Breathless spacer for fronts

[Brabus]

Is this a DIY job to install these spacers? Any tips?

If not a DIY job, then how much would be a fair price for someone to install them on the front?

They're going on my Brabus.


Our Products at Breathless Performance

P.S. I ordered these spacers today from Breathless. They no longer have the 3/4" as advertised, they have 1" size remaining and they say they won't be stocking them anymore after they sell out. They're $79 plus UPS shipping. Also, I figure if 1" is too much then they can be shaved down.

P.S.S. I'm putting these on because I'm putting 205/45/17 on the front and the spring needs to be lifted up in order for the higher profile tire to fit for 17" Brabus wheels which are 7.5" wide. Only 35 profile high fits in the front for 17s which is awfully close to the spring as it is and I want to install the 45s high because they come in run-flats as well as the thicker profile wall will help absorb more of the impact from the rims from getting damaged than the 35s. I'm using ContiProContact SSR tires which are stock tires for the newest Mini Cooper S and BMW 3 series people convert to these tires as well. The run-flat wall is thinner which is a good thing for both wear, noise and handling. They're low roll resistance tires and people in mini coopers have seen an increase in mileage as much as 4 mpg.

One concern of my tire store is weight of the tire, the effect on acceleration/deceleration thus reducing performance and gas mileage. I suspect despite the lower roll resistance I won't see an increase (rather a decrease) since the Brabus tires weigh (15lbs front, 17lbs rear for the stock Hankooks All Seasons and 20lbs for the aftermarket Yokohama Summer tires. For comparison, the Passions fronts are 14lbs and rear are 16lbs) The 205/45/17 tire weighs 26lbs, which is actually low for its size. I didn't buy the Smart car for it's gas mileage, but I'm hoping it won't kill the fun to drive factor. I know the heavier tire factor mainly impacts city driving as it's not a big factor on the highway.

I'm not sure what size I want to put on the rear yet, I want to see if I can get the front to work first. I hope I don't regret this tire/wheel modification. Hopefully it will work out the way I think it will. I know I want a bigger tire in the rear than I have in the front. 215/35/17 on a 7.5" wide wheel is just too low of profile for NYC pot holes. I'm thinking 225/45 or wider/taller.

[jetfuel]

...if I'm correct those spacers are used when you lower your car by using shorter springs and the spacer brings the car back to an almost stock look ride...so...if you're keeping the stock Brabus springs the spacers will raise the suspension by the thickness of the spacer......

jetfuel...any other suggestions?

[Brabus]

Originally Posted by jetfuel

...if I'm correct those spacers are used when you lower your car by using shorter springs and the spacer brings the car back to an almost stock look ride...so...if you're keeping the stock Brabus springs the spacers will raise the suspension by the thickness of the spacer......

jetfuel...any other suggestions?

You're correct. I'm not sure how it is going to look. One thing for sure is it'll raise the front end. I'm not sure if it's the full 1" of the one inch spacer or whether it's somewhere in between.

Plus, I'm raising the front end again by 10mm with the taller profile tires (from 35 high to 45 high). Maybe I should see if I can get them machined down to the exact size I'll need to put the 10mm taller wheels on the front.

The stock Brabus suspension is 10mm lower than the stock Passion, so I raising the front by 25mm is certainly overkill (but somehow I don't think it raises it the full 1", but not sure either on this as I don't quite understand the spring system). It would be nice if the spacer were half that thick, maybe I can get it machined to half that size to make room for the 205/45/17 tires. I was really disappointed when he said he was out of the 3/4" spacer.

I know it's going to create a problem in the rear, too. I'm ignoring that for now, lol.

[tbone28]

Those tires seem really tall. i was rubbing with 205/40/17 already.

[mendo]

it is the same as changing the springs.
if you are handy with tools you can do it.
if not, couple hours at your favorite local shop rate should cover.

Before you put the spacers in, bolt the wheels on and see if they rub.
might be ok. would look nice if it doesn't rub!

[Brabus]

Originally Posted by mendo

it is the same as changing the springs.
if you are handy with tools you can do it.
if not, couple hours at your favorite local shop rate should cover.

I'm fairly handy. Admittedly, I tend to be better though with carpentry and repairing small motorized things than say an automobile (I consider the Smart smallish). I enjoy doing modifications that are easy enough for me to do. I wonder if Evilution or someone has a how-to guide. I wouldn't mind trying it though I'm going to swing by my local mechanic to see what he wants to do it.

Originally Posted by mendo

Before you put the spacers in, bolt the wheels on and see if they rub.
might be ok. would look nice if it doesn't rub!

Yeah, I think it'll look nice. I'd prefer a lower profile, but they don't make run-flats in that size and maybe it'll help with the potholes.

I'm hoping the 205 wide tire will give me 5mm of space away from the spring so that I don't have to use wheel shims. Though I won't know until they're installed whether it's actually less wide as the stock 215s.

Originally Posted by tbone28

Those tires seem really tall. i was rubbing with 205/40/17 already.

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of is them rubbing. Though weren't you rubbing because you dropped your suspension?

[tbone28]

Yes, I dropped my suspension, but with your "taller than OEM" tire size, you run the risk of rubbing, dropped or not, because the upper fender liner sits so close to the tire. The Smart does not have a roomy fender.