Will spacer decrease handling

ajai · 09-23-2012, 04:05 PM

Will spacer decrease the handling and stability of the car?
I add spacers before on my other e46. And the handling seems to be decrease.
the car feel week on corners.
Is this normal? Since I plan to get spacers for my other e46 .
but I want it to keep the handling.

scca_ziptie · 09-26-2012, 02:33 PM

What brand of spacers are you using? Do you have wheel studs or still running the factory wheel bolts?

trippmann · 09-26-2012, 04:24 PM

i believe it actually enhances the handling of the car due to the fact that it increases the with of the wheels from one side to the other.

ModBargains · 09-26-2012, 08:13 PM

It should not affect your performance or decrease the handling unless maybe you were using some crazy large spacers. Check out the H&R Trak Spacers. These are track proven and TUV approved! If you want a bit better handling, you should add a H&R Sway Bar which will help to keep your car more planted and help to eliminate body roll.

H&R 3 Series Spacer Benefits:

Up to 70% lighter than competitor spacers
Improve appearance without buying new wheels
Improves handling by widening vehicle track
Anodized for tough and durable finish
Hub centric for accuracy and no vibrations
100% made in Germany, AND TUV approved
ISO9001 approved

e46JAB · 09-26-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trippmann

i believe it actually enhances the handling of the car due to the fact that it increases the with of the wheels from one side to the other.

This.

illestminimike · 10-01-2012, 03:20 AM

I agree with modbargains on the H&R spacers. I have them. They are awesome.

mkodama · 10-01-2012, 03:57 AM

Spacers have no noticeable effects on handling.

JohnBlaze · 10-01-2012, 07:47 AM

but they will lower the center of gravity ever so slightly, so in theory handling performance shoud increase.

SeanC · 10-01-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vI6ious

but they will lower the center of gravity ever so slightly, so in theory handling performance shoud increase.

Please explain how spacers will lower the center of gravity ever so slightly.

mkodama · 10-01-2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vI6ious

but they will lower the center of gravity ever so slightly, so in theory handling performance shoud increase.

Not sure if joking or really stupid.

scca_ziptie · 10-01-2012, 05:23 PM

Spacers will provide a small increase of stability in fast/long duration corners and will slightly decrease responsiveness in quick direction change (very small, to some not noticeable). It is primarily for looks, but does have a small effect on cornering behavior. Again, it is a small change.

e46JAB · 10-03-2012, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkodama

Not sure if joking or really stupid.

I was wondering the same thing...

TerraPhantm · 10-03-2012, 10:49 PM

Should improve it. Since stability essentially comes down to having as low of a center of gravity as possible with as wide of a base as possible, widening the base should improve stability. The increased width is so small that the effect will not be noticeable in most cases.

ajai · 10-06-2012, 12:36 PM

maybe when I last got spacers I have blown shocks. Therefore when I took off the spacers the handling seems better

subieworx · 10-08-2012, 06:51 AM

Spacers will increase track width, but not in a way that you want. Increasing track width for the purposes of handling should be done with longer arms. Using spacers can increase grip, but will have a detrimental affect on steering response due to the increase in scrub radius. This will lead to heavier steering that is not quite as precise and a car that will tram line quite a bit. The affects are magnified as the spacer gets wider.

09-23-2012, 04:05 PM	#1
ajai Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hong kong Posts: 303 My Ride: 330ci***65104; 328i View My Garage	Will spacer decrease handling Will spacer decrease the handling and stability of the car? I add spacers before on my other e46. And the handling seems to be decrease. the car feel week on corners. Is this normal? Since I plan to get spacers for my other e46 . but I want it to keep the handling. __________________ missed the ci, welcome the i

09-26-2012, 02:33 PM	#2
scca_ziptie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 404 My Ride: 2006 M3 SMG Comp pkg View My Garage	What brand of spacers are you using? Do you have wheel studs or still running the factory wheel bolts? __________________ "! First rule of Italian driving, that which is in your mirror is not important !" Last edited by scca_ziptie; 09-26-2012 at 02:33 PM.

09-26-2012, 08:13 PM	#4
ModBargains Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brea, CA Posts: 3,630 My Ride: E30 325e & E46 ZHP View My Garage	It should not affect your performance or decrease the handling unless maybe you were using some crazy large spacers. Check out the H&R Trak Spacers. These are track proven and TUV approved! If you want a bit better handling, you should add a H&R Sway Bar which will help to keep your car more planted and help to eliminate body roll. H&R 3 Series Spacer Benefits: Up to 70% lighter than competitor spacers Improve appearance without buying new wheels Improves handling by widening vehicle track Anodized for tough and durable finish Hub centric for accuracy and no vibrations 100% made in Germany, AND TUV approved ISO9001 approved __________________ ELLIOTT GOODMAN Elliott@ModBargains.com \| (714) 582-3330 ext. 8009 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am-7:00pm \| Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm (PST) Authorized Dealer of: Forgestar Wheels l KW Coilovers l D-Force Wheels l BMW E46 Parts l BMW Angel Eyes \|BMW Accessories Last edited by ModBargains; 09-26-2012 at 08:24 PM.

10-01-2012, 03:20 AM	#6
illestminimike Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: West Covina CA Posts: 3,924 My Ride: 2003 SMG Vert M3 View My Garage	I agree with modbargains on the H&R spacers. I have them. They are awesome. __________________ -2003 M3 Vert -1967 Mini Cooper

10-01-2012, 07:47 AM	#8
JohnBlaze Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro Posts: 6,320 My Ride: Black Sunshine View My Garage	but they will lower the center of gravity ever so slightly, so in theory handling performance shoud increase. __________________ s54door

10-01-2012, 03:57 AM	#7
mkodama OEM ///Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 30,869 View My Garage	Spacers have no noticeable effects on handling.

10-01-2012, 05:23 PM	#11
scca_ziptie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 404 My Ride: 2006 M3 SMG Comp pkg View My Garage	Spacers will provide a small increase of stability in fast/long duration corners and will slightly decrease responsiveness in quick direction change (very small, to some not noticeable). It is primarily for looks, but does have a small effect on cornering behavior. Again, it is a small change. __________________ "! First rule of Italian driving, that which is in your mirror is not important !"

10-03-2012, 10:49 PM	#13
TerraPhantm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mountain Top Posts: 4,842 My Ride: 2005 M3 Coupe View My Garage	Should improve it. Since stability essentially comes down to having as low of a center of gravity as possible with as wide of a base as possible, widening the base should improve stability. The increased width is so small that the effect will not be noticeable in most cases.

10-06-2012, 12:36 PM	#14
ajai Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hong kong Posts: 303 My Ride: 330ci***65104; 328i View My Garage	maybe when I last got spacers I have blown shocks. Therefore when I took off the spacers the handling seems better __________________ missed the ci, welcome the i

10-08-2012, 06:51 AM	#15
subieworx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: cincinnati Posts: 63 My Ride: ZHP, 335, E53, E30 View My Garage	Spacers will increase track width, but not in a way that you want. Increasing track width for the purposes of handling should be done with longer arms. Using spacers can increase grip, but will have a detrimental affect on steering response due to the increase in scrub radius. This will lead to heavier steering that is not quite as precise and a car that will tram line quite a bit. The affects are magnified as the spacer gets wider.

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