[RagingKileak]

Guys,

Anyone have an opinion on the merits/vices of hubcentric spacers?

I am told that even as little as 10mm on each corner will not only make the car look much better, but will add handling benefits too!

Matt

[dxb335d]

I think BMW got it spot on with the car after the millions they spend developing the car.

Although Im sure spacers would help handling on some circuits on the UK not all though.

For road use, I think you will only really benefit from the asthetics it will achieve.

[jke11y]

I know people will come along and say "I have done 3000 trackdays and 120k miles and had no problems" but , in my humble opinion, they are another link to go wrong in a crucial part of the car.

If I was spacing, I would look at longer bolts if possible and spacers. Thinking from my Lotus days so not sure on the BM setup as I have not dismantled mine yet .

I may be wrong but it just sounds safer, as opposed to something that bolts to the hub that the wheel then bolts to. Keen to read some discussion though.

[RagingKileak]

Originally Posted by jke11y

I know people will come along and say "I have done 3000 trackdays and 120k miles and had no problems" but , in my humble opinion, they are another link to go wrong in a crucial part of the car.

If I was spacing, I would look at longer bolts if possible and spacers. Thinking from my Lotus days so not sure on the BM setup as I have not dismantled mine yet .

I may be wrong but it just sounds safer, as opposed to something that bolts to the hub that the wheel then bolts to. Keen to read some discussion though.

You guys don't need to assume I am simples!

I will obviously get longer bolts - including the locking nut lol!!

Carl you're in a right fucking mood today lol!

Matt

[dxb335d]

How is what I said moody?

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by jke11y

I know people will come along and say "I have done 3000 trackdays and 120k miles and had no problems" but , in my humble opinion, they are another link to go wrong in a crucial part of the car.

If I was spacing, I would look at longer bolts if possible and spacers. Thinking from my Lotus days so not sure on the BM setup as I have not dismantled mine yet .

I may be wrong but it just sounds safer, as opposed to something that bolts to the hub that the wheel then bolts to. Keen to read some discussion though.

I think you're talking about something completely different.
Spacers that bolt on as opposed to bolt through are hub adapters.

Yes, hub adapters are spacers but you would only need those if you wanted to use wheels from a different car altogether.
Adapters come with differing bolt patterns and PCD to the wheel of your choice, so if you wanted for example to fit wheels from a Porsche to your Beemer, you could get an adapter to do just that.

Hub centric spacers fit over the centre spigot and the bolts fit through the wheel into the existing threaded hole, so if you're using a BMW wheel on a BMW, spacers are really all you need. (There are of course exceptions )

Matt, as long as you go for a manufacturer with a good reputation - H&R, Eibachs you'll have no problems, I've not had any.

Longer bolts (thickness of spacer) are of course a given, but you know that

The car will look better for them and one could argue that because you are increasing the track of the car, roadholding would be better, but I'm sure others will no doubt argue the other way or come up with differing arguements

If memory serves, many CSL drivers who tracked/track their cars ran/ run spacers, so there must be something that spacers do other than aesthetics!

Teddy @SSDD will do a good price on Eibach's

[dxb335d]

There might be Ian, but no point doing it for handling unless you have conclusive proof they work for thaT particular track. (Let alone weather contions, etc etc etc) Ie test back to back.

But the majority of the time, a owner could do with more circuit training (I e driver training) on themselves than to spend money on making the car handle better when in reality they cant exploit that performance.

Asthetically its worth doing.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

There might be Ian, but no point doing it for handling unless you have conclusive proof they work for thaT particular track. (Let alone weather contions, etc etc etc) Ie test back to back.

But the majority of the time, a owner could do with my circuit training (I e driver training) on themselves than to spend money on making the car handle better when in reality they cant exploit that performance.

Asthetically its worth doing.

I was right

Carl, were not talking £££££'s for spacers

[RagingKileak]

For the 'Ring I am doing everything I can.

I cannot get any better driver training on that track in this car than I will at the time with Tony, that's a fact. Money can't get buy it because noone else knows these cars in that environment like he does!

Spacers? They cost £50 a set with bolts and they will improve the look. I have had some 'suggestions' that they improve handling, but I have also put that down to a 'placebo' effect which may be imaginary.

