MX5 mk 2 owner worth upgrading to mk3?
Discussion
Currently have a 2005 Mk 2 1.8 icon, 25,000 miles.
Feels a bit underpowered on motorways, a bit bumpy and creaky on our roads that have suddenly turned into mountain tracks.
Worth upgrading to the 2.0 Mk3?
Looking for a more refined drive, more comfort etc.
If you think there's not much difference between models, it'll save me time and the grief of searching, and I'll stick to what I've got.
Many thanks for your replies.
Feels a bit underpowered on motorways, a bit bumpy and creaky on our roads that have suddenly turned into mountain tracks.
Worth upgrading to the 2.0 Mk3?
Looking for a more refined drive, more comfort etc.
If you think there's not much difference between models, it'll save me time and the grief of searching, and I'll stick to what I've got.
Many thanks for your replies.
^ Agreed. I just moved from a MK2 1.8 to a MK3 2.0 Sport and am loving it.
It is a 3rd car, but I'm using it 4 times more than the MK2 it replaced, I just love driving it. It's a far nicer place to sit, just feels so much more of a proper car.
I fancy a remap though, as it does feel a little strangled up to 3.5k revs in first and second gear.
It does feel quicker than the MK2, probably in part due to the additional torque.
Do it, you won't regret it. (I asked the same question on here before I traded up, and the same answer came back every time)
It is a 3rd car, but I'm using it 4 times more than the MK2 it replaced, I just love driving it. It's a far nicer place to sit, just feels so much more of a proper car.
I fancy a remap though, as it does feel a little strangled up to 3.5k revs in first and second gear.
It does feel quicker than the MK2, probably in part due to the additional torque.
Do it, you won't regret it. (I asked the same question on here before I traded up, and the same answer came back every time)
I've got no experience of the mk2, but currently own a mk3 Sport.
It's fine on a motorway, quite happy to stick it in 6th & keep up with traffic, drop down a gear or two & will accelerate nicely.
Driving on potholed roads or over speedbumps, it's not great, but acceptable.
As above^^^ get the geo sorted, it does make a difference
It's fine on a motorway, quite happy to stick it in 6th & keep up with traffic, drop down a gear or two & will accelerate nicely.
Driving on potholed roads or over speedbumps, it's not great, but acceptable.
As above^^^ get the geo sorted, it does make a difference
matts4 said:
^ Agreed. I just moved from a MK2 1.8 to a MK3 2.0 Sport and am loving it.
It is a 3rd car, but I'm using it 4 times more than the MK2 it replaced, I just love driving it. It's a far nicer place to sit, just feels so much more of a proper car.
I fancy a remap though, as it does feel a little strangled up to 3.5k revs in first and second gear.
It does feel quicker than the MK2, probably in part due to the additional torque.
Do it, you won't regret it. (I asked the same question on here before I traded up, and the same answer came back every time)
I had a 1.8 2.5, and currently have a 2.0 3.5.It is a 3rd car, but I'm using it 4 times more than the MK2 it replaced, I just love driving it. It's a far nicer place to sit, just feels so much more of a proper car.
I fancy a remap though, as it does feel a little strangled up to 3.5k revs in first and second gear.
It does feel quicker than the MK2, probably in part due to the additional torque.
Do it, you won't regret it. (I asked the same question on here before I traded up, and the same answer came back every time)
I don't notice any shortage of grunt in the lower rev ranges - mine pulls like a train all the way up to the red line in the lower gears.
IMHO the current car leaves the 1.8 Mk 2.5 I had in the shade.
I was a bit unconvinced by the folding hard top when I first ordered it, but having lived with it for 18 months, I think its much better than the soft top version, for what that's worth.
matts4 said:
I fancy a remap though, as it does feel a little strangled up to 3.5k revs in first and second gear.
I notice this all the time and it can be a bit frustrating sometimes (I want it to let me regulate the bloody power), there is a definite leap of power once you get above the 3.5k rpm's when accelerating.SmilerFTM said:
I notice this all the time and it can be a bit frustrating sometimes (I want it to let me regulate the bloody power), there is a definite leap of power once you get above the 3.5k rpm's when accelerating.
It does feel like the ESP tries to interfere to avoid potential wheel spin. I'm going to investigate a few re-maps. Look on nutz for my project thread.
