2009 Mk 3.5 2.0 Sport Tech MPG?

[daveknott5]

Hi chaps, can anybody tell me what real world mpg is on one of these? Is anyone getting near the claimed 37mpg? - Also - what are they like on the motorway? Can you hear the stereo and are the Bose speakers any good?

[xyyman]

The other half drives mostly rurally in her's and gets around the 30+ mpg mark. Not been used for any length on a motorwy so can't comment. Its not far off the '06 1.8 that it replaced so well pleased really.

[Ari]

I have a MK3 2.0 litre Option Pack MX5 (same engine, same car, different wheels and suspension) and get a pretty steady 30mpg on a run.

Just in the process of upgrading to a Sport with Bose, and having tried it yesterday can confirm that you can hear it on the motorway with the roof down (in mine it's a bit marginal).

[hornetrider]

I believe I am fully qualified to answer this thread

I have the 3.5 Sport Tech Coupe which has now done 4.5k miles and I've owned it from new. I've recorded every tank of petrol I've filled in on Road Trip Lite on the iPhone. Current average is 36.76mpg which is 4502 miles and 556 litres. It was in the 38s but I've been a little more enthusiastic lately.

The BOSE is a great bit of kit. I have my iPhone hooked up to it via the Aux-in and the bass is superb, even roof down at 90. It does go very loud indeed - certainly more than you need.

[b2tus]

My other half drove her Mk 3 2.0 Sport from Stansted to our home near Ashford Kent (100 motorway miles) yesterday and had the Bose system on all the way. The hood was down all the way and she said the sound/volume was still superb.

[roddo]

our 2.0 mk3.5 does 28mpg

[Raffles]

roddo said:

our 2.0 mk3.5 does 28mpg

Yep as does mine, and I spank it.

[Jonny671]

Drove one back from Edinburgh, roof up though as it was storm force rain.. Speakers were very good, the ones behind you make quite a difference to a MK2 which hasn't got them, this wasn't BOSE though so they'd be even better.

I filled up, and done 380 miles and still had just under quarter of a tank left..

[daveknott5]

hornetrider said:

I believe I am fully qualified to answer this thread

I have the 3.5 Sport Tech Coupe which has now done 4.5k miles and I've owned it from new. I've recorded every tank of petrol I've filled in on Road Trip Lite on the iPhone. Current average is 36.76mpg which is 4502 miles and 556 litres. It was in the 38s but I've been a little more enthusiastic lately.

The BOSE is a great bit of kit. I have my iPhone hooked up to it via the Aux-in and the bass is superb, even roof down at 90. It does go very loud indeed - certainly more than you need.

Thanks so much Hornetrider! I couldn't hope for a more scientific answer to my question! 36.76mpg sounds really good. Do you drive it like a granny? Or have you achieved this through a decent mix of motorway and b-road blasts?

How many miles can you squeeze out of a tank?

On the flip side - how has the car been to live with and entertain you since you got it? I'm guessing from your "hornetrider" tag, you ride bikes too (like me) - so do you miss the comparative lack of urge from the MX5's 160 Bhp? Or is it sprightly enough to have a lot of fun in?

I've driven a 2.0 Sport Tech briefly and was struck by the quick steering, supple but sporty handling, slightly rorty engine note when revved out and the feeling that tail out action at low speeds would definitely be on the menu if ordered....? - especially in the wet Am I right?

Also - has build quality (i.e., lack of rattles) been good?

[Jonny671]

daveknott5 said:

hornetrider said:

I believe I am fully qualified to answer this thread

I have the 3.5 Sport Tech Coupe which has now done 4.5k miles and I've owned it from new. I've recorded every tank of petrol I've filled in on Road Trip Lite on the iPhone. Current average is 36.76mpg which is 4502 miles and 556 litres. It was in the 38s but I've been a little more enthusiastic lately.

The BOSE is a great bit of kit. I have my iPhone hooked up to it via the Aux-in and the bass is superb, even roof down at 90. It does go very loud indeed - certainly more than you need.

