- My model of MX-5 is: ND 2.0 Sport NAV
- I’m based near: IOM
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Alloy wheel colour
Hi all. My ND had a kerbed alloy on the front n/s when I bought it. The body shops I spoke to didn’t fancy trying to refurb it so I picked up a brand new alloy on eBay instead.
I’m not sure if I’m imagining it, but the finish on the new alloy seems slightly lighter. I’ve attached some pics below (the new wheel is the one off the car).
I’m wondering, are there subtly different alloy wheel colours available and I may have bought the wrong one, or am I just comparing a brand new alloy with ones that are 7 years old!
I’d appreciate a second opinion on this. Am I losing the plot?!
They look the same to me. I wonder if the one on the car just looks darker as it is surrounded by tyre and in the wheel arch/under the car creating shade?
I could be wrong but I was under the impression that there were two versions.
Your top picture is better for seeing the wheels side by side. Unfortunately, you need to rotate the new one or move the car slightly so that the spokes match up. That wheel seems to have two different spoke designs (alternating) that catch the light at different angles. Unless both wheels are lined up with light hitting them as close to the same way as possible, the comparison isn’t fair. Use the hole for the tyre valve as a reference point. Try comparing in full sun and full shade as well. Good luck!
You are not losing the plot!
I did the same as you and had to return to the seller
It seems Mazda uses more than one shade of grey for wheels and no touch up available. I mixed my own for a half decent match
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I had the car in for a wheel alignment today so sought a second opinion from the garage, as I still couldn’t make my mind up. The conclusion seems to be that the wheel is not a match 
