Spacers: Short bolts vs Extended Bolts

BoondogUK · 07-29-2013, 06:01 AM

So I have been researching, and see these two variants out there...

I am looking at 20mm per side and I was just wondering about the pros and cons of them both.

Going down the short bolts route seems to offer me the ability to keep existing bolts (and locking bolt). Extended bolts would mean I would need a set with locks on them.

This feature makes me lean towards the short bolts, but is there any reason to opt for the extended?

makkan00 · 07-29-2013, 07:19 AM

Are you thinking of fitting 20mm spacers with oem bolts (shorter bolts)?
Is that what you are asking?

BoondogUK · 07-29-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makkan00

Are you thinking of fitting 20mm spacers with oem bolts (shorter bolts)?
Is that what you are asking?

nope...

Short bolts - (SYSTEM 3 | 7 in linked diagram)
These fix the spacers to the wheel hub, and then provide additional holes that you screw into with your existing (OEM with lock) bolts.

Extended bolts - (SYSTEM 2 in linked diagram)
Longer, so they bolt though your alloy, the spacer and into the hub directly.

Diagram:
http://performance-suspension.eibach...spacerseasyway

makkan00 · 07-29-2013, 07:49 AM

I am using extended bolts so can't speak of the other one.

Good thinking but not sure what advantages you get by opting one over the other.

BoondogUK · 07-29-2013, 09:33 AM

that's what I figured...

Just wanted to see if I was missing anything

safety_james · 07-29-2013, 10:29 AM

Let me know how you get on with this and the cost.

I used to have spacers that bolted to the hub on a Golf I had, and prefered this to the longer bolts option and spacers for peace of mind more than anything.

Hotcoupe · 07-29-2013, 04:31 PM

System 3 (shorter bolts - using your existing bolts) will work out more expensive to purchase than just buying a set of H&R/Eibach standard 20mm spacers.
However the extra cost will be outweighed by having to buy a set of extended bolts + a set of lockers for the standard spacers.

Personally I'd go down the extended bolts route,far quicker to fit a standard spacer,far quicker to take off should the need arise.
Standard spacers will also be easier to sell on at a later date.

OEM locking nuts are easy to remove should someone want to purloin the wheels, so buying a decent set of lockers is a good move, and a set of Grayston lockers are only 20 notes for a set.
A set of extended bolts are readily available, and are relatively inexpensive.

Alex.J · 07-29-2013, 04:39 PM

Bolt on spacers tend to be better as your bolt length and stresses are reduced and also more likely to run true.

But realistically you wouldn't notice the difference.

dubdemand · 07-29-2013, 04:44 PM

I have bolt on spacers on the rear of my Audi and bolt through on the front (because you can't get 10mm bolt on versions).

Originally I planned to just use spacers on the rear so the selling point was that I could keep the same bolts and most importantly keep the same locking wheel nut.

In my opinion there are pro's and cons to both solitons. Longer bolts might be slightly weaker than short ones but the 'bolt on's' now provide 10 bolts per wheel that could come loose rather than 5... both options must be 'relatively' safe though (as long as they are from a reputable manufacturer - I wouldn't go trusting cheep ebay jobs).

I guess it boils down to how you plan to use them (front/rear) and what funds you have available...

What ever the case, your car will look all the better for it

Phil325i · 07-30-2013, 04:46 AM

Bolt on spacers will be heavier (twice the number of bolts) and so add to unsprung weight and deterioration of ride quality...

BoondogUK · 07-30-2013, 05:53 AM

not really sure that's really true... considering that there would be a mass reduction in material, based on the milled holes within the spacer for the short bolts. There may be a slight imbalance between the two, but it would be marginal.

BoondogUK · 08-02-2013, 02:53 PM

So I went the extended bolts route and I am stoked with the results... 20mm per side

Before:

After:

