Discussion
MOT passed today - I found a local tester that would put it straight onto the emissions test, rather than waiting for it to go cold, then failing the test, as it has done for everyother MOT in my ownership. Of course, testing it this way meant that it sailed through. The only advisory was for almost worn rear tyres.
It is going to Rogue Motorsport for a service next week. Then I guess it will be new tyres and a 4 wheel alignment, but not for a while, as I also had to pay renew the insurance on my van this month.
It is going to Rogue Motorsport for a service next week. Then I guess it will be new tyres and a 4 wheel alignment, but not for a while, as I also had to pay renew the insurance on my van this month.
Edited by Craikeybaby on Thursday 21st October 16:30
Picked up the car from Rogue Motorsport earlier today. They seem to think the rear tyres are past the legal limit - I thought I had driven very carefully to drop it off, with no sliding etc. They also pointed out a hole in the rear subframe, which seems to be the only part of these that is susceptible to rust (unlike my old MX-5).
I am either going to have to get a new subframe, or get the existing one welded. I need to work out if removing the subframe will necessitate a wheel alignment. If so, I'll try to get the tyres done first and then the alignment corrected. Unfortunately due to the level of tyre wear I will probably have to get all this done sooner rather than later...
Still, I've had 7 years of cheap motoring in the MR2, so can't begrudge spending some money on it.
I am either going to have to get a new subframe, or get the existing one welded. I need to work out if removing the subframe will necessitate a wheel alignment. If so, I'll try to get the tyres done first and then the alignment corrected. Unfortunately due to the level of tyre wear I will probably have to get all this done sooner rather than later...
Still, I've had 7 years of cheap motoring in the MR2, so can't begrudge spending some money on it.
Since my last update the MR2 has just stayed in the garage - I have had a lot going on in my life holiday/redundancy/finding a new job etc and have not had an opportunity to even think about the little MR2. However, my new office is in the Birmingham ULEZ, which my VW Transporter does not comply with, so the MR2 could be down for some occasional commutes - this has given me a kick to get it back on the road!
First stop is new tyres - I have narrowed my options down to "Yokohama AD08RS" trackday tyres or "Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125" which are summer tyres. As unfortunately the Bridgestone RE040s that I have used up until now have been discontinued. I am more likely to drive on cold/wet roads than I am to do any trackdays, so weighing up the flexibility of the tyres vs the ultimate performance.
First stop is new tyres - I have narrowed my options down to "Yokohama AD08RS" trackday tyres or "Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125" which are summer tyres. As unfortunately the Bridgestone RE040s that I have used up until now have been discontinued. I am more likely to drive on cold/wet roads than I am to do any trackdays, so weighing up the flexibility of the tyres vs the ultimate performance.
It seems like an alignment will be needed after the rear subframe is replaced, but Rogue Motorsport can do that. I just need to work when I can get the car over to them.
I had a set of Hankook Ventus Prime 3 tyres fitted yesterday. I wasn't expecting to get the car so sideways pulling out of the tyre fitters - so on the drive home I was worrying that I had gone for the wrong tyres, and hoping that it was just the releasing agent and they would get grippier as they wore in. However, it turned out that all of the tyres were inflated over 45psi (should be F:26/R:32), which explained the lack of grip! I won't be using that garage again either.
With the tyre pressures corrected, I took the Roadster to run a few errands and the grip was lots better - I think the old Bridgestones had aged before I wore them down, as even if I tried to get the rear to break traction, it just stuck. Which was how I remembered the MR2 from when I first bought it, after years in tail-happy MX-5s.
Today my 2-year-old asked to "go for a drive in the sports car" - he did not need to ask twice!
For the last year or so, we have had Fridays to ourselves, but this is the penultimate one before I start working full time again, and he goes to nursery on a Friday, so it was great to get out for a little adventure - especially as it was sunny. We managed to get back just before the rain too.
I had a set of Hankook Ventus Prime 3 tyres fitted yesterday. I wasn't expecting to get the car so sideways pulling out of the tyre fitters - so on the drive home I was worrying that I had gone for the wrong tyres, and hoping that it was just the releasing agent and they would get grippier as they wore in. However, it turned out that all of the tyres were inflated over 45psi (should be F:26/R:32), which explained the lack of grip! I won't be using that garage again either.
With the tyre pressures corrected, I took the Roadster to run a few errands and the grip was lots better - I think the old Bridgestones had aged before I wore them down, as even if I tried to get the rear to break traction, it just stuck. Which was how I remembered the MR2 from when I first bought it, after years in tail-happy MX-5s.
Today my 2-year-old asked to "go for a drive in the sports car" - he did not need to ask twice!
For the last year or so, we have had Fridays to ourselves, but this is the penultimate one before I start working full time again, and he goes to nursery on a Friday, so it was great to get out for a little adventure - especially as it was sunny. We managed to get back just before the rain too.
Thought I'd update this thread as MR2 Roadsters are getting some love on the homepage...
With starting a new job and salty roads, I didn't drive it at all in January. As the weather had improved this week I used it to run a few errands and even drove it to the office in central Birmingham.
MR2 in the city centre by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
After mostly driving my van for a while getting back into the MR2 is bloody good! Even if there's more grip than I'd like with the new tyres.
I still need to get the subframe sorted...
With starting a new job and salty roads, I didn't drive it at all in January. As the weather had improved this week I used it to run a few errands and even drove it to the office in central Birmingham.
MR2 in the city centre by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
After mostly driving my van for a while getting back into the MR2 is bloody good! Even if there's more grip than I'd like with the new tyres.
I still need to get the subframe sorted...
Court_S said:
Craikeybaby said:
I can't remember the last time I drove it with the roof up...
Good lad.Just need to get my other half to adopt the same approach. She’s a bugger for leaving it up even in nice days!
MR2 at the seaside by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I have actually been driving the MR2 - over 400 miles at the weekend, for a weekend away in Devon. Via the Cotswolds, as we had to drop kids (and wife's car) off with grandparents. It was good to be able to put some miles on it, especially over Exmoor!
Then, after being stuck indoors working from home all day, I needed to run some errands and was reminded just how good the combination of MR2 and sunny evening is!
After an expensive month for the MR2, I took it for a drive to North Wales, I was photographing a mountain bike race, but it would have been rude not to also take in the Horseshoe Pass and have breakfast at the Ponderosa cafe.
Horseshoe Pass by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The MR2 drove great all-day, the only problem was the rain on the M54, both ways, pretty much the only part of the journey where I could not easily stop to put the roof up...
Horseshoe Pass by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The MR2 drove great all-day, the only problem was the rain on the M54, both ways, pretty much the only part of the journey where I could not easily stop to put the roof up...
At Resorts World by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
A quick photo in the cinema car park, of course, there was someone parked next to it when I got out
Really enjoyed taking the long way home - it really does not get better than roof down hoons on a warm summer evening.
shandyboy said:
Mine is still going strong 
Had the usual issues (o2 sensor - easy to change with a cheap tool), new radiator (age related I guess) and rear sub-frame, but over the years it's been very reliable (and fun)...
Yours is the best colour too Had the usual issues (o2 sensor - easy to change with a cheap tool), new radiator (age related I guess) and rear sub-frame, but over the years it's been very reliable (and fun)...
I've had all of those - probably need to check the radiator again, as it was done when the car was 9 years old. 9 years ago...
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff