ESM Wheels on my 996 Aero - Cone lugs?

Hey guys, not sure if this belongs here, but I�m picking up a set of ESM-004M 18" silver wheels for my �99 996 c2. Before I reveal pics I need to get the right lug nuts! The manufacturer said I need cone seat lug nuts rather than ball seat like the oem ones, and I feel like a noob trying to shop around, google search, or YouTube exactly what that means!? I�ve seen some where the lugs are conical , but I�m having a hard time finding anything with the actual bolts, it seems to just be heads, does this mean I need to install studs?? Anyone know what I would need for this application?

The shape of the base on the lug nut that presses against the rim face the v is narrow and the ball is flat with a bulbous bottom any good tire shop should have both anticipation on your new rims Mike

Thanks will definitely post some pics, I think these will look right. Is this something I can�t pick up online like Amazon or ECS? doesn�t seem like something I can find and I�m planning to have a mobile service install them at my house. I don�t want to deal with having to get the old wheels back to the house so willing to pay the premium hah

No I would not trust what to get on Amazon plus threading can vary so make sure your Mobil guy has a few varieties

Audi and VW use m14 x 1.5 cone bolts. 28mm is the stock length, easy to find on Amazon or most online import suppliers. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...sh/b13-znnitt/

Cool thanks, yea I see a few out there that are 27 or 28 now..think I was using lug nut rather than bolt as my search - noob� something like this should work. 20 Black 14x1.5B Spline Tuner Lug Bolts for Aftermarket Wheels - 27mm Shank Amazon Amazon im not tracking or anything so just need something of quality with good reviews. I think I�ll try these unless the manufacturer has a food recommendations. Thanks guys edit: hmmm oem looks like it�s 30mm..is that going to be a problem

I would not buy lug bolts for my wheelbarrow on Amazon. Stick with ECS Tuning or some other reputable place. If you can't find it on their web site call them and they will help you find it.

I'm ordering them as well. 8.5 front 11 rear. Trying to decide on tires. I posted a thread in the wheel section, but no help rendered. I posted here and got more responses. What specs are you going with? What suspension are you running? The guys at Fitmentindustries are great to deal with.. they'll even ceramic coat the wheels and provide the correct lugs.

Now that there is a 295/30R18 Pilot Sport 4S, that has to be the A+ answer for an 11 inch wheel.

Quotes source post: 17553088

awesome! Post pics here ..glad to hear someone else is going for them haha. I have Conti extreme contact sports 225/40 and 285/30. re: fitment..to be honest I bought my wheels for my Audi S3 from them and really didn�t have a good experience. Took 5 weeks to get them, didn�t send me the lugnuts (forgot) told me they�d rush deliver them to me�1 week goes by and STILL didn�t ship them out..and their ceramic job was ok..I had lots of excess I guess coating on mine that I had to wipe them when they got here. I actually went directly to the factory and they matched their price, I�m expecting faster shipping ..only thing is I don�t know the length now on the lugs I should get. I guess I�ll just do those EAS ones. If oem calls for 30mm I might as well goes with these https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/conical-seat-wheel-bolt-14x15x30mm-priced-each/c17d30-znnitt/

Quotes source post: 17553127

That's awesome news!

ah man, ECS sent me 19 bolts ..funny because I read someone's review saying it happened to them, no way it would happen to me ..will have these on next Saturday...first impressions..the 11" rear are deeeep..they look sick..8.5's look ok..maybe just comparing the front to the back, but you definitely have to go 8.5/11 of course. Only wish that the center caps weren't black, but found some nice black porsche center emblem stickers to use instead of their stock..will post both

