Vortex Tuning Ebay BBS LM Replica Wheels Rims

[Satummoo]

So I bought my first set of wheels for my A4 and I wanted a classy OEM look. I really loved how BBS LM wheels looked but of course, I can't afford 3k for rims. I found a good price through ebay from vortextuning.com. They apparently have been selling wheels in the BMW community with good results so I wanted to try them out on my B7. They weight 20.7lbs each (haven't personally tested this yet) and where good for the price.

On to the pictures:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b33/Satummoo/02172011095.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b33/Satummoo/02172011096.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b33/Satummoo/02172011097.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b33/Satummoo/02172011098.jpg

So these have a stepped-lip on them which I guess makes them look more authentic (not sure what that means though). It came with hubcentric rings and also chrome blank center caps. The audi stickers included attach on the chrome center caps. Also, on the back of the wheels, it seems that you can not take off the fake bolts. I've read that on some threads (other replicas) that you can take them out and some people have painted them different colors. I'm sure 95% of people wouldn't care about taking out fake bolts but it's something that should be noted. The lip looks like a machined finish without looking overly "chromey" or dull.

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. I'm not sure how well they will hold up yet but they don't look "cheap" or "off" like some replica wheels do. I'm debating to get the bbs red center caps (ya, I know...) as it would match my red a4 really well. Hopefully this weekend or next week i'll get some tires. Only other bad thing is that i'm on the stock 4x4 suspension.

[greensto]

They look really nice! Wish I still lived in Boulder so I could check em out!

[b7kevin]

Looks good best I have seen so far is definitely miro's

[streetsoffire]

......Like you said: You don't have 3G's to drop on wheels. Thats o.k.(even though, I'm sure new BBS LM's are about $4800).The wheel you posted is very attractive, and I would be happy with the purchase also. What color are the centers?

[denytuesday]

They look great, but then again, how can you mess up a timeless/classic wheel like the LM? One question: Have you test fitted them yet? I'm almost going to guarantee that you will need spacers to clear the front calipers.

[Satummoo]

They look great, but then again, how can you mess up a timeless/classic wheel like the LM? One question: Have you test fitted them yet? I'm almost going to guarantee that you will need spacers to clear the front calipers.

didn't think about the brakes. Won't all 18"s fit? The offset is 32 also

Center caps are chrome. But they come with stickers that are black with chrome audi rings

[Inked]

they look great to me!!!

[denytuesday]

didn't think about the brakes. Won't all 18"s fit? The offset is 32 also

Comparatively speaking, we've got some pretty decent sized calipers....Because of the design, the LMs are known to need spacers, but I suppose you may not need them. Might at well spend 10 minutes and check it out.

[RandyQUATTRO]

Wheels look great. Post pics once installed.

[AnewMadrid]

What do you do about TPMS? When you get new wheels?
I was wondering about that.
Nice looking wheels.

[deeznuts]

what did you pay for them

[caligts]

what did you pay for them

What was the final cost? those look sweet...

[brucebanner]

where did you get the audi overlays for the center caps?

[Satummoo]

where did you get the audi overlays for the center caps?

They came with the kit:

I got 4 wheels
4 centerbore rings
4 chrome center caps
4 Audi stickers to go on the chrome caps

PM me if you wanted to know what I paid

[Mc Suly]

Damn nice!

Pm sent.

[rowyourown]

