ESM LM Reps

[Andy]

most guys get a 18x8et35 with a 225/40.
Silver dub and I both ran 19x8.5et35. we both JUST sat outside the guards at a 30-40mm drop, but mine lowered down to 50-60mm it tucked right in.
so height makes a big difference.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

So you're saying that lowering obviously changes the geometry and gives you more camber which tucks the top in? You guys must trash the inside shoulders!

[dylan8]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

So you're saying that lowering obviously changes the geometry and gives you more camber which tucks the top in? You guys must trash the inside shoulders!

yeah pretty much, the fronts dont really camber though.. they 'suck' straight in.
You can actually see and hear the front tyres sliding inwards when you let the car off the hoist some times.

[Andy]

yeah pretty much, the fronts dont really camber though.. they 'suck' straight in.
You can actually see and hear the front tyres sliding inwards when you let the car off the hoist some times.

Pardon the ignorance but is it a double wishbone front end? Thats the only way I could see lateral movement happening without drastic camber changes.

[gareth_oau]

if the camber bothers you, I'm sure theres a camber kit out there to suit.

be cheaper in the long run if you plan to wear out tyres

[audi-tone]

i'm probably ordering some from bm or another place on ebay that has some 18x8 +35 bbs rs reps that i think would look mad. remember to take VAT tax off (17.5%)
thought about bbs ch reps but really want dish

[Andy]

Ordering CH reps in 18x8 tonight (as soon as BM reply to my email). They have been fantastic with all my questions over the past 48 hours.

I hear you about dish and was torn between LMs and CHs however the LMs or any rep dish is more prone to corrosion/wear/flaking due to the dish being lacquered. CH is a painted finish so more durable or so I'm told anyway. I'll coat mine with a wheel wax, try and keep them clean and hope for the best.

Yep no VAT

Was going to go staggered with 18x9 on the rears but the good ole NSW fun police and their "maximum 1 inch wider than the largest OEM option law means" 8.5 is the widest you can legally go on a Mk4 and I dont want law/insurance agro.

Given spacers are also illegal here it means the rears wont be as filled as I'd ideally like. Gotta love nanny states and being protected from our own doing for our own good

Between this and the Milltek going on tomorrow maybe I should start a build thread

[gareth_oau]

relax Andy, In WA, max width I'm allowed is OEM or 7.7", and I'm not allowed to stagger.

Our fun police all wear crocheted cardigans.

Have you considered wheel weights? might be worth asking the question and getting something as light as possible?

[Back Door Shenanigans.]

Given spacers are also illegal here it means the rears wont be as filled as I'd ideally like. Gotta love nanny states and being protected from our own doing for our own good

Between this and the Milltek going on tomorrow maybe I should start a build thread

The CH's aint two piece are they? Good thing about the LM's is that you can reverse mount the rears to give that little extra offset.

[djorkboy]

The CH's aint two piece are they? Good thing about the LM's is that you can reverse mount the rears to give that little extra offset.

I think the LM reps are "split rim look" but not actually split rims that can be taken apart and reverse mounted. I think you need real LMs for that. The CH are one piece.

[Andy]

I think the LM reps are "split rim look" but not actually split rims that can be taken apart and reverse mounted. I think you need real LMs for that. The CH are one piece.

Correct!

BTW the CH reps are 11kg...and ordered!

[dylan8]

what specs are the CHs? prob not too bad 11kg for a 18x8 rep. I know my 18x8 A8 reps with 225/40s came in at 25kg each

Still think people should be aiming for real stuff, or am i just a snob haha

[djorkboy]

11kgs is pretty good for a rep. It is about 200 grams more than the real thing.

..and yes Dylan, you are a snob

I say if you can afford it go genuine, but if it's a choice between reps or nothing get reps.

[audi-tone]

these are going on a bora yeh?
I'm thinking i might get some of these too hehe..(probably staggered even though i'm not meant to in qld either) they look good and i worry that paint will peel from dished reps (as you said previously) :s

[djorkboy]

these are going on a bora yeh?
I'm thinking i might get some of these too hehe..(probably staggered even though i'm not meant to in qld either) they look good and i worry that paint will peel from dished reps (as you said previously) :s

I think Andy is putting them on a GTI but I am seriously tempted to get them for my Bora, maybe out of next years tax return, just in time for GAF.

[Andy]

Yep 18x8 +35 for my Mk4 GTI

Will post some pics when they get here and get fitted.

Re Reps vs the real thing...of course I would prefer genuine but in reality it will be $3k+ worth of wheel and rubber on a $10k car. Afford or not I can't justify it in my head. So yep its reps or nothin (or some other crap looking $200 wheel)

One day when I get the 993 or 997 they'll be genuine I promise!