Another thread on some LM reps, are ESM LM's worth it?

[Rodmar]

Wondering if there are any newer and recent reviews for some 18X8 or even 18X9 quality, durability, and looks compared to other LM reps.....Puttin on B7 A4, would I need spacers with them and 235/40/18 tires?

Got any pics of them on your car post em up...Wanna order tonight or tomorrow to be honest, just ordered new pads and wanna do it all at the same time....

Thanks for whatever input ya got, unless troll type comment HAHA.....

[Rodmar]

http://esmwheels.com/access/product_info.php?products_id=98{3}28{6}60{12}126{4 }99{2}48

[pDubs]

I just ordered the 18x9 +40 ESMs for my 2006 Audi A4. I'm going to be running 225/40/18s. I think I'm going to have to grind down a few mm off the face of the front brake caliper and run spacers to fit up front. I have access to a fender roller and all 4 fenders will be rolled flat with a tiny bit of pull. I'll let you know how they fit up but if you aren't willing to do some work to make them fit I wouldn't get them. The wagen-wheels 18x8.5 et30 wheels should fit right up no problem and they are a very good rep as well. I didn't mean to talk you out of the sonic tuning st8 in the other thread, those are still nice wheels.

[Rodmar]

Well can get them for 600 a set, but to be honest at 740 for a set of EMS and they look flatter they look to be worth it....I want the EMS, dont got a roller though and don't have the time to sit their jack the car up and take wheels off, grind em down and mount and balance em on my own anyway LOL...just alot more work then im willin to do to just throw some wheels on.....

[pDubs]

I paid $940 for the set at EMS, that doesn't include hubcentric rings or shipping. The hucentric rings were $25 and the shipping was $140. The total was $1,105. The wagen wheels lm reps are $699 for the set with free shipping and hubcentric rings are included, just type what car you have in the order. I have talked to both companies several times. That's a $400+ difference and the wagen wheels will bolt right up no problems with no rubbing. If anything you might need a 3mm spacer up front to clear the brake caliper but that's it. After explaining this don't ask me why I ordered the ESM's lol

[pDubs]

Whichever way you go let us know which ones you ordered and how it worked out.

[Rodmar]

LOL why'd you order the EMS lol....I think total shipped to me is 740 for 18's square set up and gonna buy the rings because It's easier to take them out and just throw on the S4 if I move up to that later.

[Rodmar]

I did email them today a couple times, and said I should be fine without any work needing to be done, but who knows if they're just trying to make a sale LOL.

[Rodmar]

Just made this thread longer LOL but whats the site to wagen wheels lol dumb I know but it doesnt come up for me when I search online.

[pDubs]

http://www.wagen-wheels.com

It's 740 for the 18x8 not the 18x9. That's not including shipping which is another 140. I don't think the 18x8 +32 will bolt right up on a b7. The hubcentric rings included with the wagen wheels are removable as well, same as the esm.

[pDubs]

They're the wagen wheels ww1.

[Rodmar]

Hard decision to make I was so set on Sonic tuning, but after looking at these I want em....I think if you call them you can get free shipping on the wheels, I've read about them in other threads on other VW sites....

[pDubs]

Sonic Tuning and Wagen wheels are both free shipping. They are both pretty good wheels, I just think the wagen wheels are a better lm rep.

[Rodmar]

If you think that then why go with EMS lol if it cost more HAHAHA...I gotta ask

[pDubs]

Because 18x8.5 +35 is so common on here I wanted to try something different and work on making an 18x9 +30 fit. The wheels have a bigger lip and I've heard more reviews about esm. I've never heard anything bad about wagen wheels, I was completely on the fence between the 2 but everybody convinced me to go with the 18x9s.

[Rodmar]

You get em yet?

[pDubs]

No they shouldn't be here till Wednesday. I still need to order tires so it's going to be a while before they are on the car. When I get them I'm going to do a test fit to see what size spacer I'll need and what work is going to need to be done in order to fit them.

[Rodmar]

Let me know I gotta consider ESM just because of the reviews I've read, gonna give them a shot after u put pics up and know the fitment problems ahead...

[Rodmar]

I would guess with new pads, I might need a 5mm spacer for a set of 18x8....et32.....i wouldnt think id have rub...and im on stock springs/shocks....so not lowered yet atleast...whats your thoughts pdub or anyone else...I just got my old wheels off so I could sell em so time to order the new set soon..

