How safe are spacers?

[Macka]

get hub centric spacers so there isnt any more load put on the wheel nuts in ways they shouldnt have load.

just wondering though, why do you need spacers on such wide rims? you need high offset on a passat...

Mischa,
You will need to excuse my ignorance on this subject. I am trying to ensure that the wheel fills out the guards and sit right to the out edge like say an RS4 or M3. I was think of putting 245's all round rather than the 235's that come standard. Am l on the wrong track with my thoughts? Also if insurance is going to be an issue l wouldn't do it anyway.

[Mischa]

Mischa,
You will need to excuse my ignorance on this subject. I am trying to ensure that the wheel fills out the guards and sit right to the out edge like say an RS4 or M3. I was think of putting 245's all round rather than the 235's that come standard. Am l on the wrong track with my thoughts? Also if insurance is going to be an issue l wouldn't do it anyway.

yep you're on the right track. however if you buy wheels that are say; 8.5" wide with an offset of 50, that will most probably fill out the guards (although i dont own a passat, so you'll have to check the clearances yourself). 245's would be the correct fit on 8.5" wheels. however if you buy 7 or 7.5" wide wheels with an offset of 50, you might want to get spacers to lower the offset and push them out a bit more. feel free to check back here with wheel specs if you're unsure

[Macka]

yep you're on the right track. however if you buy wheels that are say; 8.5" wide with an offset of 50, that will most probably fill out the guards (although i dont own a passat, so you'll have to check the clearances yourself). 245's would be the correct fit on 8.5" wheels. however if you buy 7 or 7.5" wide wheels with an offset of 50, you might want to get spacers to lower the offset and push them out a bit more. feel free to check back here with wheel specs if you're unsure

Thanks very much. The wheels are as follows:

19x 8.5" 5/112 with offset of 45. The original rims on the R36 are 18x8 5/112 with 44 offset and run a 18x235x40. So would that mean with an extra .5" wide rim and and running a 19x245 35 would fill out the guard more?

[Mischa]

Thanks very much. The wheels are as follows:

19x 8.5" 5/112 with offset of 45. The original rims on the R36 are 18x8 5/112 with 44 offset and run a 18x235x40. So would that mean with an extra .5" wide rim and and running a 19x245 35 would fill out the guard more?

if i were to guess i'd say 8.5" with offset 45 would fill out the guards fairly well, especially in 19". on my golf i have 8.5" wide with offset 50 and i'm running 225 tyres which are slightly stretched on the rim. see the picture below. yes 245's are the correct width but it depends if you like the stretched tyre look or not; personally i do come to think of it, the wheels you're talking about would look really really good on a passat, DO IT

225/45 tyres on 8.5" wide rim:

[Macka]

if i were to guess i'd say 8.5" with offset 45 would fill out the guards fairly well, especially in 19". on my golf i have 8.5" wide with offset 50 and i'm running 225 tyres which are slightly stretched on the rim. see the picture below. yes 245's are the correct width but it depends if you like the stretched tyre look or not; personally i do come to think of it, the wheels you're talking about would look really really good on a passat, DO IT

225/45 tyres on 8.5" wide rim:

Yep l will do it. Am ordering the RS4 rims and tyres this morning. Have finally decided to fit Yokohama V103. Wanted the Michelin PS2 but couldn't justify the price. I will post pictures once R36 arrives in early December. Thanks for your help.