MX-5 Mk2.5 - LSD?

[Kingy]

Morning all,

It looks like my condemnation to a cash car is set to continue for some time, and my current steed is rotting beyond economical repair...

To that end the sensible but boring thing to do would be to bag a Mk3 Ghia X Mondeo, but I keep coming back to the MX-5...

I've never driven one, but I've read a lot of hype, so I'm willing to entertain the idea... Question is, which models to look out for?

I don't really understand how to spot an LSD, or really what it does beyond make things 'better' but I think I want one. I'd want as much power as possible, and a few toys (CD Player/Heated Leather/Electric windows/mirrors, and heated glass rear screen) as well...

In doing my research I see that the 1.8i S seems to fit the criteria, as does the S-VT, but I've read conflicting things about the Mk2.5...

I've found a couple of 1.8i Sports advertised cheaply (one that's covered 120k, the other has only done 58k but needs bumper resprays), these seem to have the 146bhp VVT engine, and 6-speed box, but I can't find definitively if they also got the bigger brakes, bilstein suspension, and LSD?

Was Air-Con standard spec kit? What about a wind deflector? Is the roof electric? What's the boot space like? What's the heater like? Is the stereo any good? Can the RC aerial be replaced with a stubby? Is the VVT a non-interference engine (ie, it's not as important if the cambelt has been done)?

Can anyone here help me fill in the blanks please?

 

[Kingy]

I have a Mk 2.5 1.8 S-VT and its a cracking little motor. As you have said it has the blisterin suspension, bigger brakes than the 1.6 and the LSD. I havent driven a "normal" mx-5 so I Cant give a definitive comparison, but as I understand it the bilstein suspension makes the ride a little firmer, but in turn gives you a little sharper handling. The LSD I havent really had much experience of yet. The only time I have managed to feel it engage is when purposely planting the accelerator turning out of a junction. You kind of hear the clunk as it engages and feel the power going to the outside wheel to push you round instead of spinning up the inside. Its not needed for day to day driving, but its nice to know its there. The bigger brakes over the 1.6 have a pretty obvious purpose

In terms of your other questions, no air-con is not standard kit. I'm 99% certain all the mk2.5s have a wind deflector as standard, mine certainly does. Its a hard plastic affair mounted behind the rear seats that folds up and down. Most of the time you cant see it and its not very tall, it only comes maybe halfway up the headrests at most. It does make a difference for my girlfriend up to about 50mph, but with me being 6'2 I dont really notice the difference it makes. You can get bigger mesh ones for about £100 though. No the roof is not electric, but it literally takes 5 seconds to fold it down, and as long as you dont mind getting out of the car it only takes about 15 seconds to put back up. The boot space is not great, but its enough for a couple of weekend bags, certainly good for a car of this class. The heater is fantastic, and hugely overpowered with the roof up. If you get an s-vt with the leather seats they are also heated and get very toasty very quickly. The stereo..... its ok. I'm planning to change mine for a better one at some point, but it does the job as standard. I think the aerial can be replaced but personally I wouldnt, its electric and winds up and down on its own anyway. Yes the engine is a non-interferance type.

Hope this helps.

Cheers for that...

I've read different things about the way the models were named. It seems to be that the were three versions of the Mk2.5 (LE models aside) 1.6i/1.8i/1.8i Sport?

Perhaps I've got the wrong end of the stick, but I'm getting the impression that in Mk2.5 form, the 1.8i Sport, the 1.8i S-VT, and the 1.8i S-VT Sport are all the same thing, but advertisers are getting the name wrong?

What I'm trying to establish is if an example is called an 1.8i Sport, and has the 6 speed box / heated leather (the obvious stuff anyone would notice), then it also has the LSD and Bilstein suspension, but the sellers just don't realise/mention that?

What's the fuel economy like? Or the cruising ability? I'm not expecting an S class, but I did 30k a year in a Z4. I'm not doing that many miles atm, but I would be using it for the 30 mile each way commute to the office...