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      04-01-2014, 12:59 PM   #1
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Wheel spacers for F30s

I've been taking measurements, and doing some research on hub-centric spacers, and I thought I'd share what I found in case anyone else is considering options and is looking for fitment info...

Wheel spacers - including hub-centric spacers (with the centering lip extension protruding outward for the wheel to sit on) need to sit flush against the hub to avoid wheel wobble. The F30 chassis has a hub centering lip that protrudes a bit further than previous 3 series cars, so I took some measurements to ensure that what I am ordering will fit:

F30 hub centering lip - length of protrusion:
Rear is 13mm
Front is ~ 11.75mm
(Measurements are from my 335i, which is fitted with M Performance/M Sport-upgrade brake rotors; measurements may be slightly different with standard brakes.)

H&R tells me that the recessed area on their 10/12mm spacers can accommodate up to 12mm, so these are good to go for the front. (Their 13mm and 15mm versions have a larger recess, and should be fine for front and rear.)

Kevin from Apex calipered the recess area on one of their 12mm spacers at 13.22mm, so these should be good to go for the front.

I will be fitting the 10mm H&R spacers in front, and 12mm Apex spacers in back prior to my 2-day HPDE next week. At present, I have 5mm non-hub-centric spacers in front, which I think may be responsible for some occasional, mild vibration at certain highway speeds. If that's the case, I thought it would be best to go with full hub-centric spacers before getting the car back on the track.
The clearance should be close with my 9" Apex ARC-8 wheels (ET 42), so fingers crossed...
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      04-04-2014, 01:57 PM   #2
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DVC did you have a stud-kit installed when you used your spacers or just extended lug bolts?

I've got the 5mm spacers on the front and don't have any vibration issues (using a stud kit). I do make sure everything is clean, it's square and torqued down evenly every time.
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      04-04-2014, 04:14 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by utenigma View Post
DVC did you have a stud-kit installed when you used your spacers or just extended lug bolts?

I've got the 5mm spacers on the front and don't have any vibration issues (using a stud kit). I do make sure everything is clean, it's square and torqued down evenly every time.
No, I just used extended bolts. The vibration was verrry mild - almost undetectable. And it didn't start right away.
I wouldn't think the bolts vs stud kit would make a difference; the fact that you used great care in tightening your nuts (I did the same with my bolts) will likely keep things smooth for a while - but the vibration may crop up eventually.

I just fit the hub-centric spacers today (10mm front and 12mm rear) and everything seems to fit perfectly. This evening I'll try to take some corners hard in comfort mode to get some good compression to make sure everything still clears without any rubbing... but the real test will be at the track this Monday and Tuesday.

By the way, with the Dinan springs and the aggressive offsets, the look is amazing...
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      04-04-2014, 06:37 PM   #4
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      04-04-2014, 06:53 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVC
Quote:
Originally Posted by utenigma View Post
DVC did you have a stud-kit installed when you used your spacers or just extended lug bolts?

I've got the 5mm spacers on the front and don't have any vibration issues (using a stud kit). I do make sure everything is clean, it's square and torqued down evenly every time.
No, I just used extended bolts. The vibration was verrry mild - almost undetectable. And it didn't start right away.
I wouldn't think the bolts vs stud kit would make a difference; the fact that you used great care in tightening your nuts (I did the same with my bolts) will likely keep things smooth for a while - but the vibration may crop up eventually.

I just fit the hub-centric spacers today (10mm front and 12mm rear) and everything seems to fit perfectly. This evening I'll try to take some corners hard in comfort mode to get some good compression to make sure everything still clears without any rubbing... but the real test will be at the track this Monday and Tuesday.

By the way, with the Dinan springs and the aggressive offsets, the look is amazing...
So 12mm hub centric spacers are fine for the rear? Why does bms say that 15mm is the minimum. Hmmm
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      04-04-2014, 09:32 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by utenigma View Post
Weekday track days-I need that

I can skip work easy, skipping daddy duty requires something akin to a deal with the devil
Dude.... I know EXACTLY what you mean! I have 3 little ones, so skipping work is much easier than taking a weekend day away.
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      04-04-2014, 09:34 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Tditty View Post
So 12mm hub centric spacers are fine for the rear? Why does bms say that 15mm is the minimum. Hmmm
It all depends on the depth of the spacer's inset that the hub's centering lip fits into. H&R 13mm spacers only have a 12mm inset, so they're no good
**Edit - 13mm spacers are OK - it's the 10mm and 12mm spacers that have the 12mm inset**

