track without any extra running issues, or making the steering worse or any other issue that people tend to worry about.

Also, those wondering about a handling difference, if you're an F1 driver or Le Mans winner you might notice a difference on the very limit through Eau Rogue, but pottering on the way to Tesco you aren't going to notice much of a change :rofl:

 

[Hyperion.uk]

I run 20mm front and rear without any issues, stock camber at the front but lowered on eibach springs.

Untitled by Damien Bower, on Flickr

Wheels are exactly the same specs as stock Z4 18's

I've also run spacers on multiple cars on both road and track without any extra running issues, or making the steering worse or any other issue that people tend to worry about.

Also, those wondering about a handling difference, if you're an F1 driver or Le Mans winner you might notice a difference on the very limit through Eau Rogue, but pottering on the way to Tesco you aren't going to notice much of a change :rofl:

This is the sort of look I was after. Which spacers did you go for?
I was looking atthese, not sure if anyone has had experience of them:
https://www.direnza.co.uk/product/wheel-spacers/bmw-z3-z4-96-13-20mm-wheel-spacers-pair-5x120-m12x1-5-72-6mm/

 

[damocell]

I bought some off ebay as I always have but also went to a stud and nut kit which makes changing wheels so so so much easier especially when you have spacers too.

Untitled by Damien Bower, on Flickr

Spacers: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361041625401

Stud and Nut: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324155740692

If you've not installed studs and nuts before, its only 25nm of torque to the stud in the hub with green loctite

 

[Ed Doe]

Not sure why adding spacers would improve ride quality? Same shocks and springs.

Technically speaking by fitting spacers you're effectively increasing the length of the 'pivot' which does alter the 'wheel rate' for a given 'spring rate'... ldman: Same force, but acting against the spring on a longer (by the length of the spacer) lever, so more travel, so effectively a softer 'wheel rate' if that makes any sense?

Honestly though it'd be so minor, something you'd be looking at carefully when trying to shave 10th off a lap, but I very much doubt it'd translate to a noticeable improvement in ride quality(!)

 

[coldel]

Not sure why adding spacers would improve ride quality? Same shocks and springs.

Technically speaking by fitting spacers you're effectively increasing the length of the 'pivot' which does the 'wheel rate' for a given 'spring rate'... ldman: Same force, but acting against the spring on a longer (by the length of the spacer) lever, so more travel, so effectively a softer 'wheel rate' if that makes any sense?

Honestly though it'd be so minor, something you'd be looking at carefully when trying to shave 10th off a lap, but I very much doubt it'd translate to a noticeable improvement in ride quality(!)

Aye that makes sense, but as you say, it would be so marginal it would be unnoticeable day to day.

A bit like when people spend £500 on a CAI and get +1bhp and claim they can feel the difference (its actually just the noise making the car sound faster )

 

[Ed Doe]

Aye that makes sense, but as you say, it would be so marginal it would be unnoticeable day to day.

A bit like when people spend £500 on a CAI and get +1bhp and claim they can feel the difference (its actually just the noise making the car sound faster )

:lol: totally agree - particularly when you factor in the inherent inaccuracies of measuring BHP on a dyno... but don't get me started on that little chestnut :lol:

 

[MikeyH]

Yes, been there with a similar thing years ago. Bought a special green felt tip pen that when wiped around the edge of a CD apparently stopped the stray light upsetting the sound. :headbang: Wife thought it was stupid and looking back it made no ruddy difference at all. :rofl:

 

[coldel]

Reminds me of a convo with my missus last year, her mum heard that putting milk in the door of the fridge meant it went sour quicker as the door was constantly being opened and closed. I asked her if her milk was constantly going sour then? She said no. So in effect she had put in unverified solution, made getting the milk out much more difficult, for a problem that didn't actually exist :rofl: