MX5 Owners in here....bring your curling tongs

Janesy B · 17 Jul 2023 at 09:57

kinger8938 said:
Looks like a job well done! I'm definitely tempted to get mine treated but may hold off for a bit.

I also wouldn't mind a hard top but I'd want a perfect colour match which I imagine isn't that easy.

Along with the stereo, I'm trying to just cover some simple bits and bobs. I've taken all the stuck on chrome bits off that the previous owner had on, I want to get a new front plate/plinth though the reviews on the mx5parts replacement sound terrible. New front wiper blades as mine as soo loud! And clear side reflectors instead of orange/red. But looking out for some cheaper ones if possible

You'll probably end up needing a bit of welding at the same time, it's just the way it is with these.

If you're worried about the colour match, get a black hard top. they look great on red cars.

visibleman · 17 Jul 2023 at 12:30

01001101 said:
Looking at the expansion tank, I don't think it looks too bad. What would you say?
The DaveFab expansion tank was the one I was looking at. Apparently it's a job I can easily carry out myself. Takes about 20min, a turkey baster for transferring the fluid. Don't need to flush or bleed the system. Sounds easy in principle.

It's a simple job but yours looks perfectly fine. As said though, unless your tracking or racing, then i'm not entirely sure why you would replace it with a baffled ali tank unless it's for 'looks'.
Each to their own but i would use the cash for something else.

01001101 said:
Thanks for the recommendations for the RX8 parts. Is this the right wiper/washer stalk?

Looks like the part (worth double checking on MX5OC or similar forums), although that seems stupidly expensive. I paid £20 inc delivery (from 'banzai-breakers' on eBay) for similar albeit without the steering sensor.
I would save a search on eBay and just keep an eye out.

01001101 · 17 Jul 2023 at 14:12

visibleman said:
It's a simple job but yours looks perfectly fine. As said though, unless your tracking or racing, then i'm not entirely sure why you would replace it with a baffled ali tank unless it's for 'looks'.
Each to their own but i would use the cash for something else.

Looks like the part (worth double checking on MX5OC or similar forums), although that seems stupidly expensive. I paid £20 inc delivery (from 'banzai-breakers' on eBay) for similar albeit without the steering sensor.
I would save a search on eBay and just keep an eye out.

Thanks dude for your input. I went ahead and instead of getting the ali tank, treated myself to a custom gear knob from CravenSpeed.

I've set up a search alert on ebay, so thanks for that. Much appreciated.

Tr1p · 17 Jul 2023 at 19:57

Did a decent clean on mine today, then put it up for sale. Been a short affair but bought a classic Mini and need the garage for that. Shame. Great car the MX5.

Siliconslave · 17 Jul 2023 at 20:29

Is that a jasper conran edition? Used to have the silver, wish I'd never sold it

Tr1p · 17 Jul 2023 at 20:53

Siliconslave said:
Is that a jasper conran edition? Used to have the silver, wish I'd never sold it

It is indeed. Number 50 of 400 black ones. The platinum silver is nice (mainly for the red interior and leather). Originally bought it to modify and track but can’t bring myself to do, would be a ruinous exercise.

kinger8938 · 18 Jul 2023 at 17:28

Finished getting rid of the chrome effect bits the previous owner had. Last one was this surround for the gear stick. I couldn't just remove it as it leaves holes in the plastic underneath. So had it powder coated matt black!

Didn't get a before photo but it was like this part, covered in surface marks before

Much happier with that

had chrome plastic rings around the heater knobs etc. It looked ok just not my thing. Just need a nice gear knob now and maybe a new fresher leather bit

Siliconslave · 18 Jul 2023 at 22:20

Never quite understood the magpie obsession with shiny stuff on mx5s, always looked a bit naff to me!

kinger8938 · 18 Jul 2023 at 22:49

Siliconslave said:
Never quite understood the magpie obsession with shiny stuff on mx5s, always looked a bit naff to me!

Yeah same. I think it maybe an.. older owner thing, of which there seems to be many! Didn't realise the broad appeal tbh until I got mine. The chap I bought mine from was 75, owned it from new. He adored it but they just weren't getting to use it as much these days

Anyway, last chrome bits are reflector surrounds. Peel off easily enough. Then I'd like to replace them with clear style ones instead of the standard orange/red but for now it's fine

01001101 · 19 Jul 2023 at 03:35

Siliconslave said:
Is that a jasper conran edition? Used to have the silver, wish I'd never sold it

How could you tell it was a Jasper Conran? Wheels?

Tr1p said:
It is indeed. Number 50 of 400 black ones. The platinum silver is nice (mainly for the red interior and leather). Originally bought it to modify and track but can’t bring myself to do, would be a ruinous exercise.

Apparently it also came with a mini disc player. Is that right?

Tr1p · 19 Jul 2023 at 08:31

01001101 said:
How could you tell it was a Jasper Conran? Wheels?

Apparently it also came with a mini disc player. Is that right?

Guessing the wheels, they’re 15” BBS wheels specifically for the Jasper Conran.

They originally came with a Sony CD Player with a mini disc changer in the boot.

Unfortunately mine was removed for some unknown reason.