fwiw, I bought CH reps from vortex tuning on ebay. holy shit, it was a nightmare. First of all, they sent me 3 Audi fitment CHs and one BMW fitment CHs, then, about 2 weeks later and several emails with pictures later, I sent it back and they sent me the new one for Audi WHICH WAS DAMAGED, it had two scratches in the paint on the edge of it, but deep scratches, down to the bare metal. I told them about it and they said that it couldn't possibly have been them because they check all the wheels and none were damaged, it MUST have been the shipping company. Which is bullshit because they were packaged very well and protected in the packaging. They didn't send me the center caps that were in the ad, and when I asked about them, they removed the picture and claimed ignorance. A few weeks later, I was driving in NYC and hit a regular-sized pothole at about 30-35 mph and the wheel that hit it bent so bad that by the time I made it home the tire was completely flat. I sent them an email about this, sent them my item number, and they claimed they didn't have my order on file. They then offered to replace the wheel for $225 plus shipping (the whole set was $595 plus $109 shipping making it $175/wheel shipped.) I told them to fuck themselves (not in those words) and that was the last I ever heard from them. I ended up selling them stupid cheap and learning my lesson the hard way that you get what you pay for. And to top it all off, the wheels weren't stamped for ET and the (handwritten) stickers on the wheels said ET45 when the ad claimed they were ET40. Again, when I brought this up they assured me it must have been a mistake. The only mistake was the one I made by dealing with cheap wheels on ebay and Vortex Tuning.

In summary, Vortex Tuning is sketchy as hell and I would be super careful with those wheels and don't expect any customer service if something happens.

[kristokes]

what did you pay for them

It looks like $900shipped

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Audi-LeMans-Gunmetal-Wheels-A4-S4-RS4-B5-B6-B7-B8-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b8d2352fQQitemZ17060 4508463QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries#ht_4221wt_941

[chrislane31]

Damn we sell the Miros for $800 shipped and they are very high quality.

[A4_Avant]

My brother runs Vortex VT996s on his 335i. He loves them apparently. I saw Vortex Tuning on several BMW forums. I'm going to give them a call. I'm trying to decide between the 19" and 18"... I've been looking for a set of LeMans style wheels for the Avant. These Vortex ones look the best so far. I've looked at Miros and decided they don't look like LeMans at all. The shape of the "Y" spokes looks very off. The angle between the branches after the split looks strange. It's hard to explain. Take a look at these pictures. The difference is quite significant. The lips are also different. [:/]

MIRO:
http://cdn1.ioffer.com/img/item/137/513/425/AXxh.jpg
VORTEX:
http://www.vortextuning.com/VTImages/LM_silver_rear_front.jpg

[Satummoo]

crap, just spent this morning test fitting the wheels and they don't fit! agh!

I'm not sure if I want to spend another 200$ on spacers or just sell them locally...I'll call vortextuning and see what they can do.

[Iheart1980]

It looks like they sell hubcentric spacers on their ebay store maybe they'll hook up a discount. I think the bolts still come off but, their pretty short so they don't go all the way through to the back. Wheels look good and low pressure cast too. Make sure to update with installed pics.

[RandyQUATTRO]

crap, just spent this morning test fitting the wheels and they don't fit! agh!

I'm not sure if I want to spend another 200$ on spacers or just sell them locally...I'll call vortextuning and see what they can do.

DAMN, not a very convincing argument to go with Vortex. Good luck.

[rowyourown]

man i wish i could have warned you sooner

[denytuesday]

crap, just spent this morning test fitting the wheels and they don't fit! agh!

I'm not sure if I want to spend another 200$ on spacers or just sell them locally...I'll call vortextuning and see what they can do.

Sorry bud...Be glad that you fit them now and not when you had tires mounted. It would be total BS if they don't take them back.

[denytuesday]

DAMN, not a very convincing argument to go with Vortex. Good luck.

In this case, fitment doesn't have anything to do with quality. It's just a matter of offsets and the overall design of the LM (rep). Once they respond to the OP then we can draw conclusions.

[Satummoo]

Update:

So I called vortextuning and they were EXTREMELY helpfull. They are letting me return the wheels (which seemed like the most viable solution). The offset is 32 so with 8mm spacers, it would bring me to an offset of 24 which would stick way too far out.

If I had a b6, i'm sure that these would have fit perfectly. I'll see if I have time over the weekend to triple check my work but it seems like there is no way to get around to the wide caliper hitting the inside of the spokes.

