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Old Oct 23, 2011 | 04:01 PM
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Wheel spacers?

Anyone out there ever use hubcentric wheel spacers. Thinking about getting some for my stock amg sport wheels so they sit about 1/2"-3/4" out further. Any thoughts, pro's con's?
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Old Oct 23, 2011 | 08:10 PM
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Yes, I tried 15mm front (for 33mm offset: et48 - 15mm) and 25mm rear (for 29mm offset: et54 - 25mm) H&R spacers with stock sport wheels. Loved the look, though rear offset was a bit too aggressive - 20mm rear spacers would be better. IMO, spacers is the only way to go if one uses stock wheels as the wheels, due to very high offset (especially the rears) are too deep in the wheelwell.
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Old Oct 23, 2011 | 08:31 PM
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I've only used hubcentric spacers on my Lexus...no issues...very safe. Make sure the hub cores match up and always use a torque wrench on the lug bolts...installing and tightening in a star pattern.

Also, some spacers...depending on size....will require longer bolts/studs. Good luck.
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Old Oct 23, 2011 | 08:54 PM
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Thanks for the info. I ordered 15mm for the front and 20mm for the rear, so THREEMB'S, I should be good. The kit came with the longer studs also. Should arrive on thursday and when I get them on I'll post some pics.
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Old Oct 24, 2011 | 05:14 AM
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its hard being flush.

yes..please post pics after install. thx.
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Old Oct 24, 2011 | 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by RobbieRob
Thanks for the info. I ordered 15mm for the front and 20mm for the rear, so THREEMB'S, I should be good. The kit came with the longer studs also. Should arrive on thursday and when I get them on I'll post some pics.
Stock bolts are 28mm ball/round seat bolts.

So for the front, assuming you're using DR 15mm H&R spacers part number 3055665 or 30556659 (both will fit), you need (10) 43mm ball/round seat bolts.

For the rear, assuming you're using DR 20mm H&R spacers part number 4055665, you need (10) 48mm ball/round seat bolts. Since noone make 48mm ball seat *****, you can use 47mm or 50mm. However, if you're using DRA 20mm H&R spacers part number 40556654, then spacers will come with special bolts to attach them to car's hub first, then use your stock bolts to attach wheels to spacers (which in this case will serve as a "new" hub). Personally, I would not use DR spacers wider then 15mm, so for rear DRA spacers is the way to go, IMO.

As was mentioned above, alway use torque wrench set to 96 for these cars.
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Old Oct 24, 2011 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by threeMBs
Stock bolts are 28mm ball/round seat bolts.

So for the front, assuming you're using DR 15mm H&R spacers part number 3055665 or 30556659 (both will fit), you need (10) 43mm ball/round seat bolts.

For the rear, assuming you're using DR 20mm H&R spacers part number 4055665, you need (10) 48mm ball/round seat bolts. Since noone make 48mm ball seat *****, you can use 47mm or 50mm. However, if you're using DRA 20mm H&R spacers part number 40556654, then spacers will come with special bolts to attach them to car's hub first, then use your stock bolts to attach wheels to spacers (which in this case will serve as a "new" hub). Personally, I would not use DR spacers wider then 15mm, so for rear DRA spacers is the way to go, IMO.

As was mentioned above, alway use torque wrench set to 96 for these cars.

I am using DR spacers front and rear with ball seat lugs that come with the package. I will monitor for a while after install, anything I should look for out of the ordinary?
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Old Oct 24, 2011 | 05:26 PM
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You should feel no difference except for sharper cornering (due to wider track). You will see a day and night difference, IMO, apearance wise. What lengths bolts did you order? Also torqueing bolts to right specs (96) is vitaly improtant.
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Old Oct 24, 2011 | 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by threeMBs
You should feel no difference except for sharper cornering (due to wider track). You will see a day and night difference, IMO, apearance wise. What lengths bolts did you order? Also torqueing bolts to right specs (96) is vitaly improtant.

I am getting 43mm for the front and 50mm for the rear bolt lengths. I am going for the look, I drive hard sometimes, but mostly just cruise. I will be lowering a little, after the spacers are installed. I think it should look good when I'm done. The reason I'm doing the spacers is because I actually like the 5 spoke split amg factory wheels, so the car will look stock but just a little different stance.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 12:53 AM
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Do you guys know why H&R doesn't have spacers for the E550 4MATIC? Is there something unique about the setup that I don't know about? Or is it that the market isn't there? They do have one for the coupe. The reps at H&R are clueless and can't tell you more than what's on the website. I purposely got same offset wheels front and back so I could rotate them. I wrongly assumed that I can easily find 5mm spacers to put on the back.
Is there somewhere reputable to still get spacers for my application?
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 10:14 AM
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1. There's nothing unique, as far as spacers are concerned, about E550 nor 4matics. Same spacers as for E350 will fit E550 as well.

