alright mate,
spacers help bring the wheels out to line up with the wheel arch and i'm sure handling will help as the wheels sit further apart on the car.
look at these pics in this tread it is more noticeable :
viewtopic.php?f=107&t=32082
and as for brakes speak to Nurrish as i think his might be up for sale soon
p.s i got my y-pipe to it's getting fitted this weekend