Getting your car or van sitting just how you want it is one of the most satisfying parts of modifying it. The right ride height, wheels filling the arches properly and a wider stance can completely transform its appearance.
But working out which parts will achieve that result takes some thought. Wheel widths, offsets, tyre sizes and suspension choices all play a part—and the finished setup needs to suit how you use the vehicle.
At Stanced UK®, we’ve been modifying cars since 2001 and have spent 15 years in the aftermarket parts industry. Our experience covers custom air suspension, show builds, modified vans, performance road cars and UK motorsport.
The vehicles featured here are a small selection of the builds we’ve developed over the years. They show where our knowledge comes from—and why we take an interest in helping you get your own build right.
Where It All Started
Our modifying story began with Vauxhall Novas—yes, some of us are that old!
From those early projects, we moved through fast Fords, modified Vauxhalls, stanced Volkswagens and increasingly ambitious wheel and suspension setups.
We’ve always enjoyed the process: choosing parts, working through fitment details and seeing a vehicle take shape. Over time, that enthusiasm became the foundation of our business.
Supplying aftermarket and custom-made wheels for many years gave us experience of how wheel width, offset and tyre choice work together. Building our own vehicles gave us the opportunity to put that knowledge into practice.
The Wheel & Stance Years
Some of our most memorable builds centred on getting the stance and wheel fitment just right.
Our 2012 VW T5.1 Transporter combined ABP air suspension with custom three-piece WCI CC10 split rims and featured in a Fast Car magazine shoot. It brought together our interest in modified vans, distinctive wheels and a carefully considered overall look.
Our Astra G van with pink Carline three-piece split rims appeared at Ultimate Stance, while other Astra G and H van builds used custom air suspension with WCI MT10 and Rota Grid wheels.
The same approach extended to a Fiesta Mk6 van on custom air suspension and Rota Grids, and a Transit Mk7 Sport with custom air ride and Rotiform TMB wheels.
These projects involved more than choosing a wheel design we liked. We had to consider how the wheels would sit, the space available around them and how the suspension setup would work with the finished build.
That experience still informs the advice we give customers today. Whether you want a subtle change or a more noticeable stance, the details matter.
A Closer Look at the Builds
2012 VW T5.1 Transporter
ABP air suspension and custom three-piece WCI CC10 split rims. Featured in a Fast Car magazine shoot.
Astra G Van — Pink Wheels
Custom air suspension and Carline three-piece split rims, pictured at Ultimate Stance.
Astra G and H Vans
Custom air suspension, with WCI MT10 and Rota Grid wheels.
Ford Fiesta Mk6 Van
Custom air suspension and Rota Grid wheels.
Ford Transit Mk7 Sport
Custom air ride and Rotiform TMB wheels.
Moving Into Performance Builds
As our builds developed, we spent more time with performance platforms including BMW M3s, Audi B5 S4s and Mercedes AMG models.
Our black E92 M3 combined KW HAS suspension, 19-inch Competition wheels and a 12/15mm Bimecc spacer setup with Evolve engine and gearbox software. Our grey E92 took a different route, adding an ESS 625 supercharger kit alongside its suspension and exhaust changes.
The E46 M3 became a more extensively modified build, with YellowSpeed Clubsport coilovers, an Apex ARC-8 18×10 square wheel setup, K-Sport brakes, a half cage and Corbeau seats, alongside numerous supporting upgrades.
On the F80 M3, H&R lowering springs and Bimecc spacers provided the stance we wanted, with a Bootmod3 Stage 2 remap and GTS gearbox software completing part of the wider package.
Other projects included a Mercedes E63 AMG on 20-inch Ispiri FFR7 wheels and lowering links, and a BMW F31 335D Touring using Bilstein B14 coilovers, refinished F80 M3 wheels and an Avon Tuning rolling-road remap.
There has also been room for different kinds of enthusiast cars. Our Mk2 Escort was purchased as a rebuilt car with a 2.0-litre Zetec engine, then refined with details including Minilite wheels, RS2000 seats and a Quaife limited-slip differential. Our R56 Mini JCW received Stanced UK Tuner Series coilovers, Bimecc spacers and some much-needed love and care.
