will i even notice 5mm spacers? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

porschegeorg · 02-07-2007, 01:50 PM

I'm waiting on my GT3 bumper and skirts (still)...and I've been toying with
then idea of adding 5mm spacers. For those who have seen these installed,
will I even notice the change?

02-07-2007, 01:56 PM

I have 'em. The visual difference is very-very slight.

porschegeorg · 02-07-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

I have 'em. The visual difference is very-very slight.

Did you add them on yourself?? I mean are you disappointed in them??

porsche986spyder · 02-07-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porschegeorg

I'm waiting on my GT3 bumper and skirts (still)...and I've been toying with
then idea of adding 5mm spacers. For those who have seen these installed,
will I even notice the change?

I notices some 15mm spacers on e-bay not to long ago. They looked like good quality to. Sold in pairs for around $100.00. If you get those, you should definately notice a difference.

02-07-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porschegeorg

Did you add them on yourself?? I mean are you disappointed in them??

I ordered my car this way last year. I am NOT disappointed. Makes my car a little different.

NickCats · 02-07-2007, 06:19 PM

bmus,

Did you get the spacers only for aesthetic purposes ?

( BTW - if you haven't seen his ride in person, it is awesome ! )

Just wondering...

Thanks,

Nick

1JB · 02-08-2007, 05:33 AM

I saw a Boxster with them on at the dealer when asked to see if they had one. I didn't notice a thing but the car was not sitting next to another Boxster. 5mm is less than 1/8th of an inch. Take a look at that on a ruler and judge for yourself. I've also read some complaints that they push the wheels our just far enough to kick more crud up onto the car but I find that hard to believe considering the tiny amount they extend the wheel.

edevlin · 02-08-2007, 05:43 AM

I know 5mm is not much, but when I put them on my car it did seem like it had a little wider stance. Maybe I can notice it more because my car is sitting lower with Bilstein coilovers.

Ed

02-08-2007, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JB

I saw a Boxster with them on at the dealer when asked to see if they had one. I didn't notice a thing but the car was not sitting next to another Boxster. 5mm is less than 1/8th of an inch. Take a look at that on a ruler and judge for yourself. I've also read some complaints that they push the wheels our just far enough to kick more crud up onto the car but I find that hard to believe considering the tiny amount they extend the wheel.

I would agree with the "kicking up more dirt and crud" comment. I don't have a comparision, but still think this happens.

02-08-2007, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCats

bmus,

Did you get the spacers only for aesthetic purposes ?

( BTW - if you haven't seen his ride in person, it is awesome ! )

Just wondering...

Thanks,

Nick

Hey Nick, yes, mainly for aesthetics. I also thought that I would get a little (very-very little) more "grip" in the corners with the slightly wider stance.

Funny thing is, at PCA Concours Events, other Boxster owners who know our cars so well, comment on the fact that I have the spacers. So they notice. The car looks a little wider from the rear to a trained eye.

Here is one GREAT benefit that I was not planning on. Since the wheel is pulled out about 1/8 of an inch from the calipers, I can get my hand and cloth in there and can clean my wheels and calipers a little easier.

This option (code XRP) was $490...and I did not mind spending this amount to make my car a little more different that the rest.

SD987 · 02-08-2007, 09:17 AM

My understanding is that the primary reason they have the 5mm spacers on the 987 options list is to provide caliper clearance should a buyer choose to add PCCBs.

z12358 · 02-08-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JB

I saw a Boxster with them on at the dealer when asked to see if they had one. I didn't notice a thing but the car was not sitting next to another Boxster. 5mm is less than 1/8th of an inch. Take a look at that on a ruler and judge for yourself. I've also read some complaints that they push the wheels our just far enough to kick more crud up onto the car but I find that hard to believe considering the tiny amount they extend the wheel.

According to my calcs it's more like 5mm/25.4mm =~ 1/5th of an inch.
Didn't know spacers were on the option list. Now that bmuss has them and after the discussion about lowering (not planning it) and filling out the wheel well better, I'm thinking of putting some on myself this spring.

Z.

02-08-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z12358

According to my calcs it's more like 5mm/25.4mm =~ 1/5th of an inch.
Didn't know spacers were on the option list. Now that bmuss has them and after the discussion about lowering (not planning it) and filling out the wheel well better, I'm thinking of putting some on myself this spring.

Z.

Z, I think I have seen the Porsche Tequipment 5mm spacers for about $300-350. Don't remember where. Sorry. This includes the longer wheel bolts. Paragon Products (www.********************************************************************.com) has some cool spacers too. And I think Wheel Enhancements has them too.

porsche986spyder · 02-08-2007, 10:07 AM

I found these on e-bay. 15mm. They look solid. Sold in sets of 2.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280065944283&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RUPX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=280071733848&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=UpSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

z12358 · 02-08-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Here is one GREAT benefit that I was not planning on. Since the wheel is pulled out about 1/8 of an inch from the calipers, I can get my hand and cloth in there and can clean my wheels and calipers a little easier.

Good point. It would definitely help, especially on my stock 18"s.
Thx for the suggested links.

Z.

John Y · 02-08-2007, 10:24 AM

I saw the Porsche for $292.50 in a dealer ad in the curent Excellence Magazine - don't remember which dealer. I may get these to throw on in Spring, too.

1JB · 02-08-2007, 10:33 AM

"According to my calcs it's more like 5mm/25.4mm =~ 1/5th of an inch.
Didn't know spacers were on the option list. Now that bmuss has them and after the discussion about lowering (not planning it) and filling out the wheel well better, I'm thinking of putting some on myself this spring."

Z.

You got me - actually 0.19685 of an inch. Somewhere between 1/8th and 1/4 of an inch. My ruler doesn't have 1/5 of an inch on it.

BobMarley1 · 02-08-2007, 10:45 AM

longer lug bolts? With the 15mm? Also, I heard they cause uneccessary stress.

Franco · 02-08-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JB

I saw a Boxster with them on at the dealer when asked to see if they had one. I didn't notice a thing but the car was not sitting next to another Boxster. 5mm is less than 1/8th of an inch. Take a look at that on a ruler and judge for yourself. I've also read some complaints that they push the wheels our just far enough to kick more crud up onto the car but I find that hard to believe considering the tiny amount they extend the wheel.

HI, 5mm is closer to 3/16 (5 divided by 25.4 =.1969) and 3/16 is .187"

02-08-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobMarley1

longer lug bolts? With the 15mm? Also, I heard they cause uneccessary stress.

Hey ya man, Mr. Marley, man! Be happy man! If you space out the wheels you need longer bolts too. I think 5mm adds negligible stress, if any. That's why I went with the Porsche approved. Now...15mm...you might be right.