Steering Feedback - I'm Just Not Convinced
Discussion
Hey everyone,
I am planning on doing a larger review of my first 2000 miles in my newly purchased 1998 MX5 1.8. One of the things I was thinking of mentioning is the steering - I'm just not sure if I'm impressed with it. The reason I'm asking here is to see if there is any way of alleviating my criticisms.
To say it feels remote would be far-fetched, to me the turn in feels sharp and the steering weighting is PERFECT. It's not too light and not so stiff that I need to be a meat machine to drive it.
However, it never ever varies in weight, it's the same feel throughout every degree of steering wheel movement.
For comparison, I drove a E21 BMW a while back that had no power assisted steering. In the rain, the weighting would change, and when tipping it into a corner, the steering would gradually gain weight. Very confidence inspiring.
The car has had a four wheel alignment at Micheldever tyres in Winchester (one of most advanced tracking/alignment centres in the world, and the guys there are extremely knowledgeable) and is fitted with a new set of Continential Eco Contact 5's.
Is there anything I can do to alter the issue? I like the car but can't deny that there is some disappoitment. I think primarily because I can't help but feel that the whole 'feel' argument around the MX5 is over hyped in my experience.
If there are any remedies, I would like to detail them in the write-up I am planning to do over the weekend. That way other owners with the same views will be able to gain knowledge.
Part of me wants to love the car and marry the thing. But equally there is a part that finds the steering such a let down. If it could be really improved, I would genuinely consider keeping the car forever. Otherwise, I just see it being a short fling. To me, the quality of the steering defines whether a car is a good drivers package or not.
All posts and comments are welcome
Best regards,
Matt
I am planning on doing a larger review of my first 2000 miles in my newly purchased 1998 MX5 1.8. One of the things I was thinking of mentioning is the steering - I'm just not sure if I'm impressed with it. The reason I'm asking here is to see if there is any way of alleviating my criticisms.
To say it feels remote would be far-fetched, to me the turn in feels sharp and the steering weighting is PERFECT. It's not too light and not so stiff that I need to be a meat machine to drive it.
However, it never ever varies in weight, it's the same feel throughout every degree of steering wheel movement.
For comparison, I drove a E21 BMW a while back that had no power assisted steering. In the rain, the weighting would change, and when tipping it into a corner, the steering would gradually gain weight. Very confidence inspiring.
The car has had a four wheel alignment at Micheldever tyres in Winchester (one of most advanced tracking/alignment centres in the world, and the guys there are extremely knowledgeable) and is fitted with a new set of Continential Eco Contact 5's.
Is there anything I can do to alter the issue? I like the car but can't deny that there is some disappoitment. I think primarily because I can't help but feel that the whole 'feel' argument around the MX5 is over hyped in my experience.
If there are any remedies, I would like to detail them in the write-up I am planning to do over the weekend. That way other owners with the same views will be able to gain knowledge.
Part of me wants to love the car and marry the thing. But equally there is a part that finds the steering such a let down. If it could be really improved, I would genuinely consider keeping the car forever. Otherwise, I just see it being a short fling. To me, the quality of the steering defines whether a car is a good drivers package or not.
All posts and comments are welcome
Best regards,
Matt
Edited by BeirutTaxi on Thursday 4th April 22:15
Wifes 1.6 MX has power steering and feels really nice, I had a non power steering MX and I think the same as you, but hey everybody says they are great cars so it must be us!
Now we will hear about gatting the geo done.
I have just set up my special using a laser and board so when it passes IVA I will see if its the same.
Now we will hear about gatting the geo done.
I have just set up my special using a laser and board so when it passes IVA I will see if its the same.
Are you on standard suspension? 14" or 15" wheels? It's not actually clear whether you have power steering or not. Anyway, I don't have the same problem on my 1.8 with manual steering, 14s and standard suspension. Caster has a lot to do with steering 'feel' on non-pas cars. Here are my alignment settings:
Front: (L and R)
Caster- 4* 30'
Camber 0* 24'
Toe 0.9mm
Rear (Land R)
Camber 0* 48'
Toe 0.9mm
Hope that's of some use.