More recently, we added 15mm spacers and our Premium coilover kit to a T6.1 Transporter built to GTE Custom Vans specification.
Each vehicle had a different purpose. Some needed a modest adjustment to ride height and wheel position; others formed part of a much wider performance build. Understanding that difference helps us advise customers on a setup that suits their plans.
A Closer Look at the Performance Builds
Black BMW E92 M3
KW HAS suspension, 19-inch Competition wheels and a 12/15mm Bimecc spacer kit. Engine and drivetrain modifications included test pipes, an Evolve Stage 2 remap and Evolve GTS gearbox software. A smoothed front bumper with Magna plate and a 2-pipe ModStock rear silencer completed the setup.
Grey BMW E92 M3
ESS 625 supercharger kit, KW HAS suspension, 19-inch Competition wheels, GTS gearbox software and a 2-pipe ModStock rear silencer.
BMW E46 M3
YellowSpeed Clubsport coilovers, Apex ARC-8 18×10 wheels in a square setup and a K-Sport 8-pot front / 4-pot rear big brake kit. The build also included a half cage, Corbeau seats, CSL front bumper and boot, Coolerworx shifter kit, Deadweight battery, Hardrace camber arms and H&R anti-roll bars.
Supporting upgrades included an Eventuri carbon intake, Scorpion exhaust, Mishimoto oil cooler and Tegiwa radiator—alongside many other modifications.
BMW F80 M3
H&R lowering springs, a Bimecc 12/15mm spacer kit and an Alcantara steering wheel. A Bootmod3 S55 Stage 2 remap delivered 500bhp and 620Nm, accompanied by GTS gearbox software.
Audi B5 S4
An extensively modified S4 running a Unicorn Stage 3 calibration, producing 465bhp and 600Nm on its middle boost setting.
Building on its existing upgrades, we added BC Racing BR Series coilovers with adjustable ride height and damping, custom-painted 18-inch ATS GTR wheels, RS4 B7 8-pot front brakes with Brembo discs and pads, braided brake lines, a custom high-flow radiator and an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel.
The earlier engine and drivetrain work included genuine BorgWarner K04 turbos, Siemens 630cc injectors, RS4 intercoolers with APR pipework, a turbo-back exhaust, Bosch 044 fuel pump and an uprated RS4 clutch. The calibration also featured launch control and flat shift.
Mercedes E63 AMG
20-inch Ispiri FFR7 wheels, a lowering link kit and a carbon front splitter.
Ford Escort Mk2
Purchased as a rebuilt car with a 2.0-litre Zetec engine, then refined by us with 13-inch Minilite wheels, an OE front grille and rear spoiler, RS2000 seats and steering wheel, a half cage and a Quaife limited-slip differential.
Mini JCW R56
Stanced UK Tuner Series coilovers and a Bimecc 16mm spacer kit, plus some love and care to restore it to its former glory.
VW T6.1 Transporter
Built to GTE Custom Vans specification, with 15mm spacers and our Premium coilover kit added.
BMW F31 335D Touring
Bilstein B14 coilovers and refinished F80 M3 19-inch alloys in a square setup. An Avon Tuning rolling-road remap delivered 360bhp and 745Nm.
From Road and Track to UK Motorsport
Our enthusiasm for performance cars eventually took us onto the circuit.
Alongside fast road and track use, we’ve competed in UK motorsport since 2022, with experience of Honda Civic EP3 and BMW E36 race cars.
Working alongside Motion Motorsport, we finished second overall in the Type R Trophy championship in 2023, before going one better and winning the championship in 2024.
We then moved into Civic Cup for part of the 2025 season, followed by a full-season campaign in 2026. At the time of writing, we’re sitting third in the 2026 Civic Cup championship As of October 2026.
The racing photographs show part of that journey, from the paddock at Mallory Park to racing at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Snetterton and Thruxton.
