Wheel spacers

[Neil Wilson]

My 99 facelift 2.0 has got standard 225 50 16 wheels and tyres. I like the way the 255 55 17 fills the rear arches on a 2.8 (correct me if they were not standard on the 2.8) but don’t really want to go to the expense of a new set of wheels and tyres as mine are very good. I wondered about fitting spacers on the rears and would appreciate other’s opinions and what size spacer I should fit, 15 or 20mm. Thank you.

 

[mwpe]

As a general rule 20 mm spacers are ideal on an OEM wheel on the face lift. I have OEM 245 40 17's on mine and the tyres are just flush with the arches.

 

[Neil Wilson]

As a general rule 20 mm spacers are ideal on an OEM wheel on the face lift. I have OEM 245 40 17's on mine and the tyres are just flush with the arches.

Is it normal to put spacers on the front as well as the rear, thinking the standard size front to go with the 255 55 17 rear is a 225 50 17 which is obviously the same width as my 225 50 16?

 

[mwpe]

Some people use front spacers but I think it looks OK without.

 

[t-tony]

I had a 2000 facelift 2.0 with that size tyres and I fitted 20mm spacers which pushed the wheels nicely to the arches, also 15mm on the fronts. I now have these spacers on my 2003 Z4

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Standard 17 inch staggered wheels on a zed 3 are 225/45/17 on the front and a 245/40/17 on rear.
Are you sure about the 255/55/17 for rear without seeing it sounds too big a sidewall profile.
Like I said standard is a 245/40 on rear when you fit 18 inch wheels usual size for rear is a 255/35/18 I just think the 55 rear profile sounds too big .

Spacers can make the wheels sit nice out at arch edges size of spacer required will be determined by the wheel offset that you currently have.
Stephen.

 

[Neil Wilson]

As a general rule 20 mm spacers are ideal on an OEM wheel on the face lift. I have OEM 245 40 17's on mine and the tyres are just flush with the arches.

Is it normal to put spacers on the front as well as the rear, thinking the standard size front to go with the 255 55 17 rear is a 225 50 17 which is obviously the same width as my 225 50 16?

Standard 17 inch staggered wheels on a zed 3 are 225/45/17 on the front and a 245/40/17 on rear.
Are you sure about the 255/55/17 for rear without seeing it sounds too big a sidewall profile.
Like I said standard is a 245/40 on rear when you fit 18 inch wheels usual size for rear is a 255/35/18 I just think the 55 rear profile sounds too big .

Spacers can make the wheels sit nice out at arch edges size of spacer required will be determined by the wheel offset that you currently have.
Stephen.

Hi Stephen
I’m sure you are correct regarding wheel/tyre sizes. Do you happen to know the offset on the wheels you mention so that I can compare with my standard 16” wheels and therefore calculate the correct spacers required?
Neil

 

[Steve Medlock]

I've sometimes wondered how front spacers affect steering but can never quite get my head around it. Anyone have a good understanding the mechanics?

 

[Woodsta888]

Is it normal to put spacers on the front as well as the rear, thinking the standard size front to go with the 255 55 17 rear is a 225 50 17 which is obviously the same width as my 225 50 16?

Hi Stephen
I’m sure you are correct regarding wheel/tyre sizes. Do you happen to know the offset on the wheels you mention so that I can compare with my standard 16” wheels and therefore calculate the correct spacers required?
Neil

Easiest way is to put the wheels on the car and get a spirit level vertically against the wheel arch and measure to the tyre - the gap (if you want it to come out that far is the spacer size you want.

Apologies if mentioned prior in the thread - very lazy today in a very wet Exmouth. The rain in this low pressure is just circling Deb'n

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Put 20mm spacers on my facelift 2002 looks much better

 

[Neil Wilson]

Put 20mm spacers on my facelift 2002 looks much better

Front and rear or just rear?

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Just the rear

 

[Neil Wilson]

Just the rear

Any chance of a photo? I have a pair of 20mm spacers available but research suggests that 15mm on the rear puts outside of a 7 inch wheel in the same position as a 8.5 inch?

 

[t-tony]

It all depends on the offset of the particular wheel rim.

Tony.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Neil when it stops raining (or if) I will get it ot of the garage and take a pic for you, where are you located ?

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Neil I find it easier to send a pic on email than putting on this site so if you PM me your email address I should be able to get a pic later s not raining at the moment. Geoff

 

[Neil Wilson]

I

Neil when it stops raining (or if) I will get it ot of the garage and take a pic for you, where are you located ?

Im near Mkt Rasen Lincs

 

[t-tony]

I

Im near Mkt Rasen Lincs

A local then Neil, not too far from the Shed if you fancy saying hello to a few members on the 29th.

Tony.

 

[Neil Wilson]

A local then Neil, not too far from the Shed if you fancy saying hello to a few members on the 29th.

Tony.

Where is the Shed?

 

[t-tony]

I’m at Torksey Lock Neil, LN1 2

Tony.