Post 01

Earlier in the year, Mazda in Japan released a new set Mazdaspeed Wheels made by enkei. I finally ordered a set of four from JapanParts and they came yesterday. Prices were reasonable too. I wanted to share with RX-8 club these photos I took. The wheels are absolutely beautiful. They each came with a valve stem and instruction manual in Japansese :)

Not sure if anyone else has these wheels on this club forum. In any case, enjoy the photos. btw, they weigh 20 lbs each, which I believe is less than stock.

EXILE

Opening the first box here. There is a shower cap like cover over each wheel. No scratches or blemishes noted.

EXILE

The mazdaspeed logo on the spoke is unfortunately simply a sticker and not engraved. Good thing Mr. Polak makes extras! :mdrmed:

EXILE

very nice i like these...did they come out to be cheaper then the advan model5's? get them on so we can see some pics with the car...what new tires did you get or are you using the stock rubber?

Center cap here is gorgeous with it having a piano black finish. The third picture of of the valve stem.

EXILE

Nice, post some pics with them on. You might be the first one with these rims in the US.

These photos show the inside of the rim. I am assuming that by the asymetrical shape, the space created is for TPMS. Does anyone know for sure? I have never looked at the stock rims off an RX-8.

EXILE

pretty...mind asking how much you paid for them? also what are the sizes?

Here are some photos of the inside of the rims.

EXILE

Here are photos of all four rims together. I really love these wheels!

EXILE

Each wheel has a time-date stamp on the inside. The other photo is of the "instruction manual" :mdrmed:

EXILE

very nice i like these...did they come out to be cheaper then the advan model5's? get them on so we can see some pics with the car...what new tires did you get or are you using the stock rubber?


I have no idea how much the ADVAN wheels are. Not sure what tires I will be using yet as I still have to research that part of my project. I will not be using the stock tires.

Also, I do not have an RX-8, so I will not have any photos of the wheels on my car for some time.


EXILE

Nice, post some pics with them on. You might be the first one with these rims in the US.


I am not sure if I am the first or not, but I did do an exhaustive search on RX8Club and could not find any photos or mention of anyone else having these. When I saw these wheels on the Tokyo Auto Salon 2006 Mazdaspeed RX-8, I knew then that I just had to have them. I really enjoy how similar they are to classic Ferrari wheels.

EXILE

These wheels are MONEY! So nice. The Advan Model 5 wheels are one of my favorite wheels of all time. These look the same, but they have the MazdaSpeed logo. Killer wheels. Hurry and get these bad boys mounted so we can get all excited and jealous.

Can you give us a ball park figure on how much these set you back. I would love to have a set if they're not super pricey.

Congrats on the new wheels.

Damn I like those rims alot. Post pictures after you put them on your car man I mean it or we shall find you and hurt you lol

pretty...mind asking how much you paid for them? also what are the sizes?


I paid $2192 including shipping to my door from Japan. No taxes were levied. The sizes are as follows: 18.0 x 8.0J + 50

I hope that helps.


EXILE

These wheels are MONEY! So nice. The Advan Model 5 wheels are one of my favorite wheels of all time. These look the same, but they have the MazdaSpeed logo. Killer wheels. Hurry and get these bad boys mounted so we can get all excited and jealous.

Can you give us a ball park figure on how much these set you back. I would love to have a set if they're not super pricey.

Congrats on the new wheels.


Thank you for the compliments. I do not yet have an RX-8 as I am still doing research for my project.


EXILE

Damn I like those rims alot. Post pictures after you put them on your car man I mean it or we shall find you and hurt you lol



I do not have an RX-8 yet. I do not anticipate having an RX-8 until fall 2007. I have been doing research on my RX-8 project since July 2006. It took about three months of reading and understanding all aspects of the car as I began to make my wish list for a car that will suit my purposes. I went ahead and bought these wheels because I was not sure how long Mazda JDM will make them for.

EXILE's first rule of shopping is to buy something you like now, because later they may be all gone. A lot less disappointment this way.


EXILE

Here is a sketch made at w-tune of what the car will look like with the new wheels.


EXILE

look great!

