ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Wheels and Tires
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-05-2013, 09:25 AM   #1
GammaZeta
Captain
58
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: 1
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ma

iTrader: (1)

Z4M Wheel Spacers Questions

I'm thinking that I want to knock out my wheels a little more to complete the look with the aero side skirts, but I know nothing about wheel spacers.

If someone could please help me with some questions, I did the search thing but want to make sure I got the right information.

1. I want to keep everything stock: wheels, springs, etc. The only non-stock items will probably be some Sumitomo HTR III's in the spring, will those tires affect my choice of spacers?

2. I don't want to risk any rubbing, what is the safest size wheel spacers for a stock setup that would make a visible difference? Again, I'd prefer to err on the side of safest, even if it is less a visual impact.

3. Once I buy the spacers, I will have to buy the coordinating lug nuts as well. On installation, is it as simple as taking the tire off, putting on the spacer, and using the new lug nuts?

4. What is the best place to buy them? I'm not really concerned about the weight and aerodynamics, just want a good quality, safe set.

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2013, 10:41 AM   #2
Quickid
First Lieutenant
11
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 08 Z4MC, 06 X5 4.4i, 99 323i
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (4)

1. If you are using the stock tire size on the Sumitomo HTR III, my recommendation below of 12mm should work. For reference, I used a larger 265/40/18 for my stock rear wheels and I had to go down to 10mm.

2. 12mm spacers all around is pretty safe.

3. Yes, it's as simple as you described

4. I bought my spacers from ecstuning.com

Hope that helps....
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2013, 10:53 AM   #3
GammaZeta
Captain
58
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: 1
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ma

iTrader: (1)

Awesome, was thinking of the 10mm anyways, maybe I will try the 12mm.

Just wondering, did you notice any handling or steering differences?
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2013, 12:32 PM   #4
Quickid
First Lieutenant
11
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 08 Z4MC, 06 X5 4.4i, 99 323i
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (4)

Hi, I didn't notice any handling or steering differences.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2013, 01:51 PM   #5
beta
Lieutenant Colonel
80
Rep
1,663
Posts

Drives: 2006 M Roadster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: CA

iTrader: (2)

Putting spacers in the front, without adding camber (or lowering the car which adds camber on our suspension type) is going to make your scrub radius less negative.

If you want to add spacers without affecting the steering geometry you should get camber plates or lower the car a bit.

For extra points, use the formula in this post to figure out the camber you need to not affect steering.

Read this thread for more as to why scrub radius matters.

__________________

Last edited by beta; 01-05-2013 at 01:56 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2013, 04:21 PM   #6
GammaZeta
Captain
58
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: 1
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ma

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by beta View Post
Putting spacers in the front, without adding camber (or lowering the car which adds camber on our suspension type) is going to make your scrub radius less negative.

If you want to add spacers without affecting the steering geometry you should get camber plates or lower the car a bit.

For extra points, use the formula in this post to figure out the camber you need to not affect steering.

Read this thread for more as to why scrub radius matters.

Whoa...

Way too complicated / Too much thinking on my part.

Was hoping it would be plug and play...looks like I'll be getting my tune first instead.
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2013, 05:36 PM   #7
Rated M Roadster
Captain
Rated M Roadster's Avatar
160
Rep
891
Posts

Drives: F10 M5, i3, Z4M
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: PDX

iTrader: (9)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
Whoa...

Way too complicated / Too much thinking on my part.

Was hoping it would be plug and play...looks like I'll be getting my tune first instead.
Ignore the people that seem to be obsessed with posting about scrub radius every day. Seriously the most over exaggerated topic on this forum.

Just put spacers on, you'll be fine. No point in going more in depth...
__________________

CURRENT ll F10 M5 l E85 Z4MR l I01 i3 REX
SOLD ll E70 X5M l E85 Z4MR VF570 l E36/7 Z3MR l E36 328i
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:06 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST