My Roadster! 94 1.8 S-special
Discussion
Well, I thought I'd start a new thread, and maybe I'll keep it updated every so often! Took the day off today to get to know my car, it was late, miserable and dark when I got back last night.
I gave the car a quick rinse off, vacced the inside, (proper cleaning is coming soon) and headed North from Leeds to the twisties, with a couple of photos along the way.
The interior is lovely. Its got the Nardi wheel and gear knob, S-special mats, and a Very retro Alpine Double Din headunit with cassette deck
. Thats getting changed soon for all my kit thats in the garage. Theres also a Cusco polished Cabin brace, complete with dubious Harness mounts, and a most amusing 'engrish' sticker. Polished bits and bobs elsewhere too, gear surround, steroe surround, and the teardrop shape speaker mounts in the doors. Must treat myself to a new tube of autosol I guess.
The business end. Its absolutely spotless in here, must have been recently cleaned. We have some form of lurid yellow Strut brace (Is this a Mazda item?),& a K+N 'High Power Air Cleaner' (Filter then!). Theres also a 4 into 1 Stainless exhuast manifold, must look for some form of badge/name on this. And at the other end...
HKS Super Drager, all the way from the Cat. Apparently these are hard to get hold of, and cost about 1/3 of what I've just shelled out on the whole car! I have been pleasantly surprised with the sound too, its far, far smoother and mroe refined than its 'ricer' looks suggest. Much nicer than the Magnex on my previous car. The single silencer under the boot is ENORMOUS aswell. Again, should polish up perfectly. I love polishing, so all these one-time shiny add ons are fantastic.
The cars currently got slightly grubby 14" wheels on, apparently these are Mazda items, but it shouild have the (much prettier) 14in BBS rims. Ah well, cant have it all. The bodywork is spot on bar a tiny crease above the front arch, can just about see it here. Anybody care to comment on the ride height? The car is fitted with some form of adjustable suspension, theres a 'key' for the damping adjustments, on the top of each shock absorber. Need to play around with those at some point. I think its lower too, no?
Low profile spoiler on the back, again not sure if this is factory Mazda, one from the options book maybe? Note wobbly, crappy foglight. Horrid. Need to know what my options are here, either a nicer 'bolt on' job, or move to the right hand reversing light?
Another thing that interests me, Miata badge, rather than Eunos?
The Vin number too, all matches of course, but strikes me as being a rather distinctive set of digits! I think my car must have been one of the very, very first of the '94 spec, which is when the 1.8 came in? As in, one of the first 25! Curious, at the very least. I'm sure I've seen a Vin Decoder somewhere on the net, perhaps someone can point me toward it again.
MazdaSpeed Type A front bumper, according to the guys on clubroadster.net. I like it, anyhow. Got a small crack at the bottom left corner, which the previous owner did right before putting the car up for sale on the corner of their driveway! Not to worry, will get it fixed up. I re-aligned the headlight lids before I set off aswell, someone had been leaning on them I expect.
Ugly stock number plate plinth remains, but is towards top of the list when it comes to changes. This bumper seems to offer a couple more mounting options than the stock one, theres more flat surface for a sticky plate, or perhaps a regular plate on the bottom bar. Or an offset plate...
I like the chrome side repeaters too, black and chrome is a definite winner with these cars. Needs a big shiny fuel filler to finish this side off too.
Autumn colours, open top roadster, country pub. Who could ask for more!
I am over the moon with the car. It seems the who-ever owned it in Japan was really into thier cars, as all the mods have been carried out over there. The single previous UK owner has taken great care of the car since then too. Mechanically it seems really good. There also NO rust that I can find anywhere, the inside of the arches is like a new car, cleaner than any of my cars before.
The major problem is the paintwork. Its been treated to regular washing and rinsing, but thats it I guess. Its covered in tar spots, lots of swirl marks, and what looks like the fall out from the PO's nearby powerstation - lots of baked on white spots over the bonner/boot/top surfaces.
