[roadsternut]

http://www.superlite-wheels.com/index.html

Affordable alternatives to the Watanabe (Superlite-Minilite copy), with some gorgeous alternative retro designs.

 

[freedomgli]

There is no substitute for R.S. Watanabe.

 

[freedomgli]

At least not on a Miata, anyways. I might consider Superlites on a Locost 7, just as I might consider Minilites on a Mini Cooper, Compomotives on a Ford Escort RS 1600, or Panasports on a Triumph TR6 (Group44 used Panasports on their race cars). But to me, the best 8 spoke wheels that belong on a Roadster are R.S. Watanabes (and this is coming from someone who has "improper" Enkei Compe Eights - I need to save up for the real deal). Superlite have been around for quite a while and are a reasonably well known company. I do like Superlite's replicas of the Revolution, Carerra Cup, and Halibrand style wheels but again, if it were me and I had either a Lotus Europa, Porsche 911, or Cobra then I'd go with the authentic originals. The billet center 3-piece wheels I'm not so hot on. If I wanted billet race wheels I'd buy them from Kodiak. However, if they offered the 26R in 4x100 I'd hit it along with a Zoom body kit and Tuckin99 flares to make one crazy Lotus inspired Roadster. Then again, I do like the Rick Japan wheels.... Sometimes it's hard to make choices on which direction to head.

 

[roadsternut]

RS Watanabe hold/held the licence for Minilite wheels for the Japanese market (not sure of the status, because Minilite has gone through various states of ownership); ie, they are pretty much identical to the original Minilite wheel. I had a set of aluminium alloy 14" Watanabes; they weighed about 12lbs each, so weren't particularly light, so I don't find anytthing special about them from a technical point of view. Mag-alloy versions are lighter, but cost a lot more. Unless you were getting close to see the 3-crane monogram, I doubt anyone could tell, visually, the difference between Watanabes, Minilites and Superlites. All of these are quality wheels, and the Superlites/Minilites can be ordered in pretty much any PCD/offset combo.

My old '91 on 14" Watanabes;

On the Roadster, I suppose if you were wanting to be "authentic", it would have to be 15" Panasports; these were the only ones fitted by Mazda and M2 Corp.

Superlites would be too good for the Locost; the name is a play on words; Low-Cost (originally featured in a Haynes book describing how to build a £250 sports car).

I'm currently on 15" factory BBS's. I'd like to change them at some point, and need to consider my options.

 

[freedomgli]

On the Roadster, I suppose if you were wanting to be "authentic", it would have to be 15" Panasports; these were the only ones fitted by Mazda and M2 Corp.

Ah ha! Touche, good sir. I knew this and should be ashamed of myself for ignoring this fact since the M2-1001 is my favorite Roadster of all time. However, when I think of the perfect Miata wheel with the largest cult following I think of RS Watanabe. I do agree that there is nothing exceptional about the cast aluminum ones from a functional standpoint (which must be why I see so many of them for sale on eBay.co.uk) but they always just seem to look perfect to my eyes. There are subtle differences among all the popular 8-spoke wheels based on the original Minilite designs and I can usually identify them from a distance (when not in motion) without the need to look at their logos or other identifying marks. Locosts always start out with the idea that they'll be cheap to build but almost all owners invariably end up splurging on something fancy. Wheels and seats seem to be common items that Locost owners go over budget on.