2. 5mm spacers CAN NOT be used at the rear of ANY passanger non-SUV Mercedes - there is simply not enough hub lip left to "seat" the wheel safely on.

See pictures below:

In picture #1, 5mm spacer installed on front hub of W211 (only front hubs on some models look like this) - still pleanty of "lip" left to seat the wheel on.

In picture #2, 10mm spacer installed on rear hub of W211 (front hubs on some models, i.e. W211 E350/550 4matics look like this and ALL rear hubs look like this).

If hub looks like one in picture #1 - long lip with a cap - 5mm spacer can be used.
If hub looks like one in picture #2 - short lip (about 7/8mm) with no cap - 5mm spacer can not be used. Minimum 10mm spacer.
Attached Thumbnails Wheel spacers?-1-5mm.jpg   Wheel spacers?-2-10mm.jpg  
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 11:00 AM
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Thanks threeMB's.
That's extremely helpful. So you think I should be ok with ordering the W212 350 10mm H&R spacers for my car assuming that it clears the fenders. I may have to roll them, but I can always check on that.
One other logistical question, H&R provides the lugs it appears with the spacers, but not wheel locks. Any good suggestions as to where to find that.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 11:04 AM
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Btw I'm running 20" HRE P40's with 40mm offset all around
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by shaytun
Btw I'm running 20" HRE P40's with 40mm offset all around
What is the width of the wheels and what is the tires' size?
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 12:15 PM
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I'm running 8.5" width (like stock) and 245/30's all-around (identical rolling diameter to stock)
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by shaytun
I'm running 8.5" width (like stock) and 245/30's all-around (identical rolling diameter to stock)
OK. You'll be fine with 10mm spacers both front and rear.

H&R part number 2055665, if both your front and rear hubs look identical to picture #2 above. If your front hub looks like picture #1 with a cap (even if lip is shorter/smaller than in the picture), then use 20556659 for front as 2055665 will not fit.

Personally, I would use 15mm spacers (part number 3055665) at the rear to bring wheel/tire flush with rear fender.

You'll need 38-40mm shank length bolts for 10mm spacers and 43mm - for 15mm. Check eBay or ecstuning.com.

McGard's makes wheel locks in 45mm length for ball/round seat. Check what bolt seat you need for your HREs (probably cone seat).

Last edited by threeMBs; Oct 26, 2011 at 12:40 PM.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 03:39 PM
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Quote-Personally, I would use 15mm spacers (part number 3055665) at the rear to bring wheel/tire flush with rear fender.

I agree, I think the rear needs a wider spacer then the front, I went with 15mm front, and 20mm rear. Equals about 1/2" in front and 3/4" rear + or -.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 04:01 PM
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Except his starting point - HRE 8.5" wide (both front and rear) wheels ET40 - is quite different from your stock based setup. The max he can use is 10mm front (for et30) and 15mm rear (for et25). Both front and rear will be flush. Any wider spacers and wheels/tires will be beyond fenders by 5mm or so.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 05:49 PM
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ThreeMBs, Thanks for all the info, sounds like your very knowledgeable in this department. I can't wait to get the spacers on, should be delivered tomorrow and I'll put them on tomorrow night. I'm not so good with the computer so maybe you can help me post the pics also...lol
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Old Oct 30, 2011 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by RobbieRob
ThreeMBs, Thanks for all the info, sounds like your very knowledgeable in this department. I can't wait to get the spacers on, should be delivered tomorrow and I'll put them on tomorrow night. I'm not so good with the computer so maybe you can help me post the pics also...lol
Any update to this thread? Pics please...before and after spacer install?
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Old Nov 9, 2011 | 02:23 AM
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im considering spacers too....need that flush look.

RobbieRob...installed yet? Where are the pics?
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Old Nov 9, 2011 | 11:52 AM
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Hey Guys, yes I have the spacers on and they look great. I have pics, but(don't laugh) I don't know how to post them. I took pics of the spacer it self, the spacer on the hub, and the after look of the car with them on. Maybe you guys can tell me how to post them and I will right away.
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Old Nov 9, 2011 | 12:42 PM
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upload to photobucket then use the IMG code
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Old Nov 9, 2011 | 01:43 PM
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I will try tonight when I get home from the office. Thanks.
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Old Nov 10, 2011 | 02:50 AM
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Or upload to this site....go to Photo Gallery (next to User CP) in the blue bar at the top of this page. Then hit Add Album on the left side....give your album a title....then upload pics.
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