Are 10mm spacers an issue with our cars?

[johnrando]

I'm running a stock wheel/tire setup on a H&R Touring Cup suspension. Common knowledge is that 10 and 12 mm spacer are the way to go for this setup w/o modifications like rolling fenders. However, the TMS site says that 10mm could be problematic. Should I be concerned about this? I have standard H&R hub centric spacers and extended lug nuts.

From the site:
The 10mm Spacer Dilemma
10mm wheel spacers are one of the most common spacer sizes out there. However, what a lot of people don't realize is that a 10mm size is not a true fitment on any BMW. It's considered a "tuner" fitment, meaning some extra thought is usually required to correctly install them. Only with the right combination of parts will a 10mm spacer fit without a vibration or other fitment issues.

Factory Hub Lips Are Greater Than 10mm
The depth of the lip on the car where the spacer will rest will vary. The available lip space may be 11mm and a 10mm spacer with its own hubcentric lip cannot physically fit. The spacer will bottom out on the lip instead of on the brake hat, leaving a gap between the spacer and the rotor hat. The biggest reason for this is the thickness of the rotor hat. The thickness varies by manufacturer and design. A thinner hat (such as used with aluminum Euro Floating rotors) will leave more lip protruding and make the problem worse. Most spacer manufacturers add an extra chamfer, or shoulder, to push the hubcentric lip further out. The extra chamfer clears any extra part of the stock lip. The other way to get the spacer to fit is to shave the stock lip with a metal file. While not the most elegant solution, it works.

[nike001]

I've been running hubcentric 10mm spacers since ~February and have suffered no problems.

[danewilson77]

I have 10's up front, and 15's in the rear. They fit perfectly flush against rotor hat.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[mimalmo]

Turner Motorsport makes some of the best out there. They are well engineered, track tested and get my stamp of approval (I tried a few different brands before choosing them as my favorite). They also offer them in kits that include the longer bolts and you can get those bolts in black for an OEM look.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/c-141-turner-motorsport-wheel-spacers.aspx

[johnrando]

Thanks all. Eli, I had already bought the H&R ones.

[danewilson77]

Thanks all. Eli, I had already bought the H&R ones.

Sell?

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[johnrando]

Nah, I've heard good things about the H&R ones too, maybe not quite TMS apparently, but they s/b fine.

[bmwdriver]

What would be a good size wheel spacer for a stock 330i zhp on the rear? On another thread people said 20mm would be flush, but would that rub on stock wheels and suspension? It seems like most people go for 12mm spacers on the rear.

[UdubBadger]

so weird cuz 10mm spacers are what was giving me so much trouble on the front wheels. put on 5mm ones and the shaking of my steering wheel above 40mph went away.

[UdubBadger]

What would be a good size wheel spacer for a stock 330i zhp on the rear? On another thread people said 20mm would be flush, but would that rub on stock wheels and suspension? It seems like most people go for 12mm spacers on the rear.

eli had 20 front and 10 rears on my car when he gave it to me and it was pretty flush. I'd say maybe 12mm at most in back

[UdubBadger]

Turner Motorsport makes some of the best out there. They are well engineered, track tested and get my stamp of approval (I tried a few different brands before choosing them as my favorite). They also offer them in kits that include the longer bolts and you can get those bolts in black for an OEM look.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/c-141-turner-motorsport-wheel-spacers.aspx


liked these a lot, they were the ones you gave me on the front wheels. So much nicer cuz they had the slots for a screwdriver to pry off... the ECS ones on the rears took me about 15 min each to pry off.

[nike001]

What would be a good size wheel spacer for a stock 330i zhp on the rear? On another thread people said 20mm would be flush, but would that rub on stock wheels and suspension? It seems like most people go for 12mm spacers on the rear.


eli had 20 front and 10 rears on my car when he gave it to me and it was pretty flush. I'd say maybe 12mm at most in back

I have 10mm front and 12mm rear. I'm fairly happy with my rears (rubbed on stock suspension on BIG dips, and very very minor rubbing) and my fronts seem a little too sunk in for me. I'm thinking I'll try 12-15mm for the front next.

Also note that with my 12mm spacers with my H&R kit, I haven't rubbed once.

[bmwdriver]

Thanks for the help guys, I plan on getting 12mm rear and 15mm front sometime. The space between the wheel and fender is really annoying me.

[Pip]

I have 10mm front and 12mm rear. I'm fairly happy with my rears (rubbed on stock suspension on BIG dips, and very very minor rubbing) and my fronts seem a little too sunk in for me. I'm thinking I'll try 12-15mm for the front next.

Also note that with my 12mm spacers with my H&R kit, I haven't rubbed once.

Through my research it seems like a 12mm in rear and 15mm in front is a good setup that most likely won't rub except for big dips (looks pretty flush).

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=748511

[johnrando]

Gary swears by 10mm and 12mm on his vert, so that's what I go for mine. I'll let you know how they fit.

[danewilson77]

I have 10's up front, and 15's in the rear. They fit perfectly flush against rotor hat.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

Forgot to add....ET45, 235 square. You guys rolling the big meats out back....might not get 15's (lowered).

