RE: BBR Mazda MX-5 Super 200: video review

RE: BBR Mazda MX-5 Super 200: video review

Author
Discussion

Quadcamboy

122 posts

207 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
quotequote all
Gorbyrev said:
It definitely is a sports in my book but you need to subscribe to the momentum preservation society if you want to make keen progress.
"Fast cars are for slow drivers!"

Not my words but so true, methinks.

Turning Japanese

62 posts

101 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
quotequote all
I am also more interested in the 1.5. engine. I have read a few times that it was the original engine designed for this generation of mx5 and that mazda engineers think it is the better of the two. I hope BBR also offer this level of tuning for the 1.5 but can't help but feel it might be ignored in favour of the 2.0 as it is more powerful to start off with.
I love the idea of a sub 1 tonne mx5 with a really revy, low inertia engine. To me in basic spec it would make a great modern day Lotus Élan.

Simon Owen

805 posts

134 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
quotequote all
It is interesting reading what Fiat have done to the platform with the Arbarth version.

Much of he amends albeit clearly different in specific spec are very similar to the BBR ND MX5.

We run a Super 200 ND and the turbo doesn't do it for me, I really like the naturally aspirated BBR 4x pot which has exceeded my expectations in terms of low down grunt, smoothness and eagerness to rev etc.

We love the car but if I had to pick fault it's with the steering weight & feel, it's not bad and I'm getting used to it but there are better (and very good) elec systems out there - Renaultsport for example do a brilliant job of this.

It sounds like Fiat have looked to improve on the Mazda set up, I'd love to know what they have done and if it is a transferable fix to the BBR Mazda ? ? ?

Vroom101

828 posts

133 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
quotequote all
samoht said:
Never mind TTs and the like. With about 200 hp per tonne, this is now on a par with a base Boxster 981. Setting price aside, which is more fun to drive? It feels like it should be amazing with that power, lack of weight, and balance - does it achieve the potential?
Now that would be quite an interesting twin test. Having driven neither, I'm obviously unqualified to say, but I would guess the Mazda would be more fun, more of the time. Whereas the Porsche would be the more balanced, more cerebral optioaboBoth have their merits. I think making a choice like that would say just as much about the driver as it did the cars.

Turning Japanese

62 posts

101 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
quotequote all
Simon Owen said:
It is interesting reading what Fiat have done to the platform with the Arbarth version.


We love the car but if I had to pick fault it's with the steering weight & feel, it's not bad and I'm getting used to it but there are better (and very good) elec systems out there - Renaultsport for example do a brilliant job of this.

It sounds like Fiat have looked to improve on the Mazda set up, I'd love to know what they have done and if it is a transferable fix to the BBR Mazda ? ? ?
Ii was so excited to test drive the new mx5 when it came out but was really disappointed because of the steering, it really put me off. I really don't rate electric racks apart from the Toyota GT86 which does feel very good.

Gorbyrev

1,160 posts

154 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
quotequote all
Quadcamboy said:
Gorbyrev said:
It definitely is a sports in my book but you need to subscribe to the momentum preservation society if you want to make keen progress.
"Fast cars are for slow drivers!"

Not my words but so true, methinks.
Never a truer word spoken Mr Quadcamboy!

Simon Owen

805 posts

134 months

Thursday 29th September 2016
quotequote all
Turning Japanese said:
Ii was so excited to test drive the new mx5 when it came out but was really disappointed because of the steering, it really put me off. I really don't rate electric racks apart from the Toyota GT86 which does feel very good.
I know what you mean here, after 16x years of Caterham ownership it came as a bit of a let down given the other attributes of the car. Clearly it will never be as good as a Caterham, Elise or good hydraulic system but it is a real shame that Mazda didn't get it as good as others have done, there are several elec systems out there that don't significantly detract from the driving experience and Mazda should have got this right given all the effort put into other areas of control weights and driver involvement.

That said I decided to put up with it due to the other attributes of the car, I wasn't expecting the 'ultimate' driving experience and I am very quickly getting used to it.

