ECS Wheel Spacer kits seem very expensive. Worth it??
10-01-2015, 03:16 PM
#1
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ECS Wheel Spacer kits seem very expensive. Worth it??
I'd like to get wheel spacers for the OEM 19" wheels on my 2015 S3 - I have looked at the ones from ECS tuning here and I have also looked at other kits advertised on eBay (e.g., http://www.ebay.com/itm/4PC-17-MM-20-MM-STAGGERED-AUDI-VW-5X100-5X112-57-1-HUB-CENTRIC-WHEEL-SPACERS-/252018900318?fits=Make%3AAudi one). The eBay kits average about $120 for a set of 4 staggered spacers and bolts, while the ECS tuning kit is $199. I'd prefer to go with the ECS tuning kit but I'm finding it hard to justify the price difference.
1. does anyone know how the ECS kit compares with the other kits in terms of quality/durability?
2. does anyone have any experiences they can share (good or bad) with non-ECS kits?
3. does ECS ever run sales on these kits or offer coupons etc?
Thanks all.
1. does anyone know how the ECS kit compares with the other kits in terms of quality/durability?
2. does anyone have any experiences they can share (good or bad) with non-ECS kits?
3. does ECS ever run sales on these kits or offer coupons etc?
Thanks all.
10-01-2015, 03:57 PM
#2
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I have the ECS kit. Love it. Perfect fit, no vibration or any issues - which can sometimes be a problem with cheaper brands
I think I paid more than $199, still worth it. Makes the S3 look much better
I think I paid more than $199, still worth it. Makes the S3 look much better
10-01-2015, 03:59 PM
#3
AudiWorld Super User
I have the ECSTuning kit, very satisfied and have nothing to compare. While the ECS bolts are not OEM, I have more confidence in quality than with an unknown on eBay. We are talking about what holds your wheels on.
10-01-2015, 05:22 PM
#4
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Agree - that's why I'd prefer to go with the ECS kit if possible :-)
10-01-2015, 05:26 PM
#5
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Thanks.
10-02-2015, 02:04 AM
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Our wheels are hub centric. So your spacers have to be very precise back and front - to fit the hub correctly and provide the right hub centric fit for the wheel. The less precise they are the more likely you are to get vibration. Spacers do come with 'cone' bolts which, in theory, center the wheel when you tighten them, but this is not how the car was designed and you can get sheer loads that bend the bolts if the wheel is not snug on the hub - which means vibration.
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10-02-2015, 08:07 AM
#8
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Our wheels are hub centric. So your spacers have to be very precise back and front - to fit the hub correctly and provide the right hub centric fit for the wheel. The less precise they are the more likely you are to get vibration. Spacers do come with 'cone' bolts which, in theory, center the wheel when you tighten them, but this is not how the car was designed and you can get sheer loads that bend the bolts if the wheel is not snug on the hub - which means vibration.
I've noticed that H&R seems to be well regarded on the forum and a quick check of their prices shows that they are comparable to ECS, but they don't seem to have kits already pre-configured for the S3's wheel type and offset (as opposed to ECS).
I definitely don't want to be 'penny wise and pound foolish' on this purchase, but I also don't want to spend more than I need to especially since I'll also have to invest in a wheel lock alternative for the stock wheel locks I have now. Which lock solution do you use with your spacers?
Thx!
10-03-2015, 06:46 AM
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Great description whitby - it really drives home the need for the spacers to be precisely engineered and manufactured. Since there is no way to know who manufactures the lower cost spacers on eBay (and therefore no way to evaluate their reputation/quality) it sounds like I should avoid them.
I've noticed that H&R seems to be well regarded on the forum and a quick check of their prices shows that they are comparable to ECS, but they don't seem to have kits already pre-configured for the S3's wheel type and offset (as opposed to ECS).
I definitely don't want to be 'penny wise and pound foolish' on this purchase, but I also don't want to spend more than I need to especially since I'll also have to invest in a wheel lock alternative for the stock wheel locks I have now. Which lock solution do you use with your spacers?
Thx!
I've noticed that H&R seems to be well regarded on the forum and a quick check of their prices shows that they are comparable to ECS, but they don't seem to have kits already pre-configured for the S3's wheel type and offset (as opposed to ECS).
I definitely don't want to be 'penny wise and pound foolish' on this purchase, but I also don't want to spend more than I need to especially since I'll also have to invest in a wheel lock alternative for the stock wheel locks I have now. Which lock solution do you use with your spacers?
Thx!