R56 Please post pictures of your R56 here...
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Not to mention I don't think I would have gotten the mellow yellow without the black rims. Would have just been TOO bright. The black balances it out real nice.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County PA
I agree.. The really set the car off nice. Also glad to see another bright color pop up.. It will definately get you lots of positive attention. Best of luck with it.
dwf, we sell hundreds of Rota wheels, so if there's a problem with the quality, I'd certainly hear about it. To the contrary, we get nothing but positive feedback about the wheels. The quality is very good, and the price is affordable for most people. And yes, you'll see TONS of Rotas at your average track day event.
Sure, most of the Rota designs are similar to other wheels. While this may not be something you like, it is legal. Functional items are not covered by copyright. Unless the product is patented, any company is free to make similar products to any other company. You can see this at your local Target store, where last spring's designer styles are available on the discount rack from knock-off labels. Sure, in one sense this makes it hard for the innovator to capitalize on their R&D. On the other hand, it means the only way for a company to get a lasting advantage is to continue to innovate to stay one step ahead -- the competition stimulates continuous creativity. Plus, if there's a real technical innovation, that can be patented.
Sorry, my post has strayed kind of far from "Post pictures of your R56..." If we want to discuss wheels more we should probably take up a new thread.
--Dan
Mach V
Sure, most of the Rota designs are similar to other wheels. While this may not be something you like, it is legal. Functional items are not covered by copyright. Unless the product is patented, any company is free to make similar products to any other company. You can see this at your local Target store, where last spring's designer styles are available on the discount rack from knock-off labels. Sure, in one sense this makes it hard for the innovator to capitalize on their R&D. On the other hand, it means the only way for a company to get a lasting advantage is to continue to innovate to stay one step ahead -- the competition stimulates continuous creativity. Plus, if there's a real technical innovation, that can be patented.
Sorry, my post has strayed kind of far from "Post pictures of your R56..." If we want to discuss wheels more we should probably take up a new thread.
--Dan
Mach V
and yes, i agree you can go and replicate anything. It's a matter of personal choice. It's a similar reason to why I buy things locally instead of online. If I were to purchase online, I'm injecting my money into the economy of tons of random cities across the country. What I prefer to be doing is injecting money into the area that I live in. Why? Because that's all that keeps us going. Could I save 5-10% by buying online? yes. But I'd be taking business away from my neighbor, who might in a few years be forced to sell his house because no one is buying local anymore.
Support a company that repeatedly designs and produces awesome looking and quality wheels, or support one that has no originality and is forced to copy someone else. obviously my mind is made up, and so is yours.
i've said my piece, enough on this tangent...
Last edited by dwf137; Jun 5, 2009 at 01:02 PM. Reason: grammar
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, North Carolina
nice to see you're rocking poorly made wheels on your "track only" car. just hope you don't end up like this...
and yes, i am making a big deal out of it. in my opinion, a company making replicas of wheels that are currently in production is completely wrong. After production, sure, go right ahead. But it's definitely a complete infringement on intellectual property. There's minor differences i'm sure but there's many other options out there that look very similar that aren't replicas.
do they look good, yes. but personally, the fact that they're replicas completely takes away from it. Its like barry bonds and how he will always be remembered for achieving what he did with steroids...
and yes, i am making a big deal out of it. in my opinion, a company making replicas of wheels that are currently in production is completely wrong. After production, sure, go right ahead. But it's definitely a complete infringement on intellectual property. There's minor differences i'm sure but there's many other options out there that look very similar that aren't replicas.
do they look good, yes. but personally, the fact that they're replicas completely takes away from it. Its like barry bonds and how he will always be remembered for achieving what he did with steroids...
i don't care how much you spent on your slicks, I could probably buy a full set of 4 slicks every paycheck if I decided that cars were worth everything in the world.
i also don't give anyone with bbs or mugen wheels "street cred". I could care less how much someone spent on their wheels. I have "cheaper wheels" myself, but they're not replicas. I have something against replicas, and I know for sure that i'm not the only one.
![ChEEzE[iT]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23b07a73' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>C</text></svg>)
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
but at least the replicas are called something different, better than getting lets say volks TE37 and having another company making the wheels and calling them volks. better to have it say TE37 replica's or TE37 look a likes..
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Saugus, CA
Just picked her up today!!! More pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38925728@N06/
We're now a 2 MINI family!!!
We're now a 2 MINI family!!!
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 3
From: Fresno Ca.
Just picked her up today!!! More pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38925728@N06/
We're now a 2 MINI family!!!
We're now a 2 MINI family!!!
We are a 2 Mini family too
Here they are together:
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Phila, PA
You lucky dog. I was in Seattle several years ago on a birthday trip. What I distinctly remember was how fresh and clean the air was at Mt Ranier (and most places in Seattle). It was so refreshing. I was sad leaving Seattle :(. Take several big gulps of air for me next time you're there. I live in the PA / NJ area :(
I live in the PA / NJ area :(
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Frisco, TX
Wow - LOVE it. Love those wheels. I like how the chrome/silver ring ties into the little bit of chrome around the car.
If you don't mind me asking - what kind and size of wheels are those???
If you don't mind me asking - what kind and size of wheels are those???
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Exton, PA
Just picked her up today!!! More pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38925728@N06/
We're now a 2 MINI family!!!
We're now a 2 MINI family!!!
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Saugus, CA
And you are a Steelers fan......+100!
I hope to move back some day. Gotta love Steeler Country!!!
and you live in exton and you're a steelers fan. BLASPHEMY!
(I grew up in exton, just moved here about a year ago. Now I'm "vacationing" back to the philly area, go figure)
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County PA
Been to Highlands NC I see ! I have photos of my BMW Z3 under the Bridal Veils as well. Fantastic driving roads there!
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Exton, PA
What a small world! You grew up in Exton?! Whereabouts in CA did you relocate to?
yea, my parents moved to exton when i was in 4th grade. We moved to one of the booming new neighborhoods with the large cookie-cutter style houses. Near Exton station and ship field.
I relocated to Seattle, WA. The intent is for this to be temporary. I came out here for a job. There was a pretty cool and unique opportunity that seems to be paying off with the way the economy is going. Hopefully in the next few years, I'll find something else back in the area (hopefully in south jersey so I can live at the shore)
In july though, I'm flying back to Ocean City. can't wait. I'd love to have my mini back in west chester though, I know so many fun roads to drive around on.
I relocated to Seattle, WA. The intent is for this to be temporary. I came out here for a job. There was a pretty cool and unique opportunity that seems to be paying off with the way the economy is going. Hopefully in the next few years, I'll find something else back in the area (hopefully in south jersey so I can live at the shore)
In july though, I'm flying back to Ocean City. can't wait. I'd love to have my mini back in west chester though, I know so many fun roads to drive around on.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
Yep! I go up there on Wed or Thur evenings when I want to "take the long way home". Can't stand to go up there on weekends except for nice winter days. Too much of a circus in the summer time.
<my sig pic is The Dragon in the winter, also>
<my sig pic is The Dragon in the winter, also>