[boba8523]

Just wondering if anyone here with M235i + stock wheels have wheel spacers in the rear to make the wheels flush to the fender?

Thank You!

[nytrus112]

Originally Posted by boba8523

Just wondering if anyone here with M235i + stock wheels have wheel spacers in the rear to make the wheels flush to the fender?

Thank You!

I did. I had spacers front and rear 15mm all round I believe it was if I remember correctly. In any case I still have the spacers here somewhere and can verify for you to be sure.

[dah]

No pics, but I am happy with 10mm all around.

[semclane]

link to Burger Motorsports spacers page. Scroll down to see and F22 with spacers.

[FIRST1]

I did it; cosmetically you really won't regret it

[M235ill]

This might help:
Wheel spacer testing - 5mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1015458

[WATTS M235i]

12mm all around is accepted as best.

[Transfer]

This should be in Wheel/Tire forum but whatever. I went with Apex 12.5mm all 4 corners and I think it's perfect but some might argue it's not 100% flush. 12mm if you want better than OEM and 15mm rear if you like the borderline poke look.

[OpenAir]

15 rear and 12 front on 225/40 18's

[moldcad]

Like everyone here, I also like my cars - especially BMW cars - to look mean an aggressive, and a wide and low stance are definitely one of the most important components of such a look. However, having degree in mechanical engineering, I have serious doubts if putting spacers on our cars - thoroughly designed by BMW engineers - instead of using full kits approved by the same engineers (which consist of wider wheels and lower suspension) is the way to go. Firstly, from aesthetic viewpoint, a car with poking wheels and a huge gaps between them and the wheel arches looks funny (in Polish we call them "redneck tuned cars"; I suspect you US guys call the rice cars?). Secondly, but most importantly: by offsetting a wheel outside of the originally designed position (rather than widening it equally both directions from this position), we create additional force moments acting on the bearings and other mechanical parts - not to mention change the geometry, especially important for front wheels). I never had time to calculate those additional forces and moments created, so it's possible they are negligible - but not being sure, I'd rather wait till my rubbers are completely worn out, my suspension joints and busing require replacement, etc. - and only than replace everything with some carefully and thoughtfully adopted lowering suspension kits and wider wheels/tires. Do you agree, or do you think I'm being paranoid?

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by moldcad

Like everyone here, I also like my cars - especially BMW cars - to look mean an aggressive, and a wide and low stance are definitely one of the most important components of such a look. However, having degree in mechanical engineering, I have serious doubts if putting spacers on our cars - thoroughly designed by BMW engineers - instead of using full kits approved by the same engineers (which consist of wider wheels and lower suspension) is the way to go. Firstly, from aesthetic viewpoint, a car with poking wheels and a huge gaps between them and the wheel arches looks funny (in Polish we call them "redneck tuned cars"; I suspect you US guys call the rice cars?). Secondly, but most importantly: by offsetting a wheel outside of the originally designed position (rather than widening it equally both directions from this position), we create additional force moments acting on the bearings and other mechanical parts - not to mention change the geometry, especially important for front wheels). I never had time to calculate those additional forces and moments created, so it's possible they are negligible - but not being sure, I'd rather wait till my rubbers are completely worn out, my suspension joints and busing require replacement, etc. - and only than replace everything with some carefully and thoughtfully adopted lowering suspension kits and wider wheels/tires. Do you agree, or do you think I'm being paranoid?

I think you are being paranoid...People have been utilizing spacers for years and years in the bmw community, and others for that matter.

The delta force on the components after adding a mere 12mm wider track to each side is probably so minimal that unless you plan on keeping the car for 20 something years it will never cause you a problem..as long as you use a reputable spacer and bolts that is.

[moldcad]

Even though I'm indeed planning to keep my M235i as long as possible as my next car would have to be no worse (and at 61, this could be problematic due to diminishing professional activity and income), you're probably right... As I said: never had time to actually run some simulation of the magnitude of additional loads spacers introduce). But I have just seen a much better solution: we all know that even with stock N55 tune, this car has too little rubber, so I've been looking around for a solution to this problem and think I've found it today in this forum:

- 235/35R19 front, 265/30R19 rear on the 442M wheels as per this thread:

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1196371

[2Banger]

Are wheel spacers safe if you're tracking heavily or just use to driving HARD regularly?

[boba8523]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

15 rear and 12 front on 225/40 18's

Pics?

20mm would be stick out of fender?

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by boba8523

Pics?

20mm would be stick out of fender?

20 is outside the fender, and there are pics all over the forum. Google works also!!

[boba8523]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

20 is outside the fender, and there are pics all over the forum. Google works also!!

No pics of 20mm rear though

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by boba8523

No pics of 20mm rear though

Nope, The spacers were my friends and they just stuck out too much. It was wheel off, spacer on, drop car, laugh, raise car and remove.

[ScBlacksunshine]

Not sure if anyone has done this but will 10mm, 12mm or 15mm will affect the ability to put chains on your tires? I don't plan on lowering the car but I am thinking if the wheel is more flush to the fender will chains or cables rub agains the fender? This is a concern since I do plan to take my car to snowboarding once in a while.

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by WATTS M235i

12mm all around is accepted as best.

By whom?

[Spydeputy]

Doesn't anyone take pictures of their car anymore???

[boba8523]

Originally Posted by Spydeputy

Doesn't anyone take pictures of their car anymore???

+1 come on guys with 15mm and 18mm rear spacers. Heck even 20mm!

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by ScBlacksunshine

Not sure if anyone has done this but will 10mm, 12mm or 15mm will affect the ability to put chains on your tires? I don't plan on lowering the car but I am thinking if the wheel is more flush to the fender will chains or cables rub agains the fender? This is a concern since I do plan to take my car to snowboarding once in a while.

not sure you can put chains on this car....