Maxilite wheels

[roadsternut]

Nice. I bet you miss those Wats. They are IMO "THE" rims for the Miata NA second will the Sharks. A friend of mine even fitted a BBK on his Wats. Their "bananas" are the right length and angle no pun intended.

Yes and no. The 15s were quite heavy. The 14s had too low an offset, and so were lousy on the hillclimbs. But they were a cheap set for £90 with tyres. I don't think there is such a thing as "right banana". Its more of a case of hype. When I had a set back in 1997, people had no clue what they were. There isn't a single model of Watanabe for the MX6.

The Panasports looked nicer. These Maxilites are closer to the original design from Minilite rather than the Watanabe knock-off (the relationship with Minilite has never been clear). Not many MX5s out there on Minilites (a few). You can't beat the look of the M2-1001.



Panasports would be my preferred choice, but funds don't go that far.

[mx54life]

^^^Lips are needed.......

[roadsternut]

Manufacturer sent me an extra photo, but stlll nothing showing mounted to a car



At least its clear its not a JBW; the lips are different.

[— Phatmiata —]

That style is timeless, probably why every wheel manufacture has tried to capture that look.

Off topic but how much customs or duty tax do you pay in the UK when importing parts from Japan or the USA??

[roadsternut]

For car parts, there is a catalogue of rates, depending on the part, but typically 4-5%. On top of that, there is 20% VAT. If importing a car, duty is 10%. Tax is chargeable on both the item and any shipping.

[— Phatmiata —]

What is VAT??

[roadsternut]

What is VAT??

Value Added Tax, aka sales tax. Duty is not a sales tax.

[roadsternut]

On a Minilite theme, this MX5 has the 14" KN Minators sold by Moss UK (might be discontinued now):

https://instagram.com/mmmmiata/

[roadsternut]

Something I've just noticed about these wheels is the positioning of the holes for the lugs. Every other Minilite replica out there (RB, Watanabe, JBW, Chapparal, Minator, Panasport etc) seems to have the holes, on 4-lug wheels, between the spokes, but this one has them at the end of the spokes. Probably why I'm not immediately ordering these. eg Maxilite versus RB

[roadsternut]

The same wheels, albeit painted and different PCD/ 0 offset, on a 240Z. Look alright.

[Jamie]

I think these look great Andy; have mailed the seller to ask about clearances with an FM big brake kit.

[roadsternut]

All they said for brakes they are certified to the two brake types used in the NA. Will get the OC rally out of the way, then drop the hammer on a set of these.

[roadsternut]

Found these Malaysian minilite/watanabe style wheels now being sold in Europe (though also US stock). Not for me, but might interest some. Fairly blatant. Too stupid a size for me.

http://www.topmiata.com/shop/atara-r...g/#prettyPhoto

[roadsternut]

Well, should have a set of Maxilites with me by thursday or so; £526 delivered from Italy. I'll act as guinea pig.

[roadsternut]

They arrived