Thats a challenge for me though, I'm positive that using my own experience plus a few pointer I can get it looking like a piano top again. Managed to rescue my previous car and that was/is in beautiful condition now. What else is there to do on sundays, other than clean you car and drive to the pub? Its proven (maybe) that people who care more for thier cars, are the ones who get the most enjoyment out of them. This one will be getting lots of attention, so I hope it rewards me justly!
Hope you like. Its a buyers market. From my short experience so far, I cannot reccomend these cars enough, I think I've caught a good'un here.
I gave the car a quick rinse off, vacced the inside, (proper cleaning is coming soon) and headed North from Leeds to the twisties, with a couple of photos along the way.
The interior is lovely. Its got the Nardi wheel and gear knob, S-special mats, and a Very retro Alpine Double Din headunit with cassette deck
. Thats getting changed soon for all my kit thats in the garage. Theres also a Cusco polished Cabin brace, complete with dubious Harness mounts, and a most amusing 'engrish' sticker. Polished bits and bobs elsewhere too, gear surround, steroe surround, and the teardrop shape speaker mounts in the doors. Must treat myself to a new tube of autosol I guess. The business end. Its absolutely spotless in here, must have been recently cleaned. We have some form of lurid yellow Strut brace (Is this a Mazda item?),& a K+N 'High Power Air Cleaner' (Filter then!). Theres also a 4 into 1 Stainless exhuast manifold, must look for some form of badge/name on this. And at the other end...
HKS Super Drager, all the way from the Cat. Apparently these are hard to get hold of, and cost about 1/3 of what I've just shelled out on the whole car! I have been pleasantly surprised with the sound too, its far, far smoother and mroe refined than its 'ricer' looks suggest. Much nicer than the Magnex on my previous car. The single silencer under the boot is ENORMOUS aswell. Again, should polish up perfectly. I love polishing, so all these one-time shiny add ons are fantastic.
The cars currently got slightly grubby 14" wheels on, apparently these are Mazda items, but it shouild have the (much prettier) 14in BBS rims. Ah well, cant have it all. The bodywork is spot on bar a tiny crease above the front arch, can just about see it here. Anybody care to comment on the ride height? The car is fitted with some form of adjustable suspension, theres a 'key' for the damping adjustments, on the top of each shock absorber. Need to play around with those at some point. I think its lower too, no?
Low profile spoiler on the back, again not sure if this is factory Mazda, one from the options book maybe? Note wobbly, crappy foglight. Horrid. Need to know what my options are here, either a nicer 'bolt on' job, or move to the right hand reversing light?
Another thing that interests me, Miata badge, rather than Eunos?
The Vin number too, all matches of course, but strikes me as being a rather distinctive set of digits! I think my car must have been one of the very, very first of the '94 spec, which is when the 1.8 came in? As in, one of the first 25! Curious, at the very least. I'm sure I've seen a Vin Decoder somewhere on the net, perhaps someone can point me toward it again.
MazdaSpeed Type A front bumper, according to the guys on clubroadster.net. I like it, anyhow. Got a small crack at the bottom left corner, which the previous owner did right before putting the car up for sale on the corner of their driveway! Not to worry, will get it fixed up. I re-aligned the headlight lids before I set off aswell, someone had been leaning on them I expect.
Ugly stock number plate plinth remains, but is towards top of the list when it comes to changes. This bumper seems to offer a couple more mounting options than the stock one, theres more flat surface for a sticky plate, or perhaps a regular plate on the bottom bar. Or an offset plate...
I like the chrome side repeaters too, black and chrome is a definite winner with these cars. Needs a big shiny fuel filler to finish this side off too.
Autumn colours, open top roadster, country pub. Who could ask for more!
I am over the moon with the car. It seems the who-ever owned it in Japan was really into thier cars, as all the mods have been carried out over there. The single previous UK owner has taken great care of the car since then too. Mechanically it seems really good. There also NO rust that I can find anywhere, the inside of the arches is like a new car, cleaner than any of my cars before.
The major problem is the paintwork. Its been treated to regular washing and rinsing, but thats it I guess. Its covered in tar spots, lots of swirl marks, and what looks like the fall out from the PO's nearby powerstation - lots of baked on white spots over the bonner/boot/top surfaces.