Damn you, I've wanted those rims for months :p: Ever since I saw them in Hyper Rev RX-8 volume 110....but just couldn't bring myself to pay $2200 for just rims. I'm so jealous :tear:

those look good!

those are my future rims, those are jaw dropping.

those lookes awesome, i want those rims. if they are tmps compatible, then i will get them. only if they are tmps compatible though

Here's an idea of what the rims look like mounted w/tires. The kit is the mazdaspeed V.2 which was never officially released through mazdaspeed but it can apparently be ordered here - http://www.body-kit.com/maz06rx8cspec.html

http://www.rice.sightless.net/rx8/project1/rx7.jpg

There is also a possible group buy for a front bumper replica, go here if you're interested - http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=101385&page=1&pp=15

Oh, I love the rims and their release makes me think mazdaspeed may be planning to release the jdm version of the ver.2 kit eventually. $2k shipped seems a good price for jdm wheels, I wonder how much Mazda will be charging from dealers if they're brought to the US

I think what I paid for them is reasonable as the stock wheels without the center cap at Rosenthal Mazda are $459 each. The dark chrome wheels are $390 each. I waited for a few weeks before ordering to get a better exchange rate also. Saved about $ 100 doing that too :)

The photo posted by tiltmode43 above is what originally made me want them in the first place. I think they will look great on a stock RX-8 as there are no plans to add a body kit to my project car.


EXILE

I want those fenders sooooo bad....

Fenders and wheels FTW.

Damn! Beautiful!

I paid $2192 including shipping to my door from Japan. No taxes were levied. The sizes are as follows: 18.0 x 8.0J + 50

I hope that helps.


EXILE

Same size as stock...hope the TPMS fit. Nice wheel.

Can anyone post a photo of the stock wheel with a TPMS sensor? I would like to compare the two. I think the wheels I bought should take it as it has that groove along the inside of the wheel.


Edit: Going to see my mechanic at Mazda. He will be able to tell if TPMS will fit. More later....

EXILE

Very nice and I don't think the price is that bad. Why don't you let me use those wheels until you get your 8... :)

I showed the wheels to my mechanic at Mazda. The wheels will indeed take TPMS from the stock wheels...just a straight swap. So nothing is lost in upgrading to these wheels.


EXILE

Very nice and I don't think the price is that bad. Why don't you let me use those wheels until you get your 8... :)



HAHAHAHA that's funny...but no.
:hahano:


EXILE

Nice wheels! From what I know, I think you might be the first rx8clubber that has the MS2 rims (that we know of anyways). Damn Exile, that's so funny how you bought the wheels prior to the car.

Man, I might go for the MS2 seeing as that the Advan's are about the same price!

Actually, I have a whole closet full of RX-8 parts that I plan to install after I get my car. I've been buying one or two parts for several months now. My list of parts to obtain is four pages long on paper!

(edit:see road to nightstorm for more info)
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=103255


EXILE

Dedication. :)

Those wheels are very nice. I like them better than the potentially new Mazdaspeed kit.

I was thinking the TPMS would fit just fine when I saw the pic.

How much do they weigh?

looks awesome. only thing i don't like is the offset. you should consider wheel spacers.

do they come in black?

I can get these for anyone for cheaper as you won't have to pay wire transfer or credit card payment fees through them (or paypal) which is 3-5%. We are an authorized US distributor of JapanParts.

Best Regards,

Jason
Mazdaparts.com

The wheels look great Exile! I can't blame you for buying the parts before the car.....I actually did the same thing. I had my whole MS kit, wheels, and MS exhaust sitting at my house months before the car was even built. I actually bought my MS kit from JapanParts and they were fairly easy to work with and not too pricey as you said before. Course if MazdaParts.com is selling the same stuff.....I know it would be a much safer and quicker transaction. Looks good!

looks awesome. only thing i don't like is the offset. you should consider wheel spacers.


I do not understand what you mean by offset and the need for wheel spacers. Please explain yourself.


EXILE

do they come in black?


No, they only come in Dark Silver. But I'm sure you could get them powder-coated any colour you wish. The mazdaspeed logo on the spoke is only a sticker.


EXILE

Dedication. :)

Those wheels are very nice. I like them better than the potentially new Mazdaspeed kit.

