I have two MX-5s...

[rfn]

So, I've had my Mk3 for 20,000 miles and 13 months. I absolutely love it:


I've been looking at getting a 2nd car recently, as in time I will sell the Mk3 to put some more money toward my house deposit. Naturally I went looking for '5s, and I found this Mk1 advertised reasonably locally, 108k miles, almost FSH and a genuine guy selling it. It's a 1995 UK 1.8 - completely basic so no power steering etc. The pictures make it look pretty good but there is some rust on the rear arches - which will be treated in time. I collected in on Saturday and have done about 100 miles since - I'm really liking it so far, though the suspension does roll a bit! Does anyone know how I can stop the barn doors coming up when I put my sidelights on?

Here's some pics anyway:

Edited by rfn on Monday 4th October 16:54

[Jonny671]

It does look pretty good!

Not sure on the style bar, but its better than nothing and looks like a nice steering wheel

[rfn]

Jonny671 said:

It does look pretty good!

Not sure on the style bar, but its better than nothing and looks like a nice steering wheel

Thanks Jonny...
The style bar came from MX-5 Parts, I've got the original invoice from 2000 - a load of chrome bits and bobs totally nearly £700! :-) It looks ok - just need to fix the windblocker I got with it!

Edited by rfn on Monday 4th October 17:02

[Jonny671]

rfn said:

Jonny671 said:

It does look pretty good!

Not sure on the style bar, but its better than nothing and looks like a nice steering wheel

Thanks Jonny...
The style bar came from MX-5 Parts, I've got the original invoice from 2000 - a load of chrome bits and bobs totally nearly £700! :-) It looks ok - just need to fix the windblocker I got with it!

Edited by rfn on Monday 4th October 17:02

Bloody hell

It looks quite sturdy though so should do as a good brace bar too?

[piefacemate]

said:

Does anyone know how I can stop the barn doors coming up when I put my sidelights on?

Don't know the answer I'm afraid, but bear in mind that there's no warning beep when you leave the lights on and since the sidelights are rather crap as standard, it's quite easy to walk away leaving the lights on and flattening the battery. With the pop-up lights up when on, you're more likely to notice.

Car looks very smart though, nice to see a UK one that looks in such good nick.

[Oldandslow]

There's a relay on the passenger side of the engine bay. Removing it will stop the lifting of barn doors and dim headlights with sidelights. Look for a big heatsinked resistor typ thing and it's next to it. Sorry I've no pics.

[Oldandslow]

Here's a sort of guide to it
http://ox.mx5oc.co.uk/diy.htm

[JFReturns]

Yeah sounds like the previous owner had the 'flash to pass' mod done...

Car looks great, I've always loved the mk1 over the later models. Great colour too.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think a 95 is late enough to not need the flash to pass mod - it's like that from standard.
Personally I never use just sidelights. If it's dark enough for sidelights then it's dark enough for headlights

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Monday 4th October 20:04

[rfn]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Personally I never use just sidelights. If it's dark enough for sidelights then it's dark enough for headlights

Agreed, but that wasn't why I was asking. I like to run with lights on all the time (seeing as more and more cars have DRLs).

On my mk2.5 (and the Mk3) that obviously isn't a problem, but on the Mk1 if I fit some bright LED sidelights in the indicator area, then I'd be happy with the barn doors down - as I don't think having them up is particularly good for fuel consumption/wind resistance when on the motorway, etc.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Fair enough. I don't think there is a simple mod to stop it though.

[Oldandslow]

Yes there is. See the link above and look at the dim/dip section. Just disconnect the relay and no more lifting barn doors with sidelights.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Ignore me, I'm having a tough week at work (already).

[anonymous-user]

Oldandslow said:

Here's a sort of guide to it
http://ox.mx5oc.co.uk/diy.htm

Argh, that page has a guide to striping your 5....i'm sooooooooo tempted!