Spacers on Z4

dekaliber · 04-06-2008, 06:23 PM

I've been considering spacers to widen the stance of the back tires on my Z4. They're SP OEM rims (18x8.5 ET 50) and they don't quite fill out the wheel well as much as I'd like. Ideally I'd like them to be flush (or a little bit inside) with the fender.

Have any others with a Z4 or Z4C used spacers with success? Will it require a suspension drop to look good? Are there any issues that may result that I should be aware of (e.g. handling changes, excessive bearing wear, tread wear, ...wheels falling off!, etc.) and are there known solutions to these problems? What brand/size would you suggest?

Zeddy4Me · 04-07-2008, 01:42 AM

Have 20mm spacers on the rear. I'm running 275/30 19's. Fills up the gap and wheel wheels flush and perfect. I also have H&R's...

dekaliber · 04-07-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeddy4Me

Have 20mm spacers on the rear. I'm running 275/30 19's. Fills up the gap and wheel wheels flush and perfect. I also have H&R's...

Coilovers or springs? (I am n00b)

BimmerZealot · 04-07-2008, 06:46 PM

H&R makes both so that is a legitimate question, if I remember correctly Zeddy4Me is running H&R springs

Zeddy4Me · 04-08-2008, 02:32 AM

BimmerZealot,

You're correct! hehe...

Just Springs for now. Perfect drop, great ride and no noise. I'm probably gonna do the KW's in the future...

runnerx · 04-08-2008, 10:33 AM

If you are planning to track your car, then it is best not to use spacers. You be asking for trouble if you do.

dekaliber · 04-08-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runnerx

If you are planning to track your car, then it is best not to use spacers. You be asking for trouble if you do.

How come?

AtoB · 04-08-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekaliber

How come?

i'm guessing because they can crack under hard use.
i had spacers on my old 3.0... they really helped the cars stance.
performance wise... nothing i noticed. my only mistake was not getting an alignment after i installed them... my tires were garbage in 3 months.

Zeddy4Me · 04-08-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtoB

i'm guessing because they can crack under hard use.
i had spacers on my old 3.0... they really helped the cars stance.
performance wise... nothing i noticed. my only mistake was not getting an alignment after i installed them... my tires were garbage in 3 months.

YES YES YES... Get that alignment right after you get your wheels and springs put on. Don't wait the for mythical "settling in" period. Make sure they use the Hunter system...

runnerx · 04-08-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekaliber

How come?

The use of spacers is prohibited on a lot of tracks for safety reasons

1. it may crack
2. it puts more wear on the wheel bearings
3. they can get loose

dekaliber · 04-08-2008, 11:37 PM

Damn. Sounds like the right way to go is wider tires?

BimmerZealot · 04-09-2008, 12:16 AM

Wider wheels + tires

dekaliber · 04-09-2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerZealot

Wider wheels + tires

Oops -- wider wheels is what I meant!

04-06-2008, 06:23 PM	#1
dekaliber Major 74 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Spacers on Z4 I've been considering spacers to widen the stance of the back tires on my Z4. They're SP OEM rims (18x8.5 ET 50) and they don't quite fill out the wheel well as much as I'd like. Ideally I'd like them to be flush (or a little bit inside) with the fender. Have any others with a Z4 or Z4C used spacers with success? Will it require a suspension drop to look good? Are there any issues that may result that I should be aware of (e.g. handling changes, excessive bearing wear, tread wear, ...wheels falling off!, etc.) and are there known solutions to these problems? What brand/size would you suggest?
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04-07-2008, 01:42 AM	#2
Zeddy4Me Lieutenant 23 Rep 442 Posts Drives: 09, AW E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (2)	Have 20mm spacers on the rear. I'm running 275/30 19's. Fills up the gap and wheel wheels flush and perfect. I also have H&R's... __________________
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04-07-2008, 06:46 PM	#4
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	H&R makes both so that is a legitimate question, if I remember correctly Zeddy4Me is running H&R springs
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04-08-2008, 02:32 AM	#5
Zeddy4Me Lieutenant 23 Rep 442 Posts Drives: 09, AW E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (2)	BimmerZealot, You're correct! hehe... Just Springs for now. Perfect drop, great ride and no noise. I'm probably gonna do the KW's in the future... __________________
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04-08-2008, 10:33 AM	#6
runnerx Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 06 M roadster; 06 330i 6spd Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	If you are planning to track your car, then it is best not to use spacers. You be asking for trouble if you do. __________________ 2009 BMW X5 4.8i 2006 BMW ///M Roadster 6spd manual 2006 BMW 330i 6spd manual - gone
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04-08-2008, 11:37 PM	#11
dekaliber Major 74 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Damn. Sounds like the right way to go is wider tires?
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04-09-2008, 12:16 AM	#12
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	Wider wheels + tires
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