Just bought an NB mk2.5 Sport
Just bought an NB mk2.5 Sport
Author
Discussion

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Saturday 21st September 2013
quotequote all
Hi All,

Just bought myself a little track toy and had a few questions for those in the know. The car is a Sport but the owner was unsure of whether it had an lsd. He mentioned something about knowing from the VIN number but I have never heard of that before - I thought all sport models of the mk2.5 had lsd's, it has the 6sp box and nardi wheel etc.
Also there is a little slack in the drivetrain so I was wondering whether its common for the engine or gearbox mounts to wear and if so what is the best fix - new rubber or poly mounts.

Dogbreath

14 posts

251 months

Saturday 21st September 2013
quotequote all
Same, just bought a mk2.5 sport too, a black one, good fun. Bought it as my clunker but keep finding excuses to go out.

Never thought they could be so much fun...the roads have been been slippery.

I think the sport has an lsd...did some reading etc

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Saturday 21st September 2013
quotequote all
You are a top lurker dog breath! Have you had to do any work on the old girl yet?

witko999

708 posts

231 months

Sunday 22nd September 2013
quotequote all
The 1.8 sport models all have LSD's. Some cars after around 2003 were apparently fitted with a 'super-fuji' diff, which has a tendency to break and revert to being an open LSD. Upto 2003 I believe, Torsens were fitted.

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
I thought as much but its nice to hear it from someone else.
I think either one of the rear wheel bearings is failing, the exhaust is lightly touching the bodywork or the diff oil needs replacing as there is a an odd noise from the rear that seemingly is at its worst at around 30mph. I need to get a specialist to give it a look over I reckon - my near east one seems to be Rotechnics but one of my friends had an issue with them years ago which makes me wonder if I should go elsewhere - any suggestions of people near Reading that are good for Mazda work?

skinny

5,269 posts

258 months

Tuesday 24th September 2013
quotequote all
give c&c sparks engineering in bisley a call

Henry Fiddleton

1,595 posts

200 months

Tuesday 24th September 2013
quotequote all
A wheel bearing and exhaust will not need a specialist - an local decent place will be able to sort those out!

Enjoy.

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Tuesday 24th September 2013
quotequote all
If you are near Rotechnics then you aren't far from me biggrin
I live in Finchampstead and work in Kingsclere.

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Wednesday 25th September 2013
quotequote all
Hey Lazza
I am very close to you in that case - just off the A327 - I'd like to take a look at your car sometime it looks like a beast!! I really like the front plate too - was it an easy fit and have you had any grief from BiB? I went to Rotechniks yesterday and they diagnosed a rear wheel bearing. They also said the rear gearbox seal was weeping so that needs changing too. I got a good look at the underside and its in very good shape - I'll spray some por15 all over it to keep the salt from it though.
Ordered some diff oil last night - went with Mobil 1. Also ordered some Yokohama's, osram diadem bulbs for the front indicators, new leather gaitor and handbrake cover in black with red stitching and some clear side indicators. Hopefully this should all reach before the weekend.
Next thing I am looking at doing is the gearbox upper and lower seals and the bush.

Edited by lordlee on Wednesday 25th September 08:56

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Thursday 26th September 2013
quotequote all
No problem lordlee, happy to meet up some time biggrin

You should come along to the regular Bracknell meets at Pinewood too. There are a good bunch of people and a good variety of interesting cars. Food is pretty good and very cheap too wink

Planet Claire

3,411 posts

232 months

Saturday 28th September 2013
quotequote all
Yes, get yourself along to the Bracknell Meet. I've just posted up the details for the next one, which will be on Thursday 17 October.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Skinny has beaten me to it, but I was going to suggest Sparkes Engineering in Bisley. I go to Mazda at Farnham common to get mine serviced, if you don't mind paying extra (but I do get 10% discount for OC membership).

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Saturday 28th September 2013
quotequote all
Will be there for the next meet. I think the car should be happier with being seen by then. Why Sparkes over Rotechnics? Do they have a bad rep with MX owners? I have my car booked in there on Tuesday so I have time to shift my business if need be.
Been busy with the car today but without much success - tried to change spark plugs but I need a thinner spark plug tool. Changed the air filter, sidelight bulbs for LED's, clear side indicators with chrome bulbs and some new headlight bulbs.

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
Some pics...







Edited by lordlee on Wednesday 9th October 19:44

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
Nice pics cool

Did you get the car serviced at Rotechnics? If so, how were they?
They used to be very good but then their prices went up a lot. I believe they have changed hands since then though and I haven't heard anything about them for a few years so it would be good to get some up to date feedback on them.

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
Hey Lazza, they seemed great but they are expensive on their hourly rate and one thing they did grated a little. When I went there the guy put it on the ramp and had a look over it and diagnosed the wheel bearing. I left there very happy that the car was diagnosed and that I had got see the underneath on a ramp. At no point was this mentioned as chargeable so I was a little unhappy to see it on the bill - if I had gone elsewhere for the work it would have been free (as I had left with no talk of charge) but as I went with them I got charged. Don't get me wrong I know how business works and they are well within their rights to charge me but as a potential long term customer they could have done the diagnostic for free which would have offset the higher hourly charge and I would have left a happier man.
I have booked the car into C&C Sparkes in Bisley for the gearbox seal to be done so at least I can then compare the two experiences and see who I want to use again in the future.

Planet Claire

3,411 posts

232 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
Car looks nice and clear - will we be seeing you at the Bracknell meet next week.
My OH got a quote for his clutch at Rotechnics last year and to be honest it wasn't that much different to quote from the Mazda dealership I go to. Post up your experience of Bisley when you go.

Dogbreath

14 posts

251 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
Off to rustmaster in Hatfield soon to get the bottom treated for rust now and in the future. A front sill needs treating too and I'd like the clutch replaced to remove the judder but a lovely wee car none the less. Glad I got one but wasn't expecting to deal with rust on a modern 2003 car. She'll be sweet soon.

This acts as my 2nd car with a GTV cup as the first, the GTV feels massive inside now LOL

I like the idea of having a quickest front wheel car and a rear drive convertible for fun

lordlee

Original Poster:

3,137 posts

268 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
Planet Claire said:
Car looks nice and clear - will we be seeing you at the Bracknell meet next week.
My OH got a quote for his clutch at Rotechnics last year and to be honest it wasn't that much different to quote from the Mazda dealership I go to. Post up your experience of Bisley when you go.
The car is in having some rust treated before the winter salt rears it ugly head so not sure if I'll have the MX ready - I did ask him not to rush the job. If you don't mind a Boxster among the ranks for one meet that would be great!!

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
You'll be welcome in the Boxster. It's the owner that's important. We have had someone coming along in an old-mans Rover 75 wink