Front: (L and R)
Caster- 4* 30'
Camber 0* 24'
Toe 0.9mm
Rear (Land R)
Camber 0* 48'
Toe 0.9mm
Hope that's of some use.
Is yours powered steering? I've heard people say the manual rack isn't quite as good as the powered one is balanced very well. Also - how hard have you driven it? I did find initially that it was a bit flat - right until i drove it like a stole it and the steering came alive.
If it is powered i am surprised you don't like it. I find mine very communicative and i know everything thats going on on the front wheels mid corner. The only thing i can suggest outside of checking your suspension and bushes for play etc is to get your geometry customised to see if it brings it a bit more in line with what you would like to have? They are very sensitive to geometry changes. Good thing is about these cars is they are almost fully adjustable out of the box. Mines got a slightly modified fast road setup (more oversteer) from wheels in motion (pretty much the place to go for mx5 specific setup) and its great.
Hope you get something sorted - bear with it
If it is powered i am surprised you don't like it. I find mine very communicative and i know everything thats going on on the front wheels mid corner. The only thing i can suggest outside of checking your suspension and bushes for play etc is to get your geometry customised to see if it brings it a bit more in line with what you would like to have? They are very sensitive to geometry changes. Good thing is about these cars is they are almost fully adjustable out of the box. Mines got a slightly modified fast road setup (more oversteer) from wheels in motion (pretty much the place to go for mx5 specific setup) and its great.
Hope you get something sorted - bear with it
Thanks for the replies guys The car is PAS, as I was told to avoid non assisted cars.
Also, the wheels are 14" with 185/60/R14 tyres. Without throttle, I find the car has a tiny bit of understeer by default.
The suspension is standard, and I'm a tad reluctant to change it as the balance between stiffness and ride comfort is nearly perfect.
The other issue of course is that this could all be down to me. Maybe being in an over power steering assisted hatchback has clouded my judgement of what to expect. Also, I've never driven on track and I am pretty inexperienced at judging grip levels and knowing when to expect the nose to wash out.
Best regards
Matt
The car is PAS, as I was told to avoid non assisted cars. Also, the wheels are 14" with 185/60/R14 tyres. Without throttle, I find the car has a tiny bit of understeer by default.
The suspension is standard, and I'm a tad reluctant to change it as the balance between stiffness and ride comfort is nearly perfect.
The other issue of course is that this could all be down to me. Maybe being in an over power steering assisted hatchback has clouded my judgement of what to expect. Also, I've never driven on track and I am pretty inexperienced at judging grip levels and knowing when to expect the nose to wash out.
Best regards
Matt
Hi Matt
Do you have the printout from Micheldever? If so, post up the settings. They are good guys so it should be set up right and if there is a problem I'm sure they would be happy to correct it for you.
What tyre pressures are you running?
How local are you? There is a meet in Bracknell on 18th April and there are a few of us who could give your car a test drive and tell you if we think it's ok.
Do you have the printout from Micheldever? If so, post up the settings. They are good guys so it should be set up right and if there is a problem I'm sure they would be happy to correct it for you.
What tyre pressures are you running?
How local are you? There is a meet in Bracknell on 18th April and there are a few of us who could give your car a test drive and tell you if we think it's ok.
Thanks for the replies again everyone, it is much appreciated.
Lazza, I am looking for the print out and will post an image once I find it
Thanks for the offer of checking the steering for me
I've found today that the car comes so much more alive the harder it is pushed and the engine is so much better past 6k revs
Today I swapped the plugs and leads to cure a misfire. My front nearside brake pads aren't sounding so good at the moment so hopefully I can get them changed before the meet Thursday. Never changed them on an MX5 before so not sure what to expect!
Many thanks and best regards,
Matt
Lazza, I am looking for the print out and will post an image once I find it
Thanks for the offer of checking the steering for me
I've found today that the car comes so much more alive the harder it is pushed and the engine is so much better past 6k revs
Today I swapped the plugs and leads to cure a misfire. My front nearside brake pads aren't sounding so good at the moment so hopefully I can get them changed before the meet Thursday. Never changed them on an MX5 before so not sure what to expect!
Many thanks and best regards,
Matt
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