Wheel Spacers

[Stevie1982]

What are people's thoughts or what are people using? Always found that most manufacturers set the alloys tucked in and with a little 10mm-15mm spacing it helps to fill the arches and make the car look a little more purposeful.

What's the general opinion on spacers, in particular on a W212 E63.

 

[SmartAmg]

Spacers not a problem, just make sure you get Hubcentric spacers and get a good make, H&R are the best, and make sure you get longer bolts.

 

[Stevie1982]

Spacers not a problem, just make sure you get Hubcentric spacers and get a good make, H&R are the best, and make sure you get longer bolts.

Do you have any idea on the MM for the E63?

 

[E55BOF]

Measure the length of an OE wheel bolt, then add the thickness of whatever spacers you propose to fit.

Or if somebody who reads this knows how long the OE wheel bolts are, and is kind to post it on here, you won't even need to do that (assuming your current wheels and bolts are OE, of course).

 

[AMGeed]

Measure the length of an OE wheel bolt, then add the thickness of whatever spacers you propose to fit.

Or if somebody who reads this knows how long the OE wheel bolts are, and is kind to post it on here, you won't even need to do that (assuming your current wheels and bolts are OE, of course).

W212 wheel bolts are M14 27mm long.

 

[Stevie1982]

Measure the length of an OE wheel bolt, then add the thickness of whatever spacers you propose to fit.

Or if somebody who reads this knows how long the OE wheel bolts are, and is kind to post it on here, you won't even need to do that (assuming your current wheels and bolts are OE, of course).

Sorry E55 I was referring to the MM of the spacer, 10mm,12mm,15mm etc as from experience people tend to fit different to the front and rear

 

[E55BOF]

Sorry E55 I was referring to the MM of the spacer, 10mm,12mm,15mm etc as from experience people tend to fit different to the front and rear

Which is why I suggested you take measurements; I did not think it necessary to point out that different spacers would need different sized bolts.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks considering adding some spacers to my Alfa but have now decided against it. It seems especially on the front it can cause handling and steering issues as they change the scrub radius. And adding them just the rear could/would increase under steer which would seem to offset the value of the passive rear wheel steer and the fitted LSD.

 

[NJSS]

Don't forget to advise your insurers if you are fitting spacers!

NJSS

 

[ALFAitalia]

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks considering adding some spacers to my Alfa but have now decided against it. It seems especially on the front it can cause handling and steering issues as they change the scrub radius. And adding them just the rear could/would increase under steer which would seem to offset the value of the passive rear wheel steer and the fitted LSD.

I have 15mm all round on my ALFA 159.....looks way better and did not affect handling or tyre wear one bit.....been on for three years now.....if anything the fronts could have been 20mm as they are set in slightly further than the rears from the factory. Even with 15s all around its still aesthetically a big improvement over stock.
Most insurance companies don't care up to 15mm as long as they are hub centric.......mine didn't.

 

[Stevie1982]

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks considering adding some spacers to my Alfa but have now decided against it. It seems especially on the front it can cause handling and steering issues as they change the scrub radius. And adding them just the rear could/would increase under steer which would seem to offset the value of the passive rear wheel steer and the fitted LSD.

Hi Chris, had spacers on my M135i and Golf R Estate. Personally I can't say I noticed any handling issues, both cars still turned in and pitched into the corners as it did without them.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Hi Chris, had spacers on my M135i and Golf R Estate. Personally I can't say I noticed any handling issues, both cars still turned in and pitched into the corners as it did without them.

Yes interesting. I’m still kind of in two minds to be honest! The main issue on the front seems to be the increase in scrub radius. This is what really put me off:
Suspension secrets

Ordinarly I might not be that bothered but I have a couple of track days lined up. Plus I’m really not sure what the impact would be on the passive rear wheel steer. Not an issue on Mercedes though!

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Had them on my CLS 63 around the Nurburgring and also I have them on my G55.

No issues, both I used H&R

 

[Stevie1982]

Had them on my CLS 63 around the Nurburgring and also I have them on my G55.

No issues, both I used H&R

Not sure it would be the same between the CLS and E but what size spacers did you fit?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Not sure it would be the same between the CLS and E but what size spacers did you fit?

1cm at front, 2cm at rear. I made a video on them a couple of years ago:

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[Stevie1982]

1cm at front, 2cm at rear. I made a video on them a couple of years ago:

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That's great I'll take a look.

 

[Stevie1982]

Been advised that 12mm front and 12mm rear is the setup to go for. Has anyone any experience on this?

 

[badgx]

12mm and 10mm in this video for W212 body, so I reckon you should be safe with 12mm's all round

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[Bellow]

Yes interesting. I’m still kind of in two minds to be honest! The main issue on the front seems to be the increase in scrub radius. This is what really put me off:
Suspension secrets

What isn't mentioned - and should have been - is the effect that reducing or losing negative scrub radius has during ABS intervention. Negative scrub radius is specified for a reason.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Never noticed any difference on my car....and I've spaced most of them. Having a smaller scrub radius is beneficial as it allows the wheel to react less to braking inputs due to the increases steering stability under braking conditions (taken from below).. As far as it affect ABS intervention....maybe....but as most emergency braking involving ABS is done in a straight line I can really see it affecting it to any measurable degree....at least not out here in the non theoretical real world!!

Scrub Radius – Suspension Secrets

What Is Scrub Radius? When viewing a wheel from front view, the scrub radius is the distance between where the extrapolated line of

suspensionsecrets.co.uk