Which MX-5s have an LSD?
Discussion
Decided to finally bite the bullet and get myself one, as the diesel I bought for a winter hack isn't returning the MPG I would have thought it would, so why not get a nice convertible for the summer?
Definitely going for a 1.8, a Mk2 if I can find one for my budget (max £3.5k) but I'm not sure which ones have the LSD or not. I presume the 1.8 S (the one with the 6 gears?) has, but they're fairly rare and unlikely to come in under budget for a decent one.
Wouldn't mind a later Mk1 as I like pop-up headlights, but they're an absolute minefield with the imports/UK versions, different power outputs etc. Basically I'd like one with a decent interior - leather etc. Do any of them have electric hoods btw? Although LSD is first in order of preference.
Thanks in advance for advice!
Definitely going for a 1.8, a Mk2 if I can find one for my budget (max £3.5k) but I'm not sure which ones have the LSD or not. I presume the 1.8 S (the one with the 6 gears?) has, but they're fairly rare and unlikely to come in under budget for a decent one.
Wouldn't mind a later Mk1 as I like pop-up headlights, but they're an absolute minefield with the imports/UK versions, different power outputs etc. Basically I'd like one with a decent interior - leather etc. Do any of them have electric hoods btw? Although LSD is first in order of preference.
Thanks in advance for advice!
HereBeMonsters said:
Wouldn't mind a later Mk1 as I like pop-up headlights, but they're an absolute minefield with the imports/UK versions, different power outputs etc.
Are they? Only the MK3 has an electric roof.
Get a late mk1 1.8 if you like them, and plenty of the imports will have an LSD, although I'd question the need for one unless you're a fan of drifting
Edited by Howard- on Tuesday 6th April 08:30
Howard- said:
Get a late mk1 1.8 if you like them, and plenty of the imports will have an LSD, although I'd question the need for one unless you're a fan of drifting
I'm a fan of hanging the arse out around wet roundabouts in work's Z4.Seriously though, I'll be doing a couple of trackdays in it, and taking it to the 'ring etc. so LSD is a must as far as I'm concerned.
Mk1
1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
Mk2
1.6 110bhp
1.8 138bhp (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS and some special editions)
Mk2.5 (2001+)
1.6 110bhp
1.8 146bhp (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8 Sport and some special editions)
1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
Mk2
1.6 110bhp
1.8 138bhp (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS and some special editions)
Mk2.5 (2001+)
1.6 110bhp
1.8 146bhp (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8 Sport and some special editions)
HereBeMonsters said:
Seriously though, I'll be doing a couple of trackdays in it, and taking it to the 'ring etc. so LSD is a must as far as I'm concerned.
Any MX5 will happily hang its tail out regardless of LSD. If you want to hold it out there and balance the drift using the throttle then you will need LSD but bear in mind the MX5 isn't a power-house so it needs a fair bit of work and some silly angles to be able to hold it sideways for long MX-5 Lazza said:
HereBeMonsters said:
Seriously though, I'll be doing a couple of trackdays in it, and taking it to the 'ring etc. so LSD is a must as far as I'm concerned.
Any MX5 will happily hang its tail out regardless of LSD. If you want to hold it out there and balance the drift using the throttle then you will need LSD but bear in mind the MX5 isn't a power-house so it needs a fair bit of work and some silly angles to be able to hold it sideways for long Are they all Torsen diffs? Or are there some variants?
ETA: Thanks for post above - looks like a later 1.8 is what to go for. Probably a Eunos I would reckon, how many RS-Limiteds are there in the UK?
MX-5 Lazza said:
HereBeMonsters said:
Seriously though, I'll be doing a couple of trackdays in it, and taking it to the 'ring etc. so LSD is a must as far as I'm concerned.
Any MX5 will happily hang its tail out regardless of LSD. If you want to hold it out there and balance the drift using the throttle then you will need LSD but bear in mind the MX5 isn't a power-house so it needs a fair bit of work and some silly angles to be able to hold it sideways for long MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk1
1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
OK, this might be a stupid question. I have a 1996 1.8iS - at least that's what the badge says! I figured it didn't have an LSD because of the piss poor performance in the snow - parked on a hill with one wheel on dry tarmac and t'other in slush near pavement, and I'd go nowhere but backwards. With the rear end jacked, if I turn one wheel by hand, the other turns oppositely.1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
Does this mean LSDs were optional, or mine should have had one which has either died or been swapped out?
BonzoGuinness said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk1
1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
OK, this might be a stupid question. I have a 1996 1.8iS - at least that's what the badge says! I figured it didn't have an LSD because of the piss poor performance in the snow - parked on a hill with one wheel on dry tarmac and t'other in slush near pavement, and I'd go nowhere but backwards. With the rear end jacked, if I turn one wheel by hand, the other turns oppositely.1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
Does this mean LSDs were optional, or mine should have had one which has either died or been swapped out?
HereBeMonsters said:
phil_cardiff said:
Looks like my little 1998 1.8iS with torsen lsd will be up for sale in late April/May. Significantly less than your £3.5k budget too.
That might be ideal, although I have to get rid of at least one of my 205s first!Were you specifically after a 6 speed box? Mine is 5 speed.
phil_cardiff said:
HereBeMonsters said:
phil_cardiff said:
Looks like my little 1998 1.8iS with torsen lsd will be up for sale in late April/May. Significantly less than your £3.5k budget too.
That might be ideal, although I have to get rid of at least one of my 205s first!Were you specifically after a 6 speed box? Mine is 5 speed.
Also, I've never owned a car that goes "plip" on a keyfob to unlock the doors. Does yours go "plip"?
HereBeMonsters said:
phil_cardiff said:
HereBeMonsters said:
phil_cardiff said:
Looks like my little 1998 1.8iS with torsen lsd will be up for sale in late April/May. Significantly less than your £3.5k budget too.
That might be ideal, although I have to get rid of at least one of my 205s first!Were you specifically after a 6 speed box? Mine is 5 speed.
Also, I've never owned a car that goes "plip" on a keyfob to unlock the doors. Does yours go "plip"?
Edited by phil_cardiff on Wednesday 7th April 14:39
Howard- said:
BonzoGuinness said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk1
1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
OK, this might be a stupid question. I have a 1996 1.8iS - at least that's what the badge says! I figured it didn't have an LSD because of the piss poor performance in the snow - parked on a hill with one wheel on dry tarmac and t'other in slush near pavement, and I'd go nowhere but backwards. With the rear end jacked, if I turn one wheel by hand, the other turns oppositely.1.6 (JDM) - 114bhp (all years) (VLSD)
1.6 (UK) to 93 - 114bhp - from 94 - 88bhp (possible VLSD)
1.8 128 - 133bhp (all years) (JDM Torsen, UK Torsen on 1.8iS)
Does this mean LSDs were optional, or mine should have had one which has either died or been swapped out?
i thought the same with my vlsd with the car jacked up, thought time or abuse had killed it. was really handy to get 100% lockup in the snow though
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