MX5 ND2 30th Anniversary

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For the road, Bilsteins with Eibachs are spot on. I'd then maybe add in an ARB to dial out some more of the body roll and you are golden. The body movement is what makes the car feel alive and fun.

There was no such thing as the Cup pack. I bought mine new, the springs and exhaust were just bits you could add on and I wouldn't bother with the Bastuck exhaust. I fitted a Cobalt exhaust which was at least half the price and really good quality.
 
sandys said:
Yup heard all these arguments before, runs through most Mx5 forums but what many miss and it appears you are too is that the change also helps the compliance of the car, the road ride on Ohlins or GT1s trumps the stock setup and also provides a sharper car, which should come as no surprise really, a dual stage damper doing its job is a wonderful thing, the ride over our crap roads is next level, many won't pay for that privilege just to waft about in the sunshine, but it offers more than just on track performance, from what I have read on Xidas it is another step improving Mazda rear limited travel due to inverted design.
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Yeah i guess my experience of coilovers were they were always way too track focused for me, i've only had 1 set of 'posh' coilovers when i had Ohlins on my DC5 and they were unbearable on the road, the other sets have always been sub £1000 so were never very compliant on the road.

When we had our NC mx5 i was tempted by coilovers but didn't want to ruin it's road manners, interested that we could have been ok but then i wasn't going to spend half the value of the car of suspension either :(
 
The only set of coilovers I have ever fitted have been to my RX7, and I went for Ohlins DFV's, the more road based coilovers and they are sooooooo much better than what came off.

But usually I like to stick closer to how a car came from the factory as firm is fine, but crashy and smashy firm is no fun whatsoever!
 
Jester* said:
The only set of coilovers I have ever fitted have been to my RX7, and I went for Ohlins DFV's, the more road based coilovers and they are sooooooo much better than what came off.

But usually I like to stick closer to how a car came from the factory as firm is fine, but crashy and smashy firm is no fun whatsoever!
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Also went Ohlins DFV on S2000, ride was a touch firmer on my settings which were more towards firm end of spectrum but compliance was improved, overall it rode nicer but was way more sharper, was great on track too.
Putting them more to the recommend settings they rode way better than stock but for me I set them up to be firmer and sharper which gave a huge handling benefit.
 
Some of it has to do with your chosen spring rate, on an NC the BBRs Ohlin setup with 7/5 springs is a lovely road setup that can do a bit of track and deals with broken up concrete air fields in a nice way, like a limo :D it was a lot more comfort spec than my chosen route of I think 10/6 on GT1s though that still rode less crashy than the default sports setup from Mazda.

I had to max out the Ohlins on that car to match my cars response on an Autosolo due to the softer choice, neither choice was a bad one it comes down to what your target is.
 
From all the accounts I've heard, the Xidas should ride better than stock on the road. At $3000 they're not for everyone mind you, but I have high expectations. The car is all about handling - so let's make it handle as best as it can. We'll see - I'll report back when I receive and fit them.
 
Some updates to the car.

I installed the BBR 220 Kit, Supermiata XIDA coilovers, braided lines, Pagid RSL29 pads and some spacers. Oh and new tyres (Toyo R888R).

Some pics and a wee video of how it revs to nearly 8000rpm now.




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post pictures

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BBR 220 Kit MX5 ND2

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I'm looking forward to getting the car on track to see how it feels - it's certainly a great little road car now. Just the right size, compliant suspension and the extra power really makes the car feel more alive.
 
nice looking car, how are you finding the brakes and pad changes?
currently I've done super 220 and MeisterR ZetaCRD upgrades but still on stock brakes / tyres
 
Always felt one of the great things (on road) about the MX5 were the brakes. Great feel, great consistency and great braking. Lightweight has many benefits.
 
I just had an alignment on the car and took it for its first track day, turning the coilover dials up to around 15 clicks all around. What a setup! It was harassing all sorts of cars in the twisty stuff and was a revelation over kerbs. Large 'sausage kerbs' I would previously have avoided like the plague, the car almost floats over. The compliance over these 'big' kerbs was astounding, and body roll reigned in despite me not having the anti-roll bars fitted yet.

On the road set to 5 clicks from soft, it rides significantly better than my 2022 Porsche GT3 and shrugs off bumps and undulations that would send the 911 hunting for the nearest ditch (I guess much wider tyres don't help much there for the 911).

I'm extremely impressed.

The power allows it to pass the usual Clio 182 track cars with relative ease too - but of course, it isn't full-on cheat mode like a GT3, but allows for great battles with all sorts of mid-power cars. Fantastic.

 
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Was very tempted by these bar the depreciation. Will be following this thread with interest.

I just went for an S2000 but they sound like very similar cars once you have the power upped a bit.
 
I was massively impressed by the original iteration of the ND 2.0. for me it was the perfect balance of old school driving feel and modern convenience. I'd have one in an instant if I ever actually drove my MX5. As it stands doing around 1000 miles a year I can't justify anything that will depreciate so I'll stick with the NA for the time being.

Million dollar question... Will the GT3 even get a look in now?!
 
lordrobs said:
I was massively impressed by the original iteration of the ND 2.0. for me it was the perfect balance of old school driving feel and modern convenience. I'd have one in an instant if I ever actually drove my MX5. As it stands doing around 1000 miles a year I can't justify anything that will depreciate so I'll stick with the NA for the time being.

Million dollar question... Will the GT3 even get a look in now?!
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The MX5 is great but it's no GT3. But the GT3 is actually for sale now to make room for a different car: https://finder.porsche.com/gb/en-GB/details/porsche-911-gt3-my22-preowned-KWONRX
 
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