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Are Wheel spacers a safety compromise?

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Old 07-24-2011, 12:22 PM
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My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
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running 12.5mm Turner Motorsport (TMS) spacers all around since I picked up my m3 (about 4 months now). No vibrations or noise or problems. I like the design of the TMS spacers as they have small notches around the edge where you can insert a flat head screw driver or pry tool if/when you need/want to remove the spacers. Other brands do not have this, leaving you solely to rely on anti seize (need to apply during installation) and/or some serious elbow grease.
Old 07-24-2011, 12:45 PM
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the main thing is, you have to use longer wheel bolts with spacers. other than that, they are pretty safe and reliable.
Old 07-24-2011, 01:03 PM
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My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
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Originally Posted by turboawd
the main thing is, you have to use longer wheel bolts with spacers. other than that, they are pretty safe and reliable.
also need to clean all contact surfaces thoroughly before installing the spacers. Any slight misalignment could cause vibration later on..
Old 07-24-2011, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by IndyRedBeast
Turner Motorsport spacers are the best.
This and I've had them on at 200mph with no vibration
Old 07-24-2011, 09:08 PM
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NICE. Thanks for all the tips!
Old 07-25-2011, 12:04 AM
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Originally Posted by turboawd
the main thing is, you have to use longer wheel bolts with spacers. other than that, they are pretty safe and reliable.
The only thing with the longer wheel bolts is that I don't know if you can get wheel locks with the longer wheel bolts! Does anyone know
Old 07-25-2011, 01:04 AM
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No standard wheel locks will not fit on BMW. Someone may make long bolt locks, but ice personally never seen them before.
Old 07-25-2011, 11:30 AM
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The spacers increase the offset correct?

I have an xi and I could essentially buy a pair with a lower offset and use the spacers to correct them to a more proper stance.
Old 07-26-2011, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by JerimiahLee
The spacers increase the offset correct?

I have an xi and I could essentially buy a pair with a lower offset and use the spacers to correct them to a more proper stance.
That's negative.
The spacers decrease the offset.

For example, if you have a 9" wide wheel with an offset of 20mm (ET20), and you install it with a 15mm spacer, the total offset will be 5 (ET5). The spacer pushes the wheel more out from the wheel well.
The smaller the offset (ET number), the more wheel is pushed out.

- Antti -
Old 07-26-2011, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Anzafin
That's negative.
The spacers decrease the offset.

For example, if you have a 9" wide wheel with an offset of 20mm (ET20), and you install it with a 15mm spacer, the total offset will be 5 (ET5). The spacer pushes the wheel more out from the wheel well.
The smaller the offset (ET number), the more wheel is pushed out.

- Antti -
+1. Perfect, thanks!


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