RX-8 Bronze rims...
04-04-2012, 08:08 PM
#1
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RX-8 Bronze rims...
Does anyone know who manufactures these rims, and where I may be able to find them? This is a devilishly good look for the 8!
04-04-2012, 08:20 PM
#3
04-05-2012, 05:21 AM
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04-11-2012, 12:34 PM
#9
Nice, I have my heart set on these wheels. But I havent been able to find any pictures of the on a grey 8.. I'm still not sure if I would like it or not. Thats why I was asking.
If you end up getting them, be sure to put up pictures!
If you end up getting them, be sure to put up pictures!
04-11-2012, 12:44 PM
#11
as far as I know.. yes and yes, I've seen a lot of people knocking them on other forums because "they cost less than $500 a piece so there's no way they are any good"..... But I haven't come across a bad review yet.
04-11-2012, 01:49 PM
#12
I have MB Weapons in bronze, and I think the quality of the wheels are extremely good for $600. I only have about 2,000 miles on them so far, so time will tell how they hold up. The bronze MB wheels are powdercoated while the gun metal is painted and then clearcoated. I have pictures in my profile if anyone is interested in how they look.
04-11-2012, 05:19 PM
#13
4 DOORS FOR MORE WHORES
I have MB Weapons in bronze, and I think the quality of the wheels are extremely good for $600. I only have about 2,000 miles on them so far, so time will tell how they hold up. The bronze MB wheels are powdercoated while the gun metal is painted and then clearcoated. I have pictures in my profile if anyone is interested in how they look.
What about the weight?
Thanks for the information by the way.
04-11-2012, 07:28 PM
#14
I can't speak for the MB Battles, but I am sure some google searching can find some information on other forums. Just question the information you find.
I can speak for the MB Weapons though, and found that they were lighter than what people on forums claimed. The general concensus on multiple forums was that the 5x114.3 18x9 MB Weapons (no ET specified) were 23.5 pounds. Amazon listed the ET45 5x114.3 MB Weapons as 21.1 pounds. I took a chance and ordered these from Discount Tire Direct and weighed them at......21.1 pounds.
My guess is that the original 23.5 pound weight is either the ET38 offset, or possibly the original weight of the A-Tech Eraser (which is what the MB Weapon uses for a mold). The A-Tech wheels were made in Japan, but the MB wheels are made in China. The extra weight could also be accounted for if the A-Tech wheels were forged, while the MB's are cast. I haven't seen the A-Tech wheels in person, only the MB Weapons. The other explaination is that someone, somewhere, claimed the weight at 23.5 pounds, and everyone just regurgitated what they read without verifying.
04-11-2012, 07:54 PM
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I also have the MB Weapons. I absolutely love them! Mine 18x9 +38 and they also way 21.1 lbs. I ordered all four shipped for less then $600. And they're a great looking wheel!
04-11-2012, 08:26 PM
#17
4 DOORS FOR MORE WHORES
I can't speak for the MB Battles, but I am sure some google searching can find some information on other forums. Just question the information you find.
I can speak for the MB Weapons though, and found that they were lighter than what people on forums claimed. The general concensus on multiple forums was that the 5x114.3 18x9 MB Weapons (no ET specified) were 23.5 pounds. Amazon listed the ET45 5x114.3 MB Weapons as 21.1 pounds. I took a chance and ordered these from Discount Tire Direct and weighed them at......21.1 pounds.
My guess is that the original 23.5 pound weight is either the ET38 offset, or possibly the original weight of the A-Tech Eraser (which is what the MB Weapon uses for a mold). The A-Tech wheels were made in Japan, but the MB wheels are made in China. The extra weight could also be accounted for if the A-Tech wheels were forged, while the MB's are cast. I haven't seen the A-Tech wheels in person, only the MB Weapons. The other explaination is that someone, somewhere, claimed the weight at 23.5 pounds, and everyone just regurgitated what they read without verifying.
I can speak for the MB Weapons though, and found that they were lighter than what people on forums claimed. The general concensus on multiple forums was that the 5x114.3 18x9 MB Weapons (no ET specified) were 23.5 pounds. Amazon listed the ET45 5x114.3 MB Weapons as 21.1 pounds. I took a chance and ordered these from Discount Tire Direct and weighed them at......21.1 pounds.
My guess is that the original 23.5 pound weight is either the ET38 offset, or possibly the original weight of the A-Tech Eraser (which is what the MB Weapon uses for a mold). The A-Tech wheels were made in Japan, but the MB wheels are made in China. The extra weight could also be accounted for if the A-Tech wheels were forged, while the MB's are cast. I haven't seen the A-Tech wheels in person, only the MB Weapons. The other explaination is that someone, somewhere, claimed the weight at 23.5 pounds, and everyone just regurgitated what they read without verifying.
