As you probably know, the factory discontinued the Polisjhed Wheel option almost immediately after the car started to be delivered. There were apparent problems with the supplier and that's the reason they were discontinued. Mazda will now offer Chromed Wheels instead. it would be interesting to find out how rare these polished wheels might be.
If you have polished wheels, please indicate in the pole. If you have or are getting the new Chrome wheels, please indicate that and if you are using onther wheel all together, please check that choice. Thanks.

I voted for the factory polished, as that is what I use for daily driving, but I also have two sets of the "standard" wheels as well.

Not interested in the chrome.....

Just figured out I just have the plain factory non polished ones!! I want the polished ones anyone want to trade? I would take the chrome as well!!

I have the polised 18's but want 19 inch anything

Hey Mikeb, if you're gonna ditch the polished 18's when/if you upgrade, gimme a holler, k? I'd like to discuss buying those off ya.

Thx,
Dale

Hey Mike I am closer and will offer more than Dale!!! :D

they arent chrome, is that what you guys are asking for

I am thinking of having my stock 18's either polished or black chromed -- still trying to decide. I tried to order the polished wheels from Trussville but they had just sold the last set they could locate at the time to Boowana :(

I'm not sure I can tell the difference. How can I tell if it's chrome or polished?

chrome is shiny
polished isn't

I've got polished ones with my red 8, but I'm partial to the look of chrome. Maybe next time?

Both are shiny Chrome is a deeper shine that requires less maint. in the long run. I want the polished ones!!

and the chrome tends to be significantly heavier than the polished. not a good thing.

santino

The polished ones are definitely shiny. From your avatar Mikeb, it looks like maybe you have the regular silver-painted stock rims?

I'm looking for shiny, but not chrome.

These are Polished:
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=114748

okay, I just did some searching... Mikeb, in other posts, you said you do NOT have the polished wheels.

I dont have the ones in that thread posted above

Originally posted by jdaled
The polished ones are definitely shiny. From your avatar Mikeb, it looks like maybe you have the regular silver-painted stock rims?

I'm looking for shiny, but not chrome.

These are Polished:
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=114748

okay, I just did some searching... Mikeb, in other posts, you said you do NOT have the polished wheels.

Are those wheels chrome?

yes those are chrome

Originally posted by bobm
I've got polished ones with my red 8, but I'm partial to the look of chrome. Maybe next time?

Bobm, could you post some pictures of your car or e-mail them to me? I'm thinking about getting the polished rims for my red 8 as well. PM me for my e-mail address.

Are you interested in selling your polished rims and getting the chrome ones when they come out? Let me know. Thanks in advance.

I voted factory chrome.

I purchased factory chrome rims on my red Rx-8 three weeks ago. I really like them. I had chrome rims on my last two sports cars so I guess I'm stuck in a rut

I had three dealers bid my car and only one was willing to include the chrome rims at dealer cost (plus 3% plus $80 install) as part of the original sale. The others acted like I had no other choice but to deal directly with dealer's parts & service departments AFTER the sale.

Also added the rotory centers and rotary stem caps.

So how much are the chrome rims?

_____________________________________________
So how much are the chrome rims?
_____________________________________________


Hope you are sitting down...

Between three Mazda dealers (prior to car sale):
Best Offer: $1395 + 3% (plus $80 installation)
Worst Offer: $2000 + installation

SO can we see a pic of a polished vs. chrome wheel?

Originally posted by Lawerence
SO can we see a pic of a polished vs. chrome wheel?
I'll second that! I've seen pictures of the polished ones but the chrome ones are news to me. If anyone could help out with pictures or direct us to posts that already have them, that would be great. Thanks.

Boy have I been derelict! I've had my car for 3 1/2 weeks and haven't snapped my first picture. Duh.

I'll snap a pix of my Rx-8 and post.

The rims on the black Rx-8 referenced earlier in this thread sure look like chrome to me.

SO can we see a pic of a polished vs. chrome wheel?

Lawerence and broose

I snapped this PIX right after sunset (probably NOT the best time to shoot rims).

wow
very nice
can you do a side profile

Is this what you are looking far?

http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/00/e0/06/fb_1.JPG


Here is a set on ebay

Click here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=43958&item=2441843298)

can you do a side profile


mikeb

Here is a profile shot of chrome rim.

can you do a side profile


mikeb

Here is a profile shot of chrome rim (with camera flash).

A daytime shot of the car with chrome rims.

wow
they look great

Are you sure those are chrome wheels and not polished?

The polished wheels look shiny, too, but they are created differently. The polished ones are created by polishing the aluminum alloy wheels down to a nice, shiny finish that looks similar to chrome. Chrome wheels actually have the chrome layer added using an electro-chemical process. Both look great, but they both have their pitfalls. The finish on polished wheels isn't going to be quite as hardy as chrome. But chrome wheels are usually a little heavier and may not be as strong.

I didn't know that chrome OEM wheels were even available for the RX-8. But, I'm not exactly the authority on RX-8 wheels.

Most folks, like mikeb, have the standard 18" painted (and probably clearcoated) alloy wheels.

- Matt

Are you sure those are chrome wheels and not polished?

Matt -

I'm pretty sure they are because my invoice says "chrome" and when I called the dealer today, both the fleet manager and service manager both confirmed chrome -- but I don't know how to sanity-check their statements (yet) .

I did see a memo (on this forum I think) from MNAO to dealerships that came out about 3 weeks before I bought my car stating that polished aluminum rims were discontinued and would be substituted with chrome at the same price.

You have piqeud my interest though, so I will try to find a number stamped on the rims that I can cross check with MNAO.

It sounds like you already know the difference between chrome and polished and that you actually did get chrome wheels. Based on some earlier posts in this thread it sounded like there was confusion about the differences between polished, chrome, and painted.

I guess I missed the thread about the memo.

Any idea what the chrome ones weigh? They sure do look good.

Originally posted by RXhusker
I am thinking of having my stock 18's either polished or black chromed -- still trying to decide. I tried to order the polished wheels from Trussville but they had just sold the last set they could locate at the time to Boowana :(
Black Chromed? That'd be slick... Any idea of how much that costs?

RX-Appreci-8

That is the nicest looking red 8 I have seen. I especially like the front mud flaps and strakes. Any chance you could post a close-up of the front quarter panel area including mud flap and strakes?

OK, I'm confused. I've read the rumor here that Mazda was dropping the polished wheels and going with chrome.

Well, I just called Mazda this morning to find out what's up because the body shop is having a terrible time getting a stock silver painted wheel for my car. Mazda told me that the stock silver-painted wheels are discontinued and are now replaced by POLISHED wheels. They told me there is a Polished wheel option and a Chrome wheel option now.

So, that's what Mazda says, FWIW.

I have the polished aluminum wheels. If they are discontinued, will I be able to get a replacement if necessary?

Broose:

Sorry for the delay in responding -- I didn't see your post. Looks like you got a great deal on polished wheels already. I have snows on my stock rims now, and I'll try to get pics of the chrome wheels when I have my regular tires put on them. Dealer told me retail is $800 each on the chrome rims, but I ordered them early enough they'll give me the $390 price.

Those wheels are sharp!

Chrome wheels are not heavier than polished. They are both aluminum. Chrome is far less maintenance and retains shine where polished needs polished.
Jeff

well they are giving me the upgrade with the car and it will be 940 more...for 4 chrome rims....