Any problems with fitting 10mm spacers?

[kbgnat]

Apologies in advance for yet another spacer question... I've searched the forums but I've not been able to find an answer to my questions.

I'm thinking about adding spacers to my car that are currently on 20" 373M wheels: 10mm front and 12mm rear.

The two brands that are more readily available in the UK are H&R and Eibach. I know Macht Schnell is another popular brand on these forums, but very few places sell them here in the UK. So reading people's comments I am leaning towards the H&R hubcentric DR spacers.

Upon contacting the supplying company, I was told that H&R do not approve of the 10mm spacer to use with the 6er. And doing a search on google, I came across this:

"Note that H&R and Turner Motorsport each make a 10mm hubcentric spacer but due to interferences between the spacer and lip, it's best to leave this to specialized applications. See below for more detail.

* 10mm Fitment Notes You must be very careful when fitting 10mm spacers to any BMW. Since the depth of the hubcentric lip will vary, you risk bottoming out of the spacer before it sits flush with the hub. This will leave a gap between the spacer and the hub, seriously compromising the strength of the spacer. The lip on the car must be shaved down so the 10mm spacer will fit flush on the rotor hat."

1. I know that there are people on here that have fitted 10mm spacers, so should I be concerned?

2. If I go with 10mm front and 12mm rear, does that mean I need extended lug bolts with thread length 38mm and 40mm respectively? (I believe the standard bolts are 28mm)

3. Following on from the previous question, since locking wheel bolts are normally sold as packs of 4, what do people normally do if 2 different lengths of bolts are required? Do people simply buy 2 sets or do they buy one long set and cut 2 of the bolts down for the smaller spacer?

Thanks

[kbgnat]

Sorry, posted this into the wrong forum. Can a mod please move this post to the:

BMW 6 Series Forum > General 6-Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe Forum

Thanks.

[Z K]

10mm spacers have a inner part that is beveled to allow for the center hubcentric ring. If you use it with stock wheels, usually there is a bevel on the inside of the hub to allow the 10mm to clear. If you use aftermarket wheels, they may not have the bevel on the hub and the wheel will not be flush to the rotor when you install the 10mm.

So it really depends on your wheel whether 10mm will work.

[kbgnat]

Originally Posted by Z K

10mm spacers have a inner part that is beveled to allow for the center hubcentric ring.

How does this differ from larger spacers? Does the 12mm, 15mm etc. not have the inner beveled area?

In any case, I plan to use stock 373M wheels... so I guess I should have no problems then.

[Kopex47]

I fitted h&r 15mm fronts with 20mm rears to 373's and have had no problems whatsoever, comes with the bolts and looks great, needs lowered now

[kbgnat]

Originally Posted by Kopex47

I fitted h&r 15mm fronts with 20mm rears to 373's and have had no problems whatsoever, comes with the bolts and looks great, needs lowered now

Yeah, I know the 15mm and 20mm spacers are fine... but I'm not looking to lower the car and don't want it looking overly aggressive, so was thinking of installing 10's on the front and 12's on the rear. But after contacting a supplier, I was basically told that H&R do not approve of the 10mm spacers on BMW's. But like I said, I know lots of people on here have fitted them with no problems.

Kopex, did you have to get different locking bolt sizes since theres a 5mm difference between your fronts and rears?

[Rufus123]

Tried spacers and all I got was a chipped bottom outer edge of the bumper. Removed them after a few weeks but that's prob where I live and the roads

[kbgnat]

Originally Posted by Rufus123

Tried spacers and all I got was a chipped bottom outer edge of the bumper. Removed them after a few weeks but that's prob where I live and the roads

Is that from the spray of dirt and stones from the wheels? This was another concern of mines... hence I'm looking at more conservative 10mm and 12mm spacers.

What size of spacers were you using?

[drmlee]

run 12mm front and 15mm rear. i ran these for a few weeks on my stock wheels before i switched them out.

[kbgnat]

Originally Posted by drmlee

run 12mm front and 15mm rear. i ran these for a few weeks on my stock wheels before i switched them out.

Do you have pictures with this setup? I was thinking about going for this setup if the 10mm spacers were not suitable for the BMW as H&R says. But my only concern with this setup would be the stone chips on the bumper from the wheel spray. The roads around where I live are not the best unfortunately.

[drmlee]

Originally Posted by kbgnat

Do you have pictures with this setup? I was thinking about going for this setup if the 10mm spacers were not suitable for the BMW as H&R says. But my only concern with this setup would be the stone chips on the bumper from the wheel spray. The roads around where I live are not the best unfortunately.

sorry, i only had them on for 3 weeks at most. its not super aggressive after i put it on, i wish i had gone 15 and 20mm. i had new wheels coming in so i left them as is and didnt want to buy another set. i have clear bra on my front end and never noticed or got any rock chips.

[kbgnat]

Originally Posted by drmlee

sorry, i only had them on for 3 weeks at most. its not super aggressive after i put it on, i wish i had gone 15 and 20mm. i had new wheels coming in so i left them as is and didnt want to buy another set. i have clear bra on my front end and never noticed or got any rock chips.

No problem. It's not the front bumper I'm worried about with the larger spacers. It's the panels directly behind the wheels e.g. side marker panel and the corners of the rear bumper. If the wheels are sticking out from their arches, then there will bound to be some spray.

But if you're wishing you had gone with 15 and 20, then I guess 12 and 15 should sit flush or just inside the wheel arch. Remember, I'm planning to run on stock wheels and stock suspension.

[drmlee]

my current 21" wheels are very agressive, much more than the stocks with spacers. i wash my own car and have not noticed any rock chips anywhere caused by the wheels/tires. i think you'll be fine.

[Kopex47]

Both sets came with locking bolts to suit.

[M6Havana]

Check out my youtube video.. I put 15mm front and 20mm rears... Way to much at the back as doesnt look right.

Im about to have the drop done with 10mm front and 15mm rears

[kbgnat]

Originally Posted by 640m

Check out my youtube video.. I put 15mm front and 20mm rears... Way to much at the back as doesnt look right.

Im about to have the drop done with 10mm front and 15mm rears

Yeah, I already watched your youtube video and read the post you made about the spacers you had fitted. Agree 15mm front and 20mm was too much.

I think what you're about to go for is probably perfect given the rear wheels sit further in to the wheel arch compared to the fronts at stock. I want the look, but at the same time I just want to be cautious about the potential for spray and stone chips coming from the rear wheels with 15mm and above, hence, I'm leaning towards 12s for the rear. Also, H&R DR spacers do not come with bolts, so if i go with 10-12 then I might be able to get away with buying the one set of 4 locking wheel bolts for use on all 4 wheels.

What brand of spacers are you going to use? and are you running stock 373M wheels?

[M6Havana]

Stock wheels which may change to 343m's .... You can get away with 1 size bolt if you use the 15mm length ones all round. Just get the rear pannels protected with a clear film if you are that worried

[kbgnat]

Originally Posted by 640m

You can get away with 1 size bolt if you use the 15mm length ones all round.

Oh, I didn't know this. That's good to know. I won't be lowering the car, so 15s on the rear for me might look a little strange. Think I'll just bite the bullet and get the 10:12 set up.

343M are nice. I take it you're going to source a set from an M5. I read somewhere about the M6 wheels don't fit on a regular 6 series.

Thanks for all the help.