MX5 feels slower when cold
Discussion
We have a 54 plate MX5, and you can feel the difference in power between a cold and warm engine. In my Mondeo I don't notice any difference. Is this normal?
Also the Mondeo (2ltr 145hp Duratec) feels like it has more go. Even the wife commented that the mondeo seems quite a bit more poweful on the straights.
Just to be clear, the MX5 is running perfectly well, its just that in comparison to my mondeo it seems slower, especially when cold. Its the opposite of what I would expect to be feeling!
Also the Mondeo (2ltr 145hp Duratec) feels like it has more go. Even the wife commented that the mondeo seems quite a bit more poweful on the straights.
Just to be clear, the MX5 is running perfectly well, its just that in comparison to my mondeo it seems slower, especially when cold. Its the opposite of what I would expect to be feeling!
54 plate, are we taling mk2.5 with VVT then?
At a guess - Im going to say the mondeo is probably much torquier lower down the revs - which will give the impression of it being faster during 'normal' driving.
Wind the MX5 round to 5, 6, 7k rpm and it should 'alive' a lot more than the Mondeo will.
From experience of 3x MX-5s, they do need to be warmed through thoroughly before they run right and feel like they are willing to give full power though, I agree there.
At a guess - Im going to say the mondeo is probably much torquier lower down the revs - which will give the impression of it being faster during 'normal' driving.
Wind the MX5 round to 5, 6, 7k rpm and it should 'alive' a lot more than the Mondeo will.
From experience of 3x MX-5s, they do need to be warmed through thoroughly before they run right and feel like they are willing to give full power though, I agree there.
VVT on the Mk2.5 is a very simple thing that only affects the intake cam and only at mid-range revs to boost the torque a bit. It's active all the time, not affected by engine temperature.
As for the Mondeo feeling more powerful - that will probably be true. A 2 litre saloon will no doubt have more midrange torque than a 1.8 sports car. Push the MX5 like it wants to be pushed i.e. keep the revs above 5k and only change gear just before the redline and the Mondeo won't see which way it went
As for the Mondeo feeling more powerful - that will probably be true. A 2 litre saloon will no doubt have more midrange torque than a 1.8 sports car. Push the MX5 like it wants to be pushed i.e. keep the revs above 5k and only change gear just before the redline and the Mondeo won't see which way it went
I don't think its VVT, I've not noticed a surge with revs.
The Mondeo is massive so I'm surprised it feels more powerful. I expected the MX5 to feel somewhere between my Mondeo and my elise, but out of the 3 it feels the slowest. Bear in mind that my elise is the 120bhp version so it doesn't have a lot to compete with
That said the Mondeo Duratec engine is known for having decent torque, and feels more powerful than most similar sized saloons.
The Mondeo is massive so I'm surprised it feels more powerful. I expected the MX5 to feel somewhere between my Mondeo and my elise, but out of the 3 it feels the slowest. Bear in mind that my elise is the 120bhp version so it doesn't have a lot to compete with
That said the Mondeo Duratec engine is known for having decent torque, and feels more powerful than most similar sized saloons.
snotrag said:
54 plate, are we taling mk2.5 with VVT then?
From experience of 3x MX-5s, they do need to be warmed through thoroughly before they run right and feel like they are willing to give full power though, I agree there.
Thanks thats exactly what I thought. Nothing feels wrong with the car when cold, it just seems to get more lively when its warm. Its only a small difference, but enough to be noticed.From experience of 3x MX-5s, they do need to be warmed through thoroughly before they run right and feel like they are willing to give full power though, I agree there.
That also might account for why it feels slower than the Mondeo. I drive the mondeo every day, and if I use the MX5, its normally from cold.
98elise said:
I don't think its VVT, I've not noticed a surge with revs.
If it's a 54 plate Mk2.5 1.8 then it does have VVT. As I said before, it's not a clever system that affect timing/lift/duration on both cams, it only affects the timing on the intake cam and is a very simple system that just boosts torque a little bit in the mid-range. You won't feel any "boost" from it, in fact it doesn't feel much different with the VVT solenoid disconnected. It's probably there more to control emissions than to boost torque.Have you tried really thrashing it? Drive it like a Mondeo and the Mondeo will beat it. Drive it like an MX5 and you'll be gone
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 29th May 15:23
Don't forget even on a 2004 MX5 it has an engine that has its origins in the mid 80's, and a parts bin engine at that. The engines originally came from a 323 turbo. Hence why they take to turbo/super charging them very easily.
Its quite hard to compare it to a duratec which is a much newer design of engine.
I have the VVT engine and I don't pretend its anything but a bit old hat, but it can't half take a beating once its warmed up. I don't think I've ever had a car that feels the same cold as when warm however!
Its quite hard to compare it to a duratec which is a much newer design of engine.
I have the VVT engine and I don't pretend its anything but a bit old hat, but it can't half take a beating once its warmed up. I don't think I've ever had a car that feels the same cold as when warm however!
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