Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Wheel Spacers

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
User avatar
Cavey1638
Member
Member
Posts: 172
Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:20 pm

Wheel Spacers

Post by Cavey1638 » Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:42 am

Hi All,

Just a quick question to you all. I have a 3.0 Z4 on a 2004 plate. I am thinking of fitting wheel spacers. My question is do these put strain on the wheel bearings. My assumption that bringing the wheels out (was thinking 20mm at rear and 12mm at front) increases the mechanical advantage hence putting more strain on the bearings or is this not a problem.

Is 20mm rear and 12mm front about right?

Forgot to mention I have the M sport suspension and 18 inch elipsoid wheels.

Regards

Cavey

User avatar
Bad_Pritt
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2725
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:51 pm

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Bad_Pritt » Fri Jul 25, 2014 5:39 am

It does put strain on the bearings, but it's really a marginal effect for as long as you don't go wider than 20mm. Go for it!
I've had the same set-up on my Zed with my previous wheels.
Image

User avatar
Smartbear
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 13685
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
Location: a barn in Somerset

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Smartbear » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:04 am

Hi cavey, I have recently fitted 15/20mm spacers & have the same wheels as you-looks much better!
Regards

Image

Image
Image

e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

domsz4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2738
Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 11:23 pm

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by domsz4 » Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:34 am

what size bolts did you buy for those spacers smartbear? i've got a set of spacers in the garage and still havnt fitted them!
Proud Whip owner ;)

User avatar
bony_13
Member
Member
Posts: 377
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Cambs

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by bony_13 » Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:59 am

12mm at the front and 20mm at the back on mine. Many people discuss the additional strain, but considering the limited mileage my car covers (and seemingly most zed's on the forum) I was happy to trade the looks for longevity!!

User avatar
Smartbear
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 13685
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
Location: a barn in Somerset

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Smartbear » Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:07 am

domsz4 wrote:what size bolts did you buy for those spacers smartbear? i've got a set of spacers in the garage and still havnt fitted them!
Just looked it up for you-12mm 1.5 60degree taper 39mm front & 50mm rear.
Regards
Image

e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

tango88
Member
Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 12:58 pm

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by tango88 » Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:28 pm

As above, I too had the same size spacers with elipsoids on mine,

Pics in my project thread if your interested :)
Z4 - 2.5 - eibachs, 19"csl's, CDV delete, k&n panel filter, stubby

To do - facelift front bumper, zhp, adjustable camber arms

User avatar
Cavey1638
Member
Member
Posts: 172
Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:20 pm

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Cavey1638 » Fri Jul 25, 2014 2:55 pm

Thanks for the replies. Where can I get quality ones with the correct bolts.

Regards

Cavey

User avatar
Smartbear
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 13685
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
Location: a barn in Somerset

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Smartbear » Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:16 pm

Mine came from demon tweaks via forum member gp06roadster.
Regards
Image

e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

User avatar
Larsbjerregaard
Member
Member
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:53 pm

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Larsbjerregaard » Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:30 pm

Don't do it. I just went from wheels with 20/25mm spacers to wider wheels with no spacers. There is a huge difference in handling. It might look better but your Z will start tramlining like hell!
2004 Z4 3.0 M54 Steptronic | Sterling Grey, M-sport suspension, Heated M-sport seats, Satnav, Clear lights, Comfort Pack | Mods: 8x18+9x18 M6GC wheels w/ Pirelli P Zero | Gaptech RCH+ | Xcarstyle Comfort Light | I6 DISA upgrade | Lots of LEDs |

tango88
Member
Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 12:58 pm

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by tango88 » Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:38 pm

Bimecc spacers seem really nicely made and know of them fitted to a lot of mates cars with no issues whatsoever
Z4 - 2.5 - eibachs, 19"csl's, CDV delete, k&n panel filter, stubby

To do - facelift front bumper, zhp, adjustable camber arms

User avatar
BMWZ4MC
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6346
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:24 pm
Location: Back in the sunshine

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by BMWZ4MC » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:37 pm

Larsbjerregaard wrote:Don't do it. I just went from wheels with 20/25mm spacers to wider wheels with no spacers. There is a huge difference in handling. It might look better but your Z will start tramlining like hell!
My ///M handling improved noticeably when I started using 12mm spacers on trackdays :wink:
Image
Z4MC - heavily fettled for track use
Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
Westfield SEiW - in hibernation
Modified RS4 Avant - back in Blighty
S2000 GT - gone

Nelly Welly
Member
Member
Posts: 670
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:18 am

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Nelly Welly » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:43 pm

My non m felt like a different car when I fitted 12mm all round. The tram lining vanished.

:D
Lost in space, found in a dustbin........



2005 Z4 2.2
2011 318 d Estate Recalled and repaired - Update: Turbo blown new one about to get fitted.... :headbang:
2008 2.0d Mondeo Estate Gone but not forgotten
2008 TDV6 Discovery 3 HSE

User avatar
R3AP4R
Member
Member
Posts: 446
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:42 pm

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by R3AP4R » Sat Jul 26, 2014 5:38 pm

Hi

I just had 15MM Fronts and 20MM rears from these guys! £100 all in and the quality is amazing. Botls and spacers all in! :driving: PS driving is mint, mo issues at all, if anything slighty better feel :driving: :rofl:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/jjt-auto?_trk ... 7675.l2559
2004 3.0SE/18” Ellipsoids Eibach Pro Kit/15MM Spacers Fronts 20MM Spacers Rears/CDV Delete/Back Box Delete/Projector Headlights/Run Flats Goodbye!/Machine Monkey Bottles/Machine Monkey Knob /Machine Monkey Handbrake/Carbon Badges/Ipad Install.
Image
Image

User avatar
GP06Roadster
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1103
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 11:31 am

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by GP06Roadster » Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:02 pm

Image

On my old wheels, 20/15mm spacers.
E86 3.0si Manual

Post Reply