It is all relative of course and it is not a horrible system, the BBR car remains accurate, well balanced and precise and is still huge fun to push down a typical Blighty B road ...for what we wanted we love it !!

It will be interesting to see if the aftermarket brigade look to a 'fix', a tad extra weight would do wonders.





tankplanker

2,479 posts

279 months

Monday 3rd October 2016
quotequote all
BBR had the 200 and the brand new ND Turbo at the MX-5 Owners Club meet @ Donington Park yesterday:

With a stage one it is meant to be making 280 BHP, fitted for just under £5k, DIY is £4.2k, so about £2k more than the 200 upgrade.

The Turbo'd car was much quieter than the 200 even though they both had the sport back box fitted. I'm leaning even more to the 200 upgrade with the touring back box, the sport was a bit noisy for me.

Simon Owen

805 posts

134 months

Monday 3rd October 2016
quotequote all
tankplanker said:
The Turbo'd car was much quieter than the 200 even though they both had the sport back box fitted. I'm leaning even more to the 200 upgrade with the touring back box, the sport was a bit noisy for me.
We are currently running the 200 with the GT Back Box and it appears a sensible balance of noise and refinement, occasionally I crave a bit more noise but most of the time we're glad of the refinement !!

Neil is apparently going to try the Mk 4 ND Ohlins DFV Road & Track dampers on the turbo car too, it will be interesting to see if these are as good as everybody says ? Albeit going to be an expensive option compared to the BBR Koni + Prog Springs !!

Cupramax

10,480 posts

252 months

Monday 3rd October 2016
quotequote all
Christ on a bike, 280hp in a car weighing 1075kg, that must be a tad lively hehe

tankplanker

2,479 posts

279 months

Tuesday 4th October 2016
quotequote all
Simon Owen said:
We are currently running the 200 with the GT Back Box and it appears a sensible balance of noise and refinement, occasionally I crave a bit more noise but most of the time we're glad of the refinement !!

Neil is apparently going to try the Mk 4 ND Ohlins DFV Road & Track dampers on the turbo car too, it will be interesting to see if these are as good as everybody says ? Albeit going to be an expensive option compared to the BBR Koni + Prog Springs !!
I'd like somebody to do a switchable option for the exhaust like the official Mini sports exhaust with its fancy keyfob, so I can have my cake and eat it.

The Ohlins would be very tempting for me, I can't see the Koni's offering that much more than the standard Bilstiens with better matched springs and a proper re alignment for road use, but the Ohlins...

Honeywell

1,374 posts

98 months

Tuesday 4th October 2016
quotequote all
A Porsche 911 S weighs 1605kg and has 420bhp.

261.7 bhp/ton

The MX5 with the 280bhp turbo works out at 260.4 bhp/ton.


Sweet.

Simon Owen

805 posts

134 months

Tuesday 4th October 2016
quotequote all
tankplanker said:
'd like somebody to do a switchable option for the exhaust like the official Mini sports exhaust with its fancy keyfob, so I can have my cake and eat it
Flyin' Miata sound like they make what you want ... the Hush-O-Matic active exhaust for the ND.

https://youtu.be/5JvtIAL680Y

Not sure how easy to get in the UK though ?

HorneyMX5

5,309 posts

150 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
quotequote all
Simon Owen said:
Flyin' Miata sound like they make what you want ... the Hush-O-Matic active exhaust for the ND.

https://youtu.be/5JvtIAL680Y

Not sure how easy to get in the UK though ?
Skuzzle Motorsport in Winchester are UK resellers of all things FM. Give them a buzz.

tankplanker

2,479 posts

279 months

Wednesday 5th October 2016
quotequote all
That looks like what I want, perfect in quiet mode but it still seems a bit quiet when in loud mode? Not sure if that is the video or just the exhaust.

While I don't want one that has all the burbles of the Mini switchable exhaust I'd want a bigger difference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLiuP7TlVXE