Eibach Spacers Vs. H&R (Pics With Spacers Added!!)
 

I am looking into 30mm rear spacers and have some questions.

The Eibach seem to mount to the hub via supplied bolts and then you mount your wheels onto the studs and use lug nuts. Am I right about this? How does an X5 look with lug nuts??

The H&R seem to mount just using extended bolts thus keeping the stock look.

Any advantage / disadvantage to either brand? Anyone have pictures of how the Eibach spacers look with the wheel mounted?


Eibach on the left, H&R on the right.

I just installed my H&R spacers yesterday that I bought from Evolution. They look like the Eibach spacers. Not the one pictured on the right. The spacers bolt to the hubs using the supplied bolts. Then the wheels slide onto the studs that are attached to the spacers. Then you bolt the wheels with the nuts. You won't reuse the OEM bolts.

How about some pictures of how the wheels look with the spacers? Would love a pic of the side of the wheel to see if it looks any different with the lugs.

No one has pictures or thoughts on how the wheels look with lugs instead of bolts??

Check out the post I just started, Rob

No other opinions on the Eibach with studs vs. H&R with the longer OEM type bolts???

I have a set of H&R DRA 30mm spacers on order. There was a little bit of confusion at Evolution Motorsports ( www.EvolutionSports.com) but they took car of it promptly for me. Here is what I was told:

Bill,

Thank you for your reply.

I have spoken with H&R and inquired as to if the 30mm Spacer for the X5
is a DRM or DRA. They indicated that their current catalog is in error and it should be a DRA for part number #HR60757255, the BMW X5 application -
http://www.evolutionsports.com/productDetail.cfm?catID=50&ProductID=2615
This spacer will also have the correct lug bolt sizing of M14x1.5mm to
match the X5, where as the #HR6075725 is designed for the car models
that use the M12x1.5mm hardware.

So what I have done at this point is to change your order to reflect the
BMW X5 fitment and when these arrive to us tomorrow from H&R, I will
personally inspect the spacer set to make sure they match your needs.
That being a 30mm DRA Spacer for BMW X5 fitment.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you again for your order.
We look forward to serving your needs.

Matt Johnson
Evolution Sports

The DRA's use your original wheel bolts where the DRM's use studs and lug nuts. I wanted the DRA's to keep the same look front to rear and be able to use the same tire iron to get the bolts off.

BTW - Part number 60757255 is a DRM, not a DRA (which is fine, but will have studs instead of lug holes). I would verify this with Evolution to be sure what they are shipping.

"They (H&R) indicated that their current catalog is in error and it should be a DRA for part number #HR60757255"

Tom, you probably know more about this than I do! From what they told me at Evolution I am getting the 30mm DRA.

Ah - missed that part. Their website has the same info as my printed catalog.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4418/capturehk5.jpg

You should be good to go if Evo already spoke with H&R. :thumbup:

The saga continues:

Bill,

Thank you for your reply and your understanding that it can get a bit busy in a
smaller business.

Yesterday I sent an e-mail to a contact I have at H&R in Germany.
They indicated that the H&R Wheel Spacers for BMW X5 fitments of 25mm & 30mm per side have been updated to the DRM design. This design change was due to the X5 having a higher curb weight, load carrying
capability and some consumers may take this vehicle off road.
With these abilities of the X5, both H&R and the Germany Regulatory Body - TÜV, decided that the DRM design would be used. As it is a stronger design for these
uses.

A few minutes ago our shipment arrived and I have now personally viewed the H&R Wheel Spacer Set #HR60757255 and they are of the DRM design (spacer with studs mounted to it and associated hardware).

Please let me know how you would like to proceed.

We look forward to serving your needs.

Matt Johnson
Evolution Sports


Well it looks like I will order the Eibach spacers.

Thanks for the update... So the H&R catalog was accurate all along...

Ok, my new Eibach 30mm spacers just arrived. After all of the back and forth with the H&R spacers on what type they were the Eibachs are not the type I saw and ordered on the AutoAnything.com web site!!

Let me explain. I wanted spacers that used the factory mounting bolts and not lugs. I thought the H&R's were that type but after the Evolution Motorsports called the H&R rep he found out they were the lug nut style. I then decided to order the Eibach spacers off of the AutoAnything.com web site. On the web site they were the same lug nut design as the H&R and a bit less expensive.

When I opened the box today they are the style that uses wheel mounting bolts (that are supplied) and not lugs.

I am amazed at how much they weigh. With mounting bolts, I will be adding 5 lbs of unsprung wieght to each rear wheel. Here is a good definition of unsprung weight:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_weight

I am guessing adding 5lbs or about 10% to each rear wheel should have some what of an effect on handling. I am wondering if it will be noticible under normal driving.

I will post some before and after pics!

Do you know if you can get locks that have the same length as the supplied bolts? How much longer are the supplied bolts compared to OEM? I want to get spacers as well, but still wanted a bit more security for the wheels.

By the way, are the supplied bolts 19mm (same as OEM)? If not, you might have to carry an extra wheel wrench for flats.

Here are some pictures with the 30mm spacers:

Before and after:

Are you using the 315 wide rear tires + 30mm spacers?

Yes, those are stock 315's with the 30mm spacers.

How's the driving feel of it on corners? Not an expert but wouldn't that cause some imbalance with the suspension....