Thanks so much Hornetrider! I couldn't hope for a more scientific answer to my question! 36.76mpg sounds really good. Do you drive it like a granny? Or have you achieved this through a decent mix of motorway and b-road blasts?

How many miles can you squeeze out of a tank?

On the flip side - how has the car been to live with and entertain you since you got it? I'm guessing from your "hornetrider" tag, you ride bikes too (like me) - so do you miss the comparative lack of urge from the MX5's 160 Bhp? Or is it sprightly enough to have a lot of fun in?

I've driven a 2.0 Sport Tech briefly and was struck by the quick steering, supple but sporty handling, slightly rorty engine note when revved out and the feeling that tail out action at low speeds would definitely be on the menu if ordered....? - especially in the wet Am I right?

Also - has build quality (i.e., lack of rattles) been good?

The engine is very capable IMO.. And that little induction pipe into the cabin makes such a difference, its the same through the whole of the MX5s.. You feel like you're going quite abit quicker than you are. Though the 2.0 can easily get you into illegal speeds even accelerating in 6th gear from 70mph it does it.

The suspension is very tight, the steering also just as tight and even with stiff suspension its very comfortable.

[hornetrider]

daveknott5 said:

hornetrider said:

I believe I am fully qualified to answer this thread

I have the 3.5 Sport Tech Coupe which has now done 4.5k miles and I've owned it from new. I've recorded every tank of petrol I've filled in on Road Trip Lite on the iPhone. Current average is 36.76mpg which is 4502 miles and 556 litres. It was in the 38s but I've been a little more enthusiastic lately.

The BOSE is a great bit of kit. I have my iPhone hooked up to it via the Aux-in and the bass is superb, even roof down at 90. It does go very loud indeed - certainly more than you need.

Thanks so much Hornetrider! I couldn't hope for a more scientific answer to my question! 36.76mpg sounds really good. Do you drive it like a granny? Or have you achieved this through a decent mix of motorway and b-road blasts?

How many miles can you squeeze out of a tank?

On the flip side - how has the car been to live with and entertain you since you got it? I'm guessing from your "hornetrider" tag, you ride bikes too (like me) - so do you miss the comparative lack of urge from the MX5's 160 Bhp? Or is it sprightly enough to have a lot of fun in?

I've driven a 2.0 Sport Tech briefly and was struck by the quick steering, supple but sporty handling, slightly rorty engine note when revved out and the feeling that tail out action at low speeds would definitely be on the menu if ordered....? - especially in the wet Am I right?

Also - has build quality (i.e., lack of rattles) been good?

No problem.

In answer to my driving style... I've probably given it a good blast a couple of times a month, not much more than that this summer as I've had a lot on at the weekends this year. So... not too many italian tune-ups! The majority of my driving has been cruise controlled (cruise on an MX5!! ) at 80-90 on the motorway as I commute from Chepstow to Slough twice a week, so I'm not hanging around driving Miss Daisy.

I usually fill up around 350 miles give or take, which is when the light has been on for about 15-20 miles or so. I could push it more up to 400 I reckon as I've never got more than 46 litres into the 50 litre tank.

The car has been great to live with. The PRHT is super quick and looks good up or down. Heated seats are great when I leave home at 6am and get the roof down for the motorway trip to Slough. The mrs loves them too.

I was somewhat dubious about the quality of sound through an aux-in rather than a dedicated iPod interface but I have to say it's very good indeed. I use a Griffin Tuneflex Aux (£30) which sits my iPhone infront of the gearstick - paid a fiver for NDrive so I have my satnav and iPod controls immediately to hand for much cheapness!

I got it Eibached from new and Mazda buggered up the install to an extent, it happens to all 5s they do. Basically the alignment is out and the bushes are twisted - so a quick visit to WIM who are local to me when I'm at work sorted that out a treat. We also picked up on a missing bracket/sheared bolt on the rear ARB which was fairly dodgy but in fairness corrected by the supplying dealer toot sweet.

