BBR Mazda MX-5 Turbo (NC) | PH Private Area
Find more four-wheeled fun for £10k - we'll wait...
It’s very well known that we’re big fans of BBR MX-5s on PH. It’s hard not to be, really; in combining the standard car’s joyous simplicity with a welcome dollop of performance potential, BBR makes fantastically fun Mazdas. Long may it continue…
Now, of course, modifying done well is not a cheap undertaking. While an overhauled MX-5 can represent something of a performance bargain given what else is available for the money, it often also takes a significant chunk of the original outlay to get it there. And that puts some people off, especially when a car like the MX-5 has been so popular largely because of its value for money. There will always be those who will want a lightly used Boxster for lightly used Boxster money, but there’s no denying the sheer fun on offer if willing to spend a bit of cash on an MX-5.
In an ideal scenario, we’d buy cars where the money had been spent by a previous owner, saving us the outlay. The trouble then is that modifying is a hugely personal thing, and what the previous owner has done might not be to your taste. That said, we can probably all agree that BBR’s engine work on MX-5s is thought of very favourably, so plenty of bills from Brackley must be a good thing. Everything else can be sorted out at a later date.
This Mk3 MX-5 is the perfect example of what’s out there with upgrades already done. Acquired by the current owner in 2020 as a Stage 1 BBR MX-5 turbo (which would imply enthusiast ownership for a good few years), it’s now at Stage 2, which means more than 300hp and more than 240lb ft from a forged engine, healthy improvements for a car that originally produced 160hp and just 123lb ft. Those gains have been achieved through, among other things, a Garrett GT2860R turbocharger and a host of BBR goodies, from manifold to intercooler and exhaust to airbox. The current owner says the acceleration ‘is such that I have had bikers giving me thumbs up’, which is easy to believe with that much power moving little more than a tonne, even with just the five-speed manual.
There’s plenty been added to help the MX-5 contain that power, too, including an upgraded clutch, big brakes, Meister R coilovers and plenty more besides - a lot of money has been spent here. The sale includes a spare set of wheels on Michelin Cup 2s for use when the weather improves, complete with an incredible bespoke rack to carry them on - and with this spec and those tyres, it ought to make for a superb little track car. Any cosmetic upgrades another owner doesn’t like could presumably be sold on.
And it’s £10k. Alright, £10,995, but it’s easy to see where that much must have already gone into the project, and there’s a bonus MX-5 thrown into the deal. Just to buy an MX-5 like this - an early NC with 75,000 miles - would currently cost £6k, so it looks like an awful lot of additional excitement for relatively little money. It’s hard to imagine many would want to embark on a big project with an older MX-5 now, but buying a completed one remains more affordable than later equivalents. For what’s commonly referred to as the least popular MX-5, there’s a lot to like here. Wonder what BBR might have on offer for the next owner…
Fancy buying a later NC model doing all the brake and suspension upgrades myself along with under sealing and any paintwork then have the engine upgrade from BBR.
BBR will buy the car off you at market value of the standard car and 50% depreciation on any work they have done (not sure if thats parts only or includes labour / software).
Pity Matt didn't include a link, seems with proofreading at PH, noone bothers.
I’d be wanting to check it’s MOT history and then get it checked for rust, everywhere….
I thought people would find the HUGE bonnet vents a lot more offensive ?!
And with the photos of pistons and con rods in somebody's hand, does this mean it was a home build project ?
But yes, definitely a rust inspection needed sadly on these.
It would still be a HUGE f*ckin blast though I'm sure !!
My biggest concern is how long do these engines and gearboxes last with nearly double manufacturers original power output?
Get the wheels refinished in gold / bronze and it would break up the excess of black.
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