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

Siliconslave · 18 Jan 2017 at 17:25

it was a long time (about 5 years) ago that i checked, but it was £305 for springs, fitting and vat at WIM, takes around 3hours apparently so doable as a day trip...

Frozennova · 18 Jan 2017 at 17:28

Cleisthenes said:
I had been thinking about that. Am I correct in thinking a geo is around £120 for a decent one? I've had a look at Wheels in Motion but it's a good 2 hour drive from me (I'm in East Sussex) but I think it might be worth the trip.

The car doesn't have all matching rubber at the moment and I was wondering whether it's a bad idea to get the car geo'd before changing to rubber that I'm happy with. Thoughts on that?

How much should I expect to pay for new springs?

Eibach are £140-£160 depending wether you want 30mm,35mm or 45mm drop, no idea on fitting costs though

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/shocks-springs-c-378_113_283.html

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/eibach-30mm-sports-springs-mk3-p-943.html

Tyres and Geo are the first two things any MX5 need doing IMO

Akagi · 18 Jan 2017 at 17:37

Mine has needed a geo and wheel balancing since I bought it, but it only becomes a noticeable issue over 85MPH, and I don't often go there, so it keeps getting forgotten.

Cleisthenes · 18 Jan 2017 at 17:39

Thanks for the replies guys. My problem is that the tyres have quite a lot of tread on them, so I don't want to change them for the sake of it.

Am I right in thinking that toyos are recommended? I have the 17" standard wheels.

Frozennova · 18 Jan 2017 at 17:47

Cleisthenes said:
Thanks for the replies guys. My problem is that the tyres have quite a lot of tread on them, so I don't want to change them for the sake of it.

Am I right in thinking that toyos are recommended? I have the 17" standard wheels.

Everyone in the MX5 circles rave about T1Rs, the truth is they're distinctly average

Potenza RE050A (OEM Fit)
Continental Sportcontact5
Goodyear F1AS2
Yokohama AD08R (More track orientated but I don't have any real trouble with them in the wet even with circa 250bhp)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Edit: I've actually just stole that list from one of Will's posts on Nutz and tweaked it slightly

Akagi · 18 Jan 2017 at 17:53

I have T1R's on mine, they are cheap cheap but they do the job well in the dry. In the wet I can best describe them as "fun".

I wouldn't recommend them if you don't want the back stepping out occasionally.

Cleisthenes · 18 Jan 2017 at 17:57

Thanks, and thoughts on the kumho ku39 as a more budget option?

Frozennova · 18 Jan 2017 at 18:02

No idea, I've only ran AD08R on mine other than a couple of weeks on the Barum Bravuris fitted when I bought it then ~9 months of RainSport3s taken off my previous car. The RainSport3 weren't a bad tyre as far as grip levels, sidewalls are fairly soft so they feel a little vague

Akagi · 18 Jan 2017 at 18:03

I've heard good things about the KU39's but I can't comment on how they compare to things like the Rainsport 3 etc. Have you asked in the tyre thread too?

Martynt74 · 18 Jan 2017 at 18:18

I had the Kumhos on mine (mk2.5). I thought they were pretty decent.

Cleisthenes · 18 Jan 2017 at 18:24

Thanks. I think if I'm to change the tyres soon I'll have to go with something slightly less premium. £240 for 4 is a lot more tempting that £400 for 4!

Is there such a thing as selling slightly used tyres?

Akagi · 18 Jan 2017 at 18:28

Cleisthenes said:
Thanks. I think if I'm to change the tyres soon I'll have to go with something slightly less premium. £240 for 4 is a lot more tempting that £400 for 4!

Is there such a thing as selling slightly used tyres?

Yes, people like me buy them for their Skodas.

Stick them on eBay. Ignore people on here, they think buying and selling part worn tyres is a bit like buying and selling children on the moral scale.

I don't see the issue. If they aren't worn weirdly, dont have repairs, dont leak, dont have any sidewall damage, and have legal tread, no kittens are going to die...

We'd probably all be safer if everyone bought part worn branded tyres instead of Boto's and Sunny's. :eek:

Cleisthenes · 18 Jan 2017 at 18:57

Maybe I'll do that! I think I may do the rears first and then the fronts maybe a month after. I wish I could do naff jobs but this will have to come first.

First things first I need to give it a clean this weekend, it's disgusting!

Akagi · 18 Jan 2017 at 19:03

Of course, its winter!

Oh that reminds me, get it undersealed and cavity waxed before its old enough to start going as rotten as a pear.

These guys do it, looks like a proper job. They were doing one when I went there. http://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/services/rust-prevention/

Cleisthenes · 18 Jan 2017 at 19:03

It hasn't recovered yet from its drive from the North!

Cleisthenes · 22 Jan 2017 at 22:04

One filthy 5

scaza · 8 Feb 2017 at 15:32

Got the car weighed today on works weight bridge @ 1090kg with 1/2 a Tank and no driver.
A friend had his NB weighed @ 1160 with him in it and just under 1/4 Tank.

So I'd say pretty similar.

Frozennova · 8 Feb 2017 at 15:39

scaza;30483387 said:
Got the car weighed today on works weight bridge @ 1090kg with 1/2 a Tank and no driver.
A friend had his NB weighed @ 1160 with him in it and just under 1/4 Tank.

So I'd say pretty similar.

I'm guessing your friend is on the larger side? Mine was 100kg lighter at Ti Motorsport with 2/3 tank and no driver

scaza · 8 Feb 2017 at 15:44

Frozennova;30483410 said:
I'm guessing your friend is on the larger side? Mine was 100kg lighter at Ti Motorsport with 2/3 tank and no driver

I'd say a Max 90kg's.
It's a facelift 2.5 if that makes a difference. I know it's pretty good as it was only calibrated Monday, that's how I managed to get the conversation started

Frozennova · 8 Feb 2017 at 15:47

scaza;30483430 said:
I'd say a Max 90kg's.
It's a facelift 2.5 if that makes a difference. I know it's pretty good as it was only calibrated Monday, that's how I managed to get the conversation started

That makes more sense, NBFLs had some extras that add weight