I lent my car to Clive for a week to develop the mk3 remap.
Good gains, higher limiter & removes all the nannying from the ECU in the lower gears & the strange drops in 6th.
When you give it 70% +,in the first couple you never actually get what you ask for, I do.
Don't get an eBay or post off your ECU remap as just a generic flash.
I lent my car to Clive for a week to develop the mk3 remap.
Good gains, higher limiter & removes all the nannying from the ECU in the lower gears & the strange drops in 6th.
When you give it 70% +,in the first couple you never actually get what you ask for, I do.
Don't get an eBay or post off your ECU remap as just a generic flash.
g40steve said:
Look on nutz for my project thread.
I lent my car to Clive for a week to develop the mk3 remap.
Good gains, higher limiter & removes all the nannying from the ECU in the lower gears & the strange drops in 6th.
When you give it 70% +,in the first couple you never actually get what you ask for, I do.
Don't get an eBay or post off your ECU remap as just a generic flash.
Dyno prints?I lent my car to Clive for a week to develop the mk3 remap.
Good gains, higher limiter & removes all the nannying from the ECU in the lower gears & the strange drops in 6th.
When you give it 70% +,in the first couple you never actually get what you ask for, I do.
Don't get an eBay or post off your ECU remap as just a generic flash.
matts4 said:
I'm not after more power, just a potential better delivery of the current available power would be great.
Where is the guy based who you used Steve?
You get approx 10bhp, but the way the car drives is totally different.Where is the guy based who you used Steve?
Riff Raff said:
Dyno prints?
Look on Nutz all the info & printouts are there.At present @ 180bhp & 150+ lbft, now is very entertaining on road & track.
Look here, http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1...
Any questions ask in that thread & the guys who have been following will answer
Clive is in Sheffield.
Edited by g40steve on Saturday 20th April 08:52
Edited by g40steve on Saturday 20th April 08:54
g40steve said:
Mk3 is far better car fact.
No-one can accuse you sitting on the fence I've owned a mk1, a mk2 & a mk3. I drive a Mk3 as a daily, and a Mk2 for track, so I'm fairly unbiased.
As Steve says, the key is getting is setup properly. An out-of-the-factory Mk3 is dull compared to a Mk1. A properly setup Mk3 will run rings around a well-setup Mk1.
Some people prefer the earlier cars, It all depends what you want out of the car, and your budget. The Mk3 will beat the Mk1/Mk2 on comfort and moderness, but still handle very, very well.
The Mk3 has better torque (and more power) than the Mk1/Mk2. It'll pull from 2k with no problems, where a Mk1/2 won't pull until about 3-4k.
If you want out-and-out power then you probably buy a Mk1 and fit a turbo/supercharger for less than doing the same to a Mk3. A turbo Mk1 will leave a stock Mk3 for dust (been there, done that, looked sad).
matts4 said:
It does feel like the ESP tries to interfere to avoid potential wheel spin. I'm going to investigate a few re-maps.
How long have you had it, and how much have you played with the DSC?I used to dislike it, but now I can use it as a driving/teaching-aid rather than a safety net.
Thanks for all your help comments, a Mk3 2.0 litre is now sitting on the drive. Happy days.
Definitely more refined than the Mk2, but I notice the bumps more with the 17" wheels as opposed to the 15" wheels on my previous car.
Tyres are 205 45 17 Nankang Ultra Sport on the Front, Primewell PZ 900's on the rear. Quite a lot of tyre noise. Can anyone recommend softer, quieter versions?
Power-wise, a bit swifter with more torque as you said. Does anyone know anyone offering a remap service down South? I am near Tunbridge Wells in Kent / East Sussex.
Thanks again
Definitely more refined than the Mk2, but I notice the bumps more with the 17" wheels as opposed to the 15" wheels on my previous car.
Tyres are 205 45 17 Nankang Ultra Sport on the Front, Primewell PZ 900's on the rear. Quite a lot of tyre noise. Can anyone recommend softer, quieter versions?
Power-wise, a bit swifter with more torque as you said. Does anyone know anyone offering a remap service down South? I am near Tunbridge Wells in Kent / East Sussex.
Thanks again
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