I was thinking the TPMS would fit just fine when I saw the pic.

How much do they weigh?



They weight 20 lbs each without the valve stem or TPMS sensor.


EXILE

I do not understand what you mean by offset and the need for wheel spacers. Please explain yourself.


EXILE

Those wheels are the exact same size as stock wheels...most people who buy aftermarket wheels get those with an offset that will bring them rim out to the edge of the wheel well. What he is suggesting, is adding a spacer behind the wheel to bring the rim further out of the wheel well.

Okay...will do a search to learn more...Thank you for the explanation.


EXILE

yes, what he said. if you look at the stock wheels, they are "tucked" in towards the middle of the car. the face of the rim should be nearly lined up with the edge of the fender. this gives the car a much more wider stance and will give it a more agressive look.

http://www.fujita-eng.com/rx8/img/pl_017.jpg

I hear that spacers can be bad for your car. Is this true?

I wonder if ou could buy just the center caps. I tried to find them online with no sucess. Any suggestions?

I do *not* believe the center caps are available separately. Maybe Jason at MazdaParts.com can find them?


EXILE

yes, what he said. if you look at the stock wheels, they are "tucked" in towards the middle of the car. the face of the rim should be nearly lined up with the edge of the fender. this gives the car a much more wider stance and will give it a more agressive look.

http://www.fujita-eng.com/rx8/img/pl_017.jpg



Other than a more aggresive look, will the spacers change the handling of the car? In other words, will create understeer or oversteer? Also, do the fenders need to be rolled if you use wheel spacers? This topic is interesting :)


EXILE

Wheel spacers will not create oversteer or understeer......or affect the handling of the car in any way for that matter. The only thing it can affect is the clearance that your tire has when traveling up into the wheel well. Obviously the further out you go, the less room the tire has to travel.....so it could rub when going over speedbumps or something similar.

To 9G Redline....... wheel spacers CAN be bad when they space the wheel so far from the hub that it creates stress. Most spacers are not thick enough to create the unwanted stress on your drivetrain.

I guess the next question would be, is how thick should the wheel spacers be for my new wheels? How does one calculate this value? Also, where is the best place to obtain them? Thanks again!


EXILE

the spacers will be the same as reducing your wheel offset

i think 10mm spacers should be ok for those rims 18x8 + 50

so it will be like + 40

i guess you could always remove them if it didn't work out, spacers arnt that expensive:)

dont forget spacers also add weight

That is the nicest looking 8 IMO,Love the Rims, nose, rear lip.Perfect.....................

I'll be ordering a set of the gun metal gray ones ~end of December for my white 8. Bummer that the Mazdaspeed logo is only a sticker.

I can get these for anyone for cheaper as you won't have to pay wire transfer or credit card payment fees through them (or paypal) which is 3-5%.Not for "anyone" - since you charge sales tax in CA, that'd not work for us here :crying:

Other than a more aggresive look, will the spacers change the handling of the car? In other words, will create understeer or oversteer? Also, do the fenders need to be rolled if you use wheel spacers? This topic is interesting :)


EXILE

I never considered this as a mod for my 8.

Does anyone have pics of this done to an 8?

Thanks!

I heard spacers are bad for the studs themself, not the drivetrain...

Nice lookin' wheels you picked up, grats! So tell us a little about this project car of yours.... color?, trim? , parts you've got stashed away?

nice. Reminds me of MOMO Corse. Kewl...

Time

i'd use anything from a 10mm spacer to a 25mm spacer. 25mm is approx. 1 inch. using a 25 mm spacer will definately push the wheels out furthest, they will have the wheel sit almost perfectly flush with the fenders.

Nice lookin' wheels you picked up, grats! So tell us a little about this project car of yours.... color?, trim? , parts you've got stashed away?


the road to the nightstorm project has been long and stormy :mdrmed:
this new car project will actually be my third rx-8 (sorta) *sigh*

I'm on call tonight, but I promise to tell my story in a new thread this week. It actually starts as an obsession that began in 1993...



EXILE

I never considered this as a mod for my 8.

Does anyone have pics of this done to an 8?

