Question for the more serious modder's

[jpk]

Has anyone fitted any wheel spacers yet, and if so, what thicknesses did you fit to the front/rear.

The rear wheels seem massively tucked in on the mg4 (fronts less so) and it's a mod I'll be doing myself when mine arrives which can only add to the sporty/aggressive looks & stance.

 

[Cocijo]

I would bet that you don’t get many takers on here for that. I would be really interested to see how your car looks though.
Don’t forget spacers can put added stress on items like wheel bearings and suspension. They also need to be correct for the type of wheel and hub fitment and are of course a modification from standard.
My advice would be to steer clear. It would look cool with a sick set of different alloys though…

 

[TheHypnoToad]

I think the reason the wheels are so tucked in must be to help with aero.

It would be insteresting to experiement, you may be able to achieve the look that you're after, but be aware you'd probably lose range, and the driving dynamics will be affected also.

 

[jpk]

A

I would bet that you don’t get many takers on here for that. I would be really interested to see how your car looks though.
Don’t forget spacers can put added stress on items like wheel bearings and suspension. They also need to be correct for the type of wheel and hub fitment and are of course a modifaction from standard.
My advice would be to steer clear. It would look cool with a sick set of different alloys though…

A 15mm spacer isn't likely to add too much extra load to the suspension parts and no more than an after market wheel with an offset to make the wheel flush. Also aero wise it'll likely soften the effect and maybe decrease the possible extra wind noise the mud flaps I've ordered will create.

These are mods I'd do the any car ice or ev so any decrease in efficiency is like for like.

 

[Lovemyev]

Of course you understand that by moving away from the manufactures spec’s, you could be compromising the effectiveness of your warranty and it certainly will be seen as modification, and will need declaring on your car insurance .

 

[jpk]

Of course you understand that by moving away from the manufactures spec’s, you could be compromising the effectiveness of your warranty and it certainly will be seen as modification, and will need declaring on your car insurance .

I am aware and if something on my suspension was to fail and MG can prove to me it was through such a modification I wouldn't hesitate to cover the bill myself. Insurance.... Come on let's please be sensible rather than black & white, I do openly confess it is a modification but I'm by no way drastically changing the vehicle.

 

[jpk]

Also please I'm not trying to divide opinions on what's right and wrong, there's always people who like to change their cars and others that don't. Spacers are a modification I've always done in the past and it's quite surprising how making the wheels more flush with the bodywork, but obviously inside the fender so you don't get wheel rub if the suspension is fully compressed, changes the looks.

 

[Stageshoot]

I am aware and if something on my suspension was to fail and MG can prove to me it was through such a modification I wouldn't hesitate to cover the bill myself. Insurance.... Come on let's please be sensible rather than black & white, I do openly confess it is a modification but I'm by no way drastically changing the vehicle.

I can assure you spacers etc would void your insurance if not declared.

My Mrs spends a lot of her time photographing accident damage for insurance companies to validate and repudiate claims. Any not standard fitments will invalidate if not declared.

I mean some insurers are declining claims for things like a wrap

 

[Ian Key]

I can assure you spacers etc would void your insurance if not declared.

My Mrs spends a lot of her time photographing accident damage for insurance companies to validate and repudiate claims. Any not standard fitments will invalidate if not declared.

I mean some insurers are declining claims for things like a wrap

I believe even the addition of mud flaps should be declared.

 

[Cocijo]

Mud flaps? Really?

 

[Stageshoot]

I believe even the addition of mud flaps should be declared.

The real issue is with things they won’t insure

So if you add an item they Will accept but don’t tell them normally they will charge you the extra premium after an accident to bring the insured cover up to it

But if you do something they don’t insure as stanadard (wrapping for example) with direct line and LV then in a claim they will just void the policy

Every insurer has its only little things it’s underwriters hate

 

[Cocijo]

Yes, this broadly speaking is the view that the insurance ombudsman would take. If you would have taken on the risk with additional items then request additional premium and pay the claim. Of course there are exceptions.

 

[Archev]

Mud flaps? Really?

I just fancy modifying my MG5 to replicate my first Morris Minor with the wonderful burbling music it made on the overrun approaching lights and roundabouts etc. all the parts required were totally factory standard and insurance friendly. I just can’t remember which bit it bolted to under the bonnet. I’ve heard much talk of froots and frunks and inverters and stuff but can’t locate any of that in the MM workshop manual. Would earthing it to some of those pretty orange wires help ??