...but the 12mm ones that Apex sells have a ~13.25mm inset, so they're good to go.
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      04-04-2014, 10:47 PM   #8
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I assume you had to remove the same dust covers I did DVC?
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      04-05-2014, 05:53 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVC View Post
It all depends on the depth of the spacer's inset that the hub's centering lip fits into. H&R 13mm spacers only have a 12mm inset, so they're no good... but the 12mm ones that Apex sells have a ~13.25mm inset, so they're good to go.
So you can't use the H&R 13mm on the rear? I wanted to go 10mm front and 13mm rear but I guess I need to rethink now. What size extended lug bolts are you using?
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      04-05-2014, 08:16 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVC View Post
It all depends on the depth of the spacer's inset that the hub's centering lip fits into. H&R 13mm spacers only have a 12mm inset, so they're no good... but the 12mm ones that Apex sells have a ~13.25mm inset, so they're good to go.
Not true. I am running 13mm H&R Rear Spacers with no issues. They are actually recommended for the F30.
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      04-05-2014, 08:49 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M-SP0RT View Post
Not true. I am running 13mm H&R Rear Spacers with no issues. They are actually recommended for the F30.
Sorry, you're right - 13mm should be fine on the rear - it's just the 10mm and 12mm that have the 12mm inset. The H&R website lists the 10mm/12mm spacers as "front only" for F30s.


Quote:
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I assume you had to remove the same dust covers I did DVC?
I had no such dust covers... (?)
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      04-05-2014, 09:00 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVC View Post
The H&R engineer with whom I spoke on the phone quoted the inset size at 12mm. I specifically asked about the 10mm spacers; I don't recall for sure if he indicated that the 12mm inset measurement pertained to the 13mm spacers too... but the H&R website clearly lists the 10mm/12mm spacers as "front only" for F30s.
I agree that the 10mm and 12mm are Front Only. But the 13mm (P/N 2675726) works Front & Rear according to H&R Website. That's what I'm currently running (Rear) and I know that a few other forum members do as well.
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      04-05-2014, 09:06 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M-SP0RT View Post
I agree that the 10mm and 12mm are Front Only. But the 13mm (P/N 2675726) works Front & Rear according to H&R Website. That's what I'm currently running (Rear) and I know that a few other forum members do as well.
Yes, you're right - posts corrected above.
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      04-05-2014, 09:26 PM   #14
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Yes, you're right - posts corrected above.
glad we can share our experiences and help one another on these forums
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      04-07-2014, 12:51 PM   #15
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Quote:
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Weekday track days-I need that

I can skip work easy, skipping daddy duty requires something akin to a deal with the devil
lol, +1k. There is a lot of money to be made with daycare service @ the track.
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      04-08-2014, 06:53 AM   #16
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10mm & 15mm BMS spacer weight.
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      05-13-2014, 01:46 PM   #17
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Anyone track there car with spacers - any issues?
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      05-13-2014, 02:07 PM   #18
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Anyone track there car with spacers - any issues?
Yes - no issues.
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      05-13-2014, 04:50 PM   #19
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The Apex 12mm Spacers for the back axle of the F30 work for normal BMW Wheels and not only for Apex ones?

(I'm asking because AC Schnitzer is able to produce hub centric 4,5mm Spacers,but they only work for their own wheels which have a larger centric bore.)
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      05-13-2014, 05:04 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by verheizer View Post
The Apex 12mm Spacers for the back axle of the F30 work for normal BMW Wheels and not only for Apex ones?

(I'm asking because AC Schnitzer is able to produce hub centric 4,5mm Spacers,but they only work for their own wheels which have a larger centric bore.)
Typical bore for wheels/spacers is 72.56mm. Anything 5x120 of this bore should be fine for all F30 wheels... not sure about the wheels you mention with a larger bore (were they originally wheels for another vehicle?)
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      06-03-2014, 12:17 PM   #21
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~ i'm looking for spacer in a 10mm front and 13mm rear but in a 'silver or aluminum' in color.

i believe a black spacer will look tacky placed between a silver wheel and silver hub. thoughts?
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      06-03-2014, 12:31 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew 330i View Post
~ i'm looking for spacer in a 10mm front and 13mm rear but in a 'silver or aluminum' in color.

i believe a black spacer will look tacky placed between a silver wheel and silver hub. thoughts?
H&Rs are silver.... but you can't see them anyway when the wheel/tire is mounted.
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