Thats a challenge for me though, I'm positive that using my own experience plus a few pointer I can get it looking like a piano top again. Managed to rescue my previous car and that was/is in beautiful condition now. What else is there to do on sundays, other than clean you car and drive to the pub? Its proven (maybe) that people who care more for thier cars, are the ones who get the most enjoyment out of them. This one will be getting lots of attention, so I hope it rewards me justly!
Hope you like. Its a buyers market. From my short experience so far, I cannot reccomend these cars enough, I think I've caught a good'un here.
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 23 October 17:37
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 23 October 17:49
Brilliant first impressions! The car looks great - you're right, the wheels could be sharper, but they look nice and clean. I'd be in no rush to replace them. I like the spoiler too - all very subtle but adds to the car. The Miata badge is a winner too.
So, I'm now looking forward to DRIVING impressions!
These kind of stories make me really fancy a MX-5, but alas I have no parking for one, owning a flat in London. When I get that house...
So, I'm now looking forward to DRIVING impressions!
These kind of stories make me really fancy a MX-5, but alas I have no parking for one, owning a flat in London. When I get that house...
snotrag said:
Note wobbly, crappy foglight. Horrid. Need to know what my options are here, either a nicer 'bolt on' job, or move to the right hand reversing light?
I have my fog light in my right reverse light, looks good. this was done before I bought it, however it seems my left reverse light isnt linked up, dodgy wiring me thinks... 
I think the fog light is better in the reverse light than an additional square one stuck on the back, they make the car look a bit less natural, if that makes sense
Cool!
Yes, the adjustable yellow strut brace is original equipment on the S-Special, as were Bilstein dampers but it sounds like they've been replaced at some point. As you say, 14" silver BBS wheels were part of the package too (although personally I think the 15" version looked way better if you can find a set).
Not sure whether that rear wing is original or not, but it looks good - better than the ones with 'legs' I think.
Overall it looks like it's been well cared for - still has the flare and everything.
The manifold will probably be stamped with JASMA but I think this is their equivalent of a British Kite mark or something.
You got the electric mirrors there too?
Yes, the adjustable yellow strut brace is original equipment on the S-Special, as were Bilstein dampers but it sounds like they've been replaced at some point. As you say, 14" silver BBS wheels were part of the package too (although personally I think the 15" version looked way better if you can find a set).
Not sure whether that rear wing is original or not, but it looks good - better than the ones with 'legs' I think.
Overall it looks like it's been well cared for - still has the flare and everything.
The manifold will probably be stamped with JASMA but I think this is their equivalent of a British Kite mark or something.
You got the electric mirrors there too?
Edited by Risotto on Thursday 23 October 21:33
Nice car, nice condition and a quality choice of mods so far on it.
Ride height is certainly less than a stock 5, it looks to be relatively more lowered at the front than the rear.
Foglight - it is legal (by MOT rules) to move the fog light to the centre rear brake light. Doing this a really clever way could even see it retaining its operation as a stop light when not foggy.
If you don't mind me asking (following your buyers market comment) - what did you pay for it?
Thanks for the write up and the pics, brightened up my day already (just got up where I am..)
Ride height is certainly less than a stock 5, it looks to be relatively more lowered at the front than the rear.
Foglight - it is legal (by MOT rules) to move the fog light to the centre rear brake light. Doing this a really clever way could even see it retaining its operation as a stop light when not foggy.
If you don't mind me asking (following your buyers market comment) - what did you pay for it?
Thanks for the write up and the pics, brightened up my day already (just got up where I am..)
franv8 said:
Foglight - it is legal (by MOT rules) to move the fog light to the centre rear brake light. Doing this a really clever way could even see it retaining its operation as a stop light when not foggy.
I've done this (but not the clever way) - it's just a fog light. Rear bumper is silky smooth - far improves the looks of the car.Looks like a good example this one with some choice mods - if I were you I'd add the following:
- clear side repeaters
- steel/chrome eyeball vent surrounds
- 15" BBS wheels in time (or whichever wheels you prefer)
Looks like a peach 
I think the rear spoiler is probably a Mazda item. I know they did one just like it as an option.
