Mk3 servicing schedule and running costs.

[raf_gti]

Hopefully close to getting myself a Mk3 but before I commit I want to try and get a clear picture of running costs.

I'm mainly looking at 2006-07 2.0s with between 35&50k on the clock. Will the cambelt have been done or is it likely to be something which will need doing straight away?

How much are you looking at servicing carried out at a decent indie or main dealer?

And lastly, are there any inherent faults which are likley to show themselves at that age and mileage?

thanks!

[Jonny671]

Right

First, if you find any MX5s your interested in drop me a message or on here and I can check history/previous warranty and stuff on it for you. Any MK3 MX5 will have a digital service record. They're 12,500 or 1 year service schedules.

Second, the MK3 MX5 is chain driven.. None of this belt change jazz, which is good.

Third, with a Mazda Dealer the next services will be (Inc VAT);

37,500/3rd Service - £195
50,000/4th Service - £230
62,500/5th Service - £305
75,000/6th Service - £260

The MX5 is very reasonable with service costs and things like that. The only problem we have with them is people potholling the wheels, they're not the strongest but this is expected with our roads. Roof drains need clearing annually, maybe every 6 months, this is just because of leaves and stuff gets down in the drain holes to clear the water from the roof gets blocked and the water has no where to go.

Its a very reliable car

[raf_gti]

Jonny671 said:

Right

First, if you find any MX5s your interested in drop me a message or on here and I can check history/previous warranty and stuff on it for you. Any MK3 MX5 will have a digital service record. They're 12,500 or 1 year service schedules.

Second, the MK3 MX5 is chain driven.. None of this belt change jazz, which is good.

Third, with a Mazda Dealer the next services will be (Inc VAT);

37,500/3rd Service - £195
50,000/4th Service - £230
62,500/5th Service - £305
75,000/6th Service - £260

The MX5 is very reasonable with service costs and things like that. The only problem we have with them is people potholling the wheels, they're not the strongest but this is expected with our roads. Roof drains need clearing annually, maybe every 6 months, this is just because of leaves and stuff gets down in the drain holes to clear the water from the roof gets blocked and the water has no where to go.

Its a very reliable car

Jonny

Awesome reply, thanks

I've read quite a few reports that say that the Mazda Geo is not ideal and should be carried out by somewhere such as Wheels in Motion? What are your feelings on this? I get the impression from several postings that the chassis is essentially sorted but hampered by the original Mazda settings.

[Jonny671]

raf_gti said:

Jonny671 said:

Right

First, if you find any MX5s your interested in drop me a message or on here and I can check history/previous warranty and stuff on it for you. Any MK3 MX5 will have a digital service record. They're 12,500 or 1 year service schedules.

Second, the MK3 MX5 is chain driven.. None of this belt change jazz, which is good.

Third, with a Mazda Dealer the next services will be (Inc VAT);

37,500/3rd Service - £195
50,000/4th Service - £230
62,500/5th Service - £305
75,000/6th Service - £260

The MX5 is very reasonable with service costs and things like that. The only problem we have with them is people potholling the wheels, they're not the strongest but this is expected with our roads. Roof drains need clearing annually, maybe every 6 months, this is just because of leaves and stuff gets down in the drain holes to clear the water from the roof gets blocked and the water has no where to go.

Its a very reliable car

Jonny

Awesome reply, thanks

I've read quite a few reports that say that the Mazda Geo is not ideal and should be carried out by somewhere such as Wheels in Motion? What are your feelings on this? I get the impression from several postings that the chassis is essentially sorted but hampered by the original Mazda settings.

Exactly this.. If you put the Eibach 35mm lowering kit on it, its quite sorted.. Though its always best to get the alignment done by WIM as they have their own tested settings rather than Mazdas general ones which have to cater to us petrol heads, and those that drive them everyday and want a comfy ride.

The UK vehicles came with heigher springs on them due to the pedestrian safety laws over here, so when you put the 35mm lowering kit on them (Which is if done by a Mazda dealer covered by the 3 year warranty) they are then how they are made in Japan. They also look 100% better lower

[Shaw Tarse]

for Jonny's reply, it's surprising how much better they look lowered, and having the geo sorted by someone who knows their stuff makes the world of difference!

[hornetrider]

Also when Mazda put the Eibachs on they end up twisting the front bushes due to (I think) tightening it all back up when the wheels are still off the ground.

First thing WIM do is slacken them off, they go "BADOING" or "PEW!" depending on your viewpoint and bingo tension is released, no more twisted bushes and your front end is about 20mm lower

[Shaw Tarse]

hornetrider said:

Also when Mazda put the Eibachs on they end up twisting the front bushes due to (I think) tightening it all back up when the wheels are still off the ground.

First thing WIM do is slacken them off, they go "BADOING" or "PEW!" depending on your viewpoint and bingo tension is released, no more twisted bushes and your front end is about 20mm lower

This is true or depending on how you look at it.

[hornetrider]

http://www.mx-5.com/Forum/Room/Topic/?topicId=1548...

