ESR Wheels, founded in 2014, has very quickly become a recognizable name in the American automotive aftermarket. In just 9 years, the company has gained a reputation for high-tech engineering, patented technologies, multi-piece wheels, and an impressive range of deluxe aftermarket wheels designed for premium vehicles.
ESR has recently launched a brand-new range of customizable rims.
How did ESR achieve all of these in such a short span?
This is something that plenty of people often ask on the Internet. Let’s dive a bit deeper to understand that.
Are ESR Wheels worth the hype?
The short answer is yes, ESR rims live up to the reputation and high standards they are known for.
The real driving force behind the phenomenal rise of ESR Wheels is its parent company- Wheelimage Corp. The latter has been a leader in wheel forging technology for close to 70 years, something that has trickled down to the world of aftermarket rims. A huge chunk of the sophisticated casting and forging techniques ESR Wheels uses is borrowed from Wheelimage Corp.
ESR is an all-American brand. It has its manufacturing unit in California.
Some aftermarket wheel experts and racing enthusiasts openly applaud the models – whether new ones or facelifts – that ESR churns out every year. However, some experts are not as convinced.
We sought advice from the professionals at AudioCity USA, a prolific and reputable retailer in Santa Fe Springs that has been in this business for 35 years.
Their opinion: ESR Wheels are on a par with bigger companies both on the design and technical fronts. Plus, ESR’s models are available at extremely attractive prices.
The clincher is the company’s excellent supply chain management, even when it comes to customized wheels. You will get your favorite ESR rims any time of the year from your nearest major retailer without having to wait for a couple of days.
So, yup! Go for ESR Wheels the next time you buy an all-new set of HQ wheels.
3 Reasons why you should go for ESR Wheels
There are several advantages of opting for the latest ESR rims. But the 3 most crucial ones are as follows:
- Engineering excellence: ESR uses the very latest cutting-edge technologies in its manufacturing process. Like most big names, only 6061-T6 or A-356 aluminum alloys are used. ESR ditches the gravity casting method and instead relies on low pressure casting for lightweight and more durable cast rims.
It’s one of a handful of manufacturers which uses the internationally renowned Aluminum Precision Products (APP) raw forging method for its line of forged on-and-off-road wheels. APP specializes in precision forging of harder alloys of titanium & aluminum.
ESR Wheels has an edge in the deluxe and luxury wheels segment which caters to superstars like Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Lotus, and McLaren.
- Affordable bespoke wheels: The made-to-order rims from the House of ESR are as good as the ones from other major brands in the custom wheels niche, including BBS, Lexani, Savini, Vossen, and Koenig. That said, ESR has seemingly found the sweet spot between quality and affordability.
Even its 2-or-3-piece wheels are more affordable than you would imagine.
- Proprietary tech at work: As we mentioned earlier, ESR has several patented technologies and processes up its sleeves. The best-known one is ForgeTech, a special type of radial rotary forging that allows each rim to be 25% lighter than comparable cast models.
The ‘Performance Series’ ESR Wheels offers currently has 2 models manufactured using this patented method- with 1 more model set to be added by end-2023. These 2 models are absolutely top-of-the-line and are designed exclusively for gas-guzzling sports cars & supercars.
These lightweight and intelligently designed rims can still shave around 18-20% off your fuel bills!
3 bestselling ESR Wheels handpicked for you
These are the 3 most in-demand models as of mid-2023.
- SR01: The JDM-inspired SR01 wheels are perfect for compact cars, hatchbacks, and SUVs for city and suburban use. This is a cast aluminum rim that’s available in several finishes to complement the vehicle’s aesthetics.
JDM-style wheels have recently made a comeback, and the best bet for you is the 18-inch SR01 in a gloss white finish. It will fit anything from a Honda Civic to a Cadillac Escalade and from a Kia Telluride to the Mazda 3.
The SR01 looks alluring with multiple stainless-steel rivets, a mesh spoke design, and a double step lip.
These ESR Wheels are at home on the track as well since it’s JWL and VIA tested and certified.
- RF15: This is a superbly forged model that has a JDM influence but with enough independent design cues. The RF15 is one of the first flow-forged wheels from ESR that gained widespread acclaim. If you are new to the world of ESR rims, check out the 20-inch RF15 in a sexy matte graphite finish.
You can, of course, ask ESR Wheels to customize the RF15 for you. From offsets to paintjobs and replaceable hub caps, there are several options. The RF15 is made using ‘ForgeTech’ method and is perfect for sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, station wagons, and larger SUVs.
It’s also enormously popular with owners of EVs given the low weight.
- CS15: The CS15 is the flagship of the company’s ‘CS Series’ of cast aluminum wheels. It’s perhaps the model you should run for if you own a speed monster! Tee off with the 19-inch CS15 in a polished silver finish. This rim is so well-balanced it can handle bigger and bulkier tires with ease even on slick and tricky roads.
The CS15 is often seen on rides like the Audi RS3 Quattro, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and muscle cars like the Mustang, the Camaro SS, and the Dodge Challenger SXT.
Finally…
A set of original ESR Wheels also fits vintage cars like a suede glove. Please purchase these rims only from established retailers & avoid fakes!