I did end up doing a google search after I posted that. Lol.
04-12-2012, 02:17 PM
#18
I have MB Weapons in bronze, and I think the quality of the wheels are extremely good for $600. I only have about 2,000 miles on them so far, so time will tell how they hold up. The bronze MB wheels are powdercoated while the gun metal is painted and then clearcoated. I have pictures in my profile if anyone is interested in how they look.
i know most very good wheels are painted but....whats the reasoning?
04-12-2012, 02:28 PM
#19
In my opinion, I don't think you can quantify one as better than the other...they each have their pros and cons. Powdercoating will have a higher abraision resistance, but will be more likely to chip usually. Only time will tell how the finish will hold up on my bronze set.
04-12-2012, 04:02 PM
#21
I can't speak for Mazda's OEM process or choice to paint vs. powdercoat, but I can give some experience from my company's standpoint of what parts are painted versus ElectroCoated (powerdercoating/E-coat).
I am not a paint engineer, but do have experience with various parts that are painted or E-coated. E-coating (powdercoating) will be more costly, but will have a higher abrasion resistence. Painting is cheaper, but easier to scratch and does not provide as well of a resistence to corrosion. The extra cost of E-coating comes from the extra setup, furnace, and dry time compared to paint.
Again, this is my experience with John Deere's manufacturing process, and not with an automotive company.....but I am assuming similar processes and reasons are used.
If I had to guess why Mazda paints the OEM wheels, based on my knowledge, it is due to the cheaper cost of paint. Also their current paint process is capable of meeting their corrosion and abrasion resistence speced by engineering.
As to why MB Motoring chooses to powdercoat their bronze wheels, yet paint their gun metal wheels....I can only guess. Maybe they are unable to achieved the desired color with painting the bronze (doubtful). Another possible reason is that their current manufacturing factory is set up for powdercoating bronze, and therefore it is cheaper to continue to powdercoat the bronze instead of invest in another painting system. It is not easy/cheap to switch colors on a large scale paint system due to the flushing necessary. For John Deere, we have specific paint systems for yellow, green, black, grey, etc. It is not cost effective to use the same system for multiple colors due to set up time and flushing.
I am not a paint engineer, but do have experience with various parts that are painted or E-coated. E-coating (powdercoating) will be more costly, but will have a higher abrasion resistence. Painting is cheaper, but easier to scratch and does not provide as well of a resistence to corrosion. The extra cost of E-coating comes from the extra setup, furnace, and dry time compared to paint.
Again, this is my experience with John Deere's manufacturing process, and not with an automotive company.....but I am assuming similar processes and reasons are used.
If I had to guess why Mazda paints the OEM wheels, based on my knowledge, it is due to the cheaper cost of paint. Also their current paint process is capable of meeting their corrosion and abrasion resistence speced by engineering.
As to why MB Motoring chooses to powdercoat their bronze wheels, yet paint their gun metal wheels....I can only guess. Maybe they are unable to achieved the desired color with painting the bronze (doubtful). Another possible reason is that their current manufacturing factory is set up for powdercoating bronze, and therefore it is cheaper to continue to powdercoat the bronze instead of invest in another painting system. It is not easy/cheap to switch colors on a large scale paint system due to the flushing necessary. For John Deere, we have specific paint systems for yellow, green, black, grey, etc. It is not cost effective to use the same system for multiple colors due to set up time and flushing.
Last edited by JCrane82; 04-12-2012 at 04:05 PM. Reason: typos
08-18-2014, 10:22 AM
#22
I think these look good on almost any color RX-8. In my opinion, the bronze would be awesome on the black cherry shinka (I am guessing you have a 2005 shinka).
My MB Weapons have held up great over the past four years. I even track/autocross my car and my wheels are still straight with no issues. I even have a separate set of 17x8 MB Weapons for winter and have had no issue with those either.
Great bang for the buck.
My MB Weapons have held up great over the past four years. I even track/autocross my car and my wheels are still straight with no issues. I even have a separate set of 17x8 MB Weapons for winter and have had no issue with those either.
Great bang for the buck.
08-19-2014, 09:55 AM
#23
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I have MB battle on my NG RX8 and I love them. A lot lighter then the those stocke wheels and now its lowerd on some TEIN Basic coilovers to get rid of that wheel gap.
What do you guys think ?
What do you guys think ?
08-19-2014, 11:40 AM
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I went with 18x 9 and I don't have a official weight. IM just going off of how the car drove as if there were lighter and when I compared the weight when I took them off compared to my stock wheels. I cant remember exactly but I do recall that the stock wheels are fairly heavy.