Quotes source post: 17568407

May I suggest go directly to ESMs website. They offer a bunch of accessories to customize. You can order different colored center caps, plastic rivets, and lugs and other items. I bought my wheels directly from them via their eBay listings. $1060 shipped (includes tax). I asked the seller what size lug they recommend for the 004s. Their reply: " You will need new lug nuts with a cone seat 14x1.5 thread pitch." Speaking to your comment about the center caps: I agree and I'll add that I'll most likely replace the fake plastic rivets with actual aluminum hex head screws also. It won't make them any less of a "fake" multi piece wheel; but atleast you'd really have to look/know. Btw: I'm not sure if your still in need of rubber, but I grabbed a pretty good deal on some Sumitomo Htr Z5's. 225/40 front & 285/30 rear, for $705 shipped (includes tax) I'm speculating, but I think the 004Ms could end up as one of those "iconic" aftermarket wheels for our cars! They provide literally everything that a non track oriented enthusiast could ever want!! Iconic look (BBS esque), very affordable pricing, good customer service and manufacturer support/accessories, final assembly/finishings in California USA, and they aren't on perpetual back order! Please post pics. I'm so anxious to see them on another. 1, as my wheels won't ship until 7/26/21.

I've seen these before, what do they weigh?

Quotes source post: 17568542

Not to high jack; my wheels arrived yesterday. I can't speak to exact numbers of their weight, but I will say that they aren't nearly as heavy as my current OEM 17s! I will try to get an accurate weight and report back.

Looking good..my install got severely delayed, first ECS sent me 19 lug nuts, next my installer got covid, last minute trip down south, and finally got them on today!..

Forgot to mention, I went with some Porsche decals that go well with the black..going to think rock these for now but will see if possible to do a silver matched cap rather than black, though I think it�s growing on me�

Quotes source post: 17615485

What size tires are you running?

Dude lower the car get better fitted tires and paint the rim centers darker then it will be hot

Quotes source post: 17615490

not sure If I said so, but thanks for posting pics. I was considering getting an Aero kit for my silver 99, and trying to envision it with these wheels. I sorta wish I'd have gone with the gold centers, now. Where did you get your center cap stickers?? I have a custom set being made, from a seller on eBay. I'm working on having a second variation set, made. Im also in the process of a tutorial that I hope you all will find interesting.

Quotes source post: 17615851

dont think I need to go any lower, car feels good where it is, what do you mean by paint the centers darker, they�re black? Haha..and not sure what you mean by better fitted tires, they�re the recommended size for the car and by the wheel manufacturer itself, anyways they�re 225/40 and 285/30. If anything I�m waiting to hear back from the manu on silver matching center caps, I think I�d prefer those over black but overall very happy with these,l re: centers, sorry you mean everything but the lips black? I think that�s what you were referring to re: stickers , https://sludel.com/products/4-x-56mm-porsche-horse-logo-car-auto-decorative-wheel-hub-center-caps-covers-emblem-sticker-decal-badge

Yes a darker grey center and lower stance like this on same size tires as yours

Not my car but the rims I bought these but haven’t installed them yet because I mounted all season for fall drive

Quotes source post: 17633559

You might think you don�t need to lower it, but you do. Car looks way too high for aftermarket wheels.

Those tires look way stretched...like the wheels are too wide for them. The rear gap also looks pretty big. As long as you dig it, that�s all that matters - just an uncommon look for these cars...

Which rear gap are you referring to, that stance above does look good. how much more would you lower them and what would you recommend I buy to do it

These were the wheels that were on prior when I bought the car, does this also have the same height issue? I didn�t notice with those, why would anything change if they�re both 18s and same tires?

The photo I was referring to showed about a 1� gap between the tire and the bottom of the fender. That looks to be about the stock wheel gap - some people refer to it as a �4x4 look�... I don�t mind it so much, but do think it�s a little on the high side. The bigger question in my mind is the width of your wheels. Stock sizes are 18�x 7.5� (or 8�) for the front and 18� x 10.5 (or 11�) for the rear. It looks like your tires are probably the right sizes but the wheels are wider - causing the stretched appearance. To lower the car you can use sport/lowering springs (single height) or coil overs (adjustable height). Coil overs are more expensive but give you flexibility in ride height and comfort settings. Good luck

@JRoz most 996's bought in the USA are generally too high. That is why people lower them... for the handling benefits and aesthetics. If you are going to put aftermarket wheels on, it's sort of an unwritten rule that you address the ride height as well. This is my car's ride height, for reference. No rubbing, no scraping. Handles much better than stock.

