Spec me: Wheel spacers...

buze

buze

Zorg Guru (I)
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British Zeds
Joined
Jun 5, 2017
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Location
Berks/Powys
Model of Z
2.8 Facelift
Here's Green Bum Car, aka Pocket Rocket (my wife and in laws in general like giving names to cars!). Short of changing wheels, I think I could add spacers to the back. From my reading with these style #18, I could add 20mm spacers...
So, Yeah, Nay? Is 20mm OK? I saw 2 models, one made of steel ( http://www.dvbcaraudio.co.uk/5x120-20mm-hubcentric-wheel-spacers-p-16077.html ) , one made of Aluminium ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231957978779 ) -- any preference?

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buze said:
Here's Green Bum Car, aka Pocket Rocket (my wife and in laws in general like giving names to cars!). Short of changing wheels, I think I could add spacers to the back. From my reading with these style #18, I could add 20mm spacers...
So, Yeah, Nay? Is 20mm OK? I saw 2 models, one made of steel ( http://www.dvbcaraudio.co.uk/5x120-20mm-hubcentric-wheel-spacers-p-16077.html ) , one made of Aluminium ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231957978779 ) -- any preference?

_1010593.jpg
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I'd always go for aluminium to keep unsprung weight down! Generally last longer too. Have had good success with H&R in the past
 
I have 20mm bolt on hub adapter spacers with a wheel ET of 43 on rears - just make sure your existing BMW bolts seat your wheel to the adapter and there is no play / rocking of the wheels after tightening.
 
I used 20mm Alloy hubcentric spacers on my Z3 2.0 which came with extended length bolts, and I now use them on my Z3 3.0 on 18" wheels. Looks to me as though you could also use some 14mm ones on the front too.

Tony.
 
t-tony said:
I used 20mm Alloy hubcentric spacers on my Z3 2.0 which came with extended length bolts, and I now use them on my Z3 3.0 on 18" wheels. Looks to me as though you could also use some 14mm ones on the front too.
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Ah, I wasn't sure about the front, as there's something rubbing when I'm turning the wheel to the max... not sure where it's touching tho...
 
If the inside of the tyre is rubbing in full lock then spacing the wheel out would likely stop it. Best to check exactly what is happening first though.

Tony.
 
15mm rear and 10mm front on my M looks fantastic.
 
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15 rear 10 on the front on mine, was lucky to be able to try out Phil Baxter's spacers first.
 
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buze said:
Like these, they look the business ! what style/specs are they?
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The wheels?

They are M double spoke E36 M3 LTW wheels (1995 only) forged wheels.

Spacers?

Cheap aluminium spacers with longer bolts
 
I eventually did install 20mm at the back, and 10mm at the front. Car looks pretty mean!

I /suspect/ that the front wheel touches the arch on the outside wheel in bumpy corners (ie, max compression). I hear a bit of a noise earlier when I was driving a bit 'lively' on the rotten road around burnham.

Also spacers at the front has not cured the 'wheel touching' when I'm at maximum turning radius when parking etc. I suspect that my rainmaster tyres might have a bit more rubber on the outside of the tyre, and it /just/ touches...
 
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