Spacers needed?
 

I acquired some good information about wheels and their fitment through the forums but some of the information on spacers wasn't so clear to me.


I am definitely getting 18" wheels x 8" - 9". Probably going to purchase Enkeis from Tire Rack. I am having trouble finding information on whether I need spacers or not within 8" - 9" of width. If so, what is a good size spacer and how do I know which one to get for the wheel that I get?

Please bear with me, I've been busy and haven't had time to paint the whole picture yet

It depends what kind of fitment your after

Offsets. That's the key. With the right offset you don't need spacers.

People that use spacers on new wheels bought the wrong sized offset.

Use the wheel/tire calculator, play around with it. Either you want a (lame-o) stance look, or a track ready set up.

False. Tiny bit of a rant but.....
I bought them because I wanted to widen on wheels that were on the car as I bought it. They also didn't come in any different offset even if I had to repurchase the same wheel. Spacers saved me possibly several thousand dollars. Several thousand that is a serious waste on a $25k car unless you're a kid living at home with his parents and got some cash burning a hole in your pocket. Nothing is more off putting than wheel snobbery in a wheel/tire subforum. Between this and the "replica wheels are garbage" thing going on, it is hard to read some posts in here and not shake your head. Once somebody grows up and understands the concept of depreciating assets, much of car culture really becomes laughable. So much more on a non-collectible throwaway vehicle like a twin.

Well what is the offset of the wheels you're using? That's pretty much the deciding factor on whether or not the size and offset you bought will work. You can't expect a serious answer if you don't give us all the information.

Op, you really need to pay attention to the offsets. For instance, an 18x8 with a +35 offset will be completely flush with the fenders, while an 18x8 with a +48 offset will be sunken in much like the OEM wheels are. The same model of wheel, with just that one change.

I kept the OEM wheels and used spacers to push them out. The OEM wheel is 17x7 +48. I have 20mm spacers on the front and 25mm on the rear. This effectively makes the offset +28 on the front and +23 on the rear. My wheels aren't flush with the fenders, but they're close. I probably could have gone with 25mm in the front and 30mm in the rear.

If I was buying wheels, I would get 18x8 +35 with 225/40-18 tires. This would be flush in the front. Then I would use 5mm or 10mm spacers on the back to push them out to flush. Keep in mind that doing this will require longer wheel studs at the rear. You really shouldn't go longer than 3mm on the OEM studs, or you risk not having enough threads to get a solid engagement with the lug nuts. Once you get to 15mm or so, you can use bolt-on spacers, which let you use the OEM studs.

Sounds like you may get 18x8 wheels. I have 18x8 and 18x9. +45 and +42. No spacers.

You won't need spacers for 9" wide wheels. Period. (Stance excluded)

8" wide offset range that fits is +35 to +53. (17x8 +53 stock wrx wheel) A +35 8" wide wheel is flush, especially in the front. I would have chosen +40 instead of +45 if it was offered.

Don't forget tires. I run 245/35/18 MPSS. Which are stock outside diameter.

I don't think you are going to need spacers...

Look at the wheel directory. Find similar setups and read. I've read the whole thing.

Good luck!

Yes it's a 25k car. And the kid that lives with his parents, had it bought for him. Big deal. We all have our own burden.

As for a serious waste. Spending thousands on something that makes you happy is not a waste.

You misunderstood my post's intention. I'm right there with you. I spent $90 for spacers and couldn't be happier and I have pile of cash I didn't spend which makes me even happier.

I would have just sold those wheels, get ones with a similar look, or try something different, but in the correct offset. I'm not stubborn to sticking to one style of wheel. It's just a look in my book.

I'm installing extended studs and going to use spacers on stock wheels. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

OP, you probably want the bolt on spacer type since it doesn't sound like you are using extended studs. I decided I wasn't really comfortable running the bolt on spacers so I went with studs + spacer. If you do install studs just buy the cheapest spacer in the size you looking for.

18x9 +40 (plus/minus a few) will get you in the ball park you need without running spacers

check out the wheel fitment thread-tons and tons of photos with different sizes/offsets will help you identify what you want exactly!

Thanks for the clarification fellas.


It seems to me that 8" or 9" with around +40 offset is good... I'm guessing it also depends on what tire. Just don't want to pull the trigger quite yet and have it backfire on me.


I think I'll be needing spacers for these:


Enkei Tuning
TS9

• Size: 18x8
• Finish: Black Painted
• Weight: 20.0 lbs.
• Offset: 45mm

Offset may be to much