mikeb

wow
very nice
can you do a side profile

renotse

Is this what you are looking far?




Here is a set on ebay

Click here

Rx-Appreci-8

mikeb

Here is a profile shot of chrome rim.

Rx-Appreci-8

mikeb

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

Rx-Appreci-8

A daytime shot of the car with chrome rims.

mikeb

wow
they look great

Vaillant

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

Rx-Appreci-8

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.

Vaillant

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.

Omicron

Black Chromed? That'd be slick... Any idea of how much that costs?

Charleston

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?

loco4rx8

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.

joanie

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

carnut

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.

Sin

Those wheels are sharp!

captainrx8

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

RX-jimenez

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