I'm jealous of the roads you get to drive on too
I think the rear spoiler is probably a Mazda item. I know they did one just like it as an option.
I'm jealous of the roads you get to drive on too
The Black Duke said:
How do you realign the headlight lids? I have tried to find it but maybe looking in the wrong place.
They usually get bent by people (dealer monkeys mostly) leaning on them when they work under the bonnet. The simple way to realign them is to simply pull the back edge back into position. They are fairly thin metal so they bend easily. Don't bother undoing the screws unless they are a long way out.Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Friday 24th October 10:11
Had the wheels off today, and did a bit of digging around/tinkering cleaning. cleaned the hood with some turtle wax kit thing, seemed to work quite well but I'm going to try find a product that might being it back to its original black colour, its a bit faded.
I found out what my shocks are aswell - I knew they were upgraded from the ride height and stiffness (very! too much perhaps on first impressions of a couple of hundred miles), turns out their Ohlins Monotube type, with single damping adjust. These must have cost a fecking fortune when new, like the exhaust. Whoever owned this in Japan spent some serious wonga on it I think.
As such, I dont really now need to look into what dampers to buy, as I'll keep these. I'm gonna try find out where I can get them filled with fresh oil and the nitrogen charge re-done as I bet its original. Hopefully with a service and some adjustment I could have a very nice suspension setup.
Does anybody have experience of Ohlins on there Roadster?
ETA just found this
Mazda Miata MX5 Roadster Front MAS 7B00 £466.15 Rear MAS 8B00 £466.07
I found out what my shocks are aswell - I knew they were upgraded from the ride height and stiffness (very! too much perhaps on first impressions of a couple of hundred miles), turns out their Ohlins Monotube type, with single damping adjust. These must have cost a fecking fortune when new, like the exhaust. Whoever owned this in Japan spent some serious wonga on it I think.
As such, I dont really now need to look into what dampers to buy, as I'll keep these. I'm gonna try find out where I can get them filled with fresh oil and the nitrogen charge re-done as I bet its original. Hopefully with a service and some adjustment I could have a very nice suspension setup.
Does anybody have experience of Ohlins on there Roadster?
ETA just found this
Mazda Miata MX5 Roadster Front MAS 7B00 £466.15 Rear MAS 8B00 £466.07
Edited by snotrag on Sunday 26th October 20:36
snotrag said:
Had the wheels off today, and did a bit of digging around/tinkering cleaning. cleaned the hood with some turtle wax kit thing, seemed to work quite well but I'm going to try find a product that might being it back to its original black colour, its a bit faded.
Renovo hood cleanerRenovo hood ultra-proofer
About the best you can get
looks great - as above, the yellow strut brace is standard item but you can spray it black if you prefer (i did).
also, the cusco cabin brace is very rare and quite sought after as there aren't all many solutions for mounting race harnesses - i have the same item and no probs at all with the harness eyes, i've seen some far worse bars than that. it's also much stiffer than the stock item.
you're right about the wheels, i think they were from the basic 1.6 mk2 and aren't especially nice items - some good 14's or 15's will just finish it off nicely
also, the cusco cabin brace is very rare and quite sought after as there aren't all many solutions for mounting race harnesses - i have the same item and no probs at all with the harness eyes, i've seen some far worse bars than that. it's also much stiffer than the stock item.
you're right about the wheels, i think they were from the basic 1.6 mk2 and aren't especially nice items - some good 14's or 15's will just finish it off nicely
Edited by skinny on Monday 27th October 15:07
Righto, I just sold my GTi-6 at last, which means I have the inclination/money/time/need to get this one sorted out! Its been locked in the garage mostly since the first week after I bought it.
I've started refitting the seats and interior after giving it a thorough clean, and I'm gonna get my stereo fitted into the car, after removing eighteen miles of wiring from the retro 90s HU plus Autochanger plus car kit plus rear mounted subwoofer...
