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

visibleman · 6 Mar 2024 at 21:13

adolf hamster said:
They were not

Also i now remember why i hate working on car interiors.

Worth it though

Was it a straight swap in the end? More importantly, did you manage to get away without breaking any of the clips?

adolf hamster · 7 Mar 2024 at 07:39

visibleman said:
Was it a straight swap in the end? More importantly, did you manage to get away without breaking any of the clips?

The ones i bought came with the interior frame, which is shaped to accomodate the deeper set cupholder.

But otherwise yes, the new ones came with different connectors for the small speakers but the original speakers swapped straight over.

The clips are a bit worse for wear and i did lose one, but the replacements came with a couple so got away there. I would suggest having spares.

kinger8938 · 21 Mar 2024 at 10:17

Hey all! Thinking I may do a little routine maintenance myself, Oil change/Filter. Not clear when it was last done.

Which is the best correct oil to use?

2001 MK2.5 Sport 1.8.

Google seems to throw up mixed results/opinions

Frozennova · 21 Mar 2024 at 11:00

I always ran my Turbo Mk2 on Shell helix ultra 5w40. It was abused, and when I tore the engine apart after bending a connecting rod there were zero signs of bearing wear etc

kinger8938 · 21 Mar 2024 at 12:02

Frozennova said:
I always ran my Turbo Mk2 on Shell helix ultra 5w40. It was abused, and when I tore the engine apart after bending a connecting rod there were zero signs of bearing wear etc

I shall have a look for that then, thanks!

Also coolant is low! Any specific type needed?

Frozennova · 21 Mar 2024 at 12:26

Comma G30 for coolant on them

kinger8938 · 21 Mar 2024 at 15:29

Frozennova said:
Comma G30 for coolant on them

Thanks is it good practice to completely flush the system and start fresh?

When I say "low" it's only because I noticed the expansion tank is on the low marker. No low warning light or anything?

Janesy B · 21 Mar 2024 at 23:29

kinger8938 said:
Thanks is it good practice to completely flush the system and start fresh?

When I say "low" it's only because I noticed the expansion tank is on the low marker. No low warning light or anything?

If you don't know when it was done last, dropping it and replacing it all isn't a bad idea.

kinger8938 · 22 Mar 2024 at 08:21

Yeah my thoughts too.

I may get a quote for a basic service as want to keep on top of it on paper too, came with a good history file so would be good to keep up with that!

I've not had it a year yet, just not 100% when it was all last done. Will dig the papers out over weekend

JeffyB · 24 Mar 2024 at 11:24

I'mcurrently looking at a few options and love the RF, torn between that or a tts.

kinger8938 · 24 Mar 2024 at 13:54

JeffyB said:
I'mcurrently looking at a few options and love the RF, torn between that or a tts.

I think if I was buying a modern MX5, I would go for the RF aswell

JeffyB · 29 Mar 2024 at 20:29

kinger8938 said:
I think if I was buying a modern MX5, I would go for the RF aswell

Really is a handsome car.

bainbridge · 30 Mar 2024 at 08:00

Binding brake caliper on front right corner. The left was replaced 3 years ago for the same thing.

Rather than rebuilding I'm replacing it, hopefully the pads aren't too worn.

Janesy B · 30 Mar 2024 at 17:57

bainbridge said:
Binding brake caliper on front right corner. The left was replaced 3 years ago for the same thing.

Rather than rebuilding I'm replacing it, hopefully the pads aren't too worn.

Piston seizing or just the sliders?

bainbridge · 30 Mar 2024 at 20:31

Janesy B said:
Piston seizing or just the sliders?

Piston seizing, replacement caliper ordered rather than trying to rebuild it.

kinger8938 · 14 Apr 2024 at 18:14

Gave the MX5 a good clean today

Must admit when the sun's out and I nip out for a blast, I fall back in love with the car

(not that I fell out of love with it!) Just makes it worth while!

I want to polish it now, when the sun hits the car the swirls are noticeable!

I have Autoglym Polish from a set I was gifted a while back so will give that a go when the weather is more consistent! Any tips? Anything to avoid?

I'll likely just do it by hand with an applicator.

Janesy B · 14 Apr 2024 at 22:13

kinger8938 said:
Gave the MX5 a good clean today

Must admit when the sun's out and I nip out for a blast, I fall back in love with the car (not that I fell out of love with it!) Just makes it worth while!

I want to polish it now, when the sun hits the car the swirls are noticeable!

I have Autoglym Polish from a set I was gifted a while back so will give that a go when the weather is more consistent! Any tips? Anything to avoid?

I'll likely just do it by hand with an applicator.

Can't go wrong with super resin polish, just keep it off black plastics.

kinger8938 · 20 Apr 2024 at 08:01

Janesy B said:
Can't go wrong with super resin polish, just keep it off black plastics.

Thanks! Didn't have the applicator but have one arriving today. So may give it a go later if the weather holds up!

This may sound silly.. but how much pressure should be applied when polishing? Never really done it before!

I'm guessing polish on the applicator, small circular motions to cover the panel, then buff off with the microfibre?

One panel at a time?

lordrobs · Tuesday at 12:18

kinger8938 said:
Thanks! Didn't have the applicator but have one arriving today. So may give it a go later if the weather holds up!

This may sound silly.. but how much pressure should be applied when polishing? Never really done it before!

I'm guessing polish on the applicator, small circular motions to cover the panel, then buff off with the microfibre?

One panel at a time?

With Super Resin Polish you haven't really got any cutting power, it's trick is filling the swirls to make them less visible. You want a firm application for it to do it's stuff but you don't really need to apply pressure as such.

One panel at a time sounds good and make sure you don't use too much other wise you end up with a chalky mess to buff off rather than a haze. Good method is to apply to the pad then dab it around the area to be polished then start working it in. Saves you ending up with too much early on which you then need to try and spread.

If its a cool day you may want to do another panel or two before buffing off to allow the SRP to dry to a haze.

Remember to seal it afterwards otherwise those fillers don't do their party trick for very long. I like good old fashioned solid carnauba wax for this but there are plenty of options.

kinger8938 · Tuesday at 16:26

lordrobs said:
With Super Resin Polish you haven't really got any cutting power, it's trick is filling the swirls to make them less visible. You want a firm application for it to do it's stuff but you don't really need to apply pressure as such.

One panel at a time sounds good and make sure you don't use too much other wise you end up with a chalky mess to buff off rather than a haze. Good method is to apply to the pad then dab it around the area to be polished then start working it in. Saves you ending up with too much early on which you then need to try and spread.

If its a cool day you may want to do another panel or two before buffing off to allow the SRP to dry to a haze.

Remember to seal it afterwards otherwise those fillers don't do their party trick for very long. I like good old fashioned solid carnauba wax for this but there are plenty of options.

Thanks!

Would the ceramic spray stuff be considered a sealant? Got that with the kit too and haven't used it yet