In terms of the alignment - it really does affect how the car handles. Before mine was a bit jittery over bumps but to be fair incredibly quick to turn-in. The 'before' at WIM showed slight toe out at the front and both rear wheels pointed ever so slightly left. A fast road setting sets the toe 'in' slightly all round - what this does is slow down the turn-in a bit but makes the car very composed and predictable. If you want twitchier handling then set the toes to straight ahead.

Two things that impress me greatly about this car are the brakes and the Bridgestone tyres. It stops, grips and turns so well, when you get going on a good twisty road this car is unbelievably rewarding. Yes its not the most powerful engine in the world, but when you're cross country and keeping the engine up in the top few k rpm it can be pretty rapid. Brilliant car to drive.

Gripes? If I'm gonna be picky then I don't think the Bilsteins on the rear have quite enough rebound damping - its a tad too bouncy. The interior plastics around the windscreen feel cheap - but I guess that is the gram strategy for you. Um... not keen on not having a space saver tyre - I need to get a proper puncture repair kit rather than the stty goo Mazda give you. Oh and the windows are auto down but not auto up. If they were auto-up you could fit a smart-top and raise/lower the roof from the remote control - alas this cannot be done. Picky, moi?!

Oh yeah and I do have a bike to satisfy the proper speed lust but I don't use my Hornet any more, I have a Falco. It has a lot of grunt!

Edited by hornetrider on Tuesday 17th August 10:09

[daveknott5]

So no rattles then? Just cheap, but solid plastics right?

[hornetrider]

Nope, no rattles at all, the car feels tight as a drum roof up or down. Rattles and the tiniest squeaks do my head in so I'm glad there are none. The leather dotted around is nice (armrest, seats, door cards) and I like the look of the brushed aluminium controls and detailing dotted around the cabin. It's just when you tap the plastic surround on the windscreen, or move the sun visors, they feel very thin and a bit cheap.

I only wish the Recaro seats from the European markets were available. That's not to say the standard ones are uncomfortable, but the Recaros look the danglies.

[daveknott5]

Good to hear! I'm a rattle hater too!

You've been really helpful hornetrider. Cheers Chap! I think I'm going to have to arrange a long test drive, on a wet day

[DannyGi11]

Hi there,

Ive had my Mk3.5 2.0 RC Sport Tech since September last year and its covered just over 11k miles. Was an ex demo which had done 4k when i got it so ive not done all the miles unfortunately

Happy to report that its rattle free and Ive loved every minute of owning it. Especially top down in the winter

I take various routes to work and down the motor way at 75-80 i usually get more or less 37 combined, little less if I go through town having to drop the other half of at work.

The back end i have found to be very happy to slither away in the wet, in the dry you really have to push it to get it to go, there is so much grip. As a result i drive with the DSC off most of the time as it tends to be a bit over protective and cut in a little early for my liking.

Like Hornetrider i usually fill up at around 350 mile mark, Im more than happy with that

[Hammerhead]

My tuppence worth re our 3.5 Sport Tech, new in March.

Just back from a 1500 mile round trip to Scotland and the isles. Avg over the lot was around 42mpg. That was with a fully loaded boot (packed jenga stylee), cubbies behind seats filled (very handy), climate on (when roof was up) and nagigation (her indoors) in the pax seat. Best stint was 44 mpg.

When not in holiday touring mode, it returns just under 36mpg week after week. Less when I get hold of the keys

Now got 8k on the clock and it's still rattle free. Seats perfect which suit my dodgy back. Quick enough for something that can be used everyday. No complaints at all

[Raffles]

Hammerhead said:

Just back from a 1500 mile round trip to Scotland and the isles.

Where did you go Hammerhead?

I got my mk3.5 2ltr Sport Tech roadster brand new at Christmas (just before the current VAT kicked in). I work internationally and had only been in the country 79 days when I hit 10,000 miles a couple of weeks ago, which means I averaged 126.6 miles per day including the day I picked up the car! I live in Scotland and the car hasn't left Scotland yet. But in my time off I visit my friends in Glasgow, Stirling, Inverness, Mull and my parents live on Kintyre so all the driving is on A/B-roads apart from the odd motorway on cruise.

