RE: Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition | PH Fleet
Discussion
A lot of interesting info on the NC's development here:
https://youtu.be/bslB_4JIKs0?si=Sv-UUZPp3yYF0eNp
https://youtu.be/bslB_4JIKs0?si=Sv-UUZPp3yYF0eNp
It's got lowering springs fitted.
This is immediately obvious as its far too low at the back, as the aftermarket spring rates are designed for the soft top and not the prht - they always sit too low at the back on springs.
Setup properly to adjustable coils you maintain the critical rake and soem of the (limited) bump travel on the rear, key to the best handling.
Oh and yes, you can get a Mk3.75 / NC3 in 2.0 Sport tec flavour - incredibly rare and the best Mk3 option made as a drivers car.
This is immediately obvious as its far too low at the back, as the aftermarket spring rates are designed for the soft top and not the prht - they always sit too low at the back on springs.
Setup properly to adjustable coils you maintain the critical rake and soem of the (limited) bump travel on the rear, key to the best handling.
Oh and yes, you can get a Mk3.75 / NC3 in 2.0 Sport tec flavour - incredibly rare and the best Mk3 option made as a drivers car.
Jonstar said:
Great choice Ben, In my top 3 fun cars for sure. Have you still got the RS3?
Thanks! Yes I still have the RS3 as my daily although modding progress will slow now thanks to getting this too. Feel very fortunate to have both, a well rounded two car garage I think.chirurgus said:
It really does look low for OEM suspension. Here is a photograph of Ben’s and a picture taken from an advert for another 25AE for comparison:
Interesting, must be on different springs then! I'll take the wheels off soon to properly clean the wheel arches so will have a good look at what's on it. I can see the rear dampers are yellow Bilsteins, not sure if they're like that from the factory?harleywilma said:
Yes very special indeed and sure to blend in with the gazzillianths of other mx5s on uk roads, im sure my hairdresser who has one will be able to single it out
I do nails and waxing too 
mart4856 said:
Thanks a lot. No danger of buying one of these at a decent price until next winter after publishing this article!
Sorry 
If you're genuinely in the market for a 25th Anniversary Edition, there's a dedicated Facebook group where they come up for sale fairly regularly and I expect a few sell on there before hitting the classifieds anywhere else.monkeymark said:
Nice one. IMO one of the best looking MX5's ever.
The ND improves on the engine but still lacks steering feel.
Several comments here and elsewhere on the ND steering, which as it comes from factory is a bit random.The ND improves on the engine but still lacks steering feel.
So first find an understanding Mazda dealer (hard I know but I did find one).
Put it on their tracking alignment thing and set everything parallel with the exact camber it says in the manual.
Take for drive.
Then repeat adding toe-out at the front until it's undriveable and back off slightly.
Now add toe-in at the back until it feels balanced.
Take to airfield and do Top Gear type testing to confirm you've got it right.
It still won't be an Elise, but it will outdo any Impreza.
Also not convinced on lowering the ND. In the Peak District I ground out enough on the standard heights, although a little lower might have been good on Mull last year.
At the risk of sounding like a nerd I can confirm your 25AE came with yellow Bilstein dampers from the factory (these were valved differently to the ones that came on the earlier MK3/NC1 which were too soft)
The majority of aftermarket springs (including BBR's) often suffered droop on hard top cars because all the extra weight (approx 37Kg) was over the back axle. There has only been 1 set of springs proven to work with the hard top and factory Bilsteins and they are made by Progress Technologies (Flyin Miata also make springs that work with a hard top but the spring rate is too high for the standard dampers). Progress went to the trouble to make 2 different sets of springs for the Mk3 and the Mk3.5/3.75. If progress springs are fitted to standard dampers the car will sit a little bit lower than factory but higher than any other aftermarket spring. If the springs are fitted with a twin tube damper E.G Koni the car will sit lower again (approx another 10-13mm).
There is a huge amount of information available on miata.net and Goodwin racing's website. Just be aware that your car is usually referred to as a NC3 in the States.
I would recommend anyone with a MK3/3.5/3.75 fit a il motorsport mid lower/butterfly brace before any suspension mods. It makes a noticeable difference to how the car drives, is easy to fit, doesn't cost much and is lightweight. It is considered the best single brace you can buy for the car. I have one fitted and also fitted a il centre brace at the same time. Please note when fitting the butterfly brace you leave the existing bracing on, with the centre brace you remove the very thin factory one.