So, the first problem.
I charged the battery and started it - its tapping like a good un, even given a while to warm up. From the noise and frequency its obviously just one of the HLAs thats stuck a bit - and it shouldn't be too bad as it wasnt tapping at all before I put it away for a few weeks.
I'm gonna drop the oil anyway this week, but should I flush it through with anything, or add anything to the oil either before or after I change it, to try clean it up a bit better?
I'm not taking the cam cover off yet...!
I've started refitting the seats and interior after giving it a thorough clean, and I'm gonna get my stereo fitted into the car, after removing eighteen miles of wiring from the retro 90s HU plus Autochanger plus car kit plus rear mounted subwoofer...
So, the first problem.
I charged the battery and started it - its tapping like a good un, even given a while to warm up. From the noise and frequency its obviously just one of the HLAs thats stuck a bit - and it shouldn't be too bad as it wasnt tapping at all before I put it away for a few weeks.
I'm gonna drop the oil anyway this week, but should I flush it through with anything, or add anything to the oil either before or after I change it, to try clean it up a bit better?
I'm not taking the cam cover off yet...!
Lovely looking car - very similar to mine (black 94 1.8 s-spec) except yours looks a bit better looked after than mine 
WRT to the tapping, it will usually settle down after 10 secs or so. Try some Wynn's hydraulic lifter stuff in the rocker cover - some have found it helps. If not, usually a flush and oil change will sort it out, but it will be back after a few k miles more than likely (my dad's 96 UK 1.8 was OK for about 3k miles before it started rattling again). Unfortunately mine would not go even after 3 oil changes and flushes.
If that's the case with yours, the only option is replacement HLAs. Unfortunately, they are about £30+VAT each and you need 16. This plus the labour to sort it is. Fortunately my mechanic had some known good HLAs from another car that he fitted to mine which has sorted the problem for not too much money. It does come back from time to time but both times it seems to have been when I've had cooling system problems and I've been in traffic.
Definitely look into some 15" wheels, some nice Rota cups would go down well Apparently the roadholding is better but the biggest advantage is that it's easier to get good tyres - full set of Toyo Proxes T1-R or Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 for £200 fitted.
It's also worth getting a 4 wheel laser alignment. I hate the "afterthought" rear foglights but I've not done anything with mine as I think one reversing light/one foglight is unsymmetrical and looks odd! Rear spoiler was the bridge one or nothing, think yours must have been an option, but the Japs seem to customise their roadsters like crazy! Mine came with extra chrome bits, loud Jap exhaust (that previous owner got changed for a Mazda system inc. cat for 1400 quid because it failed the MOT on emissions
), induction kit, Apexi AFC, Mazdaspeed wheels, etc.
Enjoy it!
ETA: if you're changing fluids, do the diff & gearbox too!
WRT to the tapping, it will usually settle down after 10 secs or so. Try some Wynn's hydraulic lifter stuff in the rocker cover - some have found it helps. If not, usually a flush and oil change will sort it out, but it will be back after a few k miles more than likely (my dad's 96 UK 1.8 was OK for about 3k miles before it started rattling again). Unfortunately mine would not go even after 3 oil changes and flushes.
If that's the case with yours, the only option is replacement HLAs. Unfortunately, they are about £30+VAT each and you need 16. This plus the labour to sort it is
. Fortunately my mechanic had some known good HLAs from another car that he fitted to mine which has sorted the problem for not too much money. It does come back from time to time but both times it seems to have been when I've had cooling system problems and I've been in traffic.Definitely look into some 15" wheels, some nice Rota cups would go down well
Apparently the roadholding is better but the biggest advantage is that it's easier to get good tyres - full set of Toyo Proxes T1-R or Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 for £200 fitted.It's also worth getting a 4 wheel laser alignment. I hate the "afterthought" rear foglights but I've not done anything with mine as I think one reversing light/one foglight is unsymmetrical and looks odd! Rear spoiler was the bridge one or nothing, think yours must have been an option, but the Japs seem to customise their roadsters like crazy! Mine came with extra chrome bits, loud Jap exhaust (that previous owner got changed for a Mazda system inc. cat for 1400 quid because it failed the MOT on emissions
), induction kit, Apexi AFC, Mazdaspeed wheels, etc.Enjoy it!
