RE: BBR Mazda MX-5 Super 200: Review

RE: BBR Mazda MX-5 Super 200: Review

Sunday 11th September 2016

BBR Mazda MX-5 Super 200: Review

200hp and beyond in BBR's MX-5 with attitude [updated with vid clip!]



MX-5 haters look away now. Actually, don't. Because with this latest tuning package BBR has unleashed attitude and character in the ND MX-5 you may not have credited it with before. And for all those bemoaning dull-sounding turbos and their diesel-like power deliveries in everything from Civic Type Rs to Caymans, M3s and beyond, there may yet be hope.

OK. So 200-and-something horsepower isn't about to ignite many undergarments. For that you need to be looking over the Atlantic and talking to Flyin' Miata about its LS3 V8conversion.

Back at BBR again!
Back at BBR again!
But if you consider tuning to be about subtly enhancing existing favourable attributes this Super 200 looks to be an absolute cracker. Here we have a lightweight roadster that thrives on revs. A car with that instantaneous throttle response only a naturally-aspirated engine can deliver. One that encourages you to rev it out all the way to the redline and delivers new sonic delights on every step of the journey there.

Return on investment
Naturally-aspirated tuning is, of course, big on cost and low on the kind of impressive numbers you can get from turbocharged motors. Which isn't to belittle those like Revo Technik or the work that goes into making a 450hp Golf R driveable and, seemingly, sensible. BBR has a long history of turbocharged conversions too and its MX-5 packages have always sold well - we enjoyed the GT270 in the previous NC and work is well under way on a kit for the ND.

If you want something more sympathetic to the MX-5's core values the Super 200 kit would seem the way to go though. And the signs are good from the moment you press the starter button, prompting a cheeky start-up flare of revs and an assertive rasp from the BBR backbox. This and the 2.5-inch centre-section are additional options over and above the £3,354 fitted cost of the Super 200 kit, the extra grand or so adding a further 14hp as well as a dose of extra noise.

New manifold, exhaust and cams - the old ways!
New manifold, exhaust and cams - the old ways!
Noise that goes against the instincts of BBR boss Neil McKay, who prefers his conversions to more subtly amplify the performance of the standard car. A quieter Gran Turismo backbox is also available to that end. "I know you guys like it though so we've got to put the Super Sport exhaust on," he shrugs as he bids us farewell for our razz along the nearby Northants B-roads.

He knows our tastes. In an age where otherwise dull sounding engines rely on trickery both electronic and mechanical to make an inspiring noise the purity and sharpness of the tuned Mazda Skyactiv motor refreshes like the post-sauna plunge pool. We've praised it before but Mazda's unconventional approach to hitting modern emissions targets gives BBR a superb canvas on which to work its magic; while everyone else goes for low-rev torque and turbos the Skyactiv opts for high revs, high compression and good breathing to deliver the goods.

Heavy breathing
As is often the way though inherently sound foundations are often scuppered by packaging, emissions regulations and other compromises. The high inlet temperatures Neil discovered on the dyno with the stock engine were rectified by a simple shift in the intake position and the Super 200 four-into-one exhaust manifold removes the restrictive catalytic converter Mazda needs to hit the warm-up emissions targets. This and the new cams are the main upgrades over the Super 190 kit we've already driven, BBR's Starchip remap module tweaking the fuelling, ignition and timing to unleash the potential so obviously there in the stock set-up.

Analyse away here
Analyse away here
And while the engine's nature, the razor sharp throttle response, the closely stacked gearing and the delightfully flickable little shifter always encourage you to hunt for the revs with for-the-hell-of-it downshifts there's impressive mid-range to lean on too. Those accustomed to modern turbo engines will be wondering where the drama is but, for a naturally-aspirated motor, the Super 200 is as happy to pull in-gear as it is to scream out to the redline.

Meaning you can endlessly adjust the way you choose to make progress without resorting to contrived push-button sport modes or any of that nonsense. You simply adapt your throttle inputs and shift points to taste, the switch from going with the flow to maximum attack coming as an instinctive response to what's unfolding before you. Lovely.

Numbers game
We've gone this far without discussing numbers, there being some scepticism expressed in our original news story about BBR's claimed figures for the Super 200 package. Neil is unabashed, pointing out pre-conversion cars reliably record the official figures on the same in-house dyno he gets his numbers from. And if his products weren't delivering on their promised improvements he'd be on a hiding to nothing publishing the stats he does. One day we'll figure the car and see what it delivers; as a sensory experience though the Super 200 package more than delivers on putting some much needed extra spring into the standard MX-5's step.

