Wheel Spacers

[Chris_Top_Her]

Yea, he may have good information to share, but wait until someone posts something that may have something incorrect about it. You'll get a nasty gram response; I mean just look back on recent topics and (what hasn't been edited) you'll see.

 

[MikeM.]

Yea, he may have good information to share, but wait until someone posts something that may have something incorrect about it. You'll get a nasty gram response; I mean just look back on recent topics and (what hasn't been edited) you'll see.

Nasty gram response?

Either your definition of "nasty" is the opposite of mine or you need to chill out and grow a thicker skin.

You get upset far too easily.

Any editing I do to my posts is to correct spelling and typos or increase clarity. I haven't had to edit any nasties out, LOL!

 

[Buzzx6r]

Wider wheels/tires have all the suspension geometry/steering feel issues of wheel spacers plus they introduce a few additional issues. Some of this can be minimized to a degree by choosing wheels with a different offset but that solution requires progressively wider wheels to achieve the aesthetic goal of lining the outside of the wheels with the body panels.

My primary concern is with the performance of the vehicle - I think the OEM setup has a pleasing appearance. Of course that's a subjective matter but I have a difficult time understanding the people who want to sacrifice so much performance for their personal perception of good looks.

If the correct offset is chosen so that (what used to be known as KPI angle) goes through the middle of the wheel and into the ground, there would be no compromises. Plus no doubt choosing a high quality motorsport manufacturer like BBS or OZ, wheels with a lighter weight could be chosen, thus reducing unsprung weight to boot.

 

[MikeM.]

If the correct offset is chosen so that (what used to be known as KPI angle) goes through the middle of the wheel and into the ground, there would be no compromises.

That's right as long as we are willing to accept the increase drag the wider tires and wheels cause in terms of rolling resistance and aerodynamics (not to mention slower acceleration due to probable increased rotational inertia).

What I was attempting to point out was that if the goal is to bring the outside of the wheels/tires flush with the fender flares by increasing wheel width, maintaining the properly geometry requires that the wheels and tires are wider by an amount equal to twice the distance required to "flush up" the wheels/tires.

Plus no doubt choosing a high quality motorsport manufacturer like BBS or OZ, wheels with a lighter weight could be chosen, thus reducing unsprung weight to boot.

Wheels and tires wide enough to accomplish the stated goal would be heavier and have more unsprung mass by a considerable amount compared to the OEM wheels. And this assumes that one could fit a setup wide enough to accomplish that while maintaining appropriate geometry without running out of room inside the fenders to maintain minimum turning radius.

In short, major disadvantages to accomplish such a goal, especially considering the goal is one of aesthetics.

Not trying to discourage anyone from doing this but I do believe it shouldn't be done without being aware of the considerable effects it would have on a vehicles performance.

 

[TreyP]

especially considering the goal is one of aesthetics

I don't disagree with the above post for the most part, but the quoted part implies that aesthetics are a trivial matter. Maybe they are, compared to reliability or safety, but if it weren't for aesthetics, I would probably be driving a freakin' Prius. (eek)

 

[MikeM.]

I don't disagree with the above post for the most part, but the quoted part implies that aesthetics are a trivial matter. Maybe they are, compared to reliability or safety, but if it weren't for aesthetics, I would probably be driving a freakin' Prius. (eek)

Obviously, I put a higher premium on driving dynamics while you value aesthetics more.
As I always say- Different strokes for different folks.

 

[NinjaNoises]

My primary concern is with the performance of the vehicle - I think the OEM setup has a pleasing appearance. Of course that's a subjective matter but I have a difficult time understanding the people who want to sacrifice so much performance for their personal perception of good looks.

Mike often shares good information with the group, but I can't help but to notice as well that he sometimes does it with a hint of suggestion to his own superiority...

Here Mike basically says, I like it my way and I can't believe anyone else doesn't like it my way as well.

Sorry, Mike.

 

[MikeM.]

Here Mike basically says, I like it my way and I can't believe anyone else doesn't like it my way as well.

Basically true.

Hell, I can't understand people who eat until they weigh 600 lbs. and need to wear sewn up bedsheets in public.