Thumbs up for vortextuning great support though. I'll post back with any more findings! :-)

[Mc Suly]

Good for you, got lucky!
ET 24 is hype mann stretch that out haha

[Koby]

damn I was looking forward to seeing these on the car

[denytuesday]

Update:

So I called vortextuning and they were EXTREMELY helpfull. They are letting me return the wheels (which seemed like the most viable solution). The offset is 32 so with 8mm spacers, it would bring me to an offset of 24 which would stick way too far out.

If I had a b6, i'm sure that these would have fit perfectly. I'll see if I have time over the weekend to triple check my work but it seems like there is no way to get around to the wide caliper hitting the inside of the spokes.

Thumbs up for vortextuning great support though. I'll post back with any more findings! :-)

Very good to hear that they're coming through and offering a refund, but I know it still has to suck that they don't fit.

[A4_Avant]

So do all B7 A4 models have the thicker front calipers? Would 18x8 ET32 with 8mm spacers stick out the front fenders? I'm thinking slight spoke is fine with me.

[bblume]

I just saw these wheels on Denver craigslist....you should just buy my wheels with tires for less than 800 Satummno!?!?!?

[A4_Avant]

Update:

So I called vortextuning and they were EXTREMELY helpfull. They are letting me return the wheels (which seemed like the most viable solution). The offset is 32 so with 8mm spacers, it would bring me to an offset of 24 which would stick way too far out.

If I had a b6, i'm sure that these would have fit perfectly. I'll see if I have time over the weekend to triple check my work but it seems like there is no way to get around to the wide caliper hitting the inside of the spokes.

Thumbs up for vortextuning great support though. I'll post back with any more findings! :-)

Awesome to hear! Their LeMans wheels remain high on my list. [:D]

So do all B7 A4 models have the thicker front calipers? How far would 18x8 ET32 with 8mm spacers stick out the front fenders? I'm thinking slight amount of spoke is fine with me.

[Quattro]

looks like it

[matthewb2795]

Would these wheels in a 19" clear B7 front calipers?

[Satummoo]

Would these wheels in a 19" clear B7 front calipers?

Not sure, as i'd imagine that that it would have the same problem of the backs of the spokes hitting the caliper (not the barrel).

I have no idea exactly how much mm spacers you would need but from other reps, i've heard at least 8mm? (b5 s4 are simmular sized brakes). Yet some LM reps like Miro's don't need spacers?

If you can find a way to run the wheels, I'd do so. They are awesome for the price and they weigh very little for what you pay for.

[chrislane31]

I have to check I think the Miros need only a 5mm spacer and that way you also dont need longer bolts.

[Kubus]

Would these wheels in a 19" clear B7 front calipers?

They dont fit. You need to grind the brake calipers or run spacers. I ground my calipers. Its been fine for 26,000 km

[Dubdemand]

Afraid I don't know what make mine are as bought second hand off eBay. I can however confirm fitment with out the need for spacers.

Mine is uk spec 170hp TDi though so brakes could be different I guess?

Planning to buy spacers anyway though as these are ET45 and yes it will be lowered too once winters gone!

Sorry to hear about you're fitting issues - maybe try another make of LM rep before you give up? They work so well on the B7!

http://184.72.239.143/mu/51643327-6554-eefb.jpg

[A4_Avant]

I got some good news! I just called Vortex. They told me their 19x8.5 ET37 LeMans wheels can clear B8 A4 front caliper with about 7mm room to spare. How is our front caliper compared to that of B8?

[DownhillA4]

Just found this thread along with many Bimmer forums that speak highly of vortextuning. I really would like to buy a set of 18" LM reps for my B6 A4 but am worried about my B8 S4 calipers I have up front not fitting. I DO NOT WANT POKE. Don't want to end up in the same scenario as Sattumo (sorry but this is what the forums are for, to help eachother :) )

ChrisLane, you mentioned you guys sell a set for $800 shipped. Care to PM me more info on that set? Thanks! I'm in NJ for what its worth.

[Inked]

^might not be 800 shipped now as this threads 7 months old.