Just another NC MX-5 (2010 Sport Tech)
Discussion
Hey everyone, this is my first time doing a thread but I thought I'd throw one together because I've got some plans for this car. Nothing crazy except a few choice mods and learning to maintain it myself (never turned a bolt before buying this thing).
The car is a 2010 Sport Tech with 27,000 miles. I somehow managed to find it approved used at a Mazda dealer with up north in Inverness. Had it checked over and magically theres no real rust. Absolutely adore the thing but there's always room for improvement; it replaced an R56 Cooper S so it has big boots to fill.
Here's how it sits at the moment:
I'll give a couple more updates over the next few days.
The car is a 2010 Sport Tech with 27,000 miles. I somehow managed to find it approved used at a Mazda dealer with up north in Inverness. Had it checked over and magically theres no real rust. Absolutely adore the thing but there's always room for improvement; it replaced an R56 Cooper S so it has big boots to fill.
Here's how it sits at the moment:
I'll give a couple more updates over the next few days.
Edited by somerdom on Monday 3rd August 23:57
Ah the good old internet, always someone there with something positive to say 
That looks really smart, lovely colour and with only 27k on the clock, hopefully a great place to start learning some spannering, as nothing should be horribly fused and rusted
I’ve been looking at MX5’s again recently as a bit of analogue fun, I bet it’s quite a different kettle of fish to the Cooper S.
What are your plans for it?
That looks really smart, lovely colour and with only 27k on the clock, hopefully a great place to start learning some spannering, as nothing should be horribly fused and rusted
I’ve been looking at MX5’s again recently as a bit of analogue fun, I bet it’s quite a different kettle of fish to the Cooper S.
What are your plans for it?
miken2k8 said:
The only non mx5 imo even the nb would smash this on a b road the Nd is in another league
I'm not sure I'm able to parse this?Car looks good OP, pop some lowering springs on it as a nice first project! Well done for committing to take up the spanners yourself too, it can be daunting but is very rewarding.
miken2k8 said:
The only non mx5 imo even the nb would smash this on a b road the Nd is in another league
OP pay no attention to this garbage.somerdom said:
it replaced an R56 Cooper S so it has big boots to fill.
Lots of people have owned both Minis and MX-5s, totally different but theres a common theme between them, I'd generally say if you 'get' a Mini Cooper S you'll 'get' an MX-5. Fun, cheap, bit of character despite being common. Suggest you join 'NC-Europe' on facebook too!
Please, please properly clean, protect, and underseal it. Its either a weekends work at home or 2-500 at a professional but absolutely worth it, and once thats done get a wheel alignment by someone who knows these cars.
They are mega fun, solid, reliable, very easy ownership. Once you make some mild changes they get a lot more lively and characterful, and great fun on track too.
Its a facelift, so less of an issue but ALWAYS keep the oil topped up to MAX. (Not halfway between min and max, or just over min, but AT MAX). Its the only thing that causes engine issues, although granted not often the revised engines.
I bought an NC as a stop-gap car after selling a 987 Boxster S about ten years ago. The Porsche was the nicer car by far but the MX5 was much more fun day to day because you needed to rag it everywhere and maintain momentum. I keep meaning to pick another up.
The only issue I had was an notable horizontal dip caused by weight transfer when entering a corner. Once you knew it was going to happen it became ok but I guess a spring change and a lower COG help that which is why most go for that mod first.
The only issue I had was an notable horizontal dip caused by weight transfer when entering a corner. Once you knew it was going to happen it became ok but I guess a spring change and a lower COG help that which is why most go for that mod first.
Hitch said:
I bought an NC as a stop-gap car after selling a 987 Boxster S about ten years ago. The Porsche was the nicer car by far but the MX5 was much more fun day to day because you needed to rag it everywhere and maintain momentum.
I had a 986 before my NC MX-5 - again, a much 'nicer' car and I loved it, will have another Porsche at some point, but I've found I use the MX-5 a lot more, especially on short runs locally, its cheaper to modify and better on track days. Hitch said:
The only issue I had was an notable horizontal dip caused by weight transfer when entering a corner. Once you knew it was going to happen it became ok but I guess a spring change and a lower COG help that which is why most go for that mod first.
They are quite soft as standard but the fundamental chassis underneath is very good, all wishbones with good geometry and wheel control etc, which is why they respond so well to some choice mild upgrades. Hitch said:
The only issue I had was an notable horizontal dip caused by weight transfer when entering a corner. Once you knew it was going to happen it became ok but I guess a spring change and a lower COG help that which is why most go for that mod first.
