Can someone please explain wheel spacers?
02-11-2007, 08:34 PM
#1
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My Ride: 2007 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
Designo Graphite with white leather interior
Keyless Go, Heated/Ventilated seats, Parktronic
I purchased a staggered set of 19" 166 replicas for my e60 that I plan to put on the car for the summer months. I'm aware of the risk of running replicas, but for the price I'm willing to give it a shot. I've read for hours on springs and I've opted not to go that route since it can drastically effect the ride quality and I'm afraid that the tires will rub (90% of the time I'm entertaining clients and I have 4-5 people in the car).
My real question here is do I need to use spacers? If so, 10mm or 12mm? What exactly do spacers accomplish and why would I need to use them?
Sorry for the newbie question.
My real question here is do I need to use spacers? If so, 10mm or 12mm? What exactly do spacers accomplish and why would I need to use them?
Sorry for the newbie question.
02-11-2007, 08:37 PM
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My Ride: F13 M6
with those rims, hit up vegastrashed and check out his pics. but im not sure if the offsets for the replicas are the same as the offsets as the OEM 166s. well anyway, vegastrashed is running his rears with 12mm spacers and his are pretty much flushed with the fender. looks awesome. the spacers are mainly just for cosmetic looks, making it look wider in the back by spacing the rear wheels more outward. the only real question left in your case in my opinion is if the offsets of the replicas are the same.
02-11-2007, 08:38 PM
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
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2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
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MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
No, you don't need spacers. It's all cosmetics. By any chance do you know the offset of the wheels? Look behind the wheels.
02-11-2007, 08:38 PM
#4
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Flush is good. I'm running 10mm so if I'm under full load, my tires tuck underneath the fender perfectly. Spacers are just cosmetic look though. Some people don't notice the difference.
02-11-2007, 08:41 PM
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
Car nuts (enthusiasts?) are the only one that notices spacers and springs. Large majority of e60 owners are oblivious to these mods nor do they care. 
02-11-2007, 08:44 PM
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I care! I sometimes wonder how my car would look with a 2mm spacer difference.... haha!
Where did you buy the replicas? Spacers just push the rim outward more. With the normal offset, the rims are inside the wheel well too deep.
If you are on non-sport suspension, your car is going to be sitting very very high with 166.
Where did you buy the replicas? Spacers just push the rim outward more. With the normal offset, the rims are inside the wheel well too deep.
If you are on non-sport suspension, your car is going to be sitting very very high with 166.
02-12-2007, 08:53 AM
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First, I am sad that you bought the replicas, but I hope they work out. First thing is to make sure that they are hubcentric (72.56mm inside diameter). If they are 74.1mm, you will need hubcentric rings to make sure that the wheel is centered. Otherwise, you will have massive vibration. I hope that your replicas are not like mine (vibration no matter what). Where did you get them?
Second, each replica will have its own offset (i.e., an amount that the wheel is pushed off the hub). If your wheel is too close to the hub, it will look very tiny. There are many factors that must also be considered including the size of the wheels. If they are only 9" rear width, then they will be more inset than 9.5" (unless the wheel itself is pushed out more).
The whole issue with spacers is cosmetic, but I remember putting my old replicas wheels on only to find that the 19" rear wheel looked like it was a 16" wheel. The low profile setup looks very small if it is placed too much inside the wheel well.
BTW, I have 20mm rear spacers (due to the fact that I could not remove the spacers when I switched from replicas to OEMs), and the car looks nice.
Good luck,
Richard
Second, each replica will have its own offset (i.e., an amount that the wheel is pushed off the hub). If your wheel is too close to the hub, it will look very tiny. There are many factors that must also be considered including the size of the wheels. If they are only 9" rear width, then they will be more inset than 9.5" (unless the wheel itself is pushed out more).
The whole issue with spacers is cosmetic, but I remember putting my old replicas wheels on only to find that the 19" rear wheel looked like it was a 16" wheel. The low profile setup looks very small if it is placed too much inside the wheel well.
BTW, I have 20mm rear spacers (due to the fact that I could not remove the spacers when I switched from replicas to OEMs), and the car looks nice.
Good luck,
Richard
02-12-2007, 09:53 AM
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My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Hahaha! I knew Richard would be chiming in on this thread at any given moment... 
02-12-2007, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by cmansbimmer' post='390635' date='Feb 12 2007, 01:53 PM
Hahaha! I knew Richard would be chiming in on this thread at any given moment...
I am very curious to know the brand of replicas. I love my OEMs.
02-12-2007, 03:10 PM
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My Ride: 2007 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
Designo Graphite with white leather interior
Keyless Go, Heated/Ventilated seats, Parktronic
Originally Posted by monacobmw' post='390765' date='Feb 12 2007, 05:27 PM
Thanks for the encouragement...
I am very curious to know the brand of replicas. I love my OEMs.
I am very curious to know the brand of replicas. I love my OEMs.
You're scaring me man. I've read the horror stories, but everything I've heard about lakeshorewheel has been relatively positive. I'm not too keen on altering the suspension with springs, but I don't want the wheels to look tiny either. The e60 is just a commuter vehicle for me. I'm rarely over 80mph.
All suggestions appreciated.
Here's the set-up I have from Lakeshore Wheel & Tire:
O.E. Reproduction, Staggered ITN Style #303, 19 inch, 19x8 inch,19x9 inch, 20mm/32mm, 5x120mm, HyperSilver with 245/35-19--275/30-19 General Exclaim UHP tires
# Fits 2004-2006 E60 BMW 5-Series (Not The Xi Model - Call for Xi Fitment)