[Ronin76]

Hi All,

As the title says, I was hoping the more experienced owners could give me a spacers tutorial for dummies. I know what they do and I think I plan on using them for the aesthetics as I do not like the sunken look of the OEM wheels. I also know there are two camps...those why use them and those who never would do to possible wear and tear and/or safety reasons. Is the size of the spacers the issue? The bigger they are the more risk they pose? I was thinking lowering the car and going 15f/18r or 18f/20r.

If I do not plan on tracking the car and only drive to work and some spirited backroad driving would it be a problem?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Hi All,

As the title says, I was hoping the more experienced owners could give me a spacers tutorial for dummies. I know what they do and I think I plan on using them for the aesthetics as I do not like the sunken look of the OEM wheels. I also know there are two camps...those why use them and those who never would do to possible wear and tear and/or safety reasons. Is the size of the spacers the issue? The bigger they are the more risk they pose? I was thinking lowering the car and going 15f/18r or 18f/20r.

If I do not plan on tracking the car and only drive to work and some spirited backroad driving would it be a problem?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

I think you have a decent handle on them. For purely aesthetics, get the right spacers and dont go too far (size/width) you will be fine. If you are getting the HAS, you will need to play with your ride height with spacer size (what your intentions are with respect to setup and looks).

If you are going with new aftermarket rims, get the right offset (based on the size rims), and you wont need spacers.

[Ravenseal]

I wouldn't do spacers above 5mm, anything larger is detrimental to your suspension. If you do choose any kind of spacer, make sure you're getting the highest quality spacers you can buy. Do NOT cheap out on something from eBay or shady sellers. At least in my experience.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Hi All,
I was thinking lowering the car and going 15f/18r or 18f/20r.

If I do not plan on tracking the car and only drive to work and some spirited backroad driving would it be a problem?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

If you're not tracking the vehicle, you'll be fine. I had spacers on my 330e for 32k miles without any issues. Removed them when I traded it in and put them on my M2. If you go 15/18 or 18/20, your tires are going to stick out from the fenders. That looks poor, imo.

I have 13f/15r and the sidewall of my tires is lined up with the fenders - I checked with a level. Also be aware that pulling the front tires out some, even inline with the fender will cause pebbles/stones to be kicked up toward your rocker panels, so I'd cover those areas with ppf.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

If you're not tracking the vehicle, you'll be fine. I had spacers on my 330e for 32k miles without any issues. Removed them when I traded it in and put them on my M2. If you go 15/18 or 18/20, your tires are going to stick out from the fenders. That looks poor, imo.

I have 13f/15r and the sidewall of my tires is lined up with the fenders - I checked with a level. Also be aware that pulling the front tires out some, even inline with the fender will cause pebbles/stones to be kicked up toward your rocker panels, so I'd cover those areas with ppf.

Thanks for the reply. I mention those sizes because many on this forum (in different threads) have mentioned those sizes after lowering their cars looked rarher flush. I have no experience with spacers so can only go by what others have done and shown. Also several YouTube vids show those sizes as well though I admit they are rather aggressive set ups. Yes, I have already budgeted PPF and am think about getting TLG mud guards too just to be safe.

EDIT: when I first saw your post I read it on my cell phone so did not see your pics. Nice car! I am wanting Toronto Red as well. Is your car lowered at all? I think that may be the reason for the difference in spacer sizes. I think the more you are lowered the more the wheels are sunken it.

[LCDRJohn]

Here is some Geekery™ to add to the mix:

I just had some discussion with an engineer/race car guy I know and asked a bunch of questions about spacers. He had some insights but did not know if they made any real difference to actual driving dynamics or suspension stress.

First, he mentioned that the steering geometry will change and move the pivot point of the front wheels outward. This will increase the scrub-radius and possibly make it a positive scrub-radius. (google all this for diagrams). He also mentioned that the relative camber curve to the outside edge of the tire will change slightly depending on how the axle is mounted relative to the lower arm and strut. Both of these changes may be a benefit, such as better steering feel, and better camber curve. But they also may go in the other direction.

I found the whole thing interesting, but we both questioned if this would even be discernible with a small 12mm spacer.

As usual for him, he said he could not comment on that. Like most engineers, he hates guessing. LOL.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Thanks for the reply. I mention those sizes because many on this forum (in different threads) have mentioned those sizes after lowering their cars looked rarher flush. I have no experience with spacers so can only go by what others have done and shown. Also several YouTube vids show those sizes as well though I admit they are rather aggressive set ups. Yes, I have already budgeted PPF and am think about getting TLG mud guards too just to be safe.

EDIT: when I first saw your post I read it on my cell phone so did not see your pics. Nice car! I am wanting Toronto Red as well. Is your car lowered at all? I think that may be the reason for the difference in spacer sizes. I think the more you are lowered the more the wheels are sunken it.

My car is stock ride height. I may add the M Performance HAS kit in the future and re-evaluate. The best way is to get proper offset wheels. I have the Burger Motorsport spacers but may switch to the Future Classics because they bolt to the hub.

