I am looking at maybe buying an MX5 25th anniversary and I love the colour of red/black on the body and roof but detest black/dark graphite alloy wheels.
The question being is was the wheels colour a deciding factor to anyone who bought this model or would you have bought it with silver alloy wheels if it had them ?
I had a CX-3 a few years back and that had anthracite wheels that had silver in them that made them a lot more acceptable to my eye. I will probably go with the silver or anthracite colour change, the car would be a keeper, ultra low mileage and very good price, just my curiosity on what actually makes the 25th Anniversay, or any other anniversary model, sought after.
Just back from a weekend in Snowdonia with 30 other 25AEs. Pretty well every car had some slight (and often removable) customisation - whether it was stubby aerial, different windbreaker, graphics, new head unit, boot spoiler, wheel colour, etc, so I would not say that total originality is that important.
Basically what makes the 25AE sought after is the colour: Soul Red paint and Brilliant Black roof with a Stone interior is very attractive. Bar a few other minor cosmetics (dashboard colour, sill plates, headrest, rear valance) the car is mechanically identical to any Mk3.75.
Personally, I think that the gun metal wheels that Mazda fitted are the nicest. I’ve seen Black wheels on a 25AE and they don’t (to my eyes) look as nice. Never seen silver, but if it’s what YOU like on YOUR car, then go right ahead! (You could even pick up a second-hand set of silver NC wheels to go on the car and keep the originals).
Primarily the colour combinations used are unique and easily identifiable, eg:
10th was unique blue + polished wheels
20th was white with red recaros
25th was unique red + light interior
30th was unique orange
100th was white + red roof
35th will likely be the latest premium red
I have been to see my wheel guy & he has just done a couple of sets of MX5 wheels in black and also anthracite chrome, the anthracite looked absolutely stunning so I will take the advice of Philip and more than likely get a 2nd set to be refurbished, cheap enough on Ebay if kerbed, a full set of 4 in my colour choice would be £240 fully restored. The originals can go into storage for the future.
Agree over the 25th model, the red/black body with stone leather makes it.
I’d agree - keep the original wheels, pick up a 2nd set and have them done in a finish to suit you.
There have been some good prices mentioned for refurb as well. The going rate locally here seems to be £320 for a set. It would be useful for others to include where you had them done, for future reference
