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[curtisk70]

So I am learning a lot after buying my xi- First, staggering an awd vehicle is not a good idea. That being said, does anyone have a thought regarding me putting wheel spacers in the rear which may create a better stance?

[saltql]

You can stagger the Xi, there is a E90 sport model that is staggered.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by curtisk70

So I am learning a lot after buying my xi- First, staggering an awd vehicle is not a good idea. That being said, does anyone have a thought regarding me putting wheel spacers in the rear which may create a better stance?

Why not?

[dghits26]

yep . You can do it.

[dghits26]

look


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[curtisk70]

Originally Posted by dghits26

look


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Is this an X drive???? or did you put spacers in the rear?

[curtisk70]

Originally Posted by saltql

You can stagger the Xi, there is a E90 sport model that is staggered.

Mine is the "sport" edition but did not come staggered... I have read son many posts about guys running into major transmission problems running staggered??

[VTECaddict]

Just make sure you get the proper tire sizes front and rear and you will be fine.

[utsavized]

I just got a set of style 67 M3 19s for my 328xi as well. I have 225/40 on 8X19 on the front and 255/30 on 9.5X19 on the rear.

At first, I too read horrible things about: first, regarding the offsets of the 67 style rims (41mm and 27mm), and then about the staggered setup.

Eventually, both turned out to be true, with exceptions. The offsets turned out to be "unfitting" for up to 18", but will clear the calipers if they are 19s. And the staggered setup is okay as long as your difference in running diameter is minimal. My setup would result in 0.2% approx. The ideal would be (I think) 265s in the back which results in a much lower difference. But I am pretty sure mine will work too.

Aesthetically though, I may use some spacers for the front.

The best bet is usually to find pictures/posts of people who HAVE done it, and then ask questions from there. I tried asking questions at random, and received a lot of feedback -- but then again, most of the replies are true, but there are always exceptions.

Good luck. If you end up staggered, let us know how it goes.

[Speedwagon]

I have a staggered setup on my E91 328IX and 12.5mm wheel-spacer on the rear with 225/40/18 and 255/35/18, works fine! I can still go wider if I want!

[curtisk70]

Originally Posted by Speedwagon

I have a staggered setup on my E91 328IX and 12.5mm wheel-spacer on the rear with 225/40/18 and 255/35/18, works fine! I can still go wider if I want!

Kewl- hopefully, you won't ever have any tranny issues. The more I read about staggering awd cars the more it scared me. Something about the spinning radius having to be the same or the car will think the wheels are slipping...

[n8_thriller]

I got 313 wheels with standard tyres sizes (255 at the back). I'm running a 12mm spacer at the back and with a big load (20st fat cousin) at 80-100ish on a bumpy motorway I might get a lil rub, but it looks the bees knees!

[07lilredwagon]

Originally Posted by n8_thriller

I got 313 wheels with standard tyres sizes (255 at the back). I'm running a 12mm spacer at the back and with a big load (20st fat cousin) at 80-100ish on a bumpy motorway I might get a lil rub, but it looks the bees knees!

From what I understand its the diameter of the tires on all 4 corners that must be kept within 1-2 percent of each other.....believe it or not, even tread depth and uneven tire wear will affect the TRANSFER CASE, not the tranny. (automatic transmission...not sure if it is different for a manual)

It sounds like, because the transfer case, drive shafts and differentials are all solidly connected to the tires on the ground that there is no way for the car to handle different tire sizes (diameter). There is no "give" in the Xi for different rolling radius.....Our cars would have to incorporate some kind of transfer case clutch to handle this difference.

Check out the XI part of this forum...there is much talk (and speculation) there on the subject.

Tire width changes and spacers should in theory be fine...and it sounds like in most cases here, in practice as well.....

let us know how you make out.


JP

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by curtisk70

Kewl- hopefully, you won't ever have any tranny issues. The more I read about staggering awd cars the more it scared me. Something about the spinning radius having to be the same or the car will think the wheels are slipping...

My wheels are the same size in height, the back ones are just wider!

[dghits26]

Originally Posted by curtisk70

Is this an X drive???? or did you put spacers in the rear?

Yes sir 2009 328 xi

They are staggered 19 . Im ordering 15 mm spacers for the back .

[utsavized]

Originally Posted by 07lilredwagon

From what I understand its the diameter of the tires on all 4 corners that must be kept within 1-2 percent of each other.....believe it or not, even tread depth and uneven tire wear will affect the TRANSFER CASE, not the tranny. (automatic transmission...not sure if it is different for a manual)

It sounds like, because the transfer case, drive shafts and differentials are all solidly connected to the tires on the ground that there is no way for the car to handle different tire sizes (diameter). There is no "give" in the Xi for different rolling radius.....Our cars would have to incorporate some kind of transfer case clutch to handle this difference.

Check out the XI part of this forum...there is much talk (and speculation) there on the subject.

Tire width changes and spacers should in theory be fine...and it sounds like in most cases here, in practice as well.....

let us know how you make out.


JP

Tire width changes also slightly impact overall diameter. 275/30s I think are slightly more in overall circumference than 225/30s. So watch out of that. Pay attention to the RPM differences in front and rear if ur getting a staggered setup. Make sure the RPM diff is <= 3.

[WOT Bimmer]

I have a 328xi and run 20mm spacers on the rear wheels only. No problems to date. Definitely a much better stance than stock.

[curtisk70]

Originally Posted by bimmer328

I have a 328xi and run 20mm spacers on the rear wheels only. No problems to date. Definitely a much better stance than stock.

What size wheels are you running?? I recently put 19s on mine so I am not sure how large I can go... Any pics?

[bernard54321]

i am wondering about wheel spacers also i looked up a bit about it actually and it seems pretty straight forward just measure and install.... says the ecs tuning video....

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by curtisk70

What size wheels are you running?? I recently put 19s on mine so I am not sure how large I can go... Any pics?

You need to measure the space that is remaining!

[phillip@bmpdesign]

Tire size, type, and style are very important on AWD. Essentially, if it feels like something is rolling at a different speed, it will start trying to compensate and handle a little off while it puts a consisting and unnecessary pressure on the transfer case.

If you are only wanting it for looks, avoid the headache and just get the spacers. If you have any kind of wear issues that aren't too serious, you can rotate your tires and makes your winter wheels look better too. Staggered is great, but virtually unnoticeable in real world results on AWD vehicles as far as performance.

[WOT Bimmer]

Originally Posted by curtisk70

What size wheels are you running?? I recently put 19s on mine so I am not sure how large I can go... Any pics?

I am running the stock 156 wheels (16" I believe). I am hoping to potentially upgrade to a better wheel once I need new tires. I added the wheel spacers because I was tired at cringing each time I saw a 3 series stance, or lack thereof.

I will post a couple pics later on today or tomorrow.