[DrewNewM2]

I personally don’t like the stock height, sunken wheel look so within a week of having my M2, I did KW HAS and 18mm MS spacers F&R. Really makes the car look MUCH better. I’d prefer to get the same look without spacers with just lower offset aftermarket wheels like I’ve done with previous cars. I will do that eventually. I have no idea if the spacers affect the handling dynamics of the car. I can’t tell. I do have front TLG Flaps and don’t think the poke is bad at all. It’s flush.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

I personally don’t like the stock height, sunken wheel look so within a week of having my M2, I did KW HAS and 18mm MS spacers F&R. Really makes the car look MUCH better. I’d prefer to get the same look without spacers with just lower offset aftermarket wheels like I’ve done with previous cars. I will do that eventually. I have no idea if the spacers affect the handling dynamics of the car. I can’t tell. I do have front TLG Flaps and don’t think the poke is bad at all. It’s flush.

Thanks for the reply. This is the fitment I am going for. Is your ride hight just the 10mm drop from the HAS kit or did you go even lower than that? I am hoping that is 10mm so it is just plug and play with the wheels.

[Carefree]

I have the port installed HAS and wouldn’t go any lower but that’s an individual choice. YMMV

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by Carefree

I have the port installed HAS and wouldn’t go any lower but that’s an individual choice. YMMV

Yeah, I would say that is pretty perfect. Definitely good to know!! Thanks for the post and the pic!

[AZG87]

Port installed MP HAS 10mm drop with conservative 12mm spacers all around just until new light weight wheels with proper offsets go on. I leverage them more as a temp bandaid for bad fitment from the factory lol.

[WhiteRqbbit]

Pros: better fitment

Cons: You Die

Everyone knows the first rule...

[AZG87]

Originally Posted by WhiteRqbbit

Pros: better fitment

Cons: You Die

Everyone knows the first rule...

If running spacers on the oem wheels you can also say adding rotational weight to already heavy boat anchors is a con. In addition to death of course 😂

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by AZG87

If running spacers on the oem wheels you can also say adding rotational weight to already heavy boat anchors is a con. In addition to death of course 😂

The rotational weight is so close to the hub and so small it's negligible.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Hi All,

As the title says, I was hoping the more experienced owners could give me a spacers tutorial for dummies. I know what they do and I think I plan on using them for the aesthetics as I do not like the sunken look of the OEM wheels. I also know there are two camps...those why use them and those who never would do to possible wear and tear and/or safety reasons. Is the size of the spacers the issue? The bigger they are the more risk they pose? I was thinking lowering the car and going 15f/18r or 18f/20r.

If I do not plan on tracking the car and only drive to work and some spirited backroad driving would it be a problem?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

I went with IND's recommendation of 15F/12R with stock ride height and it's fine. I would not go more than 15, personally, but that's not based on hard science.

[DrewNewM2]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Thanks for the reply. This is the fitment I am going for. Is your ride hight just the 10mm drop from the HAS kit or did you go even lower than that? I am hoping that is 10mm so it is just plug and play with the wheels.

They are lower but not Max low. I left it up to the shop to get the height and alignment right for the spacers and make sure it didn’t rub. I don’t know the exact setting in MMs.

[Baller]

15F/12R sounds backwards shouldn't it be the other way around?

[ScottyRyan2019]

Originally Posted by Baller

15F/12R sounds backwards shouldn't it be the other way around?

Noper. Stock, the fronts are actually a tab bit further in than the rears.

[DanteM2c]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Hi All,

As the title says, I was hoping the more experienced owners could give me a spacers tutorial for dummies. I know what they do and I think I plan on using them for the aesthetics as I do not like the sunken look of the OEM wheels. I also know there are two camps...those why use them and those who never would do to possible wear and tear and/or safety reasons. Is the size of the spacers the issue? The bigger they are the more risk they pose? I was thinking lowering the car and going 15f/18r or 18f/20r.

If I do not plan on tracking the car and only drive to work and some spirited backroad driving would it be a problem?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Hello,
Ive jusr taken out a 15mm, 12mm all around and the car is so soft with bad streets . Why is so harsh with spacers.
Also it looked a little over flush but will try 10mm or look for 5mm like Porsche does or Apex wheels and kill the problem no spacers. Btw low and no spacers looks nice. I dont know when the spacers fever got in. Bmw sets up the car for Engineering reasons we dont know but it works .
There is those bbs with spacers . I am investigating that set up. Safe is first.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by DanteM2c

Hello,
Btw low and no spacers looks nice

In your opinion.

I do understand that BMW made it that way for some reason...many manufacturers do. The 992 from Porsche has the same issue.

[DanteM2c]

Hello, i just put them on again they look way better and ordered the bbs unlimited setup.
You say the new 992 carrera has way in the wheels? I had 991 and 991.5 with the 5mm spacers which make no difference.
I installes 12mm on 4 corners looks better than 15 12 in my opinion . Will try 12 , 10.
Regards!