ETA: if you're changing fluids, do the diff & gearbox too!
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Sunday 21st December 21:35
I'm gonna do all the fluids, engine, gearbox and diff, and coolant, as a matter of course. I think i'll just try the oil first with regards to the tapping - as I don't quite know the history of the car ill be doing it as an intermediary type thing - change for reasonable semi synth, run for 1000m, change again.
I'm also very keen to fit an oil temp gauge - sourcing the gauge and mounting it is easy, I'm just wondering where to fit the probe... Either a Sandwich plate, or somewhere on the block.
Is there any usefully blanked off holes on the block suitable?
I'm also ordering the gearbox shifter seals as they are ripped to bits, and I'm gonna stuff the gap under the plastic trim as a lot of noise is coming through direct from the road!
Thirdly - Plugs and Leads - any recommendations?
Finally - I'm very unsure about wheels.... Im fully aware of tyre availability on 15's as my 306 ran 195/50/15 - but, from the few miles I've done thus far, the ride is already pretty tough on this car, no doubt the balloon tyres are helping a bit... I need to do a few more miles before I make that decision, and find out whether the choice is good 14" tyres is either limited, or non-existent.
I'm also very keen to fit an oil temp gauge - sourcing the gauge and mounting it is easy, I'm just wondering where to fit the probe... Either a Sandwich plate, or somewhere on the block.
Is there any usefully blanked off holes on the block suitable?
I'm also ordering the gearbox shifter seals as they are ripped to bits, and I'm gonna stuff the gap under the plastic trim as a lot of noise is coming through direct from the road!
Thirdly - Plugs and Leads - any recommendations?
Finally - I'm very unsure about wheels.... Im fully aware of tyre availability on 15's as my 306 ran 195/50/15 - but, from the few miles I've done thus far, the ride is already pretty tough on this car, no doubt the balloon tyres are helping a bit... I need to do a few more miles before I make that decision, and find out whether the choice is good 14" tyres is either limited, or non-existent.
Snotrag
Regarding wheels, I've just replaced the 14" ones on my S-Spec with 15", and if anything the ride is slightly less harsh.
I have a '93 1.6 S-Spec with the Bilsteins etc, and was running standard 14" Mazda MX5 'fake Minilites' (my 14" BBS wheels also seem to have done a runner sometime between the car leaving the factory in Hiroshima and arriving in my ownership!) with 185/60/14 Goodyear Hydragrip. I absolutely hate the poxy 14" 'Minilite' Mazda wheels and have just put on a set of 15" sport alloy wheels from a Mk2, with Toyo T1-R in 195/50/15. TBH the car handled really well on the 14" wheels & tyres, and if anything is ever so slightly less sharp now, with marginally heavier steering but more grip. Ride 'comfort', as mentioned, has changed from brutal to merely solid. I wouldn't worry about 15" alloys making things worse on an S-Spec.
Nice car BTW...
Regarding wheels, I've just replaced the 14" ones on my S-Spec with 15", and if anything the ride is slightly less harsh.
I have a '93 1.6 S-Spec with the Bilsteins etc, and was running standard 14" Mazda MX5 'fake Minilites' (my 14" BBS wheels also seem to have done a runner sometime between the car leaving the factory in Hiroshima and arriving in my ownership!) with 185/60/14 Goodyear Hydragrip. I absolutely hate the poxy 14" 'Minilite' Mazda wheels and have just put on a set of 15" sport alloy wheels from a Mk2, with Toyo T1-R in 195/50/15. TBH the car handled really well on the 14" wheels & tyres, and if anything is ever so slightly less sharp now, with marginally heavier steering but more grip. Ride 'comfort', as mentioned, has changed from brutal to merely solid. I wouldn't worry about 15" alloys making things worse on an S-Spec.
Nice car BTW...
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