5mm spacers, extended bolts?

deadserial · 04-29-2019, 10:15 AM

I've gotten mixed results while searching for this, but I'm debating a 5mm hubcentric spacer in the rear for my square 19x8.5 +35 setup to get the rear to match the flushness on the front. Would that require extended bolts as well?

exE36M3 · 05-05-2019, 04:30 PM

Ok so from my BRZ experience, a 3mm spacer is the most you can run with stock bolts and still have enough bite. At 5mm... that's one more thread length.

If the BRZ people are worried about 2mm with only 200hp... I'd lean toward more threads on a 300hp+ car.

If I were you, since you are already dropping coin on rims and tires, I'd get the longer bolts.

328iX · 05-07-2019, 12:54 AM

Most kits come with bolts, and yes, I would highly recommend bolts at 5mm

"BRZ people" have studs and lug nuts, not lug bolts, but in the end it's about thread engagement, not power output.

4-5 full turns is what I personally would consider safe.

AshlandTE87 · 05-07-2019, 09:10 AM

Iâ€™ve read where some folks say that 5mm is too thin a spacer and that minimum thickness should be 10mm or 12mm because of hub engagement.

I never really thought about spacers until just recently and it seems like there are a lot of differing opinions out there. Specifically, what is the minimum thickness to be considered safe front and rear? Iâ€™d like to make a subtle difference in the look/stance of my car and thatâ€™s why Iâ€™m more interested in knowing what the minimum safe requirement is.

Thanks!

deadserial · 05-07-2019, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

Most kits come with bolts, and yes, I would highly recommend bolts at 5mm

"BRZ people" have studs and lug nuts, not lug bolts, but in the end it's about thread engagement, not power output.

4-5 full turns is what I personally would consider safe.

I had a couple people message me and tell me they run 5mm without an issue, so I installed them as is. I actually got a little over 7 turns on mine. I think it is okay to run them without extended bolts.

deadserial · 05-07-2019, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshlandTE87

Iâ€™ve read where some folks say that 5mm is too thin a spacer and that minimum thickness should be 10mm or 12mm because of hub engagement.

I never really thought about spacers until just recently and it seems like there are a lot of differing opinions out there. Specifically, what is the minimum thickness to be considered safe front and rear? Iâ€™d like to make a subtle difference in the look/stance of my car and thatâ€™s why Iâ€™m more interested in knowing what the minimum safe requirement is.

Thanks!

No 5mm is fine as long as it is a flat spacer, but anything between 6-12mm won't give you enough hub length to be hubcentric anymore if it's flat, or if it has a hubcentric ring it will not be deep enough to cover the factory hub.

Z K · 05-07-2019, 11:58 AM

I wouldn't chance anything more than 3mm without extended bolts.

AshlandTE87 · 05-07-2019, 11:59 AM

Thanks for the info!

328iX · 05-07-2019, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadserial

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

Most kits come with bolts, and yes, I would highly recommend bolts at 5mm

"BRZ people" have studs and lug nuts, not lug bolts, but in the end it's about thread engagement, not power output.

4-5 full turns is what I personally would consider safe.

I had a couple people message me and tell me they run 5mm without an issue, so I installed them as is. I actually got a little over 7 turns on mine. I think it is okay to run them without extended bolts.

Best of luck!

Watsey · 05-17-2019, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshlandTE87

Iâ€™ve read where some folks say that 5mm is too thin a spacer and that minimum thickness should be 10mm or 12mm because of hub engagement.

I never really thought about spacers until just recently and it seems like there are a lot of differing opinions out there. Specifically, what is the minimum thickness to be considered safe front and rear? Iâ€™d like to make a subtle difference in the look/stance of my car and thatâ€™s why Iâ€™m more interested in knowing what the minimum safe requirement is.

Thanks!

Correct. The 'best' way is to use hub centric spacers as this ensures (assuming you buy from a premium manufacturer) that the wheels are placed/held exactly centred on the hub.

BMW hubs and OEM/compliant wheels are machined as hub centric for a reason. They also make wheel fitting much easier. Flat spacers can compromise the hub centric alignment, leading to rotational imbalance.

5mall5nail5 · 05-17-2019, 10:22 PM

There's actually a standard on thread engagement - look up M14 thread engagement

deadserial · 05-19-2019, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

There's actually a standard on thread engagement - look up M14 thread engagement

Yeah, that’s where I got my chart from. Tirerack shows for the 14.x1.5 it requires 7.5 turns. Mine is right about there. Somewhere between 7.25-7.50 turns.

cfm56d7b · 05-20-2019, 12:54 PM

I would suggest to explore ...

https://machtschnell.com/catalog/pro...l-accessories/

... as safety doesn't have price. At $150 MSRP (and less), peace of mind could not be purchased at a more reasonable amount.

AshlandTE87 · 05-21-2019, 07:24 PM

Is there a minimum hub-centric thickness depending on front or rear? Iâ€™ve read where some say 12 mm min on front and 10 mm rear but I couldnâ€™t understand why there would be a difference.

Watsey · 05-25-2019, 02:42 PM

I think the minimums are 10mm front and 12mm rear. The hub centric protrusion differs F/R.

DieselSport · 05-27-2019, 05:52 PM

I had a very knowledgeable shop install my coilovers and they advised me to not use spacers less than 10mm. Could be wrong.

slicer · 05-27-2019, 08:49 PM

Most wheels will still contact the hub with a 5mm spacer. 3mm is always usable

I would get studs or extended lugs with any spacer

Billfitz · 05-27-2019, 08:50 PM

For those of you unfamiliar with the metric system 5mm is just shy of 1/4 inch. The nominal track width of an F30 is 1550mm front, 1580mm rear. Adding a total of 10mm to the track width isn't worth the bother or expense.

slicer · 05-27-2019, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

I would suggest to explore ...

https://machtschnell.com/catalog/pro...l-accessories/

... as safety doesn't have price. At $150 MSRP (and less), peace of mind could not be purchased at a more reasonable amount.