I’ve just bought a low miles NC1 Sport and definitely notice this, also noticeable under braking. You can tell there’s a good chassis there but it does pitch about. I’m not really into modifications these days but it’s going into Blink Motorsport for a set of MeisterRs which people seem to rave about on these. £1200 is a lot on a £3500 car so hoping it will be money well spent!
Rsdop said:
I’ve just bought a low miles NC1 Sport and definitely notice this, also noticeable under braking. You can tell there’s a good chassis there but it does pitch about. I’m not really into modifications these days but it’s going into Blink Motorsport for a set of MeisterRs which people seem to rave about on these. £1200 is a lot on a £3500 car so hoping it will be money well spent!
snotrag said:
Suggest you join 'NC-Europe' on facebook too!
Its a facelift, so less of an issue but ALWAYS keep the oil topped up to MAX. (Not halfway between min and max, or just over min, but AT MAX). Its the only thing that causes engine issues, although granted not often the revised engines.
Sorry that's completely wrong. There is utter denial on that FB page that MZR engines have a big problem so I wouldn't take much of what is written on there with any seriousness.Its a facelift, so less of an issue but ALWAYS keep the oil topped up to MAX. (Not halfway between min and max, or just over min, but AT MAX). Its the only thing that causes engine issues, although granted not often the revised engines.
First major thing happened the other week. Being in rural Scotland the roads are absolutely fantastic and my commute is what many would dream of. The drawback to having such a beautiful commute (and I imagine less stalking due to COVID) are that deer are absolutely everywhere. Until this point I was lucky but unfortunately one wiped me out.
It needed a split in the bumper repaired and the front wing straightened out, a replacement headlight, grille, grille surround and dignity was required. It needed a bodyshop.
Somehow, a couple of days after hitting the Bambi, a front spring took the opportunity to collapse.
After a little bit of dubious Maths, I decided that it would be silly to replace the spring before immediately lowering it. Enter MeisterR.
Everyone recommends the ZetaCRD for these but unfortunately there was an 8 week wait on them and the body shop needed the car gone. I bought the ClubRace coils because the car gets taken on track relatively regularly and I was already used to the stiff suspension of the Mini. I was a bit nervous at first but the ride quality is okay once adjusted. The default settings are not fit for the road; I run 6 clicks from soft normally and it is fine. The car has not been aligned properly yet but it already feels a lot better.
The car has some trouble with speedbumps at the moment so once I've got the ride height worked out I'll upload some shots.
It needed a split in the bumper repaired and the front wing straightened out, a replacement headlight, grille, grille surround and dignity was required. It needed a bodyshop.
Somehow, a couple of days after hitting the Bambi, a front spring took the opportunity to collapse.
After a little bit of dubious Maths, I decided that it would be silly to replace the spring before immediately lowering it. Enter MeisterR.
Everyone recommends the ZetaCRD for these but unfortunately there was an 8 week wait on them and the body shop needed the car gone. I bought the ClubRace coils because the car gets taken on track relatively regularly and I was already used to the stiff suspension of the Mini. I was a bit nervous at first but the ride quality is okay once adjusted. The default settings are not fit for the road; I run 6 clicks from soft normally and it is fine. The car has not been aligned properly yet but it already feels a lot better.
The car has some trouble with speedbumps at the moment so once I've got the ride height worked out I'll upload some shots.
Edited by somerdom on Tuesday 4th August 14:24
D4MJT said:
Ah the good old internet, always someone there with something positive to say
...
What are your plans for it?
Schools are shut I suppose ...
What are your plans for it?
Got a set of meisters fitted and I'll definitely get it undersealed before the winter hits. I'm a uni student so can't go too mad but I'd love to give it some BBR stuff. The Super 200 kit would be an absolute dream but depends on how much work I can find before October.
Evoluzione said:
snotrag said:
Suggest you join 'NC-Europe' on facebook too!
Its a facelift, so less of an issue but ALWAYS keep the oil topped up to MAX. (Not halfway between min and max, or just over min, but AT MAX). Its the only thing that causes engine issues, although granted not often the revised engines.
Sorry that's completely wrong. There is utter denial on that FB page that MZR engines have a big problem so I wouldn't take much of what is written on there with any seriousness.Its a facelift, so less of an issue but ALWAYS keep the oil topped up to MAX. (Not halfway between min and max, or just over min, but AT MAX). Its the only thing that causes engine issues, although granted not often the revised engines.
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