Circuit use adds another perspective to our road-car experience. It makes us think about how the whole vehicle works together: suspension, tyres, brakes, alignment and the way the car responds to changes.
A daily driver, a show build and a race car have different priorities. Our experience across those settings helps us ask better questions when someone contacts us about their own project.
Our Honda Civic EP3 Race Cars
Type R Trophy — Grey/Purple EP3
Built by us to the tightly controlled Type R Trophy specification.
Type R Trophy — Red EP3
Built by Motion Motorsport to the same championship specification.
Both Type R Trophy cars feature:
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A 2.0-litre Honda K20A2 engine with a factory ECU map, producing approximately 215bhp.
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YellowSpeed Premium Competition inverted coilovers.
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A Safety Devices six-point bolt-in roll cage.
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A minimum weight of 1,225kg, including the driver.
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MRF control tyres, with an allocation limited to 16 tyres per season.
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Modifications restricted to championship-approved parts.
Civic Cup — White EP3
Prepared by Motion Motorsport to Civic Cup specification. The 2026 regulations include:
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A 2.0-litre Honda K20A2 engine with standard internal components.
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A sealed Hondata K100 ECU running the championship control map.
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A maximum permitted output of 230bhp at the flywheel.
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Championship-approved, sealed inverted coilovers.
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The original gearbox, with permitted limited-slip differential options.
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Goodyear/Dunlop Direzza DZ03G H1 control tyres in 225/45R17.
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A minimum weight of 1,200kg, including the driver, before any applicable success ballast.
These controlled specifications place the emphasis on preparation, setup and driving.
Getting Your Car or Van Sitting Right
You don’t need to be planning a show car or race build to benefit from that experience.
You might simply want to reduce the arch gap, bring your factory wheels out slightly or lower your van while keeping it suitable for everyday use.
The starting point is understanding what you already have and what you want to achieve.
For suspension advice, we consider the vehicle, its current setup and how it is used. With vans, that includes whether it is an empty work vehicle or a fitted camper carrying additional weight.
For wheel fitment, diameter is only one part of the picture. Width, offset and tyre size affect where the wheel sits and the clearance available around it. Lowering the vehicle also needs to be considered alongside those choices.
That is why two examples of the same model can need different advice. Factory wheels and aftermarket wheels may require different spacer sizes, and a setup that suits one owner’s use may not suit another’s.
Choosing the Right Parts First Time
We’ve helped customers choose suitable parts for many years, and we take pride in getting the details right before an order is placed.
When you contact us, useful information includes:
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Your vehicle’s model, year and exact variant.
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Whether it has factory or aftermarket wheels.
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Wheel width, offset and tyre size, if known.
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Any suspension modifications already fitted.
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How you use the vehicle and the look you want to achieve.
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Clear photographs of its current setup.
For spacer kits, we also consider the relevant hub and fixing details, including the centre bore and suitable bolts or studs.
You don’t need to know every technical term. Tell us what you drive and what you’re aiming for, and we’ll help you identify the information needed to work through the options.
Advice and Support Behind Your Build
We pride ourselves on our customer service and the quality of the parts we supply.
Advice before ordering is part of that service, and support during the build matters too. If you have a fitment or adjustment question, sharing the relevant details and photographs helps us understand the issue and assist you.
We know how much thought goes into these projects. You might have spent months choosing wheels, saved for a suspension kit or finally started the van build you’ve been planning for years.
We share that enthusiasm. It is what got us started in 2001, and it is still behind Stanced UK today.
Tell Us What You Want to Achieve
From our first Vauxhall Novas to custom wheel builds, modified vans, performance cars and UK motorsport, we’ve built up experience across many popular modifying platforms.
If you want advice on lowering your car or van, improving its stance or choosing a suitable wheel and spacer setup, get in touch with Stanced UK®.
Tell us what is currently fitted, how you use the vehicle and the result you want. We’ll help you work out the next steps.
Stanced UK® — By Enthusiasts, For Enthusiasts.
Never Stay Stock.
