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      10-02-2017, 08:58 AM   #1
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Do wheel spacers affect handling?

Hi

I'm thinking of getting wheels spacers for my G30 759M 20" wheels (5mm front and 10mm rears).

my question is since that alters the factory rear/front track width slightly, would that cause under or over steer or change handling of the car in anyway. Or would you suggest getting same width spacers for front/back?

Sorry had to post here since G30 forum is not as active.

Thanks!!!
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      10-02-2017, 09:59 AM   #2
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Loaded question(s)... that is awesome. In your situation, probably minimal effect, but better aesthetics.

Here are a couple of videos that explain the the changes that happen when you modify your track:


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      10-02-2017, 11:35 AM   #3
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Whether it oversteers or under steers should also depend on your offset as well, especially if you're tracking your car. So it'll be a combination of the widen stance plus the offset you're running. But if it's everyday driving I'd assume there will be minimal difference.
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      10-02-2017, 02:20 PM   #4
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My fear of spacers has always been any kind of steering wheel vibration at higher speeds on highway...sounds like its not an issue.
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      10-02-2017, 03:05 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KC328_F30 View Post
My fear of spacers has always been any kind of steering wheel vibration at higher speeds on highway...sounds like its not an issue.
As long as you have a hubcentric spacer I heard it wouldn't be a problem.
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      10-02-2017, 04:35 PM   #6
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Hubcentric ones with the specs you are interested in will not affect handling in your case
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      10-02-2017, 04:54 PM   #7
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Just make sure your lug bolts are the correct length for the spacers you get.
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      10-02-2017, 05:37 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Hunter View Post
Loaded question(s)... that is awesome. In your situation, probably minimal effect, but better aesthetics.

Her are a couple of videos that explain the the changes that happen when you modify your track:


great way to talk me out of it...

but again I asked for it so thanks!!!
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      10-02-2017, 06:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer_335 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Hunter View Post
Loaded question(s)... that is awesome. In your situation, probably minimal effect, but better aesthetics.

Her are a couple of videos that explain the the changes that happen when you modify your track:


great way to talk me out of it...

but again I asked for it so thanks!!!
You wanted no BS assessment right? : even then I'm thinking of using some.. had some 20 and 25mm spacers on my G35 and tracked it no problem.
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      10-02-2017, 10:07 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer_335 View Post
great way to talk me out of it...

but again I asked for it so thanks!!!
Haha! The intention was not to talk you into or out of it. I just wasn't able to explain the science as elegantly as the guy in the videos (which BTW his channel is pretty awesome).

Spacers are going to provide mostly aesthetic benefit, and the widths you're planning to add will make negligible difference in performance (positive or negative). So go live a little and enjoy your unique ride.

For the record, I've got 17.5mm spacers all around on my F36.
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      10-03-2017, 12:28 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Hunter View Post
Haha! The intention was not to talk you into or out of it. I just wasn't able to explain the science as elegantly as the guy in the videos (which BTW his channel is pretty awesome).

Spacers are going to provide mostly aesthetic benefit, and the widths you're planning to add will make negligible difference in performance (positive or negative). So go live a little and enjoy your unique ride.

For the record, I've got 17.5mm spacers all around on my F36.
true that... i'm going add them. Videos were pretty awesome btw thanks once again
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      10-03-2017, 02:06 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Hunter View Post
Loaded question(s)... that is awesome. In your situation, probably minimal effect, but better aesthetics.