New brakes bring a weight saving too
New brakes bring a weight saving too
There's clearly more to this car than a bit more power though. Sitting low on BBR's own spring/damper package and wearing a gorgeous set of bronze 17-inch OZ Ultraleggeras it demonstrates how well Japanese cars respond to some carefully chosen upgrades. Modding culture is, of course, deeply embedded in the JDM mindset and you get the sense Mazda considers the stock version a blank canvas for enthusiasts to tweak and fettle as required.

More of the same
It's more than just a style thing too of course. The revised suspension successfully rids the MX-5 of its rather precarious, on-stilts feeling, containing the weight shifts and lurches you get when driving the standard car with any vigour. There's a bit more weight to the steering, a more predictable response to the wheel and much improved body control without the brittleness of the Bilstein damped Sport chassis in the standard car. All 2.0-litre MX-5s have a Torsen limited-slip diff as standard too, the grip of this car's Cup 2 tyres on dry tarmac making its influence subtle, the centred weight distribution and rear-driven balance delightful if not domineering.

Four-pot Wilwood solid calipers might seem like overkill for a car as light as this but contribute to the improved ride and response with a 2kg saving in unsprung weight. And the stopping power is immense, the pedal reassuringly solid and able to stand the car on its nose without even waking the ABS. Not the way you drive an MX-5 on the road of course. But useful to know were you to take it to a track.

Not just for fans; you'll love it if are one though!
Not just for fans; you'll love it if are one though!
Adding what you see here to the cheapest 2.0-litre MX-5 you could buy wouldn't see you much change from £30K, though of course you could just fit the Super 200 kit and be done with it for far less. But even at this level and price the MX-5 makes so much sense. And Fiat clearly thinks there's a market, given it'll be charging around the same for the 170hp Abarth version of the 124 Spider. There's an interesting head-to-head to be conducted there when we get our hands on that car. Meanwhile those seeking a more decisive performance upgrade won't have too long to wait before BBR's turbo conversion hits the market. However you wish to proceed the upgrades are commendably sympathetic to the values of the standard car, while at the same time dramatically increasing its capabilities. Some trick. Some little car. And another little boost to the believers who really do consider a tweaked MX-5 as the answer to everything.

A little taste of the BBR Super 200...


BBR MAZDA MX-5 SUPER 200
Engine
: 1,998cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 205@6,950rpm* (standard car 160@ 6,000rpm)
Torque (lb ft): 179@4,950rpm* (standard car 148@4,600rpm)
0-62mph: 5.6sec* (standard car 7.3sec)
Top speed: 133mph (standard car)
Weight: 1,075kg (standard car with 75kg driver)
MPG: 40.9mpg (official figure, NEDC combined)
CO2: 161g/km (official figure)
Price: £21,095 (official rrp for MX-5 2.0 SE-L Nav, c. £30,000 as tested comprising Super 200 kit £3,354; BBR exhaust centre section £594; BBR Super Sport back box £474; Wildwood four-pot brake kit £834; BBR spring/Koni damper kit £1,194 fitted and including laser alignment; Eibach anti-roll bar kit £374.70 and 17-inch OZ Ultraleggera wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres. All prices listed inclusive of VAT and fitting, where appropriate. All kits and parts available for DIY fitting at reduced cost - see BBR website.)
*All figures from BBR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Chris Teagles

Author
Discussion

Quadcamboy

Original Poster:

122 posts

206 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
Huury up and be paid off, mortgage, please

re33

269 posts

163 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
Sounds like great upgrade but saying they calibrated the dyno off a standard road car is basically admitting that it's not really 200bhp. I don't think it matters though, in the car it should still feel great.

Diesel Meister

2,044 posts

200 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
The ND is fundamentally appealing. I'd like one of these plus an FM LS3 V8 version please. No need to wrap them. Ta.

giveablondeabone

5,478 posts

154 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I never liked MX5s but quite like this one.

NA over turbo is a matter of opinion and application

Grodecki

382 posts

183 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
That looks really, really good. Like, the styling changes have made me totally re-evaluate my opinion of the ND.

DS197

992 posts

105 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
Grodecki said:
That looks really, really good. Like, the styling changes have made me totally re-evaluate my opinion of the ND.
+1 I really would love one of these and that power + torque hike is amazing

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
Power + wheels = cloud9

I didn't think there was much wrong with the stock suspension setup, be interesting to try them back to back.

