Discussion
Hi , loving your mr2 , I am looking to get one in this colour, best in my opinion, do you feel it needs more power ? I would look to do a 2zz conversion I think , this should have been an option from the factory, it’s great your getting the family into it , albeit one at a time ! Enjoy the Summer it will be bloody gone before we know it .
Took the MR2 for a hoon over to the Elan Valley with a friend in his Z4 yesterday:
MR2 and BMW Z4 on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Roadster on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 Roadster on the mountain road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 on the Mountain Road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The drive over, cross country from Droitwich, was possibly even more fun than driving around the Elan Valley, I cannot think of another car I would rather have been in. the only small problem was that I bought a phone holder/charger, but it doesn't seem to be getting any power from the cigarette lighter socket. I couldn't get the fuse out to check it, so will do that later today.
MR2 and BMW Z4 on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Roadster on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 Roadster on the mountain road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 on the Mountain Road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The drive over, cross country from Droitwich, was possibly even more fun than driving around the Elan Valley, I cannot think of another car I would rather have been in. the only small problem was that I bought a phone holder/charger, but it doesn't seem to be getting any power from the cigarette lighter socket. I couldn't get the fuse out to check it, so will do that later today.
Edited by Craikeybaby on Monday 16th August 17:48
No idea! Checking the fuse was the easy bit that I could manage whilst also looking after a toddler.
The next step will be to look behind the lighter socket and check the connections, but if I am starting to take apart the centre console, I may as well fit the double DIN headunit I've got sat on the shelf, so that will be a bigger job. With no plans to use the MR2 for a few weeks, I hope to get started on that soon.
The next step will be to look behind the lighter socket and check the connections, but if I am starting to take apart the centre console, I may as well fit the double DIN headunit I've got sat on the shelf, so that will be a bigger job. With no plans to use the MR2 for a few weeks, I hope to get started on that soon.
Craikeybaby said:
Took the MR2 for a hoon over to the Elan Valley with a friend in his Z4 yesterday:
MR2 and BMW Z4 on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Roadster on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 Roadster on the mountain road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 on the Mountain Road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The drive over, cross country from Droitwich, was possibly even more fun than driving around the Elan Valley, I cannot think of another car I would rather have been in. the only small problem was that I bought a phone holder/charger, but it doesn't seem to be getting any power from the cigarette lighter socket. I couldn't get the fuse out to check it, so will do that later today.
I love the Elan Valley, it’s very pretty. The mountain road is loads of fun too.MR2 and BMW Z4 on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Roadster on the Dam by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 Roadster on the mountain road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 on the Mountain Road by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The drive over, cross country from Droitwich, was possibly even more fun than driving around the Elan Valley, I cannot think of another car I would rather have been in. the only small problem was that I bought a phone holder/charger, but it doesn't seem to be getting any power from the cigarette lighter socket. I couldn't get the fuse out to check it, so will do that later today.
Edited by Craikeybaby on Monday 16th August 17:48
I’m heading over with my other half next week for a night camping followed by an early morning drive around the reservoirs and over to Devils Bridge for breakfast before a stroll and a cruise home.
MOT passed today - I found a local tester that would put it straight onto the emissions test, rather than waiting for it to go cold, then failing the test, as it has done for everyother MOT in my ownership. Of course, testing it this way meant that it sailed through. The only advisory was for almost worn rear tyres.
It is going to Rogue Motorsport for a service next week. Then I guess it will be new tyres and a 4 wheel alignment, but not for a while, as I also had to pay renew the insurance on my van this month.
It is going to Rogue Motorsport for a service next week. Then I guess it will be new tyres and a 4 wheel alignment, but not for a while, as I also had to pay renew the insurance on my van this month.
Edited by Craikeybaby on Thursday 21st October 16:30
Picked up the car from Rogue Motorsport earlier today. They seem to think the rear tyres are past the legal limit - I thought I had driven very carefully to drop it off, with no sliding etc. They also pointed out a hole in the rear subframe, which seems to be the only part of these that is susceptible to rust (unlike my old MX-5).
I am either going to have to get a new subframe, or get the existing one welded. I need to work out if removing the subframe will necessitate a wheel alignment. If so, I'll try to get the tyres done first and then the alignment corrected. Unfortunately due to the level of tyre wear I will probably have to get all this done sooner rather than later...
Still, I've had 7 years of cheap motoring in the MR2, so can't begrudge spending some money on it.
I am either going to have to get a new subframe, or get the existing one welded. I need to work out if removing the subframe will necessitate a wheel alignment. If so, I'll try to get the tyres done first and then the alignment corrected. Unfortunately due to the level of tyre wear I will probably have to get all this done sooner rather than later...
