Pics and info on my new 19" LM Reps

[Anthony]

OK, at long last, here we go. Now let me start off by apologizing for the poor image quality. Didn't have a good camera on me, so had to use the old celly. Once I get the new spacers on, I'll wash her again and take some real pics. I just couldn't leave some of you hanging any longer.

A few of you did guess correctly, they're LM Reps from Eric @ SPP (http://www.supremepowerparts.com). I'd of course love to get real LMs, but couldn't justify the price at the moment. They look good, and the quality is decent for the price. But, they do require at least a 5mm spacer for the front. I have a 10mm on there now, and there's a bit of rubbing over large bumps. A pair of 5 mils from Ichiba (http://www.ichibausa.com) should be here by the end of the week.

I also just completed work on the centercaps. They came with "BBSish" centers, which I was originally just going to paint silver. But, finding a centercap at the dealership with the correct outer dimension gave me an idea. Since the backing clip circumference was too small to fit the wheel, I simply mated them to the top of the caps that came with the wheels. They do stick out a bit from the wheel instead of sitting flush like real LMs, but it still looks good. Gives the wheel a finished OEM appearance. I'm very happy with how they turned out. I'd be happy to go into further detail for anyone looking to do the same.

Big thanks also to George, Elizabeth, and Armando at Creative Kustoms for the help! Now on to the pics...

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/543/2b7_wheels_cell_060407_01.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/543/2b7_wheels_cell_060407_02.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/543/2b7_wheels_cell_060407_03.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/543/2b7_wheels_cell_060407_04.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/543/2b7_wheels_cell_060407_05.jpg

[10MPG]

Thanks for the info Anthony on the center caps - I might have to try that when I get home but of course I too would love to figure out a way to make them nice and flush.

BTW - Wheels looks great! [up]

You also talked about using spacers in front but I didn't have to do that on my S and still have plenty clearance.... I've heard different result like yours but not sure why is that.

I had them on for about 4 months now - I definitely think that they are very good quality reps - no complaints what so ever except for that curb rash on wheel put on by my GF trying to parallel park [headbang]

[Anthony]

I had thought the B7 A4 and S4 had larger front calipers than any of the B5s, so I too was confused by what some people were saying. Needless to say, when I first mounted the wheels on and dropped it down, the caliper was damn near sitting on the back of the spokes. I didn't even risk trying to roll it like that. Not sure how come your B7 has plenty of clearance though. Different manufacturer maybe?

[MBoyd4motion]

I love LMs and these look sharp. Price is scary for me too. Did you put spacers on the rear too?

[RRnYc]

Very Niiice!

[retrohasen]

Looks great, Anth. Now we need to take some pics of the Avants together.

btw, I need to talk to you. Give me a call or im me when you get a chance.

[Anthony]

I love LMs and these look sharp. Price is scary for me too. Did you put spacers on the rear too?

Once I get the 5mm spacers on the front, I may put the 10mm on the rear. I have a set of 20mm that I tried out back, but they were far too agressive.

[10MPG]

I had thought the B7 A4 and S4 had larger front calipers than any of the B5s, so I too was confused by what some people were saying. Needless to say, when I first mounted the wheels on and dropped it down, the caliper was damn near sitting on the back of the spokes. I didn't even risk trying to roll it like that. Not sure how come your B7 has plenty of clearance though. Different manufacturer maybe?

Maybe a different batch - who knows.

I managed to stick my dig cam in between the spokes and just took another pic now to show the clearance on the front wheels for ref:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/530765185_54144cecb0.jpg?v=0

[CONTROL TWO]

i was considering putting LM reps on.. maybe (other) anthony's time attack style ones... hmmm

[hachirokukid]

I think it looks great.

should look beta with the 10mm spacer in the back imo.

[a4b7]

lol i knew it!..nice work, love the oem look

[Calabria]

nice, looks good. think its time for a new avatar

[blkNJ a4]

wow, every time i see a Avant i want one more and more! beautiful car!

[whizbang18T]

VERY nice!

[mrponline]

Looking good Anthony [up]

[MBoyd4motion]

wow, every time i see a Avant i want one more and more! beautiful car!


Yep thats how it started for me. 5 years ago I was like what? A wagon? Huh? Why would anyone buy a nice European car as a wagon!

[LAS]

i thought about lm reps for a while now, not that i ain't happy with my rgr's. i've always love mesh style wheels.

very classy anthony!

[exorcet]

I had thought the B7 A4 and S4 had larger front calipers than any of the B5s, so I too was confused by what some people were saying. Needless to say, when I first mounted the wheels on and dropped it down, the caliper was damn near sitting on the back of the spokes. I didn't even risk trying to roll it like that. Not sure how come your B7 has plenty of clearance though. Different manufacturer maybe?

Interesting.. Eric had me swing by to test fit your rim to make sure there was clearance - it was close but definitely wasn't touching. Looked like 1/16" clearance so it was pretty close.

They look very, very nice!!

[/\G]

Interesting.. Eric had me swing by to test fit your rim to make sure there was clearance - it was close but definitely wasn't touching. Looked like 1/16" clearance so it was pretty close.

They look very, very nice!!


Anth-
Was it too close for your personal comfort or were they rubbing? Is there a chance if you have a tiny bit of clearance (1/16") that the metals will expand under heat?

