Tuesday 28th June 2016

Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary: Spotted

300hp BBR MX-5 for the price of a new 1.5 Sport? Catch it while you can!

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New against used is one of those situations that should never really be entertained, usually for fear of suggesting a Maserati at the price of a Fiesta. However, when a 300hp MX-5 that's not even two years old comes up costing the same as a new 1.5 (and a lot less than an Abarth 124), it has to be investigated further.

Hang on, where's this sunshine from?

This is not just any old 300hp either, but a spicier version of the BBR GT270 kit that so impressed us in the winter of 2013. BBR's work with the Mk4 car has sharpened it up too, but this is a far more serious proposition. The official stats are 299hp at 7,450rpm and 235lb ft at 5,100rpm; not only are those numbers 31hp and 8lb ft up on the 270 car, they're delivered at very similar revs too. Any concerns that more power would make it more boosty should be allayed by those figures, plus the dyno printout supplied in the advert. This will still be a very exciting and revvy engine, despite now being at 150hp per litre.

Then there's everything else that was so good about the 270 car. That test car ran Koni suspension, but this car has an Ohlins Road&Track set-up that should be as good if not better than that. It has an upgraded clutch too, but there's worryingly no mention of any brake tweaks...

It's worrying because this will be a very, very fast MX-5. The GT270 is said to hit 62mph in less than five seconds and 150mph, so expect this to be a little quicker still. Very serious performance for an MX-5, and numbers that make it quite hard to suggest potential alternatives too.

A Caterham will be even more intense and exhilarating at a similar cost, but of course lacking the everyday usability of an MX-5, particularly with the folding hard top. It's arguably a similar story with an Elise or Exige. To get a Boxster S at similar money means getting a 2009 car, and while an S2000 will be cheaper it will be severely lacking in performance by comparison.

Still revs, now goes a bit too

There will be people who don't fancy the idea of an MX-5, but any objections would now have to be based purely on image rather than any shortfalls in performance or dynamics. It's front-engined, rear-wheel drive, light and fast at the end of the day. And isn't that what we say there isn't enough of?

Sure, the warranty will be invalidated and there will still be some who object to forced induction MX-5s, but BBR's work has been proven for 25 years now and the results are always well received. As modified cars to take a punt on, this has to be one of the lowest risk. Should the summer ever actually materialise, this could be the ideal car to enjoy it with.

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MAZDA MX-5 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Engine: 1,999cc, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 299@7,450rpm
Torque (lb ft): 236@5,100rpm
MPG: 36.2 (standard, NEDC combined)
CO2: 181g/km (standard)
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 12,000
Price new: £29,995 (BBR GT270)
Yours for: £21,995

See the original advert here.

[pmr01]

as a left field (but similar concept) alternative there are many MR2 Roadster Turbos out there that come up for sale occasionally. there are good ones running about with 240hp with no issues.

[Gandahar]

That's a slightly unusual beast using the Ohlins. Not sure I have seen an MX5 on Ohlins before, presumably they do well ???

I'm not worried about the brakes, if just roadwork rather than track, but the " New OE Bridgestone rear tyres" will be toast before you know it, unless you like sliding it.

Looks like a cracking car to be honest with major expenses done and just fine tuning to the buyers desire on top of this. Can I say the old cliche, what's not to like?

Edited by Gandahar on Tuesday 28th June 15:20

[scz4]

Something very appealing about these, although I think part of the fun would be building it up yourself.

What I don't understand is why owners are selling up so quickly after converting. There was a white one up for sale last month at £16k, then the one linked below at £18k (Cat C) and the one in the article.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

For me, I'd want to convert a Recaro edition, needs much better seats.

[tankplanker]

How many of these were made?

[knitware]

I have a BBR MX5 Mk3 which is currently at 260 bhp. I have booked the car back in with BBR to go to 300 bhp but more importantly change the standard clutch for something beefier.

I think 300 bhp is perfect for these cars! (They need vents though)

[TurboHatchback]

That looks awesome, way beyond my budget but it seems a very reasonable price given the performance.

[sh33n]

Yes please! Looks like brilliant fun, still miss the wife's 2.0 on billsteins

[thespannerman]

Even as a die-hard MK1/2 MX5 enthusiast, I would DEFINITELY own that! Looks so much nicer sitting a little lower and in that colour!