Wheel Spacers

Anyone with comments or exp with the factory wheel spacers? Thinking of doing it, please point out the pros & cons. Thanks,

I'll point you to what has been posted before here. Several topics if you search for 'wheel spacers'. One is http://www.planet-9.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=157&FORUM_ID=1&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=Wheel+Spacers&Forum_Title=Cayman+Chat I finally decided that the risk of gravel being thrown up on the rear panel was too great and the benefits more for the 'mind' than any real useful purpose for me. http://www.planet-9.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2239&FORUM_ID=1&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=Wheel+Spacers+yes%2Fno%3F&Forum_Title=Cayman+Chat Edited by - Santa Fe on 05/31/2006 2:08:35 PM

I got the 5mm spacers with my factory order, and I like the way they move the tires out flush with the edge of the fenders. From a performance standpoint, the laws of physics say it should help your cornering ability, in particular, your initial turn-in should be a little more crisp. I haven't driven any Cayman by my own, so I have nothing to compare. brad

Thanks guys for your comments. As I m installing the short shift kit & BMC filter tomorrow at the dealer, I will ask about the Spacers; if price is right, i might do it all in one trip. Will report back.

I think you'll find the cost from our sponsor Boothe Design to be much less than the factory spacers and likely Ralph's quality is better. Just my 2 cents.

I agree with K-ManS - check out Boothe. As others I have been thinking about it much more before I got the car - now that I have it, it does not bother me. I think having stone chips because the tires were moved out would be more annoying. Porsche recommends using the same spacers on all 4 - at one point I was thinking about putting 10mm in the back - since I don't track the car that would be fine, and most stones come from the front.

i will check out the Boothe Design site tonight.

I installed the Boothe 6mm spacers along with his chrome bolts and the large crest[hood ornament size] center caps. It was all very well done high quality goods and service. It looks super and handles better. I love the basic Cayman S wheels because of the combination of a retro look CGT wheels and this change improved it. Duane

Just got back from Bellingham / Roger Jobs Porsche. Installed the Porsche short shift kit, the BMC filter, took a bit of time, as it is the mechanics first time on the Cayman S filter. Anyhow, the short shift kit is wonderful, as it improves the feel by at least 40 - 50%, it does take a bit more effort to shift, but it is minimal. The BMC filter seems to change the engine sound, especially on the low end, it gives out a deeper bass tone. They did not have the spacers in stock, but willing to order it for $290.00 seems like a pretty good deal for Porsche original?

Make sure that price includes all new longerlug bolts (and the wheel lock lug bolt). Those are more expensive than the spacers I believe.

I asked & they said it is included. I will follow up once they are in.

I also ordered some spacers from Boothe Design which are very well made. It took me a couple tries to get the right fitment for my wheels. I ended up with 6mm ones in the front and 15mm in the back. I have a set of 4mm ones and a set of 18mm ones I could let go for half price as they are just sitting there in the box now.

Coupe, I've read in a number of places (PCA is one)that spacers should be of equal size front to rear. I decided not to get them so have no hands on knowledge. What have you found?

My Cayman is very very stable in the entry/exit to corners now, much better than before. I originally had 4mm in front and 6mm in back, then went bigger. The tradeoff might be that the larger spacers in back will induce more understeer but then I can apply more gas or go in a bit faster before turn in. Also tire wear in the back could be more now as well. I only autocross a little and play with onramps and offramps most of the time and my tires are wearing nicely. The Cayman is so uber forgiving that there is alot of room for trying out different spacer combinations and what suits your driving style. Plus, as with all spacers, they are a reversible and not that expensive modification to do. So, if I don't like the result, I can always remove them. I did however, notice more road gravel scuffing on the underside of the backside of the rear wheelwells just behind the outside of the rear tires with the 15mm spacers, so I had those little areas repainted, then had an overlaying patch of invisible bra material installed and it is chip free now. One huge benefit with the spacers is that I concours my car too and the spacers make cleaning and wiping the brake calipers much much easier. Edited by - Coupe-de-Gras on 06/12/2006 08:07:32 AM