ND2 Mazda MX5 - BBR Super 200
Discussion
Evening all,
Here is my MX5, or to give its full name - Mazda MX5 184 Sport Nav+. Owned for two and half years covering approximately 15,000 miles.
I'm sure most on Pistonheads know this, being an MX5 and all, but it's an 'ND2' with the revised 2.0 litre naturally aspirated engine developing 180-ish bhp. When doing my research a common opinion was this was the better engine compared to the previous 2.0 engine, which was hastily developed for the American market and whilst torquey, was a little asthmatic at higher revs.
Good bits
Its a pretty glorious little thing. So analogue compared to modern cars with no irritating beeps, bongs, lane assists. When warm, it has probably the best gearbox I've tried, even compared to my previous NA and S2000. The ND MX5 is light and small, closer to size and weight to the original NA than the NC, so performance is pretty good. Similar to warm hatches I'd say.
Personally I like the look, particular the front 3/4, and there is plenty of kit for what is a middling spec trim level (heated seats, basic cruise, xenon lights). I did pay to get Apple Car Play installed which makes it even more usable with the nav, spotify etc.
The fuel economy is pretty great! I take a great deal of pleasure driving smoothly at normal speeds and it's quite frugal - on a run, you can get even higher as demonstrated on a recent Kent to Cornwall run fully loaded up and achieving 55mpg. Surprising comfortable too, no aches and pains after 300+miles.
The not so good bits
As amazing as the MX5 is out the box, for me it's pretty far from perfect. I'm a fairly average size and height but I wouldn't want to be any taller as its pretty cramped inside. The seat isn't great, feels like I'm sitting on it rather than in - it's too narrow at the shoulders so doesn't grip that well when cornering. I also feel like I can never get the driving position absolutely spot on either. I want to be lower, sit further back and have the steering wheel closer (even though the ND2 adjusts for rake and reach).
Whilst the engine is good, to me it still felt a little wheezy and unrewarding to rev to 7,000 RPM - especially compared to my previous car, a Cupra 290 which required attention not to bounce off the limiter.
The brakes are okay. They require a fairly firm shove to really bite, but they are easy to modulate and you can tell what is happening.
Engine and exhaust note are somewhat tepid - it's not a great 4 cylinder engine aurally.
When cornering, the car pitches somewhat disconcertingly before settling - there's loads of grip but you have to get through the wallowy feeling before you find it. I appreciate its been tuned for nasty UK roads though, and like I mentioned, its comfortable.
Mods
As I love the car, I thought I'd address some of the 'shortcomings'. The first step last summer was a trip to BBR GTi to get their 'Super 200' kit installed.
This involved a fancy manifold (I went for the catted option), a cold air feed with uprated filter and a software update. I also chose a BBR 'GT' backbox, which is the subtle option.
This little lot was NOT cheap, but has made a huge difference to the way it drives. At 200bhp and 175 lb ft of torque it's a quick little car! The lowdown urge is pretty noticeable in all gears and makes it easier to make progress without thrashing. The exhaust note I'd describe as 'OEM+', its much nicer than the original but still subtle.
Future mods
Plan for the future is to keep it long term and slowly upgrade the bits and pieces as I go.
I'll be heading back to BBR GTi later in the summer to get lowering springs and alignment, plus the centre section exhaust to release a little more power. I might also swap out the GT for a 'Supersport' backbox for more noise, but need to give it a try as the last thing I want is any droning.
Further in the future maybe the Super 220 kit would be worth a look, as to me it feels more in keeping with the character of the car than forced induction. I'd quite like some lighter alloy wheels and possibly bigger brakes. The OEM aero pack looks pretty great to me, but seem pricey for what it is.
Other than that I'd be very interested in what other ND owners had done mod wise, particularly around the seats, driving position and styling
Thanks for reading.
Here is my MX5, or to give its full name - Mazda MX5 184 Sport Nav+. Owned for two and half years covering approximately 15,000 miles.
I'm sure most on Pistonheads know this, being an MX5 and all, but it's an 'ND2' with the revised 2.0 litre naturally aspirated engine developing 180-ish bhp. When doing my research a common opinion was this was the better engine compared to the previous 2.0 engine, which was hastily developed for the American market and whilst torquey, was a little asthmatic at higher revs.
Good bits
Its a pretty glorious little thing. So analogue compared to modern cars with no irritating beeps, bongs, lane assists. When warm, it has probably the best gearbox I've tried, even compared to my previous NA and S2000. The ND MX5 is light and small, closer to size and weight to the original NA than the NC, so performance is pretty good. Similar to warm hatches I'd say.
Personally I like the look, particular the front 3/4, and there is plenty of kit for what is a middling spec trim level (heated seats, basic cruise, xenon lights). I did pay to get Apple Car Play installed which makes it even more usable with the nav, spotify etc.
The fuel economy is pretty great! I take a great deal of pleasure driving smoothly at normal speeds and it's quite frugal - on a run, you can get even higher as demonstrated on a recent Kent to Cornwall run fully loaded up and achieving 55mpg. Surprising comfortable too, no aches and pains after 300+miles.
The not so good bits
As amazing as the MX5 is out the box, for me it's pretty far from perfect. I'm a fairly average size and height but I wouldn't want to be any taller as its pretty cramped inside. The seat isn't great, feels like I'm sitting on it rather than in - it's too narrow at the shoulders so doesn't grip that well when cornering. I also feel like I can never get the driving position absolutely spot on either. I want to be lower, sit further back and have the steering wheel closer (even though the ND2 adjusts for rake and reach).
Whilst the engine is good, to me it still felt a little wheezy and unrewarding to rev to 7,000 RPM - especially compared to my previous car, a Cupra 290 which required attention not to bounce off the limiter.
The brakes are okay. They require a fairly firm shove to really bite, but they are easy to modulate and you can tell what is happening.
Engine and exhaust note are somewhat tepid - it's not a great 4 cylinder engine aurally.
When cornering, the car pitches somewhat disconcertingly before settling - there's loads of grip but you have to get through the wallowy feeling before you find it. I appreciate its been tuned for nasty UK roads though, and like I mentioned, its comfortable.
Mods
As I love the car, I thought I'd address some of the 'shortcomings'. The first step last summer was a trip to BBR GTi to get their 'Super 200' kit installed.
This involved a fancy manifold (I went for the catted option), a cold air feed with uprated filter and a software update. I also chose a BBR 'GT' backbox, which is the subtle option.
This little lot was NOT cheap, but has made a huge difference to the way it drives. At 200bhp and 175 lb ft of torque it's a quick little car! The lowdown urge is pretty noticeable in all gears and makes it easier to make progress without thrashing. The exhaust note I'd describe as 'OEM+', its much nicer than the original but still subtle.
Future mods
Plan for the future is to keep it long term and slowly upgrade the bits and pieces as I go.
I'll be heading back to BBR GTi later in the summer to get lowering springs and alignment, plus the centre section exhaust to release a little more power. I might also swap out the GT for a 'Supersport' backbox for more noise, but need to give it a try as the last thing I want is any droning.
Further in the future maybe the Super 220 kit would be worth a look, as to me it feels more in keeping with the character of the car than forced induction. I'd quite like some lighter alloy wheels and possibly bigger brakes. The OEM aero pack looks pretty great to me, but seem pricey for what it is.
Other than that I'd be very interested in what other ND owners had done mod wise, particularly around the seats, driving position and styling
Thanks for reading.
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 28th June 18:57
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