Wheel arches & spacers

[Helmuth]

All,

for the under- oversteering problem - I mean I understand the problematic - but I do not see it on my X. Also: I did not go for an alingment after adding the spacers and my tires are perfect, also after adding 30.000 km.

To be honest - how should the X oversteer? The DSP would catch her immediately.

[J.Belknap]

If using front arches as well, 25mm/25mm. If not, 10mm/25mm. IMHO.

[bigwave2255]

just saying spacers are illegal in Australia, makes you wonder why, if they are perfectly safe doesn't it??

my 20 inch rims with 315 wide tyres sit flush with the standard wheel opening, so with flared arches in my view it would be perfect without the need for spacers.

and spacers on the front are just plain stupid, and dangerous not only for the vehicle but other road users

[powers1]

Originally Posted by bigwave2255

my 20 inch rims with 315 wide tyres sit flush with the standard wheel opening, so with flared arches in my view it would be perfect without the need for spacers.

My 20" set up is also flush with bodywork but after fitting the flares ,the wheels are now 1" (25.4 mm) farther in,which is the the exact size that the flares protude by,so I can understand people wanting to fit 25mm spacers
I am just keeping mine with no spacers because one of the reasons I put the flares on(main reason is they look great and I cant see the X without them anymore...hate the flush look now!),was because they double up as mud flaps and no more dirty bumper.

In Helmuths case ,I can also understand him fitting 45 mm spacers because he has the 18" set up and 48 offset.Even with the spacers his wheels are still 3mm farther in than a OE 20" set up without the flares!Now that he has the flares fitted ,his wheels are still 28mm farther in than the OE 20" +flares.he would need to replace his 45 mm spacer with a 73mm to be flush now

[Helmuth]

Originally Posted by bigwave2255

just saying spacers are illegal in Australia, makes you wonder why, if they are perfectly safe doesn't it??

my 20 inch rims with 315 wide tyres sit flush with the standard wheel opening, so with flared arches in my view it would be perfect without the need for spacers.

and spacers on the front are just plain stupid, and dangerous not only for the vehicle but other road users

Sir, I can tell you that they have a TÜV (German official technical institution) approval. So your meaning is not relevant for me.

Have fun

[Helmuth]

Originally Posted by powers1

My 20" set up is also flush with bodywork but after fitting the flares ,the wheels are now 1" (25.4 mm) farther in,which is the the exact size that the flares protude by,so I can understand people wanting to fit 25mm spacers
I am just keeping mine with no spacers because one of the reasons I put the flares on(main reason is they look great and I cant see the X without them anymore...hate the flush look now!),was because they double up as mud flaps and no more dirty bumper.

In Helmuths case ,I can also understand him fitting 45 mm spacers because he has the 18" set up and 48 offset.Even with the spacers his wheels are still 3mm farther in than a OE 20" set up without the flares!Now that he has the flares fitted ,his wheels are still 28mm farther in than the OE 20" +flares.he would need to replace his 45 mm spacer with a 73mm to be flush now

Mr. Powers: great writing - and a lot of good (and funny ideas) :-)
Thank you !!

All the best, Helmuth

[powers1]

Thank you Helmuth,if it wasnt for you sharing with us ,the relatively cheap cost of the "special edition" fenders flares,I wouldnt have known and fitted them
Love the look on the rear,just not too sure of the front flares ,It just doesnt follow through to the bumper,as if something missing on the bumper.Maybe fitting/adapting(like cutting them in half) the rear bumper inserts on the front bumper???What do you think?They only cost like €20.00 each

[Helmuth]

If you need detail pictures to decide - let me know. Personally I do love them. Tell me what you need and I will take some pics.

[amc1957]

Thanks for all the feedback on this issue - have decided to go 25mm H&R spacers all-round so all should be complete in a couple of weeks. Will post some before & after pics when all is done. Cheers

[bigwave2255]

sorry if i offended you Helmuth, it certainly wasn't my intention, as i was responding to the OP,s original question, and was just stating facts as they are for ALL Australian vehicles registered for road use, as for my comments re wheel spacers on the front i,ll stand by it, and please note that just because a product is available does not make it sensible or legal for public road use.

also note there are those that use spacers, on off road vehicles and track use vehicles, these vehicles have constant attention with wheels off and on, and the integrity of the spacers can be monitored

however with a road car generally speaking the wheels only come off when new tyres are required , so the integrity of the spacer does not get regularly checked

again on a race track, off road situation the level of risk to innocent motorists should a spacer fail is minimal, as opposed to general road use. as for having TUV certification, what usage are they certified for???

next comment has to be , if you want that filled out wheel arch look, why not bite the bullet and buy the appropriate wheels that can be fitted and bolted up with out the need to use questionable spacers, seems counter productive to me to have 18 inch wheels when you could easily fit 20,s