Twisted bush syndrome ^^

[hornetrider]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

This is my thread detailing the alignment farce on my BRAND NEW car.

[raf_gti]

All I've got to do now is decide if grey is going to be the colour for me! All the decent value ones within my price range seem to be grey, I was holding for copper red but they seem to be relatively few & far between

[rfn]

raf_gti said:

All I've got to do now is decide if grey is going to be the colour for me! All the decent value ones within my price range seem to be grey, I was holding for copper red but they seem to be relatively few & far between

Grey is a perfect colour! :-).
I'm advertising my 2.0 Sport this week, probably over your mileage but it has been lowered, had the geo done and it's got a few nice tweaks, and a hard top...

[Teebs]

rfn said:

raf_gti said:

All I've got to do now is decide if grey is going to be the colour for me! All the decent value ones within my price range seem to be grey, I was holding for copper red but they seem to be relatively few & far between

Grey is a perfect colour! :-).
I'm advertising my 2.0 Sport this week, probably over your mileage but it has been lowered, had the geo done and it's got a few nice tweaks, and a hard top...

How much are you asking?

[raf_gti]

rfn said:

raf_gti said:

All I've got to do now is decide if grey is going to be the colour for me! All the decent value ones within my price range seem to be grey, I was holding for copper red but they seem to be relatively few & far between

Grey is a perfect colour! :-).
I'm advertising my 2.0 Sport this week, probably over your mileage but it has been lowered, had the geo done and it's got a few nice tweaks, and a hard top...

Just had a little look and it does indeed look very nice, it's shame that the colour choice for the Mk3 is relatively poor, it does look nice in silver but I'm sick of that colour!

I see you've had a 182 in the past, how does the 5 compare to that?

As this will be my first RWD car I'm worried how I will find it after coming from a history of FWD hatches that can be taken by the scruff off the neck when in the mood.

[rfn]

raf_gti said:

Just had a little look and it does indeed look very nice, it's shame that the colour choice for the Mk3 is relatively poor, it does look nice in silver but I'm sick of that colour!

I see you've had a 182 in the past, how does the 5 compare to that?

As this will be my first RWD car I'm worried how I will find it after coming from a history of FWD hatches that can be taken by the scruff off the neck when in the mood.

The 182 was obviously a bit quicker. But, I had it for three months, and it "replaced" a mk2.5 MX-5. Sadly I never got on with the 182, all the power was after 5,500 rpm and you had to nail it everywhere to get the best from the engine. That said, it was very economical and had cruise control - but was missing the most important thing - a convertible roof!

Edited by rfn on Tuesday 2nd November 12:29

[raf_gti]

rfn said:

raf_gti said:

Just had a little look and it does indeed look very nice, it's shame that the colour choice for the Mk3 is relatively poor, it does look nice in silver but I'm sick of that colour!

I see you've had a 182 in the past, how does the 5 compare to that?

As this will be my first RWD car I'm worried how I will find it after coming from a history of FWD hatches that can be taken by the scruff off the neck when in the mood.

The 182 was obviously a bit quicker. But, I had it for three months, and it "replaced" a mk2.5 MX-5. Sadly I never got on with the 182, all the power was after 5,500 rpm and you had to nail it everywhere to get the best from the engine. That said, it was very economical and had cruise control - but was missing the most important thing - a convertible roof!

Edited by rfn on Tuesday 2nd November 12:29

Interesting.

I absolutely loved my 182 but I feel like a change from FWD > RWD to the way forward for me, I just hope that I 'get it'.

TBH I'm expecting the MX-5 a lot more subtle form of driving pleasure and one that I will enjoy for a good few years to come.

If not, it will be an expensive way to learn!

[rfn]

Not that expensive if you buy now and sell in the spring/summer!

[Pints]

I collected my mk3 on Sunday. Galaxy Grey and I'm in love.

I don't think I could cope with lowered suspension given my long motorway journeys but the ride is surprisingly comfortable. I seem to think I have the option pack but my dash has a metal-like finish to it, rather than the piano black (as Parkers suggests it should have).

OP, I'll give you the advice that was given to me a week ago: "Just do it!"

[Shaw Tarse]

Pints, the dash has probably been changed, how many spokes have the wheels got?

[Ari]

Pints said:

I collected my mk3 on Sunday. Galaxy Grey and I'm in love.

I don't think I could cope with lowered suspension given my long motorway journeys but the ride is surprisingly comfortable. I seem to think I have the option pack but my dash has a metal-like finish to it, rather than the piano black (as Parkers suggests it should have).

OP, I'll give you the advice that was given to me a week ago: "Just do it!"

I don't think they did the non Option PAck version in the UK.

Option Pack includes alloy wheels, a cloth hood (instead of vinyl), leather covered steering wheel and gearnob, and I think the stereo remotes on the steering wheel were an Option Pack thing.

I had a MK3 Galaxy Grey 2.0 with Option Pack and it had the "Piano Black" high gloss dash insert.

[Ari]

This was mine, and these are the "Option Pack" alloy wheels.