Japan Racing JR29

I had a desire for new wheels, nothing wrong with the old ones, but just fancied the change (like you do). 
Long story short, spoke to Driftworks about getting some nice Work wheels. It just was not happening though and there seemed to be a tremendous problem with getting the correct offset. Try a different offset and have all the risk myself? No, I don't think I like the word "risk"!

Que Japan Racing, a budget wheel manufacturer from Poland (not sure where Japan come into it). They have a clever business model manufacturing for many different brands of car with PCD, offsets, and diameters in many different sizes. I went with a spoke design (similar to a Works wheel). Not only could you have the offset machined but you also can have the PCD of your choosing. These were supplied through Auto Extreme. 

The downside to having the bolt holes machined is that Japan Racing machine the wheel blank after it has been finished painted so you end up with bare metal bolt holes. It's okay, but not ideal as in my opinion these will not weather as well as a fully finished wheel. 






















The wheels I ordered were flat black, I used the term 'were' as after attaching one to the car it looked wrong and had zero aesthetic impact, also the exposed bolt holes would eventually drive my OCD into overdrive. 

JR29 fitted to the car, just wasn't working for me

By chance, I spoke to a friend of mine on Facebook who has the Work style wheels. These were in (I can't remember what it is called now) GT Silver (I think). This is a black base with silver overlay. Inspired that the wheel could look good, I decided to change colour.  

Friends Car 

There are various mixes based on this theme with names like Hyper Black which in turn is similar to Shadow Chrome etc. 

I spoke to the Wheel Specialist in Maidenhead and went with Shadow Chrome. They actually turned the wheels around in a couple of days (which took me by surprise!). Their attention to detail is lovely with black weights for balancing etc. The finish is flawless. Basically, my new wheels looked better than new ones (if that makes any sense). 
These were finished off with a set of TGR Motorsport wheel nuts. Did get some internal drive nuts from Japan Racing, which were serviceable, but uninspired.  

 Assorted musings.

The wheels were very tight on the spigots, it was a real wrestling job to get them on with the nuts. 

Use copper slip when fitting wheels, it will help get them off at a later date. 

The PCD holes are tight, especially deep on the front. Internal drive tuner style bolts are a must-have. 

Wheel sizes with a PCD of 114.3
18 x 9.5 et 35 rears 
18 x 8.5 et 30 fronts

Tyres 
Yokohama Advan AD08r 
265/35 R18 Rears
235/40 R18 Fronts