Makes zero sense to me why someone would live like that.

That doesn't mean I won't stand up for their right to live however they want.

 

[TreyP]

I have a difficult time understanding the people who want to sacrifice so much performance for their personal perception of good looks.

Fair enough. Just like on the other hand someone might have a difficult time understanding the people who want to sacrifice their personal perception of good looks for a little more performance.

 

[MikeM.]

Fair enough. Just like on the other hand someone might have a difficult time understanding the people who want to sacrifice their personal perception of good looks for a little more performance.

If you subscribe to the old adage "Form follows function" then you never have to sacrifice good looks to achieve better performance. And you never have to give up performance to achieve good looks.

 

[TreyP]

If you subscribe to the old adage "Form follows function" then you never have to sacrifice good looks to achieve better performance. And you never have to give up performance to achieve good looks.

I agree. Apparently Mazda did not though when they went with this wheel setup that looks way too sunken into the wheel wells.

 

[MikeM.]

I agree. Apparently Mazda did not though when they went with this wheel setup that looks way too sunken into the wheel wells.

Actually, I always thought the relationship of the CX-5's wheels to the wheel wells followed function perfectly.

After all, the function of wheel wells and the way fenders flare is to protect the body from wheel spray.

If the wheels were flush with the body they wouldn't function as intended.

 

[TreyP]

And yet they gave up good looks to achieve that function.

 

[MikeM.]

And yet they gave up good looks to achieve that function.

I feel like this discussion is circular in nature.

 

[TreyP]

There's because it is. It circles back to the fact that to many people the wheels do not look good in relation to the the wheel wells. Thus, wheels spacers, therefore this thread.

 

[Snowie78]

It's funny ya know......reading this thread you wouldn't know that we are talking about a high performance vehicle (it's a family crossover that makes 0-60 in 5 minutes, lol). Put spacers, wider rims on the vehicle if that's what you like! I put wider rims on because that is what I like and I actually find the vehicle handles better, and yes I do get a little more wheel spray because of this change. The change is so marginal and at the end of the day for a entry level cuv.

If I could find those fender flares they put on the Sema CX-5 essentially I would achieve the same esthetic of the VW Tiguan R-line, that has wider bigger rims and has the fender flare extentions.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...83&tbnw=276&zoom=1&docid=3KS4yqxmsRl4EM&hl=en

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Mike's posts can be a little irritating at times, but I appreciate and welcome his opinions here. This is a web forum. Difference of opinion is what makes this place interresting.

20MM is a little extreme for me in regards to spacers. I am pretty sure extended studs were necessary for fitment, and that is where I personally draw the line.
Altering the offset of the wheel results in a change in scrub radius. Drivers who aren't autocrossing their CX-5 will likely never experience any ill effects.

I would personally buy a set of aftermarket wheels to achieve the flush look. In fact, that is what I will be doing when I swap the Konigs from my 6 onto my CX-5.

 

[CodyZoom]

Saynotopistons, sorry but the car isn't mine. I found it on a Japanese car blog.

And to mike, I wish you would stop being a know-it-all and let other people do what they want. I'm considering leaving this forum because of you and your posts all over this board.

Yeah Mike's a douche. He knows this of course, but just doesn't care. Just skip over his stuff, it's mostly his nonsense opinion that he tries passing off as the Automotive Commandments.

 

[CodyZoom]

I agree. Apparently Mazda did not though when they went with this wheel setup that looks way too sunken into the wheel wells.

I'm with you TreyP - the brains at Mazda likely could have developed a great performer that looked good as well. I think, and yes - I'm mostly joking here - is that they engineered it for soccer moms and didn't think it would be a big deal. Little did they know they developed a super cool/sexy crossover that guys and gals love to look at / drive.

This is coming from a young professional who loves mountain biking, snowboarding, rock climbing and basically anything else that gets the adrenaline going - you'd think I drove a jeep or something!

 

[apexanimal]

Some manufacturers do better than other when it comes to wheel offset... Typically the higher performing ones have a lower offset, and the more family haulers have a higher...

Typically with spacers, you really do get what you pay for... Porsche ran spacers as stock on several models without incident, but get the good stuff and torque it properly!