[pDubs]

Just got them in today and did a test fit on both front and rear. The front I'm definitely going to have to grind down the brake caliper and run what looks like to be around a 10mm spacer. I'll probably order just one of them at first to make sure and see if I need bigger. The rear needs around a 5mm spacer because the wheel is hitting on the inside. The rear will be easy. Just throw a 5mm spacer on and I'm good. The front is going to take some work between finding out what size spacer I'll need, grinding and repainting the brake calipers, rolling the fenders, etc. As expected it's going to take some work.

[Rodmar]

I keep gettin told by ESM that I'd be fine....hmmmm

[pDubs]

Do you have a b7 a4?

[Rodmar]

Yeah b7 a4 for the time being

[Rodmar]

I just had to put my old stock wheels on the car because my wheels I had on didnt clear the calipers with new front brake pads and they didnt have bolts long enough after they put on spacers LOL.....So they either didn't push the cailper all the way in or the pads made a difference

[pDubs]

Just an update. On the b7 a4 the 18x9 et40 esm lm reps are going to require more than a 20mm spacer. I just did a test fit with a 20mm spacer and the fronts are still hitting the brake caliper. Not to mention my pads are getting a little low and are going to be replaced soon which is only making fitment worse. I spoke to ESM and I am going to be returning them and when everything clears through I might be considering the wagen wheels lm reps. I might just get some rotiforms and play it safe.

[Rodmar]

WOW 20mm thats rediculous lol.....what about ET32....they keep tellin me fitment shouldnt be a problem lol...Was waiting on you to see if it might work out, but that doesnt sound good at all....

[pDubs]

I'm not sure about the 18x8 et 32. I think it should fit up, if not it would require probably a 5mm spacer at most. Don't quote me though. The guy at ESM said the 18x9 should fit with around a 10mm spacer, maybe a tiny bigger. But it still isn't fitting with a 20mm spacer. I called them and said that so they aren't charging me a restocking fee, I just have to pay for return shipping which kind of sucks but oh well. I will say the ESM wheels were good quality and I was very happy with them. I am pissed they didn't fit. I wish they made them in 18x8.5 +35 or so that would be ideal. They also had good costumer service as well. They do have 19x8.5 +32 which I know for a fact bolts right up to a b7 a4 but I just wasn't trying to run 19s.

[Rodmar]

That sucks that ya gotta pay anything but could be worse I assume....I would think ET32 would fit too maybe 5mm at most is exactly what I was thinking....but they thought 10mm, and now its turned into 20mm +......My 5mm gonna turn into 10mm + somehow lol....Especially with new pads on the fronts....Who knows....Dont wanna waste 100+ to ship back and 100 on different spacers lol....

Yeah I don't really wanna run 19's just because of cost and possible comfort loss....18's will look fine, and why spend 100 more per wheel and not to mention tires...

[Rodmar]

Just paid car off and took a HUGE hit to account, but might have a buyer for my old wheels, so was really lookin to jump into these, this doesn't provide to much comfort lol....lookin to get bored at 66 and get hub rings to 57 incase I switch later to a b8, and can just transfer the wheels over.

[pDubs]

I would say your best bet is to go with the wagen wheels ww1 if you still want lm reps. They come in 18x8.5 +32 which is perfect size for our cars. Right now I'm looking at my options again, if I decide to go with lm reps than I will most likely go with the wagen wheels.

[Rodmar]

Looks like I might have too but dont have any info on em really to trust em with my money lol....Let me go look again.....you know your addicted to the Zine when your surfing it instead of ever paying attention in class, like I am now.

[Rodmar]

Don't see an offset of 32 from them....Thinking the ESM wheels 18x8 et 32 might have to do and with spacers should work I would assume...

[pDubs]

go on www.wagen-wheels.com, click wheels, click 18", click 5x112, go to page 3 where the ww1 lm reps are and that's them. You're right it's not 32 offset it's 30. That still a good size for our cars. Most people do 18x8.5 +35 and run a 5mm spacer so you are already there without having to buy spacers.

[Rodmar]

^^^^ Ah that makes sense LOL.......What you gonna go with now size wise

[Rodmar]

Here's a question prolly stupid but will my OEM lugs work just fine?

[pDubs]

I'm either going with those 18x8.5 +30 or rotiform in 18x8.5 +35. No your OEM wheel bolts will not work with aftermarket wheels. OEM wheel bolts are ball seat, aftermarket wheels require conical seat.

[pDubs]

You should go with the wagen wheels. I have done a lot of research of have read plenty of good reviews.

[Rodmar]

Don't wheels usually come with new lugs????

[pDubs]

Nope very rare they would.

[Rodmar]

man lol were talking new lugs too, them things add up...talkin 20 of em LOL