The majority of aftermarket springs (including BBR's) often suffered droop on hard top cars because all the extra weight (approx 37Kg) was over the back axle. There has only been 1 set of springs proven to work with the hard top and factory Bilsteins and they are made by Progress Technologies (Flyin Miata also make springs that work with a hard top but the spring rate is too high for the standard dampers). Progress went to the trouble to make 2 different sets of springs for the Mk3 and the Mk3.5/3.75. If progress springs are fitted to standard dampers the car will sit a little bit lower than factory but higher than any other aftermarket spring. If the springs are fitted with a twin tube damper E.G Koni the car will sit lower again (approx another 10-13mm).
There is a huge amount of information available on miata.net and Goodwin racing's website. Just be aware that your car is usually referred to as a NC3 in the States.
I would recommend anyone with a MK3/3.5/3.75 fit a il motorsport mid lower/butterfly brace before any suspension mods. It makes a noticeable difference to how the car drives, is easy to fit, doesn't cost much and is lightweight. It is considered the best single brace you can buy for the car. I have one fitted and also fitted a il centre brace at the same time. Please note when fitting the butterfly brace you leave the existing bracing on, with the centre brace you remove the very thin factory one.
Edited by Unwize on Saturday 24th February 14:48
Some great info on Springs & Chassis. Thanks.
I have quite a dip coming off my driveway so tend to keep cars std. And reverse only to get on. Longer low cars a worst for midpoint grounding.
I imagine a couple of adults in drops the car so stationary std pictures don't look as bad 2-up.
I have quite a dip coming off my driveway so tend to keep cars std. And reverse only to get on. Longer low cars a worst for midpoint grounding.
I imagine a couple of adults in drops the car so stationary std pictures don't look as bad 2-up.
Another tip regarding the light interior.
1. Saw quite a few lowish miles cars with bolster wear. (if you keep car in garage you tend to get in & out more)
2. Have seen the base of the seat pick up discolouring from wife's dark jeans.
G Techniq tri-clean removed the staining.
G Techniq Leather guard puts a coating that prevents wear.
Have used both a couple of times keeping seats like new.
1. Saw quite a few lowish miles cars with bolster wear. (if you keep car in garage you tend to get in & out more)
2. Have seen the base of the seat pick up discolouring from wife's dark jeans.
G Techniq tri-clean removed the staining.
G Techniq Leather guard puts a coating that prevents wear.
Have used both a couple of times keeping seats like new.
MikeDB1 said:
Also not convinced on lowering the ND. In the Peak District I ground out enough on the standard heights, although a little lower might have been good on Mull last year.
My ND has the lowered springs and despite driving it on some very bouncy lanes and byways in North Yorkshire it has never bottomed once in the several years since it was done . I've had a number of sympathetic mods done to my car but none transformed its feel like this did. 
Not a Diesel said:
Another tip regarding the light interior.
1. Saw quite a few lowish miles cars with bolster wear. (if you keep car in garage you tend to get in & out more)
2. Have seen the base of the seat pick up discolouring from wife's dark jeans.
G Techniq tri-clean removed the staining.
G Techniq Leather guard puts a coating that prevents wear.
Have used both a couple of times keeping seats like new.
Thanks for the tip,will order the leather guard as my ND seat bolster is already showing wear at just 11k miles and my old NC seat was done at 50k miles.1. Saw quite a few lowish miles cars with bolster wear. (if you keep car in garage you tend to get in & out more)
2. Have seen the base of the seat pick up discolouring from wife's dark jeans.
G Techniq tri-clean removed the staining.
G Techniq Leather guard puts a coating that prevents wear.
Have used both a couple of times keeping seats like new.
coppice said:
MikeDB1 said:
Also not convinced on lowering the ND. In the Peak District I ground out enough on the standard heights, although a little lower might have been good on Mull last year.
My ND has the lowered springs and despite driving it on some very bouncy lanes and byways in North Yorkshire it has never bottomed once in the several years since it was done . I've had a number of sympathetic mods done to my car but none transformed its feel like this did. 
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