[bmwdriver]

Whats the biggest spacers I could fit on the rear without rubbing bad? I really like it when the back looks wide, would 15mm rear work?

[webster]

given that the coupe ZHP sits lower than the sedan, i assume that the same spacers would produce different effects on OEM wheel/tire setup between the two body styles...am i wrong?

[quikryptonite]

Some great info here. I am trying to decide if I want to put my spacers on.

TMS Spacer Info (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-wheel-spacers-encyclopedia.aspx)

The 10mm Spacer Dilemma
10mm wheel spacers are one of the most common spacer sizes out there. However, what a lot of people don't realize is that a 10mm size is not a true fitment on any BMW. It's considered a "tuner" fitment, meaning some extra thought is usually required to correctly install them. Only with the right combination of parts will a 10mm spacer fit without a vibration or other fitment issues.

[Blaster3500]

When looking to buy spacers for my zhp I could not find too much info/pictures. I ended up buying 15mm spacers all around and gorilla 17013 lug bolts (40mm). The rear on my coupe works great. I had zero rub on stock springs. Now that the car is lowered on hotchkis springs (almost zero gap) it rubs a little if I have a big load in the truck and a full tank. It rubs on the rear fender liner by the back bumper not the actual fender. On the front when I put the 15mm on I was afraid I was going to rub fender. Most likely it would not but I don't want to take the chance. I am going to have my 15mm machined down to either 12mm or 10mm. Also with the 15mm on the front the front wheels look like they stick out further than the rears. Also if you are running stock springs I would recommend to get just 15mm rear spacers. On the front with stock springs 15mm spacers looks really goofy IMO because of the larger wheel gap. I will take better pictures but here are a few cell phone pictures I have for reference. I hope this helps people who are looking to buy spacers in the future for their coupe.

Front stock springs 15mm spacers
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/blaster3500/spacers4.jpg

Rear stock springs 15mm spacers
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/blaster3500/spacers5.jpg

Front lowered 15mm spacers
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/blaster3500/spacers1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/blaster3500/spaces2.jpg

Not a great angle but hotchkis springs 15mm rear spacers no spacers in the front

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/blaster3500/spacers3.jpg

[johnrando]

Some great info here. I am trying to decide if I want to put my spacers on.

TMS Spacer Info (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-wheel-spacers-encyclopedia.aspx)

The 10mm Spacer Dilemma
10mm wheel spacers are one of the most common spacer sizes out there. However, what a lot of people don't realize is that a 10mm size is not a true fitment on any BMW. It's considered a "tuner" fitment, meaning some extra thought is usually required to correctly install them. Only with the right combination of parts will a 10mm spacer fit without a vibration or other fitment issues.

Good info, I posted the exact paragraph earlier in this thread... this led me to getting Turner spacers.

[webster]

blaster, thanks for the post. really helpful info for us coupe owners.

[C Withers Media]

Usually when I post in fitment threads people either don't believe me or want to argue with me so I will answer your question directly John.

You can easily fit 10mm spacers on your car.

[quikryptonite]

Good info, I posted the exact paragraph earlier in this thread... this led me to getting Turner spacers.

Wow, not sure how I missed that. My bad.

[johnrando]

It's never an issue having enough information about our cars, no worries.

[JimN9NE]

i have a Sedan ZHP on CH-R 18x8, 18x9 (offset is 40, 44), stock tire size. I am ordering a H&R Touring Kit this week and hope to add spacers as well, will i run into problems if i got the H&R spacers 10mm front, 12mm rear?

[mimalmo]

Front will be fine, you'll need to roll your fenders in the rear or it'll rub on bumps.

[danewilson77]

i have a Sedan ZHP on CH-R 18x8, 18x9 (offset is 40, 44), stock tire size. I am ordering a H&R Touring Kit this week and hope to add spacers as well, will i run into problems if i got the H&R spacers 10mm front, 12mm rear?

I have exactly, or very close to your setup with 18x8 in rear and needed to rool on lowered zhp. You will have to roll with 8.5's for sure... As Eli pointed out.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[JimN9NE]

ok thanks for the heads up. So since im kinda new to these spacers, and i would like the tire closer to the well. what would be the best look in your guys opinion ? without possibly having to roll the fenders and also best look with fenders rolled.

Danewilson77 they are def only 18x8 and 18x9

[mr hish]

are the ecs 15 mm spacers good or should i choose another brand ??

[danewilson77]

One brand is probably as good as any....but I love the way the TMS spacers are designed.

[mr hish]

ok thanks dane

[UdubBadger]

+1 on D's comment. TMS's design is the best plus you can get black bolts

[danewilson77]

+1 on D's comment. TMS's design is the best plus you can get black bolts

Apparently black lugz can be had via ECS as well. But yeah...having had both setups, I would def recommend the TMS spacers.

[UdubBadger]

Interesting I've only seen the stainless ones at ECS.


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[danewilson77]

Interesting I've only seen the stainless ones at ECS.


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Wheels/Wheel_Bolts/

[UdubBadger]

ah I only saw the package deal options