Still, I've had 7 years of cheap motoring in the MR2, so can't begrudge spending some money on it.
Since my last update the MR2 has just stayed in the garage - I have had a lot going on in my life holiday/redundancy/finding a new job etc and have not had an opportunity to even think about the little MR2. However, my new office is in the Birmingham ULEZ, which my VW Transporter does not comply with, so the MR2 could be down for some occasional commutes - this has given me a kick to get it back on the road!
First stop is new tyres - I have narrowed my options down to "Yokohama AD08RS" trackday tyres or "Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125" which are summer tyres. As unfortunately the Bridgestone RE040s that I have used up until now have been discontinued. I am more likely to drive on cold/wet roads than I am to do any trackdays, so weighing up the flexibility of the tyres vs the ultimate performance.
First stop is new tyres - I have narrowed my options down to "Yokohama AD08RS" trackday tyres or "Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125" which are summer tyres. As unfortunately the Bridgestone RE040s that I have used up until now have been discontinued. I am more likely to drive on cold/wet roads than I am to do any trackdays, so weighing up the flexibility of the tyres vs the ultimate performance.
Glad you managed to sort a new job.
Have you done much in the way of investigating solutions for the subframe? Alignment wise, I can highly recommend String Theory in Stratford who did a great job on my 130 (and I’ll be going ack there in the spring once I’ve refreshed the suspension arms and bushes).
Can’t help much on tyres as I’m not familiar with epithet of those….my stock answer is PS4’s or Good Year Asymmetric 5’s.
Have you done much in the way of investigating solutions for the subframe? Alignment wise, I can highly recommend String Theory in Stratford who did a great job on my 130 (and I’ll be going ack there in the spring once I’ve refreshed the suspension arms and bushes).
Can’t help much on tyres as I’m not familiar with epithet of those….my stock answer is PS4’s or Good Year Asymmetric 5’s.
It seems like an alignment will be needed after the rear subframe is replaced, but Rogue Motorsport can do that. I just need to work when I can get the car over to them.
I had a set of Hankook Ventus Prime 3 tyres fitted yesterday. I wasn't expecting to get the car so sideways pulling out of the tyre fitters - so on the drive home I was worrying that I had gone for the wrong tyres, and hoping that it was just the releasing agent and they would get grippier as they wore in. However, it turned out that all of the tyres were inflated over 45psi (should be F:26/R:32), which explained the lack of grip! I won't be using that garage again either.
With the tyre pressures corrected, I took the Roadster to run a few errands and the grip was lots better - I think the old Bridgestones had aged before I wore them down, as even if I tried to get the rear to break traction, it just stuck. Which was how I remembered the MR2 from when I first bought it, after years in tail-happy MX-5s.
Today my 2-year-old asked to "go for a drive in the sports car" - he did not need to ask twice!
For the last year or so, we have had Fridays to ourselves, but this is the penultimate one before I start working full time again, and he goes to nursery on a Friday, so it was great to get out for a little adventure - especially as it was sunny. We managed to get back just before the rain too.
I had a set of Hankook Ventus Prime 3 tyres fitted yesterday. I wasn't expecting to get the car so sideways pulling out of the tyre fitters - so on the drive home I was worrying that I had gone for the wrong tyres, and hoping that it was just the releasing agent and they would get grippier as they wore in. However, it turned out that all of the tyres were inflated over 45psi (should be F:26/R:32), which explained the lack of grip! I won't be using that garage again either.
With the tyre pressures corrected, I took the Roadster to run a few errands and the grip was lots better - I think the old Bridgestones had aged before I wore them down, as even if I tried to get the rear to break traction, it just stuck. Which was how I remembered the MR2 from when I first bought it, after years in tail-happy MX-5s.
Today my 2-year-old asked to "go for a drive in the sports car" - he did not need to ask twice!
For the last year or so, we have had Fridays to ourselves, but this is the penultimate one before I start working full time again, and he goes to nursery on a Friday, so it was great to get out for a little adventure - especially as it was sunny. We managed to get back just before the rain too.
Thought I'd update this thread as MR2 Roadsters are getting some love on the homepage...
With starting a new job and salty roads, I didn't drive it at all in January. As the weather had improved this week I used it to run a few errands and even drove it to the office in central Birmingham.
MR2 in the city centre by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
After mostly driving my van for a while getting back into the MR2 is bloody good! Even if there's more grip than I'd like with the new tyres.
I still need to get the subframe sorted...
With starting a new job and salty roads, I didn't drive it at all in January. As the weather had improved this week I used it to run a few errands and even drove it to the office in central Birmingham.
MR2 in the city centre by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
After mostly driving my van for a while getting back into the MR2 is bloody good! Even if there's more grip than I'd like with the new tyres.
I still need to get the subframe sorted...
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