 

[Cocijo]

Make sure there is plenty of water to stand in (naked preferably)

 

[Archev]

Make sure there is plenty of water to stand in (naked preferably)

Ooh tingly mods

 

[Lovemyev]

Come on let's please be sensible rather than black & white, I do openly confess it is a modification but I'm by no way drastically changing the vehicle.

It’s one of them really, some people like to make small or even large modifications to their cars and it never becomes a problem, until there is an issue with either a large warranty claim or especially in the case of a large insurance claim, like total loss.
You could be offering the opportunity for the claim to be rejected, straight on a plate.
With regards to insurance claims, I very much doubt that an owner would be penalised for fitting muds flaps to his / her car, but other mods that could potentially alter the steering geometry could be seen as a different matter.
I have had a slight tint done on the glass on our car from the “B” pillar back.
This could be regarded by some, as reducing the visibility through the glass, therefore I have declared it !.
When completing the insurance application form, you reach the section where it asks :-
“Has the vehicle receive ANY modifications or deviations from the factory supplied spec’s”.
You have to be 100% truthful here or having insurance that has NOT declaring these mod’s, is a complete waste of time & money.
If you have any mod’s, this is the time to be upfront and declare them !.
I was NOT charged an additional premium for adding the tint, but it is itemised on the policy.
Would you be happy to receive a refusal of a large warranty claim or a total loss claim on your almost £30,000 car for the sake of gaining 15mm increased width on your car, by installing wheel spacers ?.
I thought not !.
At the end of the day it’s your car, to do what you like with it.
The insurance issue can be resolved by declaring them on the policy, it’s the warranty issue that’s the risky one ?.
Would the dealer notice, would they even care - who know’s ??.
You could always remove them before it goes in for service or any warranty work I guess.

 

[Deleted member 10041]

As said above we all know insurance companies will look for any excuse not to pay out on a claim, a total loss claim would potentially be subject to an inspection or as Stageshoot has said fully photographed. It's not worth the risk, I would just inform them.

 

[Ayoull]

It’s one of them really, some people like to make small or even large modifications to their cars and it never becomes a problem, until there is an issue with either a large warranty claim or especially in the case of a large insurance claim, like total loss.
You could be offering the opportunity for the claim to be rejected, straight on a plate.
With regards to insurance claims, I very much doubt that an owner would be penalised for fitting muds flaps to his / her car, but other mods that could potentially alter the steering geometry could be seen as a different matter.
I have had a slight tint done on the glass on our car from the “B” pillar back.
This could be regarded by some, as reducing the visibility through the glass, therefore I have declared it !.
When completing the insurance application form, you reach the section where it asks :-
“Has the vehicle receive ANY modifications or deviations from the factory supplied spec’s”.
You have to be 100% truthful here or having insurance that has NOT declaring these mod’s, is a complete waste of time & money.
If you have any mod’s, this is the time to be upfront and declare them !.
I was NOT charged an additional premium for adding the tint, but it is itemised on the policy.
Would you be happy to receive a refusal of a large warranty claim or a total loss claim on your almost £30,000 car for the sake of gaining 15mm increased width on your car, by installing wheel spacers ?.
I thought not !.
At the end of the day it’s your car, to do what you like with it.
The insurance issue can be resolved by declaring them on the policy, it’s the warranty issue that’s the risky one ?.
Would the dealer notice, would they even care - who know’s ??.
You could always remove them before it goes in for service or any warranty work I guess.

We got advised that as our xtrail didn't come manufactured with a tow bar, that adding one was a declarable modification

 

[bowfer]

My insurer didn’t charge anything extra when I fitted 18” alloys to my Leaf.
Modifications to the Leaf were treated with the same disdain on their forums, it seems to be a fact of EV life that a fair proportion of owners are old fuddy duddies who can’t fathom deviation from standard.
I’ll be following this thread with interest.
I don’t have the same urge to change the wheels on my 4, but still interested.

 

[Ayoull]

My insurer didn’t charge anything extra when I fitted 18” alloys to my Leaf.
Modifications to the Leaf were treated with the same disdain on their forums, it seems to be a fact of EV life that a fair proportion of owners are old fuddy duddies who can’t fathom deviation from standard.
I’ll be following this thread with interest.
I don’t have the same urge to change the wheels on my 4, but still interested.

Never charged me more for a towbar but advised it was declarable modification