Buying Wheels Enkei ZR1 & observations
 

I am getting Summer Wheels this week, Enkei ZR1 18x8 SBC (fake chrome) 20lbs. I was going to get RPF1's but they were $100.00 more a wheel. Some observations wheel buying. 1. Some sales people will tell you anything, so don't believe wieght, fitment, or TPMS compatability, without verifying elsewhere. 2. Shop around and e-mail the sellers with your best price offer & see if they will beat it. 3. Beware of shipping cost, ranging from $50.00 to $150.00. 4. The manager at NTB told me thier cost was $216.00 a wheel, and they sell them for $300.00 each. I said elswhere posted price is $240.00 each retail, he said I should buy them there then, making clear they wanted to make $336.00 profit before shipping mounting & balancing costs. Ouch 5. Tire Discounters will match any verifiable price, and only charge $50.00 for shipping, and guarantee fitment. Nice for local install when not needing tires. Weight is so very important, stock wheels are 23lbs & 95% of the 18" wheels for sale are 27 to 31lbs. Great wheel weight guide on this site. Driveline wieght and unsprung weight is what makes the car so responsive. That is why we have a carbonfiber driveshaft and why folks pay $2,500.00 to install a flywheel 5-6lbs lighter. I got TPMS sensors on this site's sale section for $125.00 shipped, so I don't have to put tape over the yellow light. (tacky tacky) Mazda wanted $460.00 for 4 before tax for TPMS. Many heavy popular brand wheels do not take them & they are often for sale.

You did sth wrong with the picture posting...

here ya go:

http://www.buywheelstoday.com/images_products/621.jpg

OMFG hahha it blew up the page :D

Thx, can't find a pic with the SBC finish, this is same in Hyper Black. $30.00 less a wheel, same weight. Thanks for fixing my link. <8D

I had these wheels on my SLK for a couple of years. They are very light and easy to clean. Good luck with them, I can't wait to see a picture with them on your 8.

I thought these wheels just came out?

They may have redesigned the wheel a little but I don't see any diff. between that picture and my wheel. I bough mine in June of 2003, the shop I purchased them were closing them out last weekend.

dang it, I was looking at these as well, didn't know they were a rehash of a previous style. (or so it seems)

In looking a closer I see the centercap is inset, the ZR 1's I purchased had a raised center cap. Other than that the wheel is exactly the same. That being said I have not seen alot of these wheels on the road so it his highly unlikely anyone would know the diff.

true, back to the drawing board, Enkei has a couple of other styles I like ,along with a few other vendors. I originally was going to go crazy with some expen$ive ar$e forged 19s but reality kicked in and reminded me I can't afford to do that right now. I liked the PIaa Super Rossa too, wonder what the monoblocks go for.

I love the look of that PIAA wheel, these guys seem to have pretty good prices on their wheels. If you check back they run a sale every once in awhile. I also like the Falken Koblenz which they have as well.

http://edgeracing.com/2005/Mazda/RX8/wheels/19/

I got the rpm 1's 18x8 weight 17.5 lbs, They do accept the tpms. Light wheels feels like a light flywheel. Its amazing. Braking and suspension work is also much better. I always had a doubt how much effect light wheels would make until i experienced it. They are a good mod. I had to save for a yr to get them.
Olddragger

good choice, I bet they look sweet :)

Slight change of plans
 

Went to put a deposit on them and ended up ordering RPF1 Enkei racing wheels 18x8.5 SBC for $300.00 each. $60.00 more than the ZR1 per wheel, 2 lbs lighter, 90 days same as cash rationalized the upgrade. Wife is gonna be pissed. lol :D On the Need for Speed RX-8 on the forum and on www.enkei.com

Got the new RFP1's installed will post pics if I can. They do have the TPMS inside w no problems. They are lighter than my tires at 18 lbs each, the finish is like a mirror and VERY delicate. I sprayed them with clear enamel to protect the finish, before I did you could scratch it with a fingernail. They do look good, they get hot after hard cornering like the factory wheels never did. The offset is only 30mm, (stock offset 50, MazdaSpeed is 40) and I can see the wider stance with my eye, it feels more agressive cornering. They do not rub at all, but they will hold tires to 255, but I will probably never go wider than 245 or 235. Stock are 225 on it now. They look really good with the twin strake look, goes with the strakes in the lights and fenders.

Yep Mine are aluminum finish. Put black wheel nuts on with them(titanium) easier to clean than the stock ones. Vey satisfied. Mine are a 35 offset.
olddragger