07-29-2013, 06:01 AM	#1
BoondogUK Captain 28 Rep 901 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue e90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	Spacers: Short bolts vs Extended Bolts So I have been researching, and see these two variants out there... I am looking at 20mm per side and I was just wondering about the pros and cons of them both. Going down the short bolts route seems to offer me the ability to keep existing bolts (and locking bolt). Extended bolts would mean I would need a set with locks on them. This feature makes me lean towards the short bolts, but is there any reason to opt for the extended? __________________ Pre LCI Monaco Blue e90, iDrive, 18" 220M reps, M3 Front Bumper, LCI headlights, Darklines, Eibach Pro Kit [Build Thread] ICE: DLS R4s, Gladen HG-201BMW-3, Alpine PDX 4.100
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07-29-2013, 07:19 AM	#2
makkan00 Major General 889 Rep 9,097 Posts Drives: F83 and F36 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Essex iTrader: (56)	Are you thinking of fitting 20mm spacers with oem bolts (shorter bolts)? Is that what you are asking? __________________ F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
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07-29-2013, 07:49 AM	#4
makkan00 Major General 889 Rep 9,097 Posts Drives: F83 and F36 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Essex iTrader: (56)	I am using extended bolts so can't speak of the other one. Good thinking but not sure what advantages you get by opting one over the other. __________________ F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
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07-29-2013, 09:33 AM	#5
BoondogUK Captain 28 Rep 901 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue e90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	that's what I figured... Just wanted to see if I was missing anything __________________ Pre LCI Monaco Blue e90, iDrive, 18" 220M reps, M3 Front Bumper, LCI headlights, Darklines, Eibach Pro Kit [Build Thread] ICE: DLS R4s, Gladen HG-201BMW-3, Alpine PDX 4.100
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07-29-2013, 10:29 AM	#6
safety_james Safety Car Driver 13 Rep 369 Posts Drives: E92 330D & E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Norfolk iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330D [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [5.50]	Let me know how you get on with this and the cost. I used to have spacers that bolted to the hub on a Golf I had, and prefered this to the longer bolts option and spacers for peace of mind more than anything. __________________ "Racing is life... everything before and after is just waiting"
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07-29-2013, 04:31 PM	#7
Hotcoupe Major General 195 Rep 6,110 Posts Drives: Don't know yet! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List November 2008 335D ... [8.34] 2007 335D [0.00]	System 3 (shorter bolts - using your existing bolts) will work out more expensive to purchase than just buying a set of H&R/Eibach standard 20mm spacers. However the extra cost will be outweighed by having to buy a set of extended bolts + a set of lockers for the standard spacers. Personally I'd go down the extended bolts route,far quicker to fit a standard spacer,far quicker to take off should the need arise. Standard spacers will also be easier to sell on at a later date. OEM locking nuts are easy to remove should someone want to purloin the wheels, so buying a decent set of lockers is a good move, and a set of Grayston lockers are only 20 notes for a set. A set of extended bolts are readily available, and are relatively inexpensive. __________________ ================================= Never argue with an idiot on the internet. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
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07-29-2013, 04:39 PM	#8
Alex.J Major 56 Rep 1,241 Posts Drives: BMW E92 335i MSport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (9)	Bolt on spacers tend to be better as your bolt length and stresses are reduced and also more likely to run true. But realistically you wouldn't notice the difference.
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07-29-2013, 04:44 PM	#9
dubdemand Captain 417 Rep 941 Posts Drives: F80 Individual Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (2)	I have bolt on spacers on the rear of my Audi and bolt through on the front (because you can't get 10mm bolt on versions). Originally I planned to just use spacers on the rear so the selling point was that I could keep the same bolts and most importantly keep the same locking wheel nut. In my opinion there are pro's and cons to both solitons. Longer bolts might be slightly weaker than short ones but the 'bolt on's' now provide 10 bolts per wheel that could come loose rather than 5... both options must be 'relatively' safe though (as long as they are from a reputable manufacturer - I wouldn't go trusting cheep ebay jobs). I guess it boils down to how you plan to use them (front/rear) and what funds you have available... What ever the case, your car will look all the better for it __________________ Individual SY F80 / insta:@dubdemand
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07-30-2013, 04:46 AM	#10
Phil325i Brigadier General 624 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Bolt on spacers will be heavier (twice the number of bolts) and so add to unsprung weight and deterioration of ride quality... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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07-30-2013, 05:53 AM	#11
BoondogUK Captain 28 Rep 901 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue e90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	not really sure that's really true... considering that there would be a mass reduction in material, based on the milled holes within the spacer for the short bolts. There may be a slight imbalance between the two, but it would be marginal. __________________ Pre LCI Monaco Blue e90, iDrive, 18" 220M reps, M3 Front Bumper, LCI headlights, Darklines, Eibach Pro Kit [Build Thread] ICE: DLS R4s, Gladen HG-201BMW-3, Alpine PDX 4.100
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08-02-2013, 02:53 PM	#12
BoondogUK Captain 28 Rep 901 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue e90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	So I went the extended bolts route and I am stoked with the results... 20mm per side Before: After: __________________ Pre LCI Monaco Blue e90, iDrive, 18" 220M reps, M3 Front Bumper, LCI headlights, Darklines, Eibach Pro Kit [Build Thread] ICE: DLS R4s, Gladen HG-201BMW-3, Alpine PDX 4.100
	Appreciate 0 Quote