What are these lugnuts?

[mmiller2002]

I just bought the car. It has 12mm spacers (which I'll probably remove). What brand are these and do I need a special tool? What's the hex for?

Thanks from a newbie.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/mmiller2002/330Ci%20ZHP/20141118_200219_zps193a910d.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/mmiller2002/330Ci%20ZHP/20141118_200153_zps6717c2d3.jpg

[derbo]

It looks like your car has been converted to wheel studs and using wheel lugnuts. The hex portion is to install the wheel studs into the hub. BMW came factory with wheel bolts not studs/lugnut combo.

[mmiller2002]

Thanks! I guess that was done because of the spacers. Is that good, bad, or indifferent?

[derbo]

Thanks! I guess that was done because of the spacers. Is that good, bad, or indifferent?

I personally think it is better due to convenience of not needing to line up the holes. If you try various spacers all the time, there is no need for extended bolts. As long as the studs are long enough, you will be fine. :)

[danewilson77]

Mike,

Don't ever hesitate to ask a question here. No flaming. These guys will help you out in a calm, respectful manner.

I'd leave the spacers if you like them.

Studs are the way to go. A normal lug wrench will pull the nuts off.

"No flamesuit required"

[mmiller2002]

The look may be cool, but the rear tires are too close to the lip for comfort. I sometimes carry 3 other men to lunch at work since they all have 2-seaters...

I can't get more than the first joint of my index finger between the fender rim and the tire in the rear.

I'm showing off my new purchase tomorrow and I'm nervous the 1-month old Michelin Pilot Super Sports will rub.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/mmiller2002/330Ci%20ZHP/20141118_2118461_zpsbeed3085.jpg

[danewilson77]

I understand your concerns. Hopefully the studs are threaded enough, so that when you remove the spacer, the wheel will tighten up. I can't remember if they are threaded all the way to the hub. And the studs are going to stick out about 1/2" more than they do now (not a big deal), which I'm sure you know.

"No flamesuit required"

[mmiller2002]

I forgot to say that it's lowered with KW coilovers and I'm also going to raise it up enough to clear cement parking bumpers in the front and a suitable match in the rear. So, based on my shop's suggestion, I guess I may or may not keep the spacers. But I definitely don't want to worry about scraping the front end...

[derbo]

I understand your concerns. Hopefully the studs are threaded enough, so that when you remove the spacer, the wheel will tighten up. I can't remember if they are threaded all the way to the hub. And the studs are going to stick out about 1/2" more than they do now (not a big deal), which I'm sure you know.

"No flamesuit required"

They are usually threaded all the way with an inch or two for the hub area being blank.

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/357385301_FeEyL-M.jpg

[slater]

congrats on the new ride, KW's, wheel studs and new michelin PSS - sounds good already!

make sure when raising it that you stay within KW's recommended height range - if you raise it too high, you could damage the dampers (likewise for too low, but i don't think you're going in that direction :) ). also, depending on the spacer size, you may not need to remove them after raising the car up.

enjoy the car! please post some pics. :)

peter

[Smilez]

Looks like you already ahead of most bmw enthusiast :shifty.

Coilovers Check
Spacers Check
Stud Conversion Check :P

[johnrando]

Spacers are mostly a looks thing, to push the wheels out to the edges. You can keep 'em or sell them. Some people say spacers are good because of an expanded wheel base, some say they are not good as they are one more element introduced that doesn't need to be there and they may not be sitting flush depending on installation. If you don't track your car, neither of those arguments really apply so the big question is just how do you like the way they look, and does your car rub with them or not.

[ELCID86]

Way to go "stud" ;-)


16562

Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[CarbonZHP]

Smilez, what length would you say the OPs are. That's the look I'm going for, minimal poke from the stud

[cakM3]

From the looks of them I'd say they're probably 70mm length. I'm running 75mm on mine.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ZHP/_DSC6136_zps16c67e3c.jpg

As you can see, my studs extend just a little bit (I'm currently running 10mm spacers). That's why I think the pic in the first post looks like 70mm and he currently has 12mm spacers...

[Smilez]

Smilez, what length would you say the OPs are. That's the look I'm going for, minimal poke from the stud

Not sure if OP is running his spacers on picture. Do you plan on running spacers?

[cakM3]

Not sure if OP is running his spacers on picture. Do you plan on running spacers?

Ray, in the first post where the pic is OP said he currently had 12mm spacers

[CarbonZHP]

PMed you OP

[HokieZHP]

I think there is a spacer swap thread or something on there where you can try and trade your spacers for a smaller one.

Also if you raise the car more than a touch, you may want to consider a re-alignment to ensure your PSS's aren't wearing unevenly. I have studs on my car though and love them!

[mmiller2002]

I think there is a spacer swap thread or something on there where you can try and trade your spacers for a smaller one.

Also if you raise the car more than a touch, you may want to consider a re-alignment to ensure your PSS's aren't wearing unevenly. I have studs on my car though and love them!

I plan to have a local specialist shop raise it (high enough to clear normal concrete parking things) and align it in the same visit. Those tires are expensive and the PO didn't align it at installation. And, honestly, I don't like the ricey tucked look. E46s have naturally good wheel well looks.

[HokieZHP]

Glad to hear it'll be taken care of. I just bought michelin A/S 3 tires for over $1k and had my car aligned even though it had only been 2 months since the last. Can't be too careful since an alignment is cheaper than new tires!


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[mmiller2002]

Thanks all. I had it raised about an inch and aligned because of the new Michelin Pilot super sports but the spacers had to stay because of the darn coilovers. The tires may have rubbed the coilovers. But it still looks and handles well.