Siliconslave · 19 Jul 2023 at 09:34

Tr1p said:
Guessing the wheels, they’re 15” BBS wheels specifically for the Jasper Conran.

They originally came with a Sony CD Player with a mini disc changer in the boot.

Unfortunately mine was removed for some unknown reason.

Yup the wheels are a dead give away although mine were dented so ended up with some rotas iirc. Weirdly I had the same with the mini disc changer, guess not many people kept their mini discs (which again were great

)

01001101 · 19 Jul 2023 at 15:21

Siliconslave said:
Yup the wheels are a dead give away although mine were dented so ended up with some rotas iirc. Weirdly I had the same with the mini disc changer, guess not many people kept their mini discs (which again were great )

I've got a whole stack of mini discs in the loft. It would be sweet to have been able to use them again if mine came with one. I guess by 2006 CD's dominated.

@visibleman
Hey bud, with the wiper/washer stalk, does it also have an updated indication system?

visibleman · 19 Jul 2023 at 16:46

01001101 said:
@visibleman
Hey bud, with the wiper/washer stalk, does it also have an updated indication system?

I'm assuming the RX8 indicator stalk? Not that i'm aware of and from what i know, it's the same part/part number as what's used in the NC. The only difference was the wiper stalk which had the intermittent wiper ring adjuster.

For reference and for anyone looking to do the wiper mod for an NC -

MX5 NC (no intermittent adjuster ring) -

RX8 (intermittent adjuster ring) -

Double check all of this (plenty of threads on MX5 forums) as i'm going off old notes i just found but regarding the wiper stalk, i believe the RX8 part # is GJ6A-66-128 and supposedly there are knock-off Chinese copies that use the part # J13K359A (seem to be around £20; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174324177497).
And i believe Mazda 6 saloons of the same era (2005 etc) used the same intermittent wiper stalk although make sure it is the saloon and not a hatchback stalk with the rear window wash, ie - you don't want this stalk (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353465616608).

MX5Parts sell Mazda OEM intermittent wiper stalks (https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/variable-intermittent-wiper-upgrade-mazda-mk3-35-p-1322.html) although they're £100 :eek:

There is a RX8 stalk assembly going on ebay (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314655963756) which looks the same to what i purchased, although it's £60.
If you get a stalk assembly from a RX8 or Mazda, then it's two phillips screws to remove the wiper stalk and then you just pull it out from the assembly. The assembly and indicator stalk you leave or sell on.

Fitting is as simply as removing the lower steering cowl (two phillips screws from memory) on the NC, removing the wiper stalk (as above) and then refitting your intermittent stalk and putting the cowl back.

Darujhistan · 19 Jul 2023 at 16:58

RoyMi6 said:
Only MK2 owner? Looking to plastidip mine over summer to be yellow with all the chrome black and black stripes

MK2 - Peak MX-5. An absolute work of art.

01001101 · 19 Jul 2023 at 17:53

visibleman said:
I'm assuming the RX8 indicator stalk? Not that i'm aware of and from what i know, it's the same part/part number as what's used in the NC. The only difference was the wiper stalk which had the intermittent wiper ring adjuster.

The reason why I'm asking is I wanted to check if it allows for soft touch indicating rather than full indicator down or up engagement. I'm just used to that style of indicating without having to switch the indicator back to neutral. I've caught myself a few times now driving down the road with the indicator still signalling. I probably look like a right nob. :cry:

visibleman said:
Fitting is as simply as removing the lower steering cowl (two phillips screws from memory) on the NC, removing the wiper stalk (as above) and then refitting your intermittent stalk and putting the cowl back.

This is so helpful dude! I can't thank you enough.

kinger8938 · 19 Jul 2023 at 21:57

Headunit fitted

Then popped out for an evening drive to test it out

01001101 · 19 Jul 2023 at 22:22

@visibleman Hey dude. Found this on Reddit.

https://mx5things.com/collections/for-mazda-mx-5-nc-prht/products/smartflasher-for-mx-5-nc

MikeTheNative · 20 Jul 2023 at 10:55

All your examples are a lot shiner than mine.

I've got a Mrk 2 with 120,000 miles on it but it still looks in decent nick though. Bought mainly as a track car, which I'm finally taking on track tomorrow. I still use it regularly as a daily so will not get too much modification although it does have a TR Lane roll bar.

visibleman · 20 Jul 2023 at 12:11

01001101 said:
The reason why I'm asking is I wanted to check if it allows for soft touch indicating rather than full indicator down or up engagement. I'm just used to that style of indicating without having to switch the indicator back to neutral. I've caught myself a few times now driving down the road with the indicator still signalling. I probably look like a right nob.

01001101 said:
@visibleman Hey dude. Found this on Reddit.

https://mx5things.com/collections/for-mazda-mx-5-nc-prht/products/smartflasher-for-mx-5-nc

I honestly didn't think this was a mod for the NC but apparently so and there's a few forums posts discussing it, eg - https://forum.mx5oc.co.uk/t/nc-indicator-tapturn/92630. Looks like it's all third-party 'flasher' units rather than a Mazda part that can be fitted. Certainly useful if your use to tap/soft-touch indicators or wanting LED bulbs (stops hyper-flashing supposedly) though.