[WifeBeforeCar]

Installed 15mm spacers all around on my 2022 X3 M40i in my backyard a few weeks ago. Super happy with the flush fitment and better stance. Wanted share some thoughts, pics and steps (with links to tools/parts I used) in case anyone is interested.

It took me a few hours to finish the job all by myself since I was taking my time and documenting the whole process. If you are really good at changing wheels, you can probably get it done within an hour. Installation of spacer itself is very easy, and IND has a very clear instruction video here

I have the 20 inch 699M rims that are 8Jx20 ET27 (245/45R20) and 9.5Jx20 ET43 (275/40R20). Since it's a staggered setup, the narrower front wheels really dragged down the stance of the front end of the car IMO, and the rear fitment could be a bit more flush too. Thanks to some previous discussions here, I decided to get 15mm spacers. In hindsight, 18 or 20 or even 25mm could provide a more impressive look if I decided to be a bit "riskier". Here are my main thoughts & observations after the installation:

• 15mm provides a flush fitment on the rear, while the front could use a few millimeters more (see the pic below). That said, I'm happy with the current look and do not want to further mess it up

• As many fellow Bimmers pointed out, it is very important to get hub-centric, high-quality spacers. I narrowed my options down to either Future Classic (with IND) or H&R, and I got the Future Classic ones as they come with anti-seize and longer lug bolts automatically

• I did not notice any change in driving dynamics after installation. If anything, I feel the car is more planted (perhaps this is psychological)

Here are all the parts & tools I used:

• 15mm spacers: https://ind-distribution.com/product...eel-spacer-kit

• Wheel hanger pin set M14x1.25: https://ind-distribution.com/product...hanger-pin-set

• Car jack: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028JW4PU...roduct_details

• Jack pad adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725GCJ6T...roduct_details

• Torque wrench: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1D17AW...roduct_details

• 17mm socket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JG4BNN...roduct_details

• Break bar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074WHR1SW...roduct_details

• 6mm and 5mm Allen wrenches

• Optional: impact wrench. I used RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in

Here are the main steps (mostly about taking off and putting on wheels)

• Use the break bar to loosen the lug bolts

• Jack up the car. Make sure to use the jack pad adapter to avoid ruining the the jack point on your car. I did not use a jack stand since I changed my wheels one by one, and I did not need to put my head under the car . But this might not be the best practice

• Use the impact wrench to further loosen the lug bolts, and take off the wheel

• Clean the rotor, remove the OEM hub bolts with the Allen wrench, apply anti-seize, and put on the spacer. Apply anti-seize to the Future Classic extended hub bolts and secure the spacer to the hub. Follow IND's video above for more details

• Re-install the wheel with the 2 wheel hanger pins. Use the extended lug bolts that came with the Future Classic spacers. They fit just right after adding the spacer

• Lower the car back to the ground and retorque the wheel to OEM specification with the torque wrench. According to the BMW X3 manual, it should be 101 lbs ft/140NM. Repeat the above on all the other wheels

• Drive the car for a while, and then re-torque all wheels to 101 lbs ft/140NM just in case

I have more photos of my mods on my car's IG: https://www.instagram.com/wifebeforecar/

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I'm also selling my lightly used summer tires (could save you $$$ if your lease is over soon and you need to replace all 4 tires): https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2032193

[Keefy]

15mm spacers, Just what the car needed from factory! Love the rear mid spoiler, I have the same. You just need the M Performance Flow Through Spoiler to complete the look.

[WifeBeforeCar]

Originally Posted by Keefy

15mm spacers, Just what the car needed from factory! Love the rear mid spoiler, I have the same. You just need the M Performance Flow Through Spoiler to complete the look.

Haha sounds good but wife needs to sign off

[WifeBeforeCar]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

Nice detailed spacer install writeup! Just one question: I don't believe you are using the correct jack-point, it's built into the car about 4 inches further in and about 5 inches rearward. This fits (see pic) BMW Hockey Puck into the jack-point and offers a safe way to lift the car without damaging any plastic or worrying about slippage.

Car looks great!

Might be the angle of my camera. The jack pad adapter I have (similar to yours) does fit right into the jack point slot. But thanks for checking it for me!

[Dracul]

Looks great! I just bought a '24 X3 M40i and will be adding the spacers. Love your front splitter and rear mid spoiler too.

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by Dracul

Looks great! I just bought a '24 X3 M40i and will be adding the spacers. Love your front splitter and rear mid spoiler too.

Certainly makes the car!

[MADBMWX5MC]

It DOES looks good, congrats!

[Dracul]

What tires are you running? Are they stock?

[WifeBeforeCar]

Originally Posted by Dracul

What tires are you running? Are they stock?

I swapped out the stock summer tires with Conti DWS06 but the sizes are the same as stock for the 20 inch rims

[838]

... happy enough witout spacer thou on mine

[WifeBeforeCar]

Originally Posted by 838

... happy enough witout spacer thou on mine

Figment looks really flush. Are these HRE rims? What are the specs?

[838]

Originally Posted by WifeBeforeCar

Figment looks really flush. Are these HRE rims? What are the specs?

Sharp eyes😉... x3 30i on FF10 square setup, 20x 9j et25
... staggered tires pzero rft, 245/45, 275/40

[WifeBeforeCar]

Originally Posted by 838

Sharp eyes😉... x3 30i on FF10 square setup, 20x 9j et25
... staggered tires pzero rft, 245/45, 275/40

Squared rim setup with staggered tires?

[838]

Originally Posted by WifeBeforeCar

Squared rim setup with staggered tires?

Yeaahhh... may create controversial opinions... but just to used back its ori tires set on it thou🤭... did some simulation, and decided to still go with that fitment.. sans spacer, not really fond of it, personally

[oregondonor]

Originally Posted by 838

... happy enough witout spacer thou on mine

Are you lowered?

I'm looking at installing H&R sports on my 30i

[Leem40i]

I went with 13mm from Burger Motorsports. I looked at several cars with 15mm and it just made the car look bowlegged.

[JonasM40i]

Originally Posted by Leem40i

I went with 13mm from Burger Motorsports. I looked at several cars with 15mm and it just made the car look bowlegged.

The 2 mm make the difference for shure.

[838]

Originally Posted by oregondonor

Are you lowered?

I'm looking at installing H&R sports on my 30i

True that... on HnR also

[oregondonor]

Originally Posted by Leem40i

I went with 13mm from Burger Motorsports. I looked at several cars with 15mm and it just made the car look bowlegged.

I'm thinking 12mm myself.

[oregondonor]

Originally Posted by Leem40i

I went with 13mm from Burger Motorsports. I looked at several cars with 15mm and it just made the car look bowlegged.

Do you have any pics with the 13mm spacers?

[KirbyBaker]

Curiosity question, do the hub bolts have a torque spec?

[WifeBeforeCar]

Originally Posted by KirbyBaker

Curiosity question, do the hub bolts have a torque spec?

According to the BMW X3 manual, it should be 101 lbs ft/140NM.