Wheel Spacers

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Zack
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Wheel Spacers

Post by Zack »

Ok, what are your thoughts on wheel spacers and what size works best? I found ones that are hub centric as well as coming with longer lug bolts but am unsure how wide to get. I want to bring the wheels a little closer to the edge of the fenders, almost flush but not enough that they will rub.
Bruno - 2022 JCW
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by DA MINI »

Why? They just add extra stress on bearings.
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Re: Wheel Spacers

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DA MINI wrote:Why? They just add extra stress on bearings.
I have heard they do and don't but wanted an opinion from those have do have them, have had them, and haven't had them. I get too many for and against on NAM. If they are not good then why do they sell them and why do people buy them. I wasn't thinking of massive spacers but supposedly some R53 JCW's use 25mm wheel spacers for certain wheels which seemed extreme and so I am curious then if they are bad, why are they installed on cars.
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2008 R56 MINI Cooper S JCW
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Sspreso
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Sspreso »

25mm!? I've done 15mm for several years. Will be doing 20mm here soon and that is maxing out my 12mmX65mm studs. And that's for a 275/15 tires!

But thats racing setup... on the street I run 5mm-10mm spacers. I run only the widest spacer I need to get clearance around the suspension. If you are running wide spacers to be 'hella flush' then I don't know what to say...
-John Herrman
2012 JCW Coupe aka 'Taz'
-If you car doesn't try to kill you, it's under modded.
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Zack »

Sspreso wrote:25mm!? I've done 15mm for several years. Will be doing 20mm here soon and that is maxing out my 12mmX65mm studs. And that's for a 275/15 tires!

But thats racing setup... on the street I run 5mm-10mm spacers. I run only the widest spacer I need to get clearance around the suspension. If you are running wide spacers to be 'hella flush' then I don't know what to say...
Why do you need spacers when on the street then? The suspension can't be much different than stock when driving on the street. I'm not talking about going to extreme widths. I'm thinking 5 to 10mm at the most.
Bruno - 2022 JCW
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2006 R53 Mini Cooper S
2011 R55 Mini Cooper Clubman
2013 R56 Mini Cooper S JCW
2008 R56 MINI Cooper S JCW
2014 R55 MINI JCW Clubman
2017 F56 MINI Cooper S JCW
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Sspreso »

My street tires are 235s so I need a small bump to get around my coilover perches when lowered.
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by DA MINI »

Ideally you would convert to wheel studs. For competition needs spacers make sense for various reasons. On your
DD don't make much sense.
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Zack »

Sspreso wrote:My street tires are 235s so I need a small bump to get around my coilover perches when lowered.
Oh ok. That makes sense. Well, I guess I can do without wheel spacers. I'm probably just gonna spend my money on blacking out my trim possibly. Already found replacement headlight surrounds in black. They're glossy but nothing a can of matte black paint can't fix.

Thanks for the input john, and Bob. Much appreciated.
Bruno - 2022 JCW
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by MiniManiac »

Zackattack28 wrote:
Sspreso wrote:25mm!? I've done 15mm for several years. Will be doing 20mm here soon and that is maxing out my 12mmX65mm studs. And that's for a 275/15 tires!

But thats racing setup... on the street I run 5mm-10mm spacers. I run only the widest spacer I need to get clearance around the suspension. If you are running wide spacers to be 'hella flush' then I don't know what to say...
Why do you need spacers when on the street then? The suspension can't be much different than stock when driving on the street. I'm not talking about going to extreme widths. I'm thinking 5 to 10mm at the most.
I need to run 5mm spacers due to my suspension lowered on coil overs.
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Zack »

MiniManiac wrote:
Zackattack28 wrote:
Sspreso wrote:25mm!? I've done 15mm for several years. Will be doing 20mm here soon and that is maxing out my 12mmX65mm studs. And that's for a 275/15 tires!

But thats racing setup... on the street I run 5mm-10mm spacers. I run only the widest spacer I need to get clearance around the suspension. If you are running wide spacers to be 'hella flush' then I don't know what to say...
Why do you need spacers when on the street then? The suspension can't be much different than stock when driving on the street. I'm not talking about going to extreme widths. I'm thinking 5 to 10mm at the most.
I need to run 5mm spacers due to my suspension lowered on coil overs.
So basically it isn't necessary
Bruno - 2022 JCW
Former MINI's
2006 R53 Mini Cooper S
2011 R55 Mini Cooper Clubman
2013 R56 Mini Cooper S JCW
2008 R56 MINI Cooper S JCW
2014 R55 MINI JCW Clubman
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by MiniManiac »

Zackattack28 wrote: So basically it isn't necessary
I am not sure I understand your statement. For a car lowered on coil overs, sometimes it is necessary to add spacers due to rubbing. For others, in order to achieve a look, it is necessary.

If you like the look, then add 5mm spacers. WMW has a great price on them:

http://waymotorworks.com/wmw-5mm-wheel-spacers.html

Get them!!!!
Seth
08 MCS - JCW
1974/1993 Classic Mini - 70 WHP!
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Zack »

MiniManiac wrote:
Zackattack28 wrote: So basically it isn't necessary
I am not sure I understand your statement. For a car lowered on coil overs, sometimes it is necessary to add spacers due to rubbing. For others, in order to achieve a look, it is necessary.

If you like the look, then add 5mm spacers. WMW has a great price on them:

http://waymotorworks.com/wmw-5mm-wheel-spacers.html

Get them!!!!
I don't need longer wheel bolts? The H&R ones are hub centric and include longer wheel bolts. So 5mm should achieve the look I want. I shouldn't consider 10mm if I do get wheel spacers.
Bruno - 2022 JCW
Former MINI's
2006 R53 Mini Cooper S
2011 R55 Mini Cooper Clubman
2013 R56 Mini Cooper S JCW
2008 R56 MINI Cooper S JCW
2014 R55 MINI JCW Clubman
2017 F56 MINI Cooper S JCW
SWT CHI

Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by SWT CHI »

Go wit 10mm up front, 25+mm in da rears, and sho some white walls.
That be bitchin' on yer wite mini if ya murder out all dat Crome
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Re: Wheel Spacers

Post by Zack »

SWT CHI wrote:Go wit 10mm up front, 25+mm in da rears, and sho some white walls.
That be bitchin' on yer wite mini if ya murder out all dat Crome
:roll: lol

Alright well I won't do wheel spacers. I am going to fix the oil leak in the transmission oil cooler, get an alignment, reseal the switch panel since it came loose, powder coat my old wheels for winter use, maybe upgrade the ignition system to something a bit better, and I'm done. No more. I may be getting a JCW next year if money permits.
Bruno - 2022 JCW
Former MINI's
2006 R53 Mini Cooper S
2011 R55 Mini Cooper Clubman
2013 R56 Mini Cooper S JCW
2008 R56 MINI Cooper S JCW
2014 R55 MINI JCW Clubman
2017 F56 MINI Cooper S JCW
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