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

Got an odd rattle coming from the aux belt area when the car is under load (backing up the drive). Online suggests either the tensioner or the idle pulley but there doesn't seem to be a definite answer. Any experience here? Mk3 2.0.

Cheers
 
The idler pulley and tensioner can rattle, the bearings do wear out, it's a fairly simple job to replace both mind and the parts can be had relatively cheaply (think I paid 78 quid for the idler pulley, tensioner and a new Gates belt). The only other source of a rattle that is typical with these engines is the vvt actuator which is attached to the inlet camshaft, but that tends to rattle most prominently on startup, rather than under load.

Get a good independent garage to have a look for you, checking for play in the pulley and tensioner is pretty straightforward.
 
Thought it didn't look too bad, seller's willing to negotiate lower than 1500. I'd like to see it in person but if I go there I'm not leaving empty as it's going to take me all day so would like a few opinions if it's worth a shot

Also is the hardtop considered an optional extra. Asked my insurer if they covered it and they said only if it's an extra from when the car was bought which I assume it is..
 
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The main areas of worry are the rear of the sills and the Chassis rails.

From those photos the Sills look a lot more solid than mine did when I bought it, I'd say that's fairly keenly priced.

FWIW mine is an R plate in the same colour and I paid £950 for it just over a year ago with 106k miles on it.

Thats got half the mileage, its got a hard top (Worth £300-400 on eBay), on first look it's a sport (Not sure if the Nardi wheel was added by a previous owner)
 
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Looks like a relatively small section had been cut out or possibly patched there, personally I'd want to see a bit more cut back than that to ensure that the rust doesn't come back.

Sadly a lot of cars get bodged once rust sets in, patching and filling over rusty bits that makes it look nice for another 2 years or so before it comes back :(
 
Agree with Will on the size of repair. Given they rust from the inside the whole rear of the sill probably will be rusty
 
That will be rusty in a year. The only fix is to chop the WHOLE lot out and weld in a new sill.

I wouldn't touch that thing with a poo covered stick. Pictures often flatter a car, so the fact it looks bad in pics tells you that it's going to be a lemon.
 
That's a shame :(

Is it likely to find one without rust for under 1800 though incl hardtop. I mean i could probably sort the sills later so long as the rest of the car is ok?
 
Saw a MX5 niseko for the first time yesterday, quite liked the colour.
the reg ... N15 EKO, wonder how much that cost

Whats the score with the new Recaro edition one Mazda keep emailing me about?
Just a new trim level too?
 
Treated myself and Bought some 17" Lenso Samurai Spec F Alloys in matte black for my MK3, the standard 16's just look rather small.

I'll upload a photo when I end up fitting them.
 
~Divine~Wind~ said:
Saw a MX5 niseko for the first time yesterday, quite liked the colour.
the reg ... N15 EKO, wonder how much that cost

Whats the score with the new Recaro edition one Mazda keep emailing me about?
Just a new trim level too?
Click to expand...

The Recaro addition is just a trim level really, limited edition as it may be....

Its a top spec 2.0 car with Recaro seats (look awesome, half leather half alcantara), some alcantara trim bits, the official mazdaspeed body kit parts (lip spoiler, boot spoiler and side skirts) and some alloy wheels which look worse than the ones that'd come on a normal car.

Apart from the seats everything else can be bought separately as a dealer fit or DIY add on accessory.
 
Rear boxes for a MK2, is th Cobalt still the one to go for as an improvement over stock without being too loud. Noticed mines started to blow very slightly



thereisnofood said:
That's a shame :(

Is it likely to find one without rust for under 1800 though incl hardtop. I mean i could probably sort the sills later so long as the rest of the car is ok?
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You'll be hard pushed to find one for that kind of money that doesn't need sills doing either now or in the immediate future. Even my best mates 2002 needs some welding doing
 
thereisnofood said:
That's a shame :(

Is it likely to find one without rust for under 1800 though incl hardtop. I mean i could probably sort the sills later so long as the rest of the car is ok?
Click to expand...

It sure is possible, my MK2.5 will fall into this catergry when I put it up for sale although it does have some peeling lacker... and 128k on the clock.

KingDazza said:
Well my brand new MX-5 is beyond my expectations. Absolutely stunning experience in every way. I'm in total love. :)
Click to expand...

Sounds amazing, pictures?
 
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