The £500 MX5

[eltax91]

Hi all

After a few years of off roading as a hobby, I decided to part with my much loved Defender 90. Here it is:


However, all good things must come to an end and the spare time to off road has vanished. So, to compliment the E61 5 series daily hack, I decided I wanted an MX5. Now, I wanted a scruffy one, as I've had a long-held dream to build one of these:


I don't currently have time to build the zero, so I'm going to run the MX5 for a year or two until I can spare the time to put the kit car together. It also gives me chance to get to know the state of the mechanicals.

Anyway, on to the main event, the MX5 I have picked up for a measly £500 is a '98 1.8iS and believe it or not it has little rust to speak of!! It's also very sound mechanically, I drove it back from reading to Leicester.

So, some pictures:




It even came complete with a PH sticker


So, whats the catch? A mechanically sound and unrusty MKII for £500? Well, some of you may recognise it from the original thread by another PH'er, talking about how to sell the car as it is. Thats because, this dent has seen it categorised as a CAT C write off:


Anyway, it's booked in for the MOT next week and assuming it passes I won't cancel the appointment I have held for the VIC test at the end of April. I will update this thread as and when it does/ doesn't pass said tests.

Short term plans are to enjoy some summer roof down fun and use it for some track training, time to learn to drive RWD since I have gone from never owning one to owning 2.

[Codswallop]

Looks like you found the ideal MX5 for a kit car doner. LSD, Bilsteins, (presumably) good mechanicals, and all for a great price due to some bodywork damage

[eltax91]

Codswallop said:

Looks like you found the ideal MX5 for a kit car doner. LSD, Bilsteins, (presumably) good mechanicals, and all for a great price due to some bodywork damage

This pretty much sums up why I bought it. Although the suspension comes with the kit car, the LSD was a big attraction.

[eltax91]

Bit of an update. I decided, although I've never touched bodywork in my life, to have a crack at copying to YouTube video's and had a go at pulling and filling the dent! Remember, this will one day have it's body shell destroyed, so what better place to practice??!!

So, a little bit of this:-


Helps me to get handy with this:-


Then, out came the stuff for the job:-










So, for those ace detailers, or even if you even slightly care about a half decent job, do NOT click the spoiler!

For all others, who really want a laugh, behold my fantastic finished product:-








I think the term is "epic fail".

[Codswallop]

At least you tried

Why does filler never go on as smoothly when I try and use it, as when people on TV do it? Never tried car bodywork myself, but I guess that's the best way to learn - just giving it a go

[Butter Face]

Wow.

That filler work.


Wow

10/10 for effort.

[cheddar]

I absolutely pissed myself laughing when I saw that.

[eltax91]

cheddar said:

I absolutely pissed myself laughing when I saw that.

I'm thinking of a post on detailing world.

[gretsch drummer]

Byyyyy 'ek. Smooth as a babies bum that filler work.


Albeit a baby with horrible acne and skin burns.

[eltax91]

gretsch drummer said:

Byyyyy 'ek. Smooth as a babies bum that filler work.


Albeit a baby with horrible acne and skin burns.

It will do to get rid if the sharp bits for the mot. I might have another go after I've got a sanding set up for the grinder and see if I can't make a better fist of it!!

[HorneyMX5]

eltax91 said:

It will do to get rid if the sharp bits for the mot. I might have another go after I've got a sanding set up for the grinder and see if I can't make a better fist of it!!

Here's some tips for round 2.

Mix up A LOT of filler and cover the whole area so it's proud of the rest of the body work. Wait until the filler is semi hard (oooher!) and the use the tool below to shape the filler back:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-IKEA-CHOSIGT-CHEESE-...

Yes that is a cheese grater. Once you have the basic shape then another thin layer of filler flatted back with 80 grit on a block should see you nice and smooth. Primer, then 800 Grit, then top coat, 1400 grit and then polish. Job jobbed.

Nick

[cst]

Good effort and fair play for having a go, but don't give up the day job!

[0a]

So much better than those threads where a bloke with a pot of filler and a rattle can produces a perfect finish

[eltax91]

cst said:

Good effort and fair play for having a go, but don't give up the day job!

Think I will stick to tapping on a keyboard and keep the bodywork for sts and giggles.

[Jimmy No Hands]

Good effort (I'm trying to be subtle)

No but really, increase the fill area a bit so that you're not just filling a hole, you're actually covering some of the good metal. Be fairly generous with it, it means a bit more work on the sanding but a bigger margin of error. Get it on quickly before it starts to allow air in because it leaves little pin holes everywhere.

[Rollcage]

As has been said, you need much more filler, the idea is to shape the hardened filler to the contours of the car, rather than try and spread it and to achieve a perfect finish.

Use a block, and a couple of more aggressive grades of sanding paper, and you will be home and dry.

[eltax91]

You have inspired me chaps. Once it's gone through the mot and VIC check and its proved to me it's sticking around, then it's getting sanded and filled some more.

[cheddar]

eltax91 said:

You have inspired me chaps. Once it's gone through the mot and VIC check and its proved to me it's sticking around, then it's getting sanded and filled some more.

Well done, every expert was a beginner once.

Please post pics.

[kwakus]

That will be great fun for 500 quid if it passes all the tests. You have given me inspiration to touch up my paint work, but maybe I will wait and see your second attempt, good luck.

[Hoofy]

I can guarantee it looks better than any attempt I'd have tried.