New 1.8 SE opinions

[Ozone]

I am considering getting a new one as my daily car - will be leasing so not interested in older cars.
Does anyone have one? I wanted a test drive but my local dealer wanted me to commit to signing for it before driving.

So give me some opinions please.

[abarber]

Go to a different dealer. Most will fall over themselves to let you drive one.

I've driven 1.8 and 2ltr M3s and have not been impressived. Nothing like as well balanced / enjoyable as the M1 or M2/M2.5 models. Not driven an M3.5 though. Dearly hope they are much better

[Ozone]

Thanks. Is weight the problem with the M3's?
I didn't know whether to forget aircon so save some weight.

[silverMX]

Apparently he Mk3 had poor handling due to massive tall springs fitted to outshine crazy pedestrian safety laws. The Mk3.5 has apparently fixed that and is reported to be a good car.

Why the 1.8?

And tell the dealer if his policy is not to give test drives before commitment, yours is not to give money!

[hornetrider]

For me the 1.8 seems too underpowered, its 35bhp down on the 2 litre which itself could do with more power. Nothing wrong with the driving experience though (I speak as a 3.5 Sport owner, having owned a 1.8 Mk1).

Drive before you buy.

[Jonny671]

hornetrider said:

For me the 1.8 seems too underpowered, its 35bhp down on the 2 litre which itself could do with more power. Nothing wrong with the driving experience though (I speak as a 3.5 Sport owner, having owned a 1.8 Mk1).

Drive before you buy.

Same opinion as this. The 2.0 seems to be quite right, maybe more power needed but good.

[Ozone]

Yes a 2.0 Sport Tech would be my ideal choice but i'm looking to save some money on this one so that i can get a 370z or SLK type cars in a couple of years and also fund my sons need for a first car in a few months.

Good to know that the springs issue has been addressed on the newer versions.

As a matter of interest can you get remaps done on NA MX5's?

[Jonny671]

Ozone said:

Yes a 2.0 Sport Tech would be my ideal choice but i'm looking to save some money on this one so that i can get a 370z or SLK type cars in a couple of years and also fund my sons need for a first car in a few months.

Good to know that the springs issue has been addressed on the newer versions.

As a matter of interest can you get remaps done on NA MX5's?

You can get Megasquirt for about £400 I think, and thats a fully mappable ECU.

I think, wait for someone to confirm it though as I've not looked into it fully

[Ozone]

Hmmmm - that would be some savings out the window but....

Thanks for the comments

Edited by Ozone on Thursday 26th August 16:20

[MX-5 Lazza]

You probably can get it remapped but is there any point on a na 1.8? There is no turbo to add any boost to so any gains will be minor and will probably result in worse economy.

[hornetrider]

When you say NA do you mean naturally aspirated, or Mk1? Because if you are leasing you won't be doing any modifications to the car.

[mAxiecAm]

Ozone said:

Yes a 2.0 Sport Tech would be my ideal choice but i'm looking to save some money on this one so that i can get a 370z or SLK type cars in a couple of years and also fund my sons need for a first car in a few months.

Good to know that the springs issue has been addressed on the newer versions.

As a matter of interest can you get remaps done on NA MX5's?

If your no buying you will not be allowed to remap it surely??

[Ozone]

I don't know what is available for remaps and was just wondering and i realise that an NA (normally aspirated) engine is limited on what can be accomplished compared to a turbo. If a plugin or piggyback option was available it could be taken back off before returning the car.
I have known people who have had mods done (eg exhausts, wheels, remaps) to lease cars and put them back to standard before collection and sold them. I haven't done it myself but would consider it.

[Jonny671]

Ozone said:

I don't know what is available for remaps and was just wondering and i realise that an NA (normally aspirated) engine is limited on what can be accomplished compared to a turbo. If a plugin or piggyback option was available it could be taken back off before returning the car.
I have known people who have had mods done (eg exhausts, wheels, remaps) to lease cars and put them back to standard before collection and sold them. I haven't done it myself but would consider it.

Sorry, I didn't realise you meant Naturally Aspirated. The Chassis Code for a MK1 MX5 is "NA" so I assumed you meant could you map those. I'm not sure what's available for the MK3/.5 unfortunately.

[hornetrider]

Jonny671 said:

Ozone said:

I don't know what is available for remaps and was just wondering and i realise that an NA (normally aspirated) engine is limited on what can be accomplished compared to a turbo. If a plugin or piggyback option was available it could be taken back off before returning the car.
I have known people who have had mods done (eg exhausts, wheels, remaps) to lease cars and put them back to standard before collection and sold them. I haven't done it myself but would consider it.

Sorry, I didn't realise you meant Naturally Aspirated. The Chassis Code for a MK1 MX5 is "NA" so I assumed you meant could you map those. I'm not sure what's available for the MK3/.5 unfortunately.

Bugger all is the answer to that one, unfortunately. Although there is some stuff in development in the States, but they are early adopters as far as I'm aware. I certainly wouldn't be modding a daily driver until things become more proven.

[Ozone]

Cheers guys. The mapping isn't an issue, i was asking out of curiosity.