Thanks!


I found some earlier photographs of a Black RX-8 with these wheels. I found these two photos to be quite inspirational for my forthcoming project. Enjoy!


EXILE

those are actually the ADVAN wheels.

Very nice looking wheels, How much do they weight?

20 lbs a peice

What ya'll think of the volk racing TE37 in gun metal with a polised lip on a titanium gray 8? Not to steal anyone's thunder, but I've had my eyes on these for a while. Oh yeah, spacers or wider wheel?

those are actually the ADVAN wheels.


You are correct that they are. However they look so similar, as both are made be Enkei, it gives a good idea of what the Mazdaspeed wheels will look like too.



EXILE

took it off the Yokohama Advan's website for ur convenience

first 4 from the left are AVS Model 5
last one is the AVS Model T5

that black 8 is dope

kinda sorta makes me miss my 8

Nice lookin' wheels you picked up, grats! So tell us a little about this project car of yours.... color?, trim? , parts you've got stashed away?


okay, here is my story and information about the nightstorm project:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=103255


EXILE

well....any updates?

What ya'll think of the volk racing TE37 in gun metal with a polised lip on a titanium gray 8? Not to steal anyone's thunder, but I've had my eyes on these for a while. Oh yeah, spacers or wider wheel?

oOooh! those are actually the Le37T's in Gunmetal. wider wheels of course, but it's too bad that VOLK discontinued the Le37 line. They only have the TE37's (w/ out the polish lip) :sad:

well....any updates?


what sort of updates are you referring to?


EXILE

I've been in love with those wheels since I saw that pic of the blue 8 a long time ago. Very nice, make sure you post some pics when you get them mounted.

Not for "anyone" - since you charge sales tax in CA, that'd not work for us here :crying:

:ylsuper: :ylsuper: We don't charge sales tax in California as of August this year :). Our headquarters moved to Minnesota (sorry Minnesota guys!) :ylsuper:

so did these ever get mounted, post up your pictures?

Wheels are sitting my parts closet. My RX-8 is ordered to be built in January. I will post photos as as soon as I have a car :) which will probably be in April.


EXILE

i think i like the other set of rim than these.

Wheels are sitting my parts closet. My RX-8 is ordered to be built in January. I will post photos as as soon as I have a car :) which will probably be in April.


EXILE
Very nice wheels, EXILE! Just read your nightstorm project post ... the only thing you're missing is the chassis and engine :) ... and you must have a heck of a large storage closet under those stairs of yours. What I found more impressive while reading about your project was your wife!

I can't wait to see the results of your project. That particular blue would've been my choice of color if it was offered to me when I bought my 8.

Thank you for your kind words. I haven't updated that other thread, but in fact I am waiting for one last part to come, the Greddy Oil Pan. Everything else on the list is sitting in my closet or my garage (mazdaspeed muffler in two large boxes). I took advantage of all the holiday savings and free shipping for the holiday offers. I plan to start another thread to fully document with photos and prose about transforming the stock car to nightstorm after I receive it. My wife and I have spent the last six months planning this project and we are excited to begin work. Doing all the modifications will probably last into the summer because of how busy we are.

Since there has been some downtime this past month (all we are doing is waiting for parts and the RX-8 to be built), we've already decided on our next car project...a 2008 MX-5 PRHT :)


EXILE

Nice, different scheme on a 5 spoke wheel.

The mazdaspeed logo on the spoke is unfortunately simply a sticker and not engraved. Good thing Mr. Polak makes extras! :mdrmed:

EXILEI wondering about just removing the sticker all together - I wonder how they will look then? I'm ready for rims, and these are in my top slot at the moment.

They would look just fine without the sticker. Which makes me wonder if they are less expensive without the sticker. ;)

^ LOL

Since there has been some downtime this past month (all we are doing is waiting for parts and the RX-8 to be built), we've already decided on our next car project...a 2008 MX-5 PRHT :)
EXILE
As for the MX-5 - I watched the power hard top retract the other day at the stealership, and it was WAY COOL!

