What are your views on spacers

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chicane
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What are your views on spacers

Post by chicane »

I wanted to get some feedback on spacers from the group and what are your personal opinions on them (up side, downside) specifically from those who have used them or know someone who has.
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hornhospital
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Re: What are your views on spacers

Post by hornhospital »

Rule #1 on spacers: unless they are less than 5mm you MUST use hubcentric spacers.

I have 25mm spacers on my 635 to bring the E36-offset wheels (et 45) out to E24 (et 20) spacing. You will need longer lug bolts. Make sure they are CONE lugs, not hemispherical lugs. I made the spacers myself. I am blessed with a home machine shop after 26 years as a machinist. I've had no problems with the spacers. Recheck lug torque every so often.
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Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
chicane
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Re: What are your views on spacers

Post by chicane »

I like your ride's stance...a lot.
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hornhospital
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Re: What are your views on spacers

Post by hornhospital »

Thank you! It has H&R "stock height" springs (no longer made) very little drop (1/2"-3/4"), stock shocks (soon to be replaced). The wheels are Beyern 5s, also no longer made, 8.5x18 with 235-40 tires up front, and 9.5x18 with 255-35 tires out back. A lot of guys told me the car would tram line like crazy, but it doesn't.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
chicane
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Re: What are your views on spacers

Post by chicane »

You mean tramline because of the spacers?
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hornhospital
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Re: What are your views on spacers

Post by hornhospital »

No, because of the wide tires.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
plip1953
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Re: What are your views on spacers

Post by plip1953 »

hornhospital wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2020 1:11 am Rule #1 on spacers: unless they are less than 5mm you MUST use hubcentric spacers.

I have 25mm spacers on my 635 to bring the E36-offset wheels (et 45) out to E24 (et 20) spacing. You will need longer lug bolts. Make sure they are CONE lugs, not hemispherical lugs. I made the spacers myself. I am blessed with a home machine shop after 26 years as a machinist. I've had no problems with the spacers. Recheck lug torque every so often.
You describe pretty much the perfect example (ie to adjust the effective wheel offset) of when using spacers is perfectly acceptable. It's only when they are non-hubcentric, lug nuts are too short or the wrong shape, or where the wheel centreline is moved outwards by a significant amount (and thereby upset the chassis dynamics, roll centre etc)that problems most likely will arise.

I'm surprised anyone suggested you might encounter tramlining on account of the tyre width, especially given that OE for the later M635s and Highlines was 240mm.
Phil
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