Yes, I see the science of increasing the width. One of the many people I have spoken to about the big power upgrade for the 1 series commented that the car is 'not wide enough' which is insanity, however there may be some credit to widening the track within sensible parameters.

Would I feel 20mm difference? I have no idea, but just like a panel filter would only cost me £50 and might increase my power by 1 or 2 and my throttle response by 1 or 2% it might still be worth it on both!

Just covering off some options guys.

Matt

[YvesD]

12mm Eibach hubcentrics on mine, longer bolts etc.

Looks great, stabilises rear axle, better traction, no issues what so ever.

Cheap and effective mod.

Yves

[RagingKileak]

Originally Posted by YvesD

12mm Eibach hubcentrics on mine, longer bolts etc.

Looks great, stabilises rear axle, better traction, no issues what so ever.

Cheap and effective mod.

Yves

It's not cheap for Eibach - they are twice the price of every other kind lol!!

They made of gold? SSDD quoted 80 a pair!!

Matt

[RagingKileak]

Ps - the opinion is valued regardles!!!

Matt

[YvesD]

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

It's not cheap for Eibach - they are twice the price of every other kind lol!!

They made of gold? SSDD quoted 80 a pair!!

Matt

No !

Off line I will inform you of the correct price.....

Yves

[Carrera RSR]

H&R 12mm each side bolt through with longer bolts on my front £70

H&R 20mm each side bolt to hub with standard bolts on my rear £100

Hubcentric every time to avoid unbalanced hubs shaking your car down. Reputable TUV approved supplier like H&R or Eibach.

Yes puts added stress to your wheel bearings so check them regularly. Done 50k on mine. No problem.

[JonD]

Originally Posted by YvesD

No !

Off line I will inform you of the correct price.....

Yves

Don't keep it a secret, bet there's a few of us looked into this recently.

[pjs]

Matt

You read the latest evo report on the 135I after they put the BMW performance suspension kit on?

Looks like it worked wonders

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

It's not cheap for Eibach - they are twice the price of every other kind lol!!

They made of gold? SSDD quoted 80 a pair!!

Matt

I am running the Eibach spacer from Teddy complete with his longer wheel bolts and longer locking nut.

There were some cheaper unbranded ones on ebay but preferred to stick to a brand name. A friend of mine reckoned he had some cheap spacers fitted once and he could never get rid of a steering wheel tremor from the front (always felt like the wheels were out of balance)

[RagingKileak]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

I am running the Eibach spacer from Teddy complete with his longer wheel bolts and longer locking nut.

There were some cheaper unbranded ones on ebay but preferred to stick to a brand name. A friend of mine reckoned he had some cheap spacers fitted once and he could never get rid of a steering wheel tremor from the front (always felt like the wheels were out of balance)

Hmmm interesting... E36 lads reckon Eibach ones crack, I agree that I would rather have a brand, but shit, they are expensive!!

Matt

[Ant Man]

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

Guys,

Anyone have an opinion on the merits/vices of hubcentric spacers?

I am told that even as little as 10mm on each corner will not only make the car look much better, but will add handling benefits too!

Matt

Who told you this? I've been doing some reading on suspension set ups by race engineers to try and educate myself and to say there is a lot of ignorance on the subject is an understatement.

There is a mathematical equation that goes with this but it's quite dull. Spaces add more offset which if too much in relation to the KPI line, will bugger up the handling.

If anyone's interested one of the books that was easy to understand for a novice like me was 'How to build & modify sportscar & kit car supesnion & brakes for road & track' by Des Hammill. Most libraries have a good selection of similar books.

[RagingKileak]

I'm happy to listen to science mate.

I've been reccomended 12mm.. not too much I didn't think??

Matt

[wafik]

I just got mine today

Eibach Hubcentric Pro spacers. Got longer bolts and locking nuts too.

2 x 12mm
2 x 15mm

Going to get them fitted soon..still debating on if i should do 15mm all round. Once i take my car to have them fitted, if the 12mm on the rear dont do it for me then i'll change them to 15mm. Personally im just going for looks - want the wheels very flushed with the arches

[ElegantSpoon]

In for pics