:D::D::D:

You know, up until the pictures were posted on Japanparts.com's thread, I really wanted these rims like no other rims before. In some of the pictures for the 2nd version Mazdaspeed RX-8, the spokes on the rims appeared much closer together than on the yellow RX-8 in Japanparts.com's forum. Is it just me or can you guys see that too?

It's just you :mdrmed:

I like the fact that the back of the spokes are not hollow and collect brake dust. Should allot easier to clean everything. :D:

The MX-5 PRHT is *way* cool. I have taken it for two extended test drives and just love the feel of driving with the top down. It was cold (around ~50 degrees F) on the second drive but with the heated seats, everything felt just perfect. Driving with the top down really does bring a whole new experience to driving pleasure that simply cannot be described accurately with just words. I am looking forward to getting one this fall (so is the wife) :)


EXILE

Wheel spacers will not create oversteer or understeer......or affect the handling of the car in any way for that matter. The only thing it can affect is the clearance that your tire has when traveling up into the wheel well. Obviously the further out you go, the less room the tire has to travel.....so it could rub when going over speedbumps or something similar.

To 9G Redline....... wheel spacers CAN be bad when they space the wheel so far from the hub that it creates stress. Most spacers are not thick enough to create the unwanted stress on your drivetrain.

Wow what a great adivce man. You have no idea what you're talking about. The spacers are used for the wheels to correct for the offset. RX8 has 50mm with the 8 inch wheel - thus in order to not affect handling (creating oversteer or understeer) you have to adjust your offset with wider wheels. Thus 9 inch should have 37mm and 9,5 30mm, but if you want to put spacers on 8 inch wheels with 50mm offset you are changing your car's geometry and that will affect handling in a negative way. So don't do it, and don't listen to an incompetent advice.

Everybody's an engineer :jerkit:

Wow what a great adivce man. You have no idea what you're talking about. The spacers are used for the wheels to correct for the offset. RX8 has 50mm with the 8 inch wheel - thus in order to not affect handling (creating oversteer or understeer) you have to adjust your offset with wider wheels. Thus 9 inch should have 37mm and 9,5 30mm, but if you want to put spacers on 8 inch wheels with 50mm offset you are changing your car's geometry and that will affect handling in a negative way. So don't do it, and don't listen to an incompetent advice.

Actually, changing the offset of the wheel changes the track of the car. A 50mm offset on a 9.5 inch wide wheel gives the same track as a 50mm offset on a 7.5 inch wide wheel. However, if the 7.5 inch wheel were a 30mm offset, it would actually have a wider track. However, since suspension design is so much more complex, simple calculations of wheel width and offset are just enough information to be dangerous, especially when you consider the tire width changes. Handling is half engineering, half black art.

Yes I am an engineer. ;)

wow, what a way to resurrect this thread...sure is interesting!


EXILE

Actually, changing the offset of the wheel changes the track of the car. A 50mm offset on a 9.5 inch wide wheel gives the same track as a 50mm offset on a 7.5 inch wide wheel. However, if the 7.5 inch wheel were a 30mm offset, it would actually have a wider track. However, since suspension design is so much more complex, simple calculations of wheel width and offset are just enough information to be dangerous, especially when you consider the tire width changes. Handling is half engineering, half black art.

Yes I am an engineer. ;)

Wider wheel - same offset - obviously different track. Wider on both sides of the wheel - isn't it?

I installed mine yesterday, I gotta say man; I love it so damn much that I just wanna eat my 8 now :lol:

Here is BEFORE install :

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94699&stc=1

I have yet to take any other pics ... its sunny day so Im gonna go out now and post some pics later ....

really looking forward to seeing the wheels on your car. My stormy blue 07 RX-8 is on the water right now will be delivered in about 4 weeks.

What colour is your RX-8?


EXILE

Mine is the 05 Shinka, BlackCherry Of course.

It snows again in New York just RIGHT when the snow from last week melted ... grrr ....

Man, now I think I gotta wait another week or so .......

sweet rims...

sweet rims...

*BUMP* that our Special offer on these Wheels is good until March 31st....

GW

Pics, It snowed yesterday so the car yep its freaking dirty, plus its cloudy today so no shinny pictures ...

o well anyway here it is.

