[Trev88]

As the title suggests. Are wheel spacers worth it? Reading online it seems that wheel spacers are good as they improve handling and makes the car look better. Apparently as well if you get the wrong spacers it could lead to a disaster as well. Thoughts? Im running GTC 19" CX rims with F 235/35 and R 265/30 PSS tyres.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Trev88

As the title suggests. Are wheel spacers worth it? Reading online it seems that wheel spacers are good as they improve handling and makes the car look better. Apparently as well if you get the wrong spacers it could lead to a disaster as well. Thoughts? Im running GTC 19" CX rims with F 235/35 and R 265/30 PSS tyres.

Spacers were one of my first mods. Been running them for a couple of years now. No problems unless they are not seated properly, then you get a bit of wheel wobble above 100 km/h. Remove the wheel and make sure they are flush on the wheel hub and that takes care of it

Im running the same size wheels as you and I run 10mm on the fronts and 5mm on the rears. Make sure you get hub centric spacers and longer wheel bolts. Better still get wheel studs and race nuts which look great and make changing the tires much easier.

I run Motorsport hardware 82 mm x 12x1.5 wheel studs and 17mm MH titan race nuts, they are about $250 a set

[aaron_]

Are there potential issues with insurance in the event of an accident?

[EB89]

I’m running 20mm bolt on spacers all round, Meant to safer apparently.

[Montye90]

I was always taught to avoid spacers and ensure you size and spec the correct offset. (buying aftermarket wheels). Bit hard with factory... so can understand spacers for flush fitment. Wider track means better grip...

[Trev88]

Originally Posted by aaron_

Are there potential issues with insurance in the event of an accident?

+1

[Trev88]

@Socket would the normal oem studs fit? What spacers brand would you recommend?

[satz]

I've been running spacers on mine (varying widths over the years). Now just running them on the front.

I only use them to get the wheels a little more flush to the fenders. I believe that's the only reason you would use spacers (and in some cases to keep clear of suspension struts?)

As someone pointed out above, it's better to get the wheels with correct offset, rather than using spacers. i wish I didn't have to use them (insurance....)

When I went from my stock 18 inch (style 287 IIRC), to the 19 inch Light Alloy 313s, the front wheels actually went inwards (positive offset I think) by about 5mm. Disappointing, so I'm still using the 12mm spacers on the front.

The rear 313s went outward by 7mm each side, so that was good, and I didn't need to use spacers to get the look I was after.

If only the E9* could have just had slightly wider track in the first place...

[satz]

By the way, you should not use the original studs with spacers of pretty much any width, or you risk not having enough thread to securely fasten to the hub.

Best to order the correct length studs for the spacers. Or use the bolt-on style of spacer where you get new bolts to attach the spacer to the hub, and use the original bolts to attach the wheel to the spacer. of course the bolt-on style adds a little more unsprung weight compared to the non-bolt-on type.

Make sure the spacers are hubcentric (with the protruding lip that holds on to the hub. Keeps it perfectly centred, and also means that the lateral load is shared between this centre bit and the 5 bolts.

Using spacers also 'softens' the ride a little as it provides more 'leverage' against the spring/shock. And could also reduce the bearing life for the same reason. Of course, the wider the spacer, the more the risk.

[bradsm87]

If your wheels aren't the right offset for the car, spacers are great. I got the best offset I could but still run 5mm spacers in the rear to get it perfect.

[vtl]

I have found that certain hubcentric spacers don't work well with aftermarket wheels. Particularly the ECS tuning spacers (shown in my pic)

The aftermarket wheels dont always have a big enough relief chamfer on the hub bore, which can contact the spacer and prevent the wheel from mounting flush.

This is really unsafe as if its not mounting flush it will open yourself up to vibrations or worse. Also stresses the wheel really badly where the wheel mounts so would be bad on cheap wheels.



I am running bit front camber on my car, so the wheels look a bit too tucked in. I am running 10mm ECS tuning spacers to push them out a bit. Also using with extended bolts with no issues on oem 313 18" rims.

[Trev88]

Do spacers affect your ability to claim?

[Trev88]

What's the recommended spacer to use? Cos it sounds like the wider the better?

[Digitalism]

BMS

[bradsm87]

Originally Posted by Trev88

What's the recommended spacer to use? Cos it sounds like the wider the better?

That is totally dependent on the offset of your existing wheels.

[Trev88]

Originally Posted by bradsm87

That is totally dependent on the offset of your existing wheels.

Rims Size: 19 X 8.5" fronts / 19 X 9.5" rears.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Trev88

@Socket would the normal oem studs fit? What spacers brand would you recommend?

Not above 5 mm
Because the wheel is pushed out you need longer bolts to be safe

[T1M]

Originally Posted by aaron_

Are there potential issues with insurance in the event of an accident?

Yes. Check your local road rules to confirm.

In VIC

"Spacers between the wheel and hub are not permitted unless provided by the vehicle manufacturer as original equipment."

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/media/files/documents/safety-and-road-rules/vsinumber8guidetomodificationsformotorvehicles.pdf ?la=en

[bradsm87]

Originally Posted by Trev88

Rims Size: 19 X 8.5" fronts / 19 X 9.5" rears.

They also have an offset (how far they sit in or out) eg. ET30 aka +30

[Trev88]

Originally Posted by T1M

Yes. Check your local road rules to confirm.

In VIC

"Spacers between the wheel and hub are not permitted unless provided by the vehicle manufacturer as original equipment."

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/media/files/documents/safety-and-road-rules/vsinumber8guidetomodificationsformotorvehicles.pdf ?la=en

Wow that's a big risk for just some slight additional handling?

[e36mmm]

Porsche is the only manufacturer from memory that permits it from an insurance perspective

[Twoforty]

9.5" on the front could cause rim to scrape on the strut if the offset is incorrect. I know the 9" rear 313's give just 1mm clearance on the front strut.