[Googlyamnesiac]

Simple question, are they harmful to the car?

Sure they may make smaller width wheels look better but is there a risk involved e.g. causing wheel bearing damage?

Thoughts appreciated!

[MalM3]

There are suppliers (FK) that supply spacers with german TüV approval.

Not to say that they won´t cause damage , how can i say that.. but they have been tested and satisfy enough to earn an approval.

Persnally, no i dont think they do under regular driving conditions, but i wouldn´t feel safe tracking a car on spacer. But thats only because i have no experience in that area

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by idlerobbo

Simple question, are they harmful to the car?

Sure they may make smaller width wheels look better but is there a risk involved e.g. causing wheel bearing damage?

Thoughts appreciated!

This has been brought up a number of times, likely it would have it would appeared first on the e46 models since they touched US soil back in 2001. For example - 30mm spacers are a common first upgrade for X5 owners, which are much heavier than our M3 brethren with 0 reports of issues and have been here since 2000.

BMWs are not the only vehicles to utilize spacers. With the minimal amounts we're discussing about on 3-series applications, I doubt this is even an issue to be concerned about.

[BMW Jet]

No problem at all!
They are even better for the car because they improve road handling by increasing the width length between the wheels.
It is also better to put bigger spacers on the rear tires compared to the ones in front.

[I335]

^What Tom said. I know tons of guys who put them on their X5s too with no problems at all. That said, it's important to install them correctly and on a well cleaned hub. Don't just hammer them on over a rusty hub.

[M3-FAST]

....and make 100% sure that any spacers fitted are hub-centric ones!

This ensures that the wheel is still seated on a centre hub and the wheel bolts only 'task' is to secure the wheel tight against the hub. Spacers without the centre hub are bad as the wheel bolts then have the weight of the car sitting on them

[ElegantSpoon]

I love the spacer debate its always a good one! When I had a TT one of the first mods for most people on the TTOC was 20mm spacers either side at the rear. It was the done thing!

Then I had a Z4 where it was much less common and there was a lot of paranoia over spacers.

I think the only real debate is which are best, bolt on or bolt through.

[MalM3]

Originally Posted by ElegantSpoon

I love the spacer debate its always a good one! When I had a TT one of the first mods for most people on the TTOC was 20mm spacers either side at the rear. It was the done thing!

Then I had a Z4 where it was much less common and there was a lot of paranoia over spacers.

I think the only real debate is which are best, bolt on or bolt through.

Ah, in that case there is no debate

Bolt on only .

Both through cannot be Torque tightened, i.e overstreesing of the material to snap through torsion twist.

Also the length of the bolt WILL give/stretch allowing for possible faliure on hard impacts.

[ElegantSpoon]

The debate will continue I agree about the bolt on but others will argue bolt through.

[MalM3]

logicaly its safer with the 2 bolt system

[Carrera RSR]

Had 12mm bolt through with longer bolts on the front and 20mm bolted to the hub and wheel bolted to the spacer on the rear. These have been on for over twelve months and 40,000 miles without issue. The German TUV approval is for the safe use of the spacer itself not for the safety of the wheel bearings which need to be monitored as they can receive added stress. As said only buy the hub centric from a quality supplier either Eibach, H&R or similar. Added with lowering springs and alignment check will give the car a great stance. (check my garage).

The only issue I have had in twelve months with the suspension was not related to the springs/spacers.

[giotecno]

This was one of my next mods on the list after the imminent alloy wheel upgrade... there seems to be less information on the spacers front on the UK parts of the forum...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by idlerobbo

Simple question, are they harmful to the car?

Sure they may make smaller width wheels look better but is there a risk involved e.g. causing wheel bearing damage?

Thoughts appreciated!

Are you talking just widening the track with spacers, or using spacers to set the wheels with incorrect ET offsets? There is a vast difference from a technical point of view, as steering geometry is typically compromised and bearing loadings are changed by adding track, but not by setting retro fit wheels to correct offsets.

HighlandPete

[Hoops]

Ive used spacers on quite a few of my cars with no issues or problems. That said i only keep my cars 2 minutes so not a very good long term test! I do it mainly for aesthetics as opposed to handling enhancement.