MX5 ND2 30th Anniversary

  • Thread starter Thread starter mk1_salami
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mk1_salami

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mk1_salami

Hello guys,

In an effort to keep some miles off the GT3 (already covered 3,600 miles in 6 weeks), I conducted some of my very best man maths and came up with an idea ... get a much cheaper, less mileage-sensitive car to blast about in which would still be enjoyable. I plan to take this to Italy in September and enjoy the Nurburgring & Spa.

I always loved the look of the ND MX5 but when I test drove one in 2016 I felt the 2.0 engine felt - for want of a better word - rubbish. It didn't like revs, and just felt like a letdown in an otherwise awesome package.

Fast forward 6 years and I bought the very best ND 30th Anniversary model I could find. The newly revised 2.0 engine is much better and loves to rev right up to 7,500. The car has full paint protection film, and some nice bits like the factory aero pieces (front lip, side skirts and spoiler). It also had some lowering springs and a Cobalt exhaust fitted.

With the Recaro interior, and forged Rays wheels hiding some Brembo brakes it really is a cool little thing.

I planned to modify it before I bought it and the idea is to make it a really nicely balanced, b-road weapon that I can enjoy on the track now and again. Mods list (ordered already) include:

  • BBR Super 220 Kit (includes camshafts, valve springs, exhaust manifold, intake, and a Star Chip remap)
  • XIDA Sport Coilovers from Supermiata (by most accounts they're the very best suspension you can buy for an MX5)
  • Pagid RSL29 brake pads, Hel braided lines in bright orange, and Castrol SRF fluid
  • Versus Engineering throttle pedal (helps with heel and toe). I fitted this already and it makes a great improvement
  • PACO Motorsports seat lowering kit (despite being only 5 foot 8 I feel like I'd like to sit lower in the car). The downside of this mod is you lose the seat slider function
  • Toyo R888R tyres
The mods are incoming and I can't wait to have them all fitted and enjoy the car even more than I am already.

Here are some pictures!



 
nice, was always the version i looked for when ND hunting. Current market and no amount of man maths can justify me getting one unfortunately. Enjoy.

Not sure if its weak leather but i did notice some of these have wear on the head rests (i presume from the velcro like hair of balding males such as myself). Something to keep an eye on maybe.

going to be stuck with the civic until the day it (or more likely I) die at this rate.
 
Really enjoyed mine. Orange is a great colour on these!

51285093758_33eedcb3a5_c.jpg
 
Love it. Looks like you have michelin on there? What tyres? I was looking for PS4S but couldn't see any that size.
 
Spotted a few of these at Oulton Park, must admit I thought to myself I like those, but then never had a look to see what they cost.

My only concern would be surely an S2000 is still a better car or as good?

Also see if Michelin do PS5 in the size you need, fitted PS5 to the M3 and if anything they are too good, the amount of grip even in the wet is somewhat beyond belief.
 
Gibbo said:
Spotted a few of these at Oulton Park, must admit I thought to myself I like those, but then never had a look to see what they cost.

My only concern would be surely an S2000 is still a better car or as good?

Also see if Michelin do PS5 in the size you need, fitted PS5 to the M3 and if anything they are too good, the amount of grip even in the wet is somewhat beyond belief.
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Actually always preferred an MX5 to an S2000. Not sure why, it just seems more ... 'fun'. With the BBR 220 kit it'll have a better power to weight ratio than an s2000 (1045kg vs 1295(?)kg) and handle better (in my opinion). Also has the benefit of being a nearly new car, so no worries about anything really.
 
That's going to be an EPIC motor, the Porsche won't leave the garage again :p Nice little beater to not care about :D

I'd be torn with going boosted in the ND if my other car was already an NA nutter as 220 is just enough for a good time.

Where are you getting the XIDA from I was considering these for my NC.
 
sandys said:
That's going to be an EPIC motor, the Porsche won't leave the garage again :p Nice little beater to not care about :D

I'd be torn with going boosted in the ND if my other car was already an NA nutter as 220 is just enough for a good time.

Where are you getting the XIDA from I was considering these for my NC.
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Thanks mate. I think it'll be a handling monster with just enough power and a great little 4 pot soundtrack with the cams and manifold with the exhaust. I ordered the Xida's from Supermiata.
 
sandys said:
Nice little beater to not care about :D
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It's only an MX5 and each to their own but considering most ani's hold their value pretty well and there's only 550-odd 30th's in the UK, i'm not sure i would beat on it too hard :cry:
The only thing i question about the ND's is if the groans about the gearbox were justified or not, always got mixed opinions when asking around. Although the fact that a few outfits do NC box conversions and the 124 used an NC box "supposedly" due to strength, always played on my mind when shopping for one a few years back.

@mk1_salami - Awesome car though and the colour is mega :cool: Are you planning to do a bit of a build log/blog thread?
Also worth pointing out there are a few manufacturers that offer seat lowering rails which have a slider mechanism for the ND - Aurora is one i believe but they aren't particularly cheap to ship over.
 
Mazda tend to silently improve stuff over time, a late model NC box is better than an early one for example, wouldn't surprise me if the ND has had the same treatment and those Orange Annis are awesome.
 
Hello mate. Not sure what the cup pack is?

I haven't looked but I believed the OEM suspension on 30AE are bilstein.
 
I don't think there has ever been an MX 5 with good suspension, the 30AE came with Bilsteins but still a fair amount of roll, whilst it's not a terrible thing and communicates well it is better sharpened up.

The Cup pack was just lowering spring on handling side, most after market coilovers will be an upgrade.
 
sandys said:
I don't think there has ever been an MX 5 with good suspension, the 30AE came with Bilsteins but still a fair amount of roll, whilst it's not a terrible thing and communicates well it is better sharpened up.

The Cup pack was just lowering spring on handling side, most after market coilovers will be an upgrade.
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It depends what you define as good suspension, 95% of cars will only ever be driven on the road and not particularly fast at that. For that the stock suspension with some roll and compliance is perfect and coilovers will be worse for most normal drivers imo.
 
mk1_salami said:
Hello mate. Not sure what the cup pack is?

I haven't looked but I believed the OEM suspension on 30AE are bilstein.
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Cup Pack added 25mm lower Eibach suspension which made for sharper turn-ins and far less body roll on the corners and a Bastuck stainless steel exhaust system. It was widely reported the exhaust system as well as making the car sound awesome, made the engine breath better and the car revs better.

Probably probably not worth seeking a car with this option out since you were upgrading all the suspension anyway.
 
sovietspybob said:
It depends what you define as good suspension, 95% of cars will only ever be driven on the road and not particularly fast at that. For that the stock suspension with some roll and compliance is perfect and coilovers will be worse for most normal drivers imo.
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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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Greebo said:
Cup Pack added 25mm lower Eibach suspension which made for sharper turn-ins and far less body roll on the corners and a Bastuck stainless steel exhaust system. It was widely reported the exhaust system as well as making the car sound awesome, made the engine breath better and the car revs better.

Probably probably not worth seeking a car with this option out since you were upgrading all the suspension anyway.
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It has the optional Eibach springs installed already. You'll maybe notice the car sits quite nicely.
I think its 100% an area that can be improved made more to my liking. I appreciate everyone has different expectations and preferences in that area though.
 
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