Spacers for Le Mans fender flares?

[g300d]

What size spacers should I be using with my OEM style 63 wheels and tires to push out the wheels just right, if I were to add the Le Mans 3.0d fender flares?

[tmv]

I would do atleast 20mm spacers, and don't forget longer bolts.

[g300d]

Thanks tmv. Now if only ECS would let me know if they have the flares for the e53 with no running boards..

[g300d]

Thanks for the details J.

Am just waiting for ECS to let me know if they have the flares for my truck with no running boards.

Would you happen to know who else has these same price or cheaper in case I dont hear back from them?

Oh, and in your opinion/experience, how will the spacers affect handling/wear, if at all?

[J.Belknap]

H&R 60757252 - 30mm

These will bolt to your hub, then your OEM bolts bolt to the spacer. After you install them and drive for a little, dismount the wheels and check torque on the spacer bolts. Then throw the wheels back on, drive some more and then check torque on your OEM bolts.

edit: the exact calculated spacer width (IMHO) for the 9" +48ET was 37mm with respect to how the 10.5" +30ET wheels (without a spacer) sit relative to the E53 LeMans flare. Big spacer... maybe think about more wheel/tire up front. But if not, the Style 63 front wheels w/ that spacer will sit about 7mm inset compared to Style 87 rear wheels, and look pretty sharp.

Post pics when you get them on!

[J.Belknap]

www.getbmwparts.com is an option.

It's a mix of suspension, steering, spacers, wheel width f/r, and tire size/brand stuff that I am not familiar with sir. I could tell ya the IMHO thoughts on my changes/experiences but it's kinda apples & oranges and I wouldn't want to give bad info.

jcl & others may have info on scrub radius & accelerated hub bearing/suspension wear due to big front spacer fitment w/ contact patch that hasn't so much as grown, but shifted location.

[tmv]

Look like the kit they have, is for those without running board. You need to replacce the whole fender plastic pieces.

[g300d]

Tmv, the kit ECS has in stock has been confirmed by them to be for cars with aluminum stepboards. They can order me one for cars without the stepboards though. The kits are retrofits that will be installed over the existing plastic trim.

J., yes, comparing widths and offsets of the staggered 20" iS wheels to my 19" staggered style 63's, it appears that spacers will shift the contact patch outward. It gets me thinking as I would not want to mess up the driving characteristics of the car, not to mention the expense of possible premature suspension work. Not really worth it for a cosmetic modification if it will affect handling and component wear negatively.

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by g300d

Tmv, the kit ECS has in stock has been confirmed by them to be for cars with aluminum stepboards. They can order me one for cars without the stepboards though. The kits are retrofits that will be installed over the existing plastic trim.

J., yes, comparing widths and offsets of the staggered 20" iS wheels to my 19" staggered style 63's, it appears that spacers will shift the contact patch outward. It gets me thinking as I would not want to mess up the driving characteristics of the car, not to mention the expense of possible premature suspension work. Not really worth it for a cosmetic modification if it will affect handling and component wear negatively.

ECS made a mistake on my end 2x....they shipped flares with running board compatible....so you will have to dremel your existing flares and put the new flares onto your old flares( if that makes sense) .......you will need twinspoppas thread onto how to fit the flares ...........i would have thought that they should sell those pieces the flares that stick out with out the big piece to come along by the side plate separate.....

[g300d]

Hey pnoy, if I understand you correctly, the running board compatible flares will fit non-running board cars with a little dremel work?