wheel spacers, advisable?

tonylim · 30-07-2017, 04:14 PM

Hi guys,

Did the H&R spacers to my E46 M3 long time ago and now with CSL coming home, are spacers advisable for the car? Solely just to make the car looks nicer. i remember it made so much different to the M3 just by adding in the spacers the cars look so mean.

Thanks !

select · 30-07-2017, 05:03 PM

For driving dynamics? No
For looks? Yes

**glendog74** · 30-07-2017, 09:42 PM

They say adding spacers only to the front helps reduce the slight slow speed understeer the car has.

I have ran 15mm front and 12mm rear for a while now - it certainly helps with aesthetics.

**Mike R** · 31-07-2017, 09:49 AM

I have same as above, and it improves slow speed understeer with no down sides, as well as looks a lot better.

select · 31-07-2017, 10:27 AM

How much bigger does the spacer in the front need to be to help with the understeer?

I think a square setup would be the better choice if you just want to achieve exactly that.

**Mike R** · 31-07-2017, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by select

How much bigger does the spacer in the front need to be to help with the understeer?

I think a square setup would be the better choice if you just want to achieve exactly that.

I wanted to retain the OEM wheels, so went with 15mm front and 12mm rear spacers.

select · 31-07-2017, 10:55 AM

I should add that With square setup i was talking about the tires.

**Mike R** · 31-07-2017, 12:00 PM

Fitting 265 tyres on an 8½" rim is not a good idea, the Cups in this size are designed for a 9½" item, so on track, will feel like they are trying to roll off such a narrow rim.

It is possible to fit the 9½" rear on the front, but due to the incorrect offset brings with it clearance issues.

select · 31-07-2017, 12:48 PM

Hi mike. Yes of course you need wider wheel. Dont fit 265 on the 8.5" fronts.

I think 9" will work however. But that is a different topic altogether.

Back to the topic. Spacers increase track width so make the car more stable and as othere said it can help to dial out some understeer. However the root of that evil lies in the staggered tire setup.

With that said i probably would go for 12mm all around.

tonylim · 31-07-2017, 05:31 PM

Thanks so much guys!!!

Any brand of the spacers you guys would recommend? I guess they are the same as those used on normal E46 M3

Thanks again guys

30-07-2017, 04:14 PM	#1
tonylim Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 3 Casino cash: $366	wheel spacers, advisable? Hi guys, Did the H&R spacers to my E46 M3 long time ago and now with CSL coming home, are spacers advisable for the car? Solely just to make the car looks nicer. i remember it made so much different to the M3 just by adding in the spacers the cars look so mean. Thanks !

30-07-2017, 05:03 PM	#2
select S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 475 Casino cash: $6813	For driving dynamics? No For looks? Yes __________________ Greetings, Julian.

30-07-2017, 09:42 PM	#3
glendog74 CSL Register Uber-poster! Tetris Champion! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornwall Posts: 8,861 Casino cash: $32299	They say adding spacers only to the front helps reduce the slight slow speed understeer the car has. I have ran 15mm front and 12mm rear for a while now - it certainly helps with aesthetics. __________________ Cha'mone Mother F**ker!

31-07-2017, 09:49 AM	#4
Mike R S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,586 Casino cash: $17592	I have same as above, and it improves slow speed understeer with no down sides, as well as looks a lot better. __________________ Mike R Sarcasm is just a free service I provide. Nordschleife, there's only two barriers to worry about - the ones on the left and the ones on the right . CSL number 044

31-07-2017, 10:27 AM	#5
select S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 475 Casino cash: $6813	How much bigger does the spacer in the front need to be to help with the understeer? I think a square setup would be the better choice if you just want to achieve exactly that. __________________ Greetings, Julian.

31-07-2017, 10:55 AM	#7
select S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 475 Casino cash: $6813	I should add that With square setup i was talking about the tires. __________________ Greetings, Julian.

31-07-2017, 12:00 PM	#8
Mike R S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,586 Casino cash: $17592	Fitting 265 tyres on an 8½" rim is not a good idea, the Cups in this size are designed for a 9½" item, so on track, will feel like they are trying to roll off such a narrow rim. It is possible to fit the 9½" rear on the front, but due to the incorrect offset brings with it clearance issues. __________________ Mike R Sarcasm is just a free service I provide. Nordschleife, there's only two barriers to worry about - the ones on the left and the ones on the right . CSL number 044

31-07-2017, 12:48 PM	#9
select S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 475 Casino cash: $6813	Hi mike. Yes of course you need wider wheel. Dont fit 265 on the 8.5" fronts. I think 9" will work however. But that is a different topic altogether. Back to the topic. Spacers increase track width so make the car more stable and as othere said it can help to dial out some understeer. However the root of that evil lies in the staggered tire setup. With that said i probably would go for 12mm all around. __________________ Greetings, Julian.

31-07-2017, 05:31 PM	#10
tonylim Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 3 Casino cash: $366	Thanks so much guys!!! Any brand of the spacers you guys would recommend? I guess they are the same as those used on normal E46 M3 Thanks again guys