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      12-21-2022, 02:42 PM   #49
Joe-BMW33
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Drives: '18 M550i|'21 X5|'03 540i
Join Date: Apr 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sxs1687 View Post
Quick question for you guys that have added spacers on your car. I just added some 12/15 spacers yesterday. Drives well and looks good for the most part but as I was testing it on the highways, I noticed a bit of a slight vibration through the seats and steering wheel at the higher speeds, 90mph+. I heard this might be thing with adding spacers. Another thing I read was the torquing of the lugnuts needs to be higher when spacers are added, but I'm unsure what the specs need to be...maybe I need to tighten them? My first thought was wheel balancing but I didn't feel this prior to adding the spacers. The only other thing I did was flip the right side wheels to the left and vice versa while I had them all off, though I don't think that'd cause an issue.

I'd rather not remove the spacers...I've been debating it over the past day, just because any vibrations drive me nuts!! Any thoughts?
I have had no issues with spacers in terms of ride quality, vibration, etc. I had 12mm on the front and 17mm on the rear. I jumped from 17mm to 20mm on the rear after a year, again with no issues. I actually had all the spacers off for a month between the change from 17mm to 20mm. No ride quality issues, the car actually rides noticeably better with spacers on. Smoother and handles a tad better. So that's just some background.

I have also rarely seen anyone have any issues using spacers. Some ideas:

1
Are they quality spacers?

2
Do you have the correct lug length for the spacers?

3
I doubt torque is an issue unless your wheels are loose, but 140 NM is the spec for our car.

I don't think you are supposed to rotate the tires the way you did or at all. They become directional after use. I would put my money on that if #1 and #2 above are sound.
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2018 M550ix|Carbon Black|Dinan Modifications|2003 540i|Jet Black|M-Sport|2021 X5 Mineral White
Prior BMW's: 1987 325e|1993 740i|1998 740il|2001 530i|2002 745li|2007 750li|2006 750li|2001 530i|2012 535xi|
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