I am really happy with the car, although I do find myself filling up the tank (what feels like) every second day! I had it through the winter and did a lot my first miles in the car in the really cold weather, I remember one drive to the ski center at The Lecht when the temp guage was reading -12 degC and I was driving with the roof down and heating full blast with the heated seats on and I was just wearing a jumper!

You can hear the stereo perfectly, I can be going at 80mph on the motorway and be listening to Radio 4 without any issue. I am not convinced with the aux-in quality though so have stopped using it altogether. I think the comfort and quiet with the roof down is the main thing I was so shocked with as I went straight to this mk3.5 from my mk1.

I drive it hard and play on roundabouts, but despite this I have not had a single rattle and the tyres still look like new. The engine feels very powerful but this is by far the most powerful car I have had; my mk1 was only 90bhp!

I did get it Eibached from new like Hornetrider, so I am going to have to get my alignment checked like he did. I have had trouble with the service quality from Machargs in Glasgow; I picked three options, the Eibach suspension, the clear wind deflector and the illuminating gear stick. The wind deflector was very scratched when I picked it up so it was soon back for a new one. It is on it's third gear stick as the illuminating one keeps falling to pieces! the last time I got the gear stick changed I want out to my car after the work was done and had to go straight back in as the work was of such bad quality. The illuminating gear stick does look great IMO.

I agree with Hornetriders niggles; namely the auto-down windows but not auto-up and the cheap visors. I really don't like the sun-visors, but that is very minor. I picked the soft top roadster for the weight saving and to keep to the mx-5's roots; but it is kinda noisy on the motorway with the roof up (have to raise your voice for a conversation). The fact it's not automatic is great as I don't even have to adjust my position in the driving seat to put the roof up, I can reach behind me and pull it up with no effort whatsoever and it takes less than 2 seconds.

I wish the exhaust was a bit noisier, but I think I will get the IL Motorsport exhaust when I save up for it. I wish it had HID headlights but again I can get these aftermarket. I am working in Turkey just now and in my absence I am having the front lip spoiler and rear diffuser fitted which should look sweet! I do wish we could have the options that other parts of the world have, it seems there are other colours of exterior and interior that I was just not given a choice in.

[Hammerhead]

Raffles said:

Where did you go Hammerhead?

Legged it up to Loch Lomond (via a stop an my sister's in Shropshire) first of all, then through Glen Coe to Fort William. FW to Mallaig to catch the ferry across to Skye. Zipped round there a fair bit (Elgor, Portree & the north loop) then back to the mainland via the bridge.

Looking up the road to The Old Man of Storr


Stopped for an icecream in Plockton before heading to a very damp Inverness then down to Edinburgh for a couple of days entertainment at the Fringe. Could've really done with another week! Will have to do it again but start off in Edinburgh first. It was quite a shock arriving there after the remoteness/quietness of the other places we stayed.


What's this about getting Eibached? If you've got a Sport Tech, you've already got the Eibach shocks. It's just the springs that can be swapped for the lowered ones at the owners choice (according to my brochure anyway).

Good point re the visors, they are a bit pants in operation it has to be said. Not had to use them much as a cap &/or shades work more effectively anyway.

Edited for wee picy addition.

Edited by Hammerhead on Tuesday 17th August 23:32

Edited by Hammerhead on Tuesday 17th August 23:34

[hornetrider]

Hammerhead said:

Raffles said:

Where did you go Hammerhead?

What's this about getting Eibached? If you've got a Sport Tech, you've already got the Eibach shocks. It's just the springs that can be swapped for the lowered ones at the owners choice (according to my brochure anyway).

Good point re the visors, they are a bit pants in operation it has to be said. Not had to use them much as a cap &/or shades work more effectively anyway.

Nah the shocks are Bilsteins. Eibach are the lowering springs.

[Hammerhead]

hornetrider said:

Nah the shocks are Bilsteins. Eibach are the lowering springs.

Aaah! I shall go re-read/re-educate myself - doh!