If you could only do one now which would it be?

[mdefalco25]

So I'm debating on going with either spacers or Swift springs. I am curious to hear what your opinion is if you could only choose one for the time being which would you go with first and why?

While I'm able to do both at the same time, I don't want to rush in and buy everything on day one (I pick car up in June) because I won't have anything to look forward to later on so I'm trying to pace myself. While I'll probably fail and do both, I still would like to know what you would choose?

Thanks!

[dojokoto]

springs

[pikkagtr]

Spracerings

[mdefalco25]

Lol. Well played.

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

Spracerings

[Yessir]

None. Because once you start modding, the one thing you will always look forward to is changing another part on your car. It's a never ending battle trying to pace mods. Drive it stock for a while and when you get bored, you can start modding. This way you have a whole year of looking forward to getting your spracerings.

[HP Autosport]

Springs

[CanAutM3]

Springs.

Spacers do nothing for performance (can actually make it worse) while you can get a performance improvement with springs.

[schnell325]

Springs

[Brosef]

spacers for me

[Rain49king]

I say spacers...I don't consider either a performance up grade merely cosmetic. I think both should be done to correct the look but if you did springs without spacers I feel it would enhance the fact the wheels sit to far back IMO. Spacers first will not enhance the wheel gap in a positive or NEGATIVE manner.

[ecf34]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Springs.

Spacers do nothing for performance (can actually make it worse) while you can get a performance improvement with springs.

These are probably dumb questions, but do spacers enhance performance since it widens the track? Will springs enhance performance since it lowers the car's CoG?

[Rain49king]

Originally Posted by ecf34

These are probably dumb questions, but do spacers enhance performance since it widens the track? Will springs enhance performance since it lowers the car's CoG?

I can only speak from personal experience having owned a 2015 m4 with spacers and 2 different springs (H&R, Swift) and currently own 2016 M3 with KW HAS. I noticed no enhanced performance from springs IMO out of the 3 sets I have owned KW HAS provides the best ride (for me) but no advantage in performance. If you are looking to improve performance in the F8X chassis you will need to drop the big $$ on a full coil over. If you wanna go the cheap route (springs) for cosmetics, then you find a set with a ride you can live with (maybe seek out a member to give you a ride along first). With spacers I did not notice any changes negative or positive to ride or handling just better looks. I recently changed out my wheels to support wider tires in the rear (305's) and notice a bump in traction that I was looking for. I recommended the ride along if you can get one because I was initially happy with my H&R and swift springs until they started to break in, then the car became bouncy and unbearable for my taste.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by ecf34

These are probably dumb questions, but do spacers enhance performance since it widens the track? Will springs enhance performance since it lowers the car's CoG?

Lowering the car will lower the center of gravity which reduces weight transfer during cornering, braking and acceleration. Reducing weight transfer generally results in higher overall grip from the tires. Increased spring rates can also improve the nimbleness of the car, make it react faster to driving inputs and reduce pitch, roll and dive. It is however important to ensure that the damper rates remain properly matched with the spring rates. Increase the spring rate too much relative to the damper rates and the car will become bouncy and the tires can have a less optimal contact with the road resulting in lost grip.

Widening the track has the theoretical advantage of reducing weight transfer during cornering. However, spacers will only increases the overall track by 1~2%, which is rather negligible. Spacers will also slightly change the wheel travel to spring and damper travel relationship, effectively changing (reducing) the spring and damper rates. I would say the biggest negative effect of spacers is on the front axle, where they alter the scrub radius and required Ackerman angle when the wheels are steered, both of which have a non-negligible impact on steering feedback and feel.