Quotes source post: 17635462

Your car looks very nice 👍 I'm currently running into the same issue that the OP is dealing with, as far as ride height and looking too stretched. Mine is due to the fact that Votgland sent me a box of 4x rear lowering springs, so I'm unable to actually lower my car. So I have to re use the stock springs on my new Koni's, until I get replacements. Which also means I get to do the entire job over again. Yay! I too went with 225/40 front and 285/30 rears. My choosing these specs were two fold: firstly, the wheels offsets are "middle ground" for NB & WB 996s. Since I have a .1 car, I figured it best for a slight stretch on the sidewall profile, so I don't have to create even more work, by rolling the fenders. Secondly is that I wanted to maintain the OE rolling diameter. The sizes provided get the wheels to within a mm or so of the standard 17s w/tires which I'm transitioning away from. Btw, these wheels are 8.5 front and 11 rear. I have yet to complete my suspension and brake refresh, so I've not seen my exact setup on the ground yet; so I cannot speak to the wheel gap situation, yet. I do have my reservations and worry I may have f**##d this one right up. Maybe once I get the correct springs, things will come together?? 🤷‍♂️

Quotes source post: 17635537

Thanks. You might have been ok with the stock size tires. I have 15mm spacers at all four corners and don't have any rubbing issues. I'm running Michelin PS4S in stock size... no stretch.

Alright how about now, rear shot , the gap is much better no?

Quotes source post: 17661775

Yes! I'm dealing with the same ordeal. I need to lower my car ASAP!

Looks like stock height? Needs to be pretty flush with that wheel and tire fitment

Even more important I think I need to powder coat the center glossy black , keep the chrome lip and rivets..and yea a little drop why not

Where did you get the Porsche Emblemed Center Lock Cap? I lost one of mine last weekend on the Tail of the Dragon. I am running ESM004 too.

@barbancourt alright to quote happy gilmore - I'm stupid, you're smart, I was wrong, you were right, you're the best, i'm the worst, you're very good looking, i'm not attractive ..but seriously I'm getting around to addressing my ride height because I'm taking on a radical project, and to make this right I need to address the height. The stretch issue is hopefully less noticeable when I drop it properly but I won't address that until these tires go bad and i've got plenty of rubber to go. Anyways, I'd like to go lowering springs and not a full set of coilovers, yes I know those are ideal for all of the adjustments and ride settings but this is a weekend car and i'm just doing twisties and highway runs and cruising. So with that, it appears I can grab some H&R coilovers on flat 6 which appear to be 1.25" ones for the 996, are there others with different heights? I took a measuring tape and 1.25" doesnt seem to have any issues with being too lower or rubbing but what do I know. For this it also is 1.25" in front and back, any reason to do anything staggered? I don't believe so but wanted to confirm This other project coming...doing a full autoflex spray wrap in OEM Minerva Blue...to be continued...

Quotes source post: 18670261

I personally would go with an off the shelf adjustable coilover system that has ride height and damping ability. You might think you don't need it, but you do. I run Feal, but there are plenty of as good or better options out there. Ohlins seems to be the set of choice for most, though not the cheapest. No problems whatsoever with my Feals, but I'd probably do Ohlins if I could go back in time.

I have my old JIC/Cross coil over setup under 10k street miles took it off for a set of Ohlins $800 I preferred the their street ride compared to Ohlins and they have great adjustments coil overs are a must to get the best from your car

Eh I donno, I just took another look today and feel like it makes no sense to go any lower than where they are. I guess I�ll just address it when the oem sets go, but for now I�m good with the height as is

^^^ Looks fine in that photo! Much better angle I suppose