MX-5 / Eunos question from confused buyer!

[mycool]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy an MX-5 / Eunos and am finding conflicting info about the specs they come with what with the many special editions etc!

What i would like is:
- a post 94 Mk1 or a cheap mk2.
- 1.8 engine
- Torsen LSD
- Bilstein suspension
- A hardtop for the winter if possible but not essential.

Am I better going for a imported Eunos as i'm led to believe that the 1.8 models have a LSD and also had the Bilstein suspension as where all UK Mk1s do not.

Any help would be much appreciated as i would like to know what to look for.
Price range is probably a max of 3k as i'm selling a 2001 Corsa 1.4 SRi with 75k miles to finance it.

Thanks

[Munter]

To get the suspension and the LSD you want you are looking at a Eunos. Torsen LSD is not standard on the UK MK1 on UK MK2 1.8s it is but I dont think you'll find the suspension you want on a UK mk2 either....

[Raify]

Sounds like you're after an S Limited. There's more info on the special editions here: http://www.dandycars.com/Frequently_Asked_Question...

[mycool]

hmm more confusion - the S Limited came with 1.6 engine only. Have seen quite a few 1.8 models with bilsteins but no mention of diff.

I was under the impression that pre 94 the Eunos only came with the 1.6l engine. post 94 gave a 1.8 option and that the jap spec models came with a viscous LSD that later was replaced by the Torsen. Either LSD being preferable to a non-LSD.

I suppose a better question would be does anyone have one for sale with the spec i'm after?

[Toecutter]

You want the R-limited came with 1.8 BZ-PE engine, Torsen Type II LSD and Bilsteins, although you will probably need to replace them due to age.

http://www.dandycars.com/Frequently_Asked_Question...

Tim

Edited by Toecutter on Thursday 20th September 15:48

[chaosss]

S-Limited And S-Specials came with LSD and bilstein suspension.

The normal editions did not have the billies but all MX5 had a LSD I thought. The 1.6's were viscous and the 1.8's were normal (I believe).

S Limited's come in 1.6.
S-Special in 1.8

Edited by chaosss on Thursday 20th September 16:41

[GHW]

The easiest way to tell if it's based on the S-package (bilsteins, etc) is to look for a whacking great obvious yellow strut brace under the bonnet. The Bilstein dampers are painted yellow too.

Rumour has it that the S-package didn't necessarily come with an LSD - it was only optional, but all of those that I have seen have been fitted with them.

If you're looking for a standard car that'll be great fun on and off track, one with the Bilstein suspension is definitely the one to go for. It is really rather stiff, so the ride is bouncy - be aware of this if you want to use it for a long commute!

[mycool]

Is it possible to tell what kind of diff it has by looking, or is the only way to drive it (although i imagine trying a doughnut on a test drive is a no-no!)

Its annoying that there are so many variations regarding whether a LSD (and what type) was fitted!

Another problem is the adverts do not always specify whether the car is an s-limited or s-special etc making identifying the spec even harder.

Good point with the strut brace - i'm told that makes a big difference too although they are relatively cheap to add.

I'll be using the car as mostly a weekend fun car so not too worried about long commutes. Will a Bilstein fitted model be very harsh on british country / b-roads - i.e. the very ones i'd love to drive it on!?

[GHW]

They all look the same from the outside, so there's no way of knowing without trying to get the diff to show itself on a test drive. The Torsen LSD in my 1.8 Eunos will chirp the rear tyres a wee bit if you try to do a very tight U-turn at low speed with a little bit of power applied (like trying to turn a 4x4 with the diff lock engaged).

I'm not sure if the front strut brace does an awful lot, but it's usually a sure sign that you've got the Bilstein suspension package.

ETA: I do a lot of driving around Welsh lanes in my Bilstein-equipped car, and as long as you keep it out of the bigger pot-holes you'll be fine.

Edited by GHW on Thursday 20th September 19:46

[NiceCupOfTea]

People do fit the strut braces on other cars though.

The S-Spec is what you're looking for though - I thought they did them in 1.6 and 1.8 flavours though?

Most if not all of them come with bilstein suspension (yellow shocks), strut brace, and the 1.8 has the torsen LSD. Should find one under 3k easily.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a hard top unless it's for security.

[KILLEBOY]

DUE TO A LACK OF USE I HAVE A 94 RS-LTD FOR SALE WITH 129000KMS ON THE CLOCK.IT HAS YOUR REQUIREMENTS ALMOST BUT PREVIOUS OWNER HAD BINNED THE BILSTEINS,I PRESUME PURELY DUE TO WEAR.IT HAS THE YELLOW STRUT BRACE,LSD AND THE 15" BBS ALLOYS PLUS COBRA RACING SEATS THOUGH SEEN BETTER DAYS.CURRENTLY SORNED,ITS BEEN GARAGED SINCE JUNE WHEN I BOUGHT IT.LOOKING FOR CLOSE TO £2300 AS I CAN GET,MOT'D TILL APRIL,WILL TAX IF REQUIRED

CHEERS BRIAN.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Ooooh - RS Limited - THAT is the one you REALLY want

[hornetrider]

Despite the caps lock the RS-Ltd is a very desireable car, even if it doesn't have the original seats. Personally I've never been a huge fan of those buckets anyway, I think they look a bit big for the car, but the community seems to like 'em.

Its also true that whilst the Bilstein kit is desireable, if they've been replaced with quality items then that is not necessarily a bad thing. Though the Bilsteins are rated at up to 90% of performance at 200,000kms, iirc, and mine are certainly fine at 100k kms.

[mycool]

hmmm an RS-limited sounds just the job. Do you know what shocks the Bilsteins have been replaced with?

Have you got any pics Brian and where is the car based?

[k1lleboy]

The shocks and springs are from BOSE,they cost £620 according to the receipt.I'm based 30 miles south of Glasgow,i'll try and get pictures sorted out during the weekend.

[Planet Claire]

The 10th Anniversary Edition (1999) has Bilstiens and Torsen LSD. To be honest, the Bilstiens are pretty hard and I changed mine nearly a year ago for the KYB/AGX and FM Springs combo and it's a much better ride, imo, even though the car had done 87k miles they were in still good condition and weren't leaking. I saw a 10AE advertised on autotrader the other day for £4995 (trade), that's the cheapest I've seen one. I think, if 3K is your max limit, you'll be looking at a Mk1.

Edited by Planet Claire on Monday 24th September 08:23

[mycool]

A Mk1 is the one I want - i prefer the shape and it's more faithful to the original design concept of lightweight and excellent handling.

I think also I can put up with the harsh ride from the Bilsteins as its going to be a fun 2nd car and having driven my dad's mk1 elise 160 on some pretty nasty b-roads i imagine it will be no worse than that.

Now the hunt is on to find a nice example at the right price....

[hornetrider]

Yeah mate people bang on about the harsh ride of the bilsteins but I've never noticed it tbh. Yes its firm but ffs its a sports car, its supposed to be! It grips and handles like nothing I've ever driven.

[skinny]

who gets an rs and then takes the seats out!? they are the best bit!! (unless you're too big for them...)