18x9.5 et20 fitment questions!

[DSavvidis]

Thinkin of buying a set of 18x9.5 et20 for my '03 530i m sport, will the front need spacers? It isn't lowered but maybe will be next season

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

It doesn't 'need' spacers as that offset will work at each corner without causing any rubbing etc. I've run 9.5x19 ET22 all around on my Touring for over a decade now. Usually, the front offset would be around ET15 so with the ET20's you have the fronts will sit 5mm further 'in'. To bring them 'out' you could use a 5/7/10mm spacer if you wished. As you aren't lowered, you'll not get any clearance issues. Depending on how low you do go in the future, if you do use spacers, the shape of the tyre sidewalls you have, you 'might' get some rub. If so, you can pull your arches a few mm for the clearance, and use thinner spacers.

Cheers, Dennis!

[rcs328]

You will likely need to test fit them to be sure - you can order spacers quickly from ECS Tuning or Modbargains if you find you need them. I had VMR 18x9.5 et22 (all four corners) on my last E39 M5. The fronts needed the 3mm spacer to not rub on the struts. When I sold the wheels last year the wheels did not fit the buyer's 540i without the 3mm spacers.