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      11-17-2014, 04:08 AM   #1
usual_suspect
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Spacers. Good or anus?

Hi,

I have an BMW X3 2015 M sport with the 310 20" (245 f, 275 r) wheels for summer and 309 19" (245 f & r) for winter. I'm stil not 100 % satisfied and thinking of buying some spacers to get a even wider look. The idea was 10 or 15 mm spacers on both front and back.

Is this a good idea? If not, please explain why.

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      11-18-2014, 01:38 PM   #2
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No one?
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      11-18-2014, 03:22 PM   #3
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As long as you're not too aggressive, you'll likely be fine.
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      11-18-2014, 04:16 PM   #4
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Thank you! I think I will go for 10 mm on all four.
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      11-19-2014, 01:45 PM   #5
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pls post before and after pics if you can. love to see how they turn out.

i'm sure there will be others doing the same

good luck!
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      11-20-2014, 05:15 AM   #6
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I heard that size of spacer for the rear improves traction by 6%
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      11-21-2014, 02:07 AM   #7
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Where do I buy spacers with best quality? Any specific brand I should stick to? I prefer paying a little more for better quality.
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      12-08-2014, 06:21 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by usual_suspect View Post
Where do I buy spacers with best quality? Any specific brand I should stick to? I prefer paying a little more for better quality.
H&R

Made in Germany. Same color as the rear e-brake drums but comes in black as well... Whatever you decide to buy, make sure you stay away from 10mm spacers... go over or under...
i recommend 15mm

Go here to check applications for the X3 F25
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      12-08-2014, 07:57 AM   #9
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another resource.

i have heard 12 front, 15 rear gets you very close to the edge of the wheel well. i don't have pics but i know others on this site have done them. check the post for "20 inch wheels."

http://burgertuning.com/BMW_wheel_spacers.html

i'll be doing the same right after the winter season.
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      06-18-2015, 03:11 PM   #10
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Nearly every day on my way to work, I pass by the pictured black X3 with spacers. Looks pretty awesome - especially from the back - with those spacers behind his 369M wheels. I tried to measure the width of the spacers. They seem to be 10mm up front and 18mm at the rear per side.

I am now seriously considering to get these installed:-)

Still waiting for an answer from the BMW dealership, if spacers may in some way affect the garantee. Let's wait and see....
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      06-19-2015, 12:43 AM   #11
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Spacers will very probably have an impact on guarantee - they will add to the load on the wheels.
Since you are going for looks - what about this? H&R, 35 mm lower.
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      06-19-2015, 09:21 AM   #12
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H&R makes great quality spacers. I had them before in my previous cars. The negative about spacers is that it puts more stress on your hub bearing. Make sure you get hubcentric spacers or else you'll have vibrations on highway. Even with with hubcentric spacers, you may have vibration also. Spacers are finicky.
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      06-19-2015, 12:16 PM   #13
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I have a set of H&R Hub centric spacers that are black in color with matching H&R Wheel extended Bolts... i used them for a week on my e90 and sold the car... good price if anyone is interested..! bought them here in Germany but can ship free via USPS.
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      06-19-2015, 02:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atrueb View Post
Nearly every day on my way to work, I pass by the pictured black X3 with spacers. Looks pretty awesome - especially from the back - with those spacers behind his 369M wheels. I tried to measure the width of the spacers. They seem to be 10mm up front and 18mm at the rear per side.

I am now seriously considering to get these installed:-)

Still waiting for an answer from the BMW dealership, if spacers may in some way affect the garantee. Let's wait and see....
That does look great. Are they matte wheels or glossy black?

With 10mm spacers, be careful, because often BMW hub lips are slight more than 10mm, in which case the spacer won't sit properly. I'd take off the Wheels where you want to put 10's on, and measure the hub lip.

Turner Motorsport describes it like this on their Website:

A note about 10mm spacers:

Any 10mm spacer is considered a custom fitment. The stock hubcentric lip on BMWs can stick out by as much as 11mm. A 10mm spacer will bottom-out and leave a gap between the spacer and the hub which seriously compromises safety. The best way around this is using a larger spacer (12mm and larger do not have this issue) or check that the lip sticks out less than 10mm. In some cases you can modify the hub lip to get the 10mm spacer to fully seat on the hub.
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      06-19-2015, 03:11 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus99 View Post
That does look great. Are they matte wheels or glossy black?

With 10mm spacers, be careful, because often BMW hub lips are slight more than 10mm, in which case the spacer won't sit properly. I'd take off the Wheels where you want to put 10's on, and measure the hub lip.

Turner Motorsport describes it like this on their Website:

A note about 10mm spacers:

Any 10mm spacer is considered a custom fitment. The stock hubcentric lip on BMWs can stick out by as much as 11mm. A 10mm spacer will bottom-out and leave a gap between the spacer and the hub which seriously compromises safety. The best way around this is using a larger spacer (12mm and larger do not have this issue) or check that the lip sticks out less than 10mm. In some cases you can modify the hub lip to get the 10mm spacer to fully seat on the hub.

+1
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      06-19-2015, 05:00 PM   #16
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Hey guys, thanks for your answers
Tjalle : Sweet looking x4! I was considering to lower my X3 too with Eibachs, but I don't want to lose any ride comfort
Lotus99 : Those wheels are matte. Yes they look pretty mean, especially with the black grill he has installed. The black on black is pretty cool! Thanks for the tip about the lip. Ought to check that. I'm guessing that the spacers I'm looking at ought to be technically good, as I talked to teh BMW dealer about those.
BTW he said, that there is no impact on warranty:-)
So I'm in the middle of my "should I or shouldn't I do it" phase... LOL
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      06-22-2015, 11:21 AM   #17
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It's purely cosmetic, and with the Sizes you are considering, there are no downsides. I would have been shocked if there were warranty issues, or even in Europe if somehow they were against TUV standards or whatever you guys have to follow. They only cost $100 to $150 including new bolts, so go for it!
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      06-22-2015, 12:58 PM   #18
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Lotus, we have a common EU certification process, but when it comes to yearly inspection, the individual country rules.

For some reason, I have got away with my 12mm spacers on my 9000.

It is a close call if BMW would accept spacers if there is a problem - I would not count on that.
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      06-23-2015, 01:16 PM   #19
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Why is no one commenting on the title of this thread. Anus?
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      06-23-2015, 02:23 PM   #20
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nonagon i think spacers are not anus at all. Actually they look pretty awesome:-D Seriously, they are a price worthy tuning option to give more stance and ballsy look,especially on the MSport, where the wheels are not even close to being aligned to the fenders.

Here in Switzerland the installation needs to be carried out professionally and a stamp is required in the so called DTC-Certificate. That certificate aswell as the car then need to be inspected by the local DMV to get it registered and street legal.

Unfortunately the BMW dealer quoted me USD700! That is more than expected, as they want like USD200 for ordering the parts and installation. The annoying part is, that I already provided them all the details (partnumbers, specs of the bolts, etc.) so all they need to do is order the stuff and install it. No research or anything required on their behalf.... Oh well.

So I may go look for better offers from other garages.
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      06-23-2015, 04:06 PM   #21
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If you can do a wheel change yourself (which I hope ), then you can put them on in half an hour and remove before any inspections, etc.
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      06-23-2015, 04:22 PM   #22
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I think wheel spacers are great, especially if you want more grip in the rear. I would go 12mm in the front and 15 in the rear.

Everyone wants spacers (IMO), but most just say fk it, i'll live without them...
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