Here are a couple of videos that explain the the changes that happen when you modify your track:


Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer_335 View Post
true that... i'm going add them. Videos were pretty awesome btw thanks once again
Love the Engineering Explained videos. Sometimes the explanations blow my mind.
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      10-03-2017, 02:48 PM   #13
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I haven't added spacers to my M235, but I did add new wheels 18X8 all around vs the stock 18X7.5 and 18X8 setup. The new wheels have 10mm more offset so it's just like running 10mm spacers. What I've noticed is that the car are much more sensitive to trammeling from ruts in the road. Overall, if the road has ruts or is bumpy, the car can be more of a handful as the suspension, especially the rear, has far more tendency to steer itself. It's proof of just how design BMW considers in their suspension and how operating the suspension outside of the designed parameters can have negative consequences.
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      10-05-2017, 02:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XutvJet View Post
I haven't added spacers to my M235, but I did add new wheels 18X8 all around vs the stock 18X7.5 and 18X8 setup. The new wheels have 10mm more offset so it's just like running 10mm spacers. What I've noticed is that the car are much more sensitive to trammeling from ruts in the road. Overall, if the road has ruts or is bumpy, the car can be more of a handful as the suspension, especially the rear, has far more tendency to steer itself. It's proof of just how design BMW considers in their suspension and how operating the suspension outside of the designed parameters can have negative consequences.
Did you also change the tires or are they similar? are you finding the rear coming loose... 10mm is less than 0.4 inch shift on each side.
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      10-07-2017, 11:32 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer_335 View Post
Did you also change the tires or are they similar? are you finding the rear coming loose... 10mm is less than 0.4 inch shift on each side.
Tires are the stock 225/40R18 and 245/35R18 Michelin PSS tires that came on the car. I'm hopeful some of the dartiness will be corrected when I go with a square 245/35R18 setup.

I do find the car more tail happy, but I'm not sure if it's because the engine has broken in (15K miles, feels much stronger than with sub 5K miles) or I'm just more comfortable with applying more throttle and the car itself.

I want to restate that this issue is only noticed on rougher pavement, typically while the car is turning, slow speeds or highway speeds.
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      10-07-2017, 09:13 PM   #16
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the changes are so minimal that you will only notice the differences on a track.

i didn't use spacers but i did get wider VMR wheels and H&R springs. The biggest change i noticed was my MPG dropped by about 2-3. This is partly because of more tire = more friction. but also the tire is now pushed out disrupting airflow around the car.
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      10-08-2017, 03:09 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XutvJet View Post
The new wheels have 10mm more offset so it's just like running 10mm spacers.
More positive offset (which is what most modern cars run) means the wheels are further inset, whereas spacers actually reduce positive offset. Unless you actually meant your new wheels have 10mm LESS offset.
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      10-08-2017, 11:23 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JJS View Post
More positive offset (which is what most modern cars run) means the wheels are further inset, whereas spacers actually reduce positive offset. Unless you actually meant your new wheels have 10mm LESS offset.
Potato, potuato. You know what I meant
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      10-08-2017, 11:25 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lobb View Post
The short answer is "yes". From an engineering perspective they are also undesirable, as they will increase the stress on suspension components.
Why not just get wheels with the correct offset if you want them to stick out more?
The problem is these cars are designed with a specific offset in mind. When you start pushing the wheels outwards, wider tires, etc. you're going to feel the consequences. It's not a huge deal, but to say there are no side-effects would not be a true statement. People love to overstate the positives of mods, but rarely elaborate or bring to light the negatives. The negatives may be less apparent if you're running less aggressive tires as the softer tread blocks will reduce some of the dartiness, trammeling, etc.
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      10-09-2017, 02:35 AM   #20
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Offset matters more on the steering axle. The kingpin angle of the strut combined with wheel offset determines the scrub radius. When I was in the habit of changing wheels for a more aggressive stance on my earlier cars, I almost always found the car handled best on OEM offset wheels.
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      11-21-2017, 10:41 AM   #21
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I went ahead with 15mm in the back and 10mm spacer upfront.

I could tell the difference in ride quality right away. Its definitely not as smooth... you can feel small imperfection in the road just a tad more now. Steering feel and response is the same so no change there.
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      11-30-2017, 12:54 PM   #22
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Don't use spacers ! Get bigger wheels and wider tires ?
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