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

Will said:
One other thing, don't bother changing the brake lines on the Mk3, people will suggest going for braided lines but unless you go for the ILMotorsport set, then the front one's will never fit properly. The factory lines are attached to the upper wishbone by a small bracket and hardpipe sectionto prevent them from chafing against the wheel and/or end of the anti-roll bars, where as most of the aftermarket kits don't use this bracketry, instead just having a short loop directly between the caliper and the union mounted on the chassis leg. The result is, most of the aftermarket brake lines will eventually start to rub, not desirable! I had to replace my HEL lines because of this design issue. I replaced them with the ILM set up, but am reliably informed that the factory lines have an internal metal braid anyway, so the whole endeavour is pointless!
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Ha! Good to know, I had had a quick look but decided that for road use I didn't think they were necessary. Crazy that that could be the case all along!!
 
grudas said:
Probably owners manual, was the case with MK2.5 I believe.
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My Mk2.5 has a sticker in the door but it might be different because it's an import however.

6mw8Da1.jpg
 
I've been badgering poor Frozennova off the forums but has anyone else changed the clutch themselves on these?

I'm obviously doing a boatload of research, but looking for general tips, particularly with regards to how people approached the PPF

There is a lot of info on the Mk1, and I imagine there is not too much different between the models, but i'd particularly like to know any intricacies for the Mk2.5 six speed.
 
Gayjin said:
I've been badgering poor Frozennova off the forums but has anyone else changed the clutch themselves on these?

I'm obviously doing a boatload of research, but looking for general tips, particularly with regards to how people approached the PPF

There is a lot of info on the Mk1, and I imagine there is not too much different between the models, but i'd particularly like to know any intricacies for the Mk2.5 six speed.
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Dont do this

 
Haha I remember reading about that when I changed the GB oil last time. I'm pretty sure the fill plug is labelled clearly but I'll be super careful.
 
Anybody own the MK4? I want one, might buy one next year. Might lease for 2 years to see if I'll get the use of it first and then maybe buy it if I want to keep it or just give it back.

It'll be my second car. Something to blast about in on the weekend. I've been looking at MX-5s, Fiat 124 Spiders and BRZ/GT86s but I'd like a rag top really
 
Apparently the 124 is a bit rubbish when put against the MX5.

I test drove the GT86 before I bought my MK2 and supercharged it. Nice car but, especially as a second car, it wasn't special enough, needed an engine with character for me.
 
wesimmo said:
Apparently the 124 is a bit rubbish when put against the MX5.

I test drove the GT86 before I bought my MK2 and supercharged it. Nice car but, especially as a second car, it wasn't special enough, needed an engine with character for me.
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Yea, with it being a second car and me not being a hairdresser I'd probably want something a bit daft. I've also considered supercharging a MK2 but I'm not great around cars. I just want to thrash them my fix them.
 
TallPaul1878 said:
Anybody own the MK4? I want one, might buy one next year. Might lease for 2 years to see if I'll get the use of it first and then maybe buy it if I want to keep it or just give it back.

It'll be my second car. Something to blast about in on the weekend. I've been looking at MX-5s, Fiat 124 Spiders and BRZ/GT86s but I'd like a rag top really
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I have the mk4 mx5 RF. I like it :) no torque. And the 0-60 is 7 seconds ish. Nice car though. Handles well. Brakes well. Looks good.

I think the 2.0ltr is punchy enough tbh.
 
TallPaul1878 said:
Cool. I looked at the RF but I'm 6ft and I would be happy with the rag top, wind in my bald patch and all that.
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I’m 5’8, and I find it a fair squeeze to get in. (Not fat either) I’d say go and test drive them for sure. You might love how it drives. It’s fairly punchy and throaty. But lacking in torque. :p

Getting into this thing when cars are parked either side is a bit of a squeeze too as the doors are rather long.
 
DereksDontRun said:
I read and seen a couple comparisons and I seem to recall them all saying the RF with the hard top actually has more headroom than the soft-top. Guess it's worth a try at a dealers and compare ;)
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The RF does look quite smart, I'm just not sure about those rear pillars and if that's what I want.

The nearest Mazda dealer from me is about 10 miles away so I might see if I can get a test drive over Christmas or leave it til spring
 
wesimmo said:
Apparently the 124 is a bit rubbish when put against the MX5.
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124 Abarth is best MX5 variant, looses out on twin tests due to price generally rather than how it drives, I do like the RF, though it is not as roomy as my NC.

There are some OK PCP/lease deals on the Abarth if that is your thing. £199 a month.

But I'd save some dough, get a late model NC and add some subtle performance mods.
 
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Fair enough, I've not read about the Abarth to be honest, neither are really on my list so I've only caught a few things comparing them and they've all been standard Vs standard.

I missed out on driving the RF at Croft on a dealer day as I was away.
 
From MotorTrends head to head on the 124 Vs ND

Abarth has better chassis/suspension
ND has the better engine

NDs like to eat gearboxes from everything I've seen when regularly driven hard/tracked. Fiat stuck with the 6 speed from the NC
 
Gayjin said:
I also read this recently - apparently it's already on it's 4th gearbox revision
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Paul Roddison was getting about 1000miles out one in his track car.

Mine last longer pushing the 5 speed to what's considered its limit on torque.

I don't understand how they got it so wrong
 
another generation, another 6 speed made of cheese? what else, a weak diff that bores itself open again?

personally, waiting to see what the depreciation is like, should be able to stretch another year (hopefully 2) out of my mk2.5, chassis rails pending after treating sills this year
 
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Super-Spy said:
So.....still on the hunt for a nice MX5 that I can use to run around in and also take to the track for some fun.

Looked at a few NB Mk 2 cars but it is shocking how many suffer from rust. Although I have found the odd one or two that are pretty much rust free, I worry that even those will go the same way after a few years of driving around in the wet :(

It is quite worrying when you see so many NBs that look great in photos and ahve been cared for mechanically, failing their MOTs due to rust and being broken for parts.

I then thought of getting a Mk 1, having owned a great R-Limited a few years ago. Definitely easier to find rot free ones of those compared to the NB but not sure it will make a good road going car these days due to lack of safety features.

Now, I am thinking of pushing my budget a little and seeing if I can source a half decent 6 speed 2.0 NC Mk 3.

As always, what started as a "good idea" to get a cheap car is now becoming more expensive :(

Interested to hear other people's thoughts on the above. Am I being paranoid about the NB cars ?
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Are you still looking for an NB?
 
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