[Kievskiy]

comon, Anth, it can not be too agressive on your avant :) rims looks good, now you need to change your avatar[:D] [up]

Once I get the 5mm spacers on the front, I may put the 10mm on the rear. I have a set of 20mm that I tried out back, but they were far too agressive.

[roarincheetah]

Hey Anth did you get the tires from SPP too?

[paixim]

do you know the offset on these wheels by any chance? will they fit A3? TIA

[Anthony]

Anth-
Was it too close for your personal comfort or were they rubbing? Is there a chance if you have a tiny bit of clearance (1/16") that the metals will expand under heat?

They looked to be touching, or at least damn near it. I didn't even risk rolling the car in nuetral.


They're ET35. Maybe some other manufacturer is making them in ET38 or 40. Not sure what the deal is.


I did indeed get the rubber from SPP as well. I needed new shoes fast, so I had Eric throw on whatever decent 235's he had on hand. Ended up with with Falkens, mounted and balanced to me within a few days.

[GTO]

Looks great, even though your a dick for posting that prior teaser thread, you've redemmed yourself with a sick set of wheels, looks great on your ride!

[Anthony]

Looks great, even though your a dick for posting that prior teaser thread, you've redemmed yourself with a sick set of wheels, looks great on your ride!

Uhhh...thanks? [:p]

[ichibausa]

Anthony, Got the 5MM in yet? :)

[Kappe]

Looks nice and agressive!
I see a lot of people on this site with big rims and lowered cars. Over here it's not so commen.

[Anthony]

Anthony, Got the 5MM in yet? :)

Not yet, maybe today? Can't wait!

[quattshot]

I dont understand why you need spacers?
Are the wheels 19x8 1/2 with a et35?? If so, are they not supposed to fit perfectly on our B7's?

[Anthony]

I dont understand why you need spacers?
Are the wheels 19x8 1/2 with a et35?? If so, are they not supposed to fit perfectly on our B7's?

That's right, but I don't know I guess the offset is just slightly off for our cars. Had the same problem when I tried to install a set of Rial Daytonas. Actually those were worse, spacer wouldn't even help the problem on those badboys.

[marty was here]

sick ride btw

[Spidee]

I think its the shape of the spokes being so flat that give it less clearance. I had bought a set of 19" Luff M1's in competition black 2 days after I bought my A4. I had the same problem, they barely touched the caliper. I passed on the wheels because I didn't want to run a spacer and then rub. I hope you don't rub with the 5mm. You picked the right color for your avant. Lookin' classy and not boy racer. [;)]

[roarincheetah]

Hey Anth, what suspension are you running?

EDIT: never mind. I searched your old posts and found it. I guess I will just ask how do you like the ride with the suspension and wheels?

[chris@penskeaudi]

Anthony, Car is lookin sweet

[Anthony]

I received the 5mm spacers from Ichiba yesterday. Heading to my buddies shop to put them on, then will wash her tonight. Hope to get new (much better) pics soon.

[/\G]

They looked to be touching, or at least damn near it. I didn't even risk rolling the car in nuetral.


They're ET35. Maybe some other manufacturer is making them in ET38 or 40. Not sure what the deal is.


I did indeed get the rubber from SPP as well. I needed new shoes fast, so I had Eric throw on whatever decent 235's he had on hand. Ended up with with Falkens, mounted and balanced to me within a few days.

How do you like the Falkens?

[Anthony]

How do you like the Falkens?

They're fine. Never been the biggest fan, but they're serving their purpose. [:)]

So here are a few shots of the front wheel spacing, without spacers. The wheel will spin without them, but there's literally only like one mil of clearance.

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/2bbsreps_caliper_01.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/2bbsreps_caliper_02.jpg

Took these when playing around with my spacers yesterday. I'm an idiot though, I already had 5mm front spacers. Going to pick up a set of 3mm ones now, as the fronts rub too much over large bumps/drops. Every millimeter helps...

[Rons01B5]

Wow thats a close fit w/o spacers. Any good pics of them on your car?

[Anthony]

Wow thats a close fit w/o spacers. Any good pics of them on your car?

Going to be doing a good photoshoot here in a bit.

[Blake P]

They're fine. Never been the biggest fan, but they're serving their purpose. [:)]

So here are a few shots of the front wheel spacing, without spacers. The wheel will spin without them, but there's literally only like one mil of clearance.

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/2bbsreps_caliper_01.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/2bbsreps_caliper_02.jpg

Took these when playing around with my spacers yesterday. I'm an idiot though, I already had 5mm front spacers. Going to pick up a set of 3mm ones now, as the fronts rub too much over large bumps/drops. Every millimeter helps...

I've heard of guys grinding a couple mm's off the calipers, then adding some caliper paint to clean up the look. Just an idea.

Also, have you considered having the front fenders rolled to avoid rubbing with the spacers?

[Anthony]

Shaving/grinding the calipers is not a good idea, but it doesn't mean I haven't thought of it. [:D] And the B7's fenders are already pretty well tucked and rolled, compared to the A4s of old. I don't see a fender roll helping much, not worth the trouble IMO. The rubbing isn't that bad, and once I get some 2mm spacers from ECS all should be good.

[boostedsline]

Beautiful. Very clean!!!!