Yes or No to spacers?

HerbieNL

Member
Messages
66
Last week I replaced the stock 2002 wheels with the 19 inch GS wheels.
I now have the option to buy spacers (15mm) for the rear wheels....but I'm in doubt. Sure it will look a bit better, but will it also look OK without doing the front wheels? Who has done this and can share before / after pictures? Also is there any risk that the wheels will hit the body at bumps?

106659106660
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,893
15mm should be fine and as the fronts are smaller than the rears I doubt you will see it.

Be aware that it may also add to the strain on the hubs.
 

Mavster

Member
Messages
427
Looking at the gap, you'd probably be ok even with 25mm at the back. I'm sure you know, but hub centric spacers are best.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
I recommend you start by measuring the individual wheels in relation to the body lines. Quite a few cars seem to show some asymmetry. By taking care to get this right, custom spacers can be used to rectify the discrepancies, should they exist....
Huncentric can only be used if the spacer thickness allows the use of low profile bolts. These are deployed and countersunk to the mating face of the spacer to attach it permanently to the hub....It requires a minimum of material ( thickness of spacer) - usually at least 20mm. I mention this because, as others have stated, 25mm in the rear is a shed load imo. And way too much up front.
I have 18” rims on a 4200, it’s lowered to 5mm below the oem GS ride height, and I have arrived at reducing the spacers, as the front especially, popped out of the arch. This isn’t kegal in the UK I understand. No tread outside the body lines ? Plus it looked a bit weird. And it rubbed at full lock ( also an MOT fail I believe).
Running 16mm rear, 12mm fronts. It looks perfectly normal. The wheels aren’t tucked under whilst they don’t protrude either.
I have no clue how FD get their super fat kits to fit without looking a bit ar5e at the same time as getting some rubbing somewhere....That said, as you are running standard 4200 ride height, you will likely have scope to add more than a standard GS without rubbing or spoiling the appearance.
Watch bolt length in the rear if you use slip-on types parts too - too long and they foul the handbrake mech....
Look forward to some pics of it done.
 
Last edited:

Motorsport3

Member
Messages
888
Last week I replaced the stock 2002 wheels with the 19 inch GS wheels.
I now have the option to buy spacers (15mm) for the rear wheels....but I'm in doubt. Sure it will look a bit better, but will it also look OK without doing the front wheels? Who has done this and can share before / after pictures? Also is there any risk that the wheels will hit the body at bumps?

View attachment 106659View attachment 106660

Maybe I'm in minority but think it looks fine as it is.
 

HerbieNL

Member
Messages
66
Thanks all for your quick replies. I decided not to buy only the rear spacers.
As I've just mounted the GS wheels, I'll leave it as is for now and might add spacers next year.
 

muttit

New Member
Messages
29
Looks lovely...did you get your 4200 lowered ? If so what drop did you go for ?
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
Yeah-no. It needs them. IMO, anyway...
It certainly appears to have been lowered from standard 4200 ride height...!?
Is that rear right slightly inboard compared the left too..?
 

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HerbieNL

Member
Messages
66
I bought the car at this height....but would need to park it next to another one to compare heights.
Don't see any difference on left and right. Sun was on the right hand corner, so maybe it's just the lights?

Might go for spacers next year, but since I could only get the rears now, I didn't do it. If I do it, it will be front and back.....but still in doubt to be honest
 

muttit

New Member
Messages
29
Has anyone got any recommendations for Midlands base specialists who can lower a 4200 ?