There are better options available

Future Classic spacers are the best I've seen. Prior to their release Turner Motorsports spacers were my goto option.

slicer · 05-27-2019, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

For those of you unfamiliar with the metric system 5mm is just shy of 1/4 inch. The nominal track width of an F30 is 1550mm front, 1580mm rear. Adding a total of 10mm to the track width isn't worth the bother or expense.

There are other reasons for spacers. One example is for front strut clearance with aftermarket wheels. Aesthetic benefit can be a motivation as well.

AshlandTE87 · 05-27-2019, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watsey

I think the minimums are 10mm front and 12mm rear. The hub centric protrusion differs F/R.

Thanks!

deadserial · 05-28-2019, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicer

There are other reasons for spacers. One example is for front strut clearance with aftermarket wheels. Aesthetic benefit can be a motivation as well.

Yeah, I got them for the rear since I’m running a square setup on my xdrive. 5mm was perfect to make the rear match the fronts.

04-29-2019, 10:15 AM	#1
deadserial Private First Class 30 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2018 320ix Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (0)	5mm spacers, extended bolts? I've gotten mixed results while searching for this, but I'm debating a 5mm hubcentric spacer in the rear for my square 19x8.5 +35 setup to get the rear to match the flushness on the front. Would that require extended bolts as well?
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05-05-2019, 04:30 PM	#2
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	Ok so from my BRZ experience, a 3mm spacer is the most you can run with stock bolts and still have enough bite. At 5mm... that's one more thread length. If the BRZ people are worried about 2mm with only 200hp... I'd lean toward more threads on a 300hp+ car. If I were you, since you are already dropping coin on rims and tires, I'd get the longer bolts.
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05-07-2019, 12:54 AM	#3
328iX David 786 Rep 2,009 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	Most kits come with bolts, and yes, I would highly recommend bolts at 5mm "BRZ people" have studs and lug nuts, not lug bolts, but in the end it's about thread engagement, not power output. 4-5 full turns is what I personally would consider safe.
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05-07-2019, 09:10 AM	#4
AshlandTE87 Private First Class 20 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2015 335i M-Sport 6sp Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Your mom's house iTrader: (0)	Iâ€™ve read where some folks say that 5mm is too thin a spacer and that minimum thickness should be 10mm or 12mm because of hub engagement. I never really thought about spacers until just recently and it seems like there are a lot of differing opinions out there. Specifically, what is the minimum thickness to be considered safe front and rear? Iâ€™d like to make a subtle difference in the look/stance of my car and thatâ€™s why Iâ€™m more interested in knowing what the minimum safe requirement is. Thanks!
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05-07-2019, 11:58 AM	#7
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I wouldn't chance anything more than 3mm without extended bolts. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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05-07-2019, 11:59 AM	#8
AshlandTE87 Private First Class 20 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2015 335i M-Sport 6sp Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Your mom's house iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info!
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05-17-2019, 10:22 PM	#11
5mall5nail5 Not stock 474 Rep 614 Posts Drives: E34 525i Turbo Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	There's actually a standard on thread engagement - look up M14 thread engagement __________________ 2015 BSM 328i Sport Line - BSM 2015 BSM X1 M Sport - BSM 1992 525i 1987 325e
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05-20-2019, 12:54 PM	#13
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	I would suggest to explore ... https://machtschnell.com/catalog/pro...l-accessories/ ... as safety doesn't have price. At $150 MSRP (and less), peace of mind could not be purchased at a more reasonable amount.
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05-21-2019, 07:24 PM	#14
AshlandTE87 Private First Class 20 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2015 335i M-Sport 6sp Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Your mom's house iTrader: (0)	Is there a minimum hub-centric thickness depending on front or rear? Iâ€™ve read where some say 12 mm min on front and 10 mm rear but I couldnâ€™t understand why there would be a difference.
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05-25-2019, 02:42 PM	#15
Watsey Major General 6407 Rep 8,495 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	I think the minimums are 10mm front and 12mm rear. The hub centric protrusion differs F/R. __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
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05-27-2019, 05:52 PM	#16
DieselSport BMW Convert 108 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 328d Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Diamond Bar iTrader: (0)	I had a very knowledgeable shop install my coilovers and they advised me to not use spacers less than 10mm. Could be wrong.
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05-27-2019, 08:49 PM	#17
slicer Major General 2738 Rep 6,734 Posts Drives: 'E46 M3 Race Car, '23 X7 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin - Instagram - @slicer_m iTrader: (39)	Most wheels will still contact the hub with a 5mm spacer. 3mm is always usable I would get studs or extended lugs with any spacer __________________ '23 X7 '04 M3 - Fall Line Motorsports Built Race Car - S65 swap, Dry Sump, Bosch Stand-Alone ECU, Drenth Sequential Trans, MCS 3-Way, Flossmann Wide Body, Brembo Motorsports Brakes, Drexler LSD, BBS E88 Etc. INSTAGRAM - @Slicer_M
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05-27-2019, 08:50 PM	#18
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,079 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	For those of you unfamiliar with the metric system 5mm is just shy of 1/4 inch. The nominal track width of an F30 is 1550mm front, 1580mm rear. Adding a total of 10mm to the track width isn't worth the bother or expense.
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