Considering HUBCENTRIC WHEEL SPACERS...

[Grandeos]

My 2011 2SS/RS has the 21" Black Painted accessory wheels. While I love the size, I am disappointed with the offset. It looks to me like the face of the wheels are further into the body than the factory 20" wheels.

I am considering getting some wheel spacers to correct the look, and make them more flush with the edge of the body. I have seen that many people do not like them, especially the cheap ones. I have been told they can do some damage, but can also improve handling. So I'm a bit confused.

I've been told that high-end hubcentric CNC milled spacers are the way to go. Specificly I've been looking at the Eibach Pro Spacer kit. http://www.phastekperformance.com/20...el-spacers.htm
Looks like it will run up to $300-400 for the set. But if you get what you pay for, I have no problem if it will keep my car in good shape.

and FYI... I do not race this car. No track, no strips. Its simply my daily driver, which I enjoy to get on from time to time during my commutes.

Any advice/tips FROM EXPERIENCE ????


***** NOTICE THE EDGE OF THE FENDER FLARE OVER THE REAR WHEEL *****

[bkscott]

Spacers or adapters. I would go with the adapters. Much stronger and safer.

[Grandeos]

Are they not the same?

[bkscott]

No. The spacers go on your existing wheel studs, while adapters bolt to the hub, and have their own studs which you can then bolt your wheels to.

[barnesql]

I have a widened set of stock wheels, and I had to use hub-centric adapters to make them fit. It has been about 6 months now and no problems at all. OP, the site you listed says spacers, but I know that some people call the ones listed 'adapters'.

Either way, the one that you are looking at is the safer method. The other option is simply a piece of metal that fits onto your studs, essentially pushing out the wheel. Your stud is made shorter by doing this though, and there lies the problems.

But like I said, I installed a similar set of spacers, mine were H & R 20mm. They are expensive, but from what some of the pros in the business have told me, as long as you install them correctly, and don't drag race a lot, they are very safe.

[Agent WD-40]

Are there any potential downsides to using adapters? Seems like a great way to get the look I want for a reasonable price. I don't see this option discussed very much on this site though.

IMO the stock wheels look great, especially given the cost of a decent set of decent aftermarket ones. I agree with the OP, the wheels definitely could stand to be pushed out closer to the fender by an inch or so.

[D2-AUTOSPORT]

or I could sell you some sweet 21" new wheels that can use your factory tires, have a more aggressive stance, a nice deep dish rear, and not kill your pockets. Sounds good?

(ignor the center cap) Cordon CR-21

[FEN]

This is what the hub-centric adapters look like. I had this 1.75" adapter made for my SPARE TIRE. Personally i dont like the idea of running adapters or spacers. I prefer to buy wheels with the correct offsets.

[bkscott]

I know most people don't like them, but as far as safety I know that Porsche puts spacers on some models from the factory. These cars are capable of running close to 200 mph.

If they were as bad as everyone says would they put them on and take the risk of someone losing a wheel and crashing on the Autobahn?

While I would prefer not to run them myself, when the time comes to make a decision on my wheels I will do my research and decide what works for me.

There is a guy in Germany with a 5th gen running adapters on all 4 wheels and it looks great. He used the H & R adapters. Car looks great.

[Agent WD-40]

So for those considering adapters, how wide are you thinking for front and rear?

[barnesql]

My stock wheels are widened to 9" in the front and 11" in the rear. 20mm H & R's all around.

[Agent WD-40]

Originally Posted by barnesql

My stock wheels are widened to 9" in the front and 11" in the rear. 20mm H & R's all around.

How close do your wheels sit to the edge of the fender? I'm assuming you moved the rear wheel up front to get the 9" correct?

[bkscott]

If I may speak on his behalf, I believe his wheels were widened both front and rear. Usually they move the backs to the front, then widen the fronts, and put them on the rear.

[barnesql]

Yes sir, you may speak on my behalf lol. Yep, the fronts were widened from 8 to 9'', and the rears from 9 to 11''. I bought them from a person who had done them this way.

Anyways, they sit pretty much as far as one would want to go without sticking outside the fender. The jump from 275's to 315's is pretty big, especially with the extra tidbit from the 20mm spacer. I'll put up some pics.

Oh yeah, as I learned the hard way, good luck finding a tire chain working on your car if you have spacers. They claim it is a huge liability and will not touch them. A local speed shop will probably not have a problem, though, or you could just take the wheels off and drive them there separately like I had to do.