Noob Question: Wider Tires vs. Spacers

[Sahbatage]

Hey guys,

First off, please take it easy on me if this is a complete noob question but after searching the forum I couldn't find an answer.

Like lots of drivers i want to reduce the gap between the wheel and fender but I don't want to go the route of getting spacers. If i were to get wider tires, will this somewhat accomplish the same thing? If so, would a tire that's 20mm wider reduce the gap by 20mm as well or how would i calculate that?

Thanks for all the help!

[saleen556]

I believe since the tire is centered on the wheel you would only get 10mm on each side.

[MChat]

Originally Posted by saleen556

I believe since the tire is centered on the wheel you would only get 10mm on each side.

This is correct. Also it depends on the brand of tire as to the actual "section width" and "tread width" differences between sizes.

[Sahbatage]

thanks guys!

[yellowssm]

I did the 275 front and 295 rear tires like a lot of members here have done and it does sit more flush with fender than stock and fills up the wheel wells a lot more, but I still wanna lower it and hopefully fit a 5mm spacer all around. Here is some pics on stock suspension

[solodkyg]

Sorry, what brand are these tires and what's the size? thanks

[yellowssm]

Originally Posted by solodkyg

Sorry, what brand are these tires and what's the size? thanks

Michelin pss 275/35/19 front (stock rears that I put on the front wheels) & 295/35/19 rear (stock m5 size)

[solodkyg]

many thanks!

[CanAutM3]

See this thread for more info on the 275-295/35R19 setup and picture below with this setup and 5mm spacers in the rear:

[Aquariu///M]

Expensive way to go about it unless your tires are worn out already .. But there's no way it will look as nice as 18mm spacers and call it a day. Not dangerous unless tracking the car in my experience, seen many use spacers without issues

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Aquariu///M

Expensive way to go about it unless your tires are worn out already .. But there's no way it will look as nice as 18mm spacers and call it a day. Not dangerous unless tracking the car in my experience, seen many use spacers without issues

The main reason I changed the tire size is because I wanted more grip. Further, I corded my front tires after 3 days of track. So this option was pretty convenient for me as it only necessitated the purchase of 2 rear tires since I moved the rears in front.

There is nothing wrong with spacers per se. It is changing the offset that alter the calibration of the suspension. In front, changing the offset also alters the scrub radius and the required Ackerman angle when the wheels are steered. I personally dislike how spacers in the front alter steering feel.

[yellowssm]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

The main reason I changed the tire size is because I wanted more grip. Further, I corded my front tires after 3 days of track. So this option was pretty convenient for me as it only necessitated the purchase of 2 rear tires since I moved the rears in front.

There is nothing wrong with spacers per se. It is changing the offset that alter the calibration of the suspension. In front, changing the offset also alters the scrub radius and the required Ackerman angle when the wheels are steered. I personally dislike how spacers in the front alter steering feel.

You are lowered correct? Do you think you could fit a 5mm spacer on the front and a 8mm on the rear without rubbing?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by yellowssm

You are lowered correct? Do you think you could fit a 5mm spacer on the front and a 8mm on the rear without rubbing?

No, suspension is completely stock.

I think 8mm in the rear would be ideal. I put the 5mm because that is what I had at hand.

In the front, I am not sure a 5mm would fit. The wider and taller 275/35 tires get very close to the fender liners when the wheels are steered.

[Sahbatage]

I was thinking of lowering it as well but i'm going for the /30 sidewall front and back instead of a /35, i'm hoping that will help avoid any rubbing.

[TahoeM3]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

See this thread for more info on the 275-295/35R19 setup and picture below with this setup and 5mm spacers in the rear:

Did your rears push past the fender with the 12mm spacers? I got a set of 12mm all around but i haven't put them on yet. I didn't account for the wider tires, and it sounds like I need the 5mm instead.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by TahoeM3

Did your rears push past the fender with the 12mm spacers? I got a set of 12mm all around but i haven't put them on yet. I didn't account for the wider tires, and it sounds like I need the 5mm instead.

I found that the 295 tires poked out too much out of the fenders to my taste with the 12mm spacers. The 295 tires sit much squarer on the wheels where the tread is almost the same width as the tire itself. The stock 275 tread tapers inward significantly, which make it visually more appealing with bigger spacers IMO. The 295/35R19 PSS tread is whopping 1.7" wider than the OE 275/35R19 PSS.

[MaynardZed]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

No, suspension is completely stock.

I think 8mm in the rear would be ideal. I put the 5mm because that is what I had at hand.

In the front, I am not sure a 5mm would fit. The wider and taller 275/35 tires get very close to the fender liners when the wheels are steered.

They will fit, but spacers in the 5-8mm range might be considered dangerous to some if they are reusing the OEM wheel hub (less hub lip for wheel to engage to). Not to mention, I'm not sure if you can get the proper length lugs for those size spacers. Lugs should have about 9 full rotations of thread engagement with these cars. 3mm should be fine with OEM bolts or go with 12-15mm (has its own hub) with extended length lugs.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

They will fit...

You seem very confident.

Have you actually tried 5mm with 275/35R19 tires?

Those tires are both wider and taller than stock. As I posted previously, they get very close (a few mm) to the fender liners when the wheels are steered as it is without spacers.

[yellowssm]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

They will fit, but spacers in the 5-8mm range might be considered dangerous to some if they are reusing the OEM wheel hub (less hub lip for wheel to engage to). Not to mention, I'm not sure if you can get the proper length lugs for those size spacers. Lugs should have about 9 full rotations of thread engagement with these cars. 3mm should be fine with OEM bolts or go with 12-15mm (has its own hub) with extended length lugs.

Anyone else have any input on 5-8mm spacers being dangerous?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by yellowssm

Anyone else have any input on 5-8mm spacers being dangerous?

You just need to ensure you setup remains hub centric. On my car, there is enough hub left with 5mm flat spacers.

Turner (and maybe other makes, I have not checked) offer 7.5mm spacers with a hub extension.

[yellowssm]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

You just need to ensure you setup remains hub centric. On my car, there is enough hub left with 5mm flat spacers.

Turner (and maybe other makes, I have not checked) offer 7.5mm spacers with a hub extension.

Was just looking at those, but $110 a piece and no new studs at that price? So $220 for just 2 spacers? Ouch

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by yellowssm

Was just looking at those, but $110 a piece and no new studs at that price? So $220 for just 2 spacers? Ouch

Ouch, I had not seen they were $110 a pop . Spacers are usually sold in pairs. Those are rather complex to machine, so I guess it is the extra price to pay for spacers of that thickness.