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      08-31-2014, 10:05 AM   #1
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Spacers and Handling

I like how the M4 looks with some spacers, but have always been told (from previous track experience and from listening to others) that spacers will probably have a negative effect on handling, plus they add in another point on the wheel and hub (even with hub centric spacers) that is a weak point, susceptible to failure.

What's the general consensus on spacers (if there even is one)?
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      08-31-2014, 10:19 AM   #2
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Spacers affect handling a few different ways.

They increase the track width, which generally helps overall grip.

They increase the scrub radius, which increases tire wear and reduces steering feel.

They reduce the effective spring and damper rates because they now have to react against a longer lever arm.

They add another possible point of failure and can increase load on the lug bolts.

These effects will vary in size depending on now big of a spacer you use. The consensus is probably that none of this stuff really matters and that you should do it because HELLAFLUSH YO! This is probably true on the street. For the track, the biggest concerns would be the loss of spring/damping rate and the extra load on the lugs, which can both be mitigated with other modifications.
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      08-31-2014, 10:31 AM   #3
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Yeah, your are probaly right about the HELLAFLUSH, YO! thing.

Thanks for the answers.
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      08-31-2014, 11:36 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Racer20 View Post
Spacers affect handling a few different ways.

They increase the track width, which generally helps overall grip.

They increase the scrub radius, which increases tire wear and reduces steering feel.

They reduce the effective spring and damper rates because they now have to react against a longer lever arm.

They add another possible point of failure and can increase load on the lug bolts.

These effects will vary in size depending on now big of a spacer you use. The consensus is probably that none of this stuff really matters and that you should do it because HELLAFLUSH YO! This is probably true on the street. For the track, the biggest concerns would be the loss of spring/damping rate and the extra load on the lugs, which can both be mitigated with other modifications.
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      08-31-2014, 03:24 PM   #5
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Appreciate the thread OP and always appreciate Racer20's thoughts. I did a search on this last week and didn't have enough time to find this exact answer. Figured it would alter OEM setup but this gives good info as to why. Thanks again.
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      08-31-2014, 06:12 PM   #6
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Thanks for the post OP. What is consensus on asking the dealer to install spacers, or is this on the "no go" list in case there is any wheel/suspension warranty impact?
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      08-31-2014, 07:18 PM   #7
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Hahahaha, HELLAFLUSH!
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      08-31-2014, 07:25 PM   #8
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HELLAFLUSH YO FTMFW!!!!! Haha
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      08-31-2014, 10:13 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheetah3 View Post
Thanks for the post OP. What is consensus on asking the dealer to install spacers, or is this on the "no go" list in case there is any wheel/suspension warranty impact?
Not sure what the dealer would say, but any competent wheel and tire shop can install spacers in as quick as it takes to rotate the tires. In other words, wheels come off, spacers go on (takes less than a minute per spacer), wheels go back on.

Easy peasy.
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      09-01-2014, 12:34 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by cheetah3 View Post
Thanks for the post OP. What is consensus on asking the dealer to install spacers, or is this on the "no go" list in case there is any wheel/suspension warranty impact?
Some dealers won't touch a car with spacers. Any track car shop has no problem with them though. There's probably as many guys running spacers as not in my track club. Never seen a catastrophic fail because of them. I tracked my M4 today with 12 and 15mm spacers, never worried a bit. I would torque your lug bolts carefully which you should be doing anyway.
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      09-18-2014, 10:25 PM   #11
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Hellacious hoy

I have been researching and wandering what spacer width (front and rear) that will give that HELLAFLUSHYO look?
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      09-19-2014, 11:55 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by txgrown View Post
I have been researching and wandering what spacer width (front and rear) that will give that HELLAFLUSHYO look?
15mm front and 12 or 15mm rear.

I'm going 15/12 combo because i planning on lowering the car. you can go 15/15 and shouldn't be any issues.
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      09-19-2014, 12:01 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by txgrown View Post
I have been researching and wandering what spacer width (front and rear) that will give that HELLAFLUSHYO look?
i'm running 20mm/18mm and lowered on 435 H&R Sport Springs with no rubbing on my M3
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      09-19-2014, 12:09 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -JLT- View Post
i'm running 20mm/18mm and lowered on 435 H&R Sport Springs with no rubbing on my M3
20mm? Holy crap how much do you feel those lol. I could feel 12s like a mofo.
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      09-19-2014, 01:58 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
20mm? Holy crap how much do you feel those lol. I could feel 12s like a mofo.
not a big difference to tell u the truth. HELLAFLUSH YO!!!! haha
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      09-23-2014, 11:46 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -JLT- View Post
not a big difference to tell u the truth. HELLAFLUSH YO!!!! haha
As far as day to day driving (no tracking) have you noticed any rubbing/negative affect at all?
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      09-24-2014, 01:34 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BROCHOP
Quote:
Originally Posted by -JLT- View Post
not a big difference to tell u the truth. HELLAFLUSH YO!!!! haha
As far as day to day driving (no tracking) have you noticed any rubbing/negative affect at all?
none whatsoever
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      09-24-2014, 02:43 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -JLT- View Post
not a big difference to tell u the truth. HELLAFLUSH YO!!!! haha
It does look damn good lol. #HFY :P
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      01-08-2015, 02:09 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
20mm? Holy crap how much do you feel those lol. I could feel 12s like a mofo.
You felt handling negatively impacted by the spacers?
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      01-08-2015, 05:30 PM   #20
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Also have 15mm front, 12 mm rear Macht Schnell spacers from EAS. I've heard good things about Turner Motorsports spacers.

I personally don't feel a difference in the steering feel of the car, but I'm a street only driver. As far as dampening, I've lowered the car with KW HAS so I can't comment on spacer effect on stock dampening.

If you head over to EAS's (European Auto Source) thread, http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1017256, there are many of us with spacers, lowered and unlowered. I'm sure any of these guys will share their experiences with spacers.
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      01-09-2015, 05:52 PM   #21
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I have 18mm front and 15mm rear Macht Schnell spacers on my F80. I've had spacers on several of my cars and have tracked all of them with no issues whatsoever. For those of you that are concerned with the potential negative effects that spacers will have on handling, consider this... Porsche offers spacers as a factory installed option on many of their models, including the 911. I'm confident that Porsche engineers know what they're doing, and they wouldn't offer spacers if they had any cause for concern.
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      01-11-2015, 06:52 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
20mm? Holy crap how much do you feel those lol. I could feel 12s like a mofo.
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