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94820&stc=1
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94821&stc=1

and I just made this for myself .... this is breakfast AND lunch ... god damn it. It sucks to be home alone :(

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94822&stc=1
:rock:

Thx to GW @ Japanparts for the wheels !

wow, that really looks so good! If you have time, can you post hi-res photos without pixelation? Congratulations on the wheels!


EXILE

I cant cuz the size would be too big :(

I cant cuz the size would be too big :(

Get it hosted at www.imageshack.us

Unless they are over 1.5MB

I know about those But they limit the transfer and sometimes inject spam into pages.

wow the overall really looks great not sure why but the individaul image is a little disapointing i think becasue they are 18"?

got any more pictures of your 8, i havent seen a fully MS black cherry shinka before (i think)

Maybe wait a few days, its getting warm in NY and I dont think theres anymore snow so

as soon as its clear, Im gonna wash it, and snap some nice pics down.

Stay tune !

Great pics nycgps. Are those the stock rubbers that you're using or new ones? How much did the rims run you in the end?

Great pics nycgps. Are those the stock rubbers that you're using or new ones? How much did the rims run you in the end?

We have a *Special Price* for RX-8 Club members of US$1,999 including Freight to 48 States addresses, until March 31st OR we run out of Wheel Sets

I'll extend that offer to you in Canada *HOWEVER* you will have to pay import Taxes Canada- side

PM me to followup

Graham Ware
Export Manager

************************************************** ***************

Graham,

Consider yourself PM'd

http://www.rice.sightless.net/rx8/project1/rx7.jpg



OMG!!!! I have that wallpaper on my desktop for the longest!! the main reason i kept it was i kept lookin and wondering what rims they were :Eyecrazy: very nice rims...

Thanks for your Order! I suspect you'll get a Lot of Looks....

Graham Ware
Export Manager
www.japanparts.com
* Since 1996 *


Pics, It snowed yesterday so the car yep its freaking dirty, plus its cloudy today so no shinny pictures ...

o well anyway here it is.

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94820&stc=1
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94821&stc=1

and I just made this for myself .... this is breakfast AND lunch ... god damn it. It sucks to be home alone :(

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94822&stc=1
:rock:

Thx to GW @ Japanparts for the wheels !

Great pics nycgps. Are those the stock rubbers that you're using or new ones? How much did the rims run you in the end?

Of course not stock tires. Those are Bridgestone RE960 A/S Pole Position. Its pretty good for All Season tires.

the Install cost me another 160 I think, since I gotta move all the TPMS over to the new wheels.

wow these wheels are really nice, im now thinking of changing my mind again....
do they come in any bigger size than 18?

wow these wheels are really nice, im now thinking of changing my mind again....
do they come in any bigger size than 18?

No; only supplied as 18"s

Best

Graham Ware
Export Manager
Japanparts LLC
* Since 1996 *

i dont suppose you can get that body kit can you graham?

No; only supplied as 18"s

Best

Graham Ware
Export Manager
Japanparts LLC
* Since 1996 *

I think only 8" wide as well.

wow... love that Ver.2 kit... the nose is smooth and the fenders are killer!! that combined with the rims and the tiny little bump of a spoiler on the trunk makes it look kind of like a Ferrari. This complete kit needs to make its way to our shores. Im sure there would be plenty of takers here

I LOVE ENKEI.
these jdm wheels are really growing onto me and fast! and its mazdaspeed so thats a HUGE plus.

lookin good the offset is a little weak though but so is mine lol

Very nice, but for similar big money and looks (and TPMS capability, which the MS strangely doesn't support) I'd prefer the Advan T5. The MS only come in 18x8 as well, whereas the Advan T5 has all the popular sizes. See Jedi54's link for photo's of his '8.

Prodrive, Enkei, and Advan all make a split 5 spoke that look very similar.

Nice bump lol.... did I miss it or were pics never posted from exile?

umm oh yeah thats nyc who posted pics hold on im confused now

this was two years ago..

something i always tend to do are commenting really late.
2 year bump?... thats nothing, ive done worse on other forums. :)

Was curious too. Looked at Exiles posts. He did get an 8 and did put the rims on. http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=1852448#post1852448

Hasn't been posting much.