another spacer thread

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by ukrcan

I like ECS spacers too, i was going to get thme, but after i got a shipping quote, i decided to look elsewhere... We are getting screwed here in Canada with shipping, customs and duty fees

Don't forget to check the classifieds section in our forum. That's where I got mine.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by ukrcan

That looks really nice. but yours has extended flares which i don't have (i am thinking about getting them if i can find a good deal on them)
I was thinking only about putting 20mm spacers in the back... but now i am thinking maybe i should get 30mm instead...

You don't have to do wheel alignment after installing spacers, do you?

In theory, yes you need to realign, but in practice, if you are sure your X is well aligned, you will be ok without realigning it.

The reason behind this, is by installing spacers, it's like having a longer suspension arms, so, by using the same suspension spring, the leverage is bigger (not a lot), so the spring compresses more, the truck is lower, the camber increases and the toe changes.
So, if your alignment is more than a year old, I suggest that you redo it just to be sure.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by ukrcan

I like ECS spacers too, i was going to get thme, but after i got a shipping quote, i decided to look elsewhere... We are getting screwed here in Canada with shipping, customs and duty fees

You're right about the fact that we pay stupid fees to import stuff from the US.
One solution is to find a seller that accepts to ship USPS (post office). The packages are transfered to Canada Post, and the fee to clear customs is a flat rate, like $7. UPS and FedEx and others, charge a percentage which is a big chunk of money.

Another solution, (I do that once per summer), for stuff that is not an emergency, I put everything I need on a list, then I have everything shipped to a warehouse the other side of the border, and offer the wife/familly to go for a drive, in the states, take a beer or sangria on a terrace, and pick up my stuff coming back home
Often US sellers offer free shipping within US and when the parts are made in US, Canada, Mexico, there is no duty to pay, only the sale taxes.

For the front flares, check with the dealer for the LeMan kit (4 flares). If you are a member of a BMW club, you will have a discount. The price is not that high. Take a look just in case.

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Bimmer

You're right about the fact that we pay stupid fees to import stuff from the US.
One solution is to find a seller that accepts to ship USPS (post office). The packages are transfered to Canada Post, and the fee to clear customs is a flat rate, like $7. UPS and FedEx and others, charge a percentage which is a big chunk of money.

Another solution, (I do that once per summer), for stuff that is not an emergency, I put everything I need on a list, then I have everything shipped to a warehouse the other side of the border, and offer the wife/familly to go for a drive, in the states, take a beer or sangria on a terrace, and pick up my stuff coming back home
Often US sellers offer free shipping within US and when the parts are made in US, Canada, Mexico, there is no duty to pay, only the sale taxes.

For the front flares, check with the dealer for the LeMan kit (4 flares). If you are a member of a BMW club, you will have a discount. The price is not that high. Take a look just in case.

Hello Turbo, it' Marc D (deux Montagnes) a bit out of topic but you've mentionned that we have a discount when part of BMW club ? what is the discount ?......tx

[tmv]

^Need to be a member of this club: BMWCCA
Welcome | bmwcca.org BMW Car Club of America

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by tmv

^Need to be a member of this club: BMWCCA
Welcome | bmwcca.org BMW Car Club of America

Thanks TMV, i'll check if iCanada is part of.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Whitecat

Thanks TMV, i'll check if iCanada is part of.

Marc, around Montreal, we have to be member of the BMW Club of Quebec, not the US one.
Not all dealers give a discount. I know Canbec and BMW Laval do. On the south shore they don't. Hamel in Blainville, I don't know.
It is a minimum of 10%, some said 15%, but it's around those %.

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Bimmer

Marc, around Montreal, we have to be member of the BMW Club of Quebec, not the US one.
Not all dealers give a discount. I know Canbec and BMW Laval do. On the south shore they don't. Hamel in Blainville, I don't know.
It is a minimum of 10%, some said 15%, but it's around those %.

Oh nice, i finally succeed to registered to BMW club Quebec...nice to know

Merci !!

[Car_Girl]

Hey guys, when you installed your ECS spacers, did you have to do any machining to get the fitment just right? Turner Motorsport has a write-up that explains why their fitment is better. I'm trying to get in touch with them to find out if they offer the correct fitment for the 5.0i with M Sport Package. They've got some that look close but I don't want to have to do anything to the spacers once I receive 'em other than put them on.

[bcredliner]

Since I don't know what rims or tires you have---width of spacers you will like change with width of rims and even what tires are on the vehicle.

To be sure spacers are not so wide your tires will throw stuff on the side of your X measure from the widest point of the tire to the inner lip of the fender. At that spacer width the exposure of the tire at the bottom of the fender will be outside the fender but not enough to be a problem

Spacers should be from quality provider like ECS tuning or Velocity motorcars so you can be sure they are true.

Any spacer you use should be secured to the hub and lug bolts should install in the original holes.

Spacers require longer lug bolts that offset the width of the spacer.

Unless you are not concerned with handling, spacers should be the same width front and rear. Wider spacers in the rear will increase understeer.

Spacers change alignment. Regardless of the width the alignment should checked