[kosmokratur]

I recently read a couple articles about them, and some people paint an ugly picture of them - e.g., they ruin wheel bearings, suspension geometry, steering feel (such as it is), etc. For modest spacer thicknesses (10-15 mm, maybe) on a G30 that isn't thrashed, I'm curious to learn if any of these issues should raise great concern.

[430Scud]

No problem. I have run them (15mm F&R) for over 200,000 miles on an E39 540 M-Sport.
I have many friends running them on multiple cars without issue.
I have 12.5mm front and 20mm rear on my M550iX.

[Joe-BMW33]

No issues here. I’d argue steering feel is improved. I’ve never heard of anyone having problems, short or long term, from running spacers. Go with quality brand and you will be fine.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by kosmokratur

I recently read a couple articles about them, and some people paint an ugly picture of them - e.g., they ruin wheel bearings, suspension geometry, steering feel (such as it is), etc. For modest spacer thicknesses (10-15 mm, maybe) on a G30 that isn't thrashed, I'm curious to learn if any of these issues should raise great concern.

They damage your stock suspension, as your geometry is pushed outside of the working boundaries that the engineers had in mind.

If you use thin spacers, or confine them to the rear axle, you can prolong major noticible damage, but they are causing damage none the less. They also create some undesirable handling issues. There are many engineering- (rather than marketing-) based sources of info. on this subject.

Increasing track width in a way that optimizes the suspension requires many more changes than just pushing the wheels out a bit.

I put this kind of modding into the same category as tossing sport springs on a stock suspension. You harm more than you help, and in most cases the only real improvement is visual.

Pretty ghetto, but to each their own. In Germany they call this "Hinterhof-Tuning," and is usually associated with a certain ethnic group/social class I will not mention.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Neusser

They damage your stock suspension, as your geometry is pushed outside of the working boundaries that the engineers had in mind.

If you use thin spacers, or confine them to the rear axle, you can prolong major noticible damage, but they are causing damage none the less. They also create some undesirable handling issues. There are many engineering- (rather than marketing-) based sources of info. on this subject.

Increasing track width in a way that optimizes the suspension requires many more changes than just pushing the wheels out a bit.

I put this kind of modding into the same category as tossing sport springs on a stock suspension. You harm more than you help, and in most cases the only real improvement is visual.

Pretty ghetto, but to each their own. In Germany they call this "Hinterhof-Tuning," and is usually associated with a certain ethnic group/social class I will not mention.

Oh boy, I love this judgemental offensive post from you. True colors shining through and through. Just quoting you so you can't edit it. You just offended 90% of the forum. Please, you are talking 100% out of your ass, as usual. Proof, links?

I I forgot, you are a nuclear physicist or something today? Tomorrow you will be a former BMW master tech.

Larry, please, get some help with the drinking, for the love of god, please. People may actually like you when you aren't looking to agitate fueled by alcohol and a keyboard.

Anyway, you made my day.

[AntWrig]

This has to be the quote of the decade. I would HAVE NEVER thought someone could equate using spacers to being something "ghetto".

1. I thought that word, used in that context, wasn't in use anymore. I guess I was mistaken.

2. I refuse to waste any more energy with your ignorance.

Originally Posted by Neusser

They damage your stock suspension, as your geometry is pushed outside of the working boundaries that the engineers had in mind.

If you use thin spacers, or confine them to the rear axle, you can prolong major noticible damage, but they are causing damage none the less. They also create some undesirable handling issues. There are many engineering- (rather than marketing-) based sources of info. on this subject.

Increasing track width in a way that optimizes the suspension requires many more changes than just pushing the wheels out a bit.

I put this kind of modding into the same category as tossing sport springs on a stock suspension. You harm more than you help, and in most cases the only real improvement is visual.

Pretty ghetto, but to each their own. In Germany they call this "Hinterhof-Tuning," and is usually associated with a certain ethnic group/social class I will not mention.

[eric_gm]

Installed spacers/hub adapters in my E39 like 10 years ago or more. Never had any issues with them, ever.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eric_gm

Installed spacers/hub adapters in my E39 like 10 years ago or more. Never had any issues with them, ever.

You’re so ghetto😉

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

You’re so ghetto😉

In the ghetto. Reminds me of the old Elvis song from the late 60's.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Bob in IL

In the ghetto. Reminds me of the old Elvis song from the late 60's.

I know it well! It's on a few of my playlists. One of my favorite Elvis tunes.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Oh boy, I love this judgemental offensive post from you. True colors shining through and through. Just quoting you so you can't edit it. You just offended 90% of the forum. Please, you are talking 100% out of your ass, as usual. Proof, links?

I I forgot, you are a nuclear physicist or something today? Tomorrow you will be a former BMW master tech.

Larry, please, get some help with the drinking, for the love of god, please. People may actually like you when you aren't looking to agitate fueled by alcohol and a keyboard.

Anyway, you made my day.

Very well written

I was initially very confused as to what ethnic groups and “ghetto” had to do with the well asked initial question. Simply data on the impact of spacers.

It can be accurately discussed without any of that trash.

Thanks for educating some of us on the bizarre patterns of that forum member.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by AntWrig

This has to be the quote of the decade. I would HAVE NEVER thought someone could equate using spacers to being something "ghetto".

1. I thought that word, used in that context, wasn't in use anymore. I guess I was mistaken.

2. I refuse to waste any more energy with your ignorance.

So many emotions.

[eric_gm]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

You’re so ghetto😉

Pfff! It's worse than you think

[430Scud]

I guess I am ghetto and will wear it like a badge of honor. LOL

Check out my ghetto E39 540 M-Sport with KW coilovers, Eibach anti roll bars, M5 traction rods and H&R spacers...totally pushing the boundaries of the engineering of my car. Those BMW engineers must be horrified.

[430Scud]

More ghetto...H&R spacers...the horror, the horror...

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I know it well! It's on a few of my playlists. One of my favorite Elvis tunes.

Ghetto… Elvis… y’all must be talkin about Memphis!

[kosmokratur]

Thanks for the input. I conferred with my tire guy (I've dealt with him since the '90's) and he said there's little concern as long as one chooses a quality and reasonable product. He specifically stated that his answer was based using typical BMW thicknesses, not 2-inchers.

I'm also thankful to have learned the German term for shade-tree mechanic!

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by kosmokratur

Thanks for the input. I conferred with my tire guy (I've dealt with him since the '90's) and he said there's little concern as long as one chooses a quality and reasonable product. He specifically stated that his answer was based using typical BMW thicknesses, not 2-inchers.

I'm also thankful to have learned the German term for shade-tree mechanic!

Don't forget the K&N filter. Wirkt sehr Motorschönend

[emre]

If you decide to run spacers make sure you use longer bolts

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by kosmokratur

I recently read a couple articles about them, and some people paint an ugly picture of them - e.g., they ruin wheel bearings, suspension geometry, steering feel (such as it is), etc. For modest spacer thicknesses (10-15 mm, maybe) on a G30 that isn't thrashed, I'm curious to learn if any of these issues should raise great concern.

I've used spacers on my last 3 cars with no issues at all. Size of 12mm all round and 10mm F & 15mm rear on one car.

Have always used Eibach hubcentric spacers with correct length bolts and had a full geometry set up after installation.

You will also find that AC Schnitzer use spacers as well with their wheels, as not all their offsets are suitable for all cars, so if they are good enough for them, they're good enough for me.

[eric_gm]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Don't forget the K&N filter. Wirkt sehr Motorschönend

Oh, I've got one of those too! Came with my supercharger

[Chappers 71]

Y’all a bunch of spacered out ricers

Neusser…why do you have to be such a cock?