SmilerFTM

829 posts

149 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
re33 said:
Sounds like great upgrade but saying they calibrated the dyno off a standard road car is basically admitting that it's not really 200bhp. I don't think it matters though, in the car it should still feel great.
People have ran the Super 200 conversion done at BBR for the NC on other dynos and they are running at 200+ bhp so their figures are correct for that so I imagine it will be for this as well.

Mannginger

9,032 posts

256 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
Ooh, bloody hell. Just waiting to find out what the price walk is from my Super 190 package and then have a chat with my bank manager / missus!



Quite tempted by the 4-pots as well. I tried the upgraded BBR pads originally but couldn't get on with them so am currently back on stock.

SPS

1,306 posts

259 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
30K for an MX5 - way too rich.
I love em for their purity of handling etc but still a lot of dosh.
Boxster S anyone?
Yes it will be 3 to 4 years old but.......

Diesel Meister

2,044 posts

200 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
SPS said:
30K for an MX5 - way too rich.
I love em for their purity of handling etc but still a lot of dosh.
Boxster S anyone?
Yes it will be 3 to 4 years old but.......
I get you, but there's nothing else strictly comparable (i.e. a new car) if you don't want an FI, FWD hatch (or a Focus RS) for between £25-35k these days.

Plus you don't have to do it all at once. I think it's compelling, even though I prefer more cylinders ideally.

Loving the looks of the ND. Yes. I'd find it more tempting is this was the factory spec for £25k (or better) all-in. But it's still an appealing package, not least as an antidote to the turbo-charged, power-crazed nature of performance motoring these days.

Motorsport3

499 posts

191 months

Sunday 11th September 2016
quotequote all
Any bbr upgrades for the 1.5lt miata? Retain the weight saving over the 2lt one? A bit like a front engined elise equivalent - but a lot cheaper. Is it just me think of it?

Honeywell

1,368 posts

97 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
Ooof. I'm having that.

Tremendous. Used MX5 mk4's will be down to £15k by next winter - as a £20k toy a BBR fettled MX5 is awesomely tempting. Nothing else out there like it.

threespires

4,289 posts

210 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
SPS said:
30K for an MX5 - way too rich.
I love em for their purity of handling etc but still a lot of dosh.
Boxster S anyone?
Yes it will be 3 to 4 years old but.......
As has been said countless times on these pages, one cannot compare a new car to a used car at the same money.
This BBR at c £30,000 compares to a new Audi TT or an Abarth 124 when they become available. For a PH type of driver I see no contest, the BBR has to be the choice.




Edited by threespires on Monday 12th September 08:34

elvismiggell

1,635 posts

150 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
Motorsport3 said:
Any bbr upgrades for the 1.5lt miata? Retain the weight saving over the 2lt one? A bit like a front engined elise equivalent - but a lot cheaper. Is it just me think of it?
Yes, you can get the suspension and brake packages I think, and then they have a Super 160 package for more power.

tankplanker

2,479 posts

278 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
This is terrible news, I was already having a hard enough time deciding between getting the 190 package now or waiting a bit longer for the upcoming ~250 turbo kit from BBR, now I have to decide between the 190, the 200 and the 250!


Mitch87

10 posts

93 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
I'm 188cm tall, but slim... Can any owners offer an opinion on my chances of fitting in the ND? I have heard that I will be looking through the top of the windscreen, and my knees will be either side of the wheel.

The obvious answer is of course to take a test drive... but proximity and availability of Mazda dealers is an issue and I've only seen 1 on the road around here in the last year.

(Edit... because this BBR upgrade has made the want very strong!)

Deerfoot

4,897 posts

183 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
Mannginger said:


I`m not usually a fan of black wheels but that looks great.

SturdyHSV

10,083 posts

166 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
Looks. So. Good.

Lots of want for the ND, can honestly say that's the first MX-5 I've said that about hehe

Leejay-B

93 posts

182 months

Monday 12th September 2016
quotequote all
Motorsport3 said:
Any bbr upgrades for the 1.5lt miata? Retain the weight saving over the 2lt one? A bit like a front engined elise equivalent - but a lot cheaper. Is it just me think of it?
Great idea, probably not even much heavier than the current base engined Elise. More luggage space too.

Plus the super 160 kit from bbr and some added revvyness from the 1.5 would be great fun. Add some suspension enhancements and I'm sure you would have most of the Elise fun.