Going off to look at an MX5 this weekend

[pmanson]

Sporting Bear said:

Life is good! - good on ya, somethings in life really are as good as they seem and the oppitunity should be grabbed with both hands and never let go

Exactly!

[pmanson]

Well we went up and drove it.....





and it's now parked up on the drive! It was great fun and did we got a good deal on the trade in so we're chuffed.

Certainly not as comfortable on the motorway as my 5 series but as we got off the motorway we stopped off, dropped the hood, turned the heaters up and had some fun on the a roads.

Couple of queries though (which may be better suited for MXOC) but:

a) occasionally there is a slight hesitation in acceleration from low revs in 2nd gear. (Brimming the tank seemed to stop this though)

b) Oil pressure gauge... When at idle oil pressure seems to be at about 30psi then when on the move it goes up to 60... is that normal?

[pmanson]

Couple of small mods planned:

• Good wash and wax
• Refurb the wheels in black
• Get an MP3 CD player fitted
• Chrome Roll Hoops with wind deflector
• New steering wheel (current one is a bit worn out)
• Side light mod
• Clear side indicators

Above all get out and enjoy driving it!

[Munter]

Oil Pressure. Be grateful you have the proper reading. Later cars have an on/off version like an oil light but less noticable. Anyway it's like blood pressure, when your doing hard exersize it increases.

Hesitation. Not sure about brimming the tank, but the MX5 has a reputation for killing HT leads after a few years. So if they are looking a bit tatty it might be worth getting some new ones to see if that smooths things out.

www.mx5parts.co.uk is always a good start....although I advise against browsing it gets expensive...

[pmanson]

Munter said:

Oil Pressure. Be grateful you have the proper reading. Later cars have an on/off version like an oil light but less noticable. Anyway it's like blood pressure, when your doing hard exersize it increases.

Cheers - thought it was just me being stupid!

Munter said:

Hesitation. Not sure about brimming the tank, but the MX5 has a reputation for killing HT leads after a few years. So if they are looking a bit tatty it might be worth getting some new ones to see if that smooths things out.

Will do

Munter said:

www.mx5parts.co.uk is always a good start....although I advise against browsing it gets expensive...

That place is very dangerous! We've been looking at stuff on there already.

[Sporting Bear]

pmanson said:

Couple of small mods planned:

• Good wash and wax
• Refurb the wheels in black
• Get an MP3 CD player fitted
• Chrome Roll Hoops with wind deflector
• New steering wheel (current one is a bit worn out)
• Side light mod
• Clear side indicators

Phill

Wash and wax yes

Other stuff - WAIT UNTIL YOU'VE HAD THE CAR SIX MONTHS

Keep your money for ignition leads (as already stated) and maintenance and servicing and other things as required - battery, oil, (and gearbox/back axle?) coolant, brake fluid, steering fluid, spark plugs

(Sorry I can't remember what's not required on servicing more modern cars)

Essentials first cosmetics later

Keep driving it, nothing worse for a car than sitting unused for ages plus you'll discover the car's capabilities and any minor niggles

Hats, scarves and gloves may be necessary later but not this weekend, enjoy

Edited by Sporting Bear on Sunday 4th November 00:12

[pmanson]

Sporting Bear said:

pmanson said:

Couple of small mods planned:

• Good wash and wax
• Refurb the wheels in black
• Get an MP3 CD player fitted
• Chrome Roll Hoops with wind deflector
• New steering wheel (current one is a bit worn out)
• Side light mod
• Clear side indicators

Phill

Wash and wax yes

Other stuff - WAIT UNTIL YOU'VE HAD THE CAR SIX MONTHS

Keep your money for ignition leads (as already stated) and maintenance and servicing and other things as required - battery, oil, (and gearbox/back axle?) coolant, brake fluid, steering fluid, spark plugs

(Sorry I can't remember what's not required on servicing more modern cars)

Essentials first cosmetics later

Keep driving it, nothing worse for a car than sitting unused for ages plus you'll discover the car's capabilities and any minor niggles

Hats, scarves and gloves may be necessary later but not this weekend, enjoy

Edited by Sporting Bear on Sunday 4th November 00:12

Oh it was a long term plan! Funds are tight!

[Sporting Bear]

When funds allow after all other servicing/maintainence treat yourself to replacement suspension bushes (if not already done)

Keep dampers/springs as standard

Who did you insure with in the end?

Good night

I'm not sure how I happened on this forum I thought I saw this on Readers Cars

[pmanson]

Sporting Bear said:

When funds allow after all other servicing/maintainence treat yourself to replacement suspension bushes (if not already done)

Keep dampers/springs as standard

Who did you insure with in the end?

Good night

I'm not sure how I happened on this forum I