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      12-21-2022, 08:31 AM   #45
Sxs1687
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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?
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      12-21-2022, 09:19 AM   #46
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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?
when rotating tires, do most people balance them?
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      12-21-2022, 10:09 AM   #47
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You’re supposed to add longer studs when adding spacers. It may not address the balance issue but it’s important safety wise
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      12-21-2022, 01:39 PM   #48
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Originally Posted by Gsavarese View Post
You’re supposed to add longer studs when adding spacers. It may not address the balance issue but it’s important safety wise
Yup I did the longer studs. I just think I probably should've went with a higher quality one like Dinan or H&R. Thankfully I can return these but it's a PITA to remove the wheels again... Sigh!
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      12-21-2022, 02:42 PM   #49
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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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      12-21-2022, 04:20 PM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sxs1687 View Post
Yup I did the longer studs. I just think I probably should've went with a higher quality one like Dinan or H&R. Thankfully I can return these but it's a PITA to remove the wheels again... Sigh!
Quality spacers sit on the hub. Do yours or are they just circles?
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      12-21-2022, 04:59 PM   #51
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Originally Posted by Gsavarese View Post
Quality spacers sit on the hub. Do yours or are they just circles?
They do sit on the hub. I was particular about that.
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      12-21-2022, 09:44 PM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gsavarese View Post
Quality spacers sit on the hub. Do yours or are they just circles?
What do you mean by that?
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      12-22-2022, 12:55 AM   #53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW012 View Post
when rotating tires, do most people balance them?
No. Just put them in the new positions. If they were balanced before they'll stay balanced unless you knock a weight off scraping it across the brake rotor. Why such a specific reference you ask? No reason. No reason at all.
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      12-22-2022, 06:22 AM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NGT2 View Post
What do you mean by that?
Some spacers are just discs that fit between the rotor and wheel. That’s dangerous. Spacers should fit snug around the hub.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-w...s-encyclopedia

https://blog.ecstuning.com/why-you-n...market-wheels/

See the second discussion for spacers. Depends on what spacers you buy and why most stick with Dinan, H&R, etc. May explain OPs problem. I have ECS spacers on a Mk7 GTI with no problems
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      12-29-2022, 08:21 AM   #55
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I ended up ordering a set of Dinan spacers. Will be returning the ones I have on the car now.

I'm actually considering moving the wheels back to their original positions as well, just in case. I read how rotating BMW wheels could cause a slight vibration. Unsure why that'd be different from any other car brand but something about the wear pattern and I dont know. I just don't want the damn vibrations!

Thanks all!
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      12-30-2022, 01:38 AM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sxs1687 View Post
I ended up ordering a set of Dinan spacers. Will be returning the ones I have on the car now.

I'm actually considering moving the wheels back to their original positions as well, just in case. I read how rotating BMW wheels could cause a slight vibration. Unsure why that'd be different from any other car brand but something about the wear pattern and I dont know. I just don't want the damn vibrations!

Thanks all!
That’s exactly what I said in my reply regarding rotating. As much as I’m a fan of Dinan spacers (I have them), you probably should have moved the wheels back before ordering. My money is on the rotation causing your issues.
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      12-30-2022, 07:33 AM   #57
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Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33 View Post
That’s exactly what I said in my reply regarding rotating. As much as I’m a fan of Dinan spacers (I have them), you probably should have moved the wheels back before ordering. My money is on the rotation causing your issues.
I actually totally missed your previous message. I'm going to rotate it back today and see. Dinan spacers arent here yet, looks like they're backordered til Jan 13th. I can cancel them if need be.
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      12-30-2022, 10:00 AM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sxs1687 View Post
I actually totally missed your previous message. I'm going to rotate it back today and see. Dinan spacers arent here yet, looks like they're backordered til Jan 13th. I can cancel them if need be.
Good luck, I had a feeling you missed it. I don't think you are supposed to change up the rotation of the tire once it is established.

Dinan is always on backorder for one thing to another. Maybe a good thing in this case. Keep us posted.
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      01-09-2023, 02:38 PM   #59
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Originally Posted by dwing7 View Post
Just got 15mm front 20 mm rear on my '21 M550i on 20's. Look amazing, but I would possibly go for a more subdued setup if not lowered, I am currently on KW v3's.
Do you have pics?
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      05-26-2023, 10:49 AM   #60
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Posting these pics up for perpetuity. Hopefully they are helpful.

These are +18mm front and +20mm rear spacers on stock M550i 19" staggered wheels (19x8 et30 / 19x9 et44).

I'm running the top of BMW's advised camber settings, so I have more negative camber than the average car. So these spacers would likely be too thick for "normal" alignment setups.

-Ash
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