I just picked up a set of stock NB wheels today. All the wheels are the same style, but they don't match. 2 look to be bare cast with different markings, the other 2 are silver powdercoat. Did Mazda do different castings of the same wheel? For reference:

 

You never see the left and right side at the same time (without mirrors/window reflections)

 

True. My OCD would get the best of me though.

 

I bought a used set a few years ago, two were smooth and a little shiny, two were bumpy and a little dull. Neither are the chrome plated 6AEs. I assumed they were from different years. I never really inspected them for markings.
I do keep both of the same type on the same side.

 

I think the 10ae cars where a little different, but more the finish not so much the shape

 

Pretty sure all the 10AEs had polished wheels. The dull looking wheels say Enkei on the back. I'm guessing they are just from different years. I'm hitting them with some paint to get them to match anyway.

 

Mazda did all sorts of oddball stuff over the years, this isn't surprising at all.

 

Mazda didn't do any castings. They did, however, have numerous suppliers that submitted bids to produce wheels for them. There are variances between stock wheels.

Also, given that we are talking about used wheels, it is possible that someone had to put two sets together for some reason and didn't care about the result

 

I know a guy in Murf does $50 a wheel powdercoating, or swing by, bring paint, and we'll grill.

 

I'm sure that's what it was. No matter, they match now. It's amazing what a little hard work can do.
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The polished wheels came on the 10th AE models. They are...polished. The other wheels came on normal miatas and those are just cast.

 

What did you do to match them?

 

Probably polished them. :-P

 

No polished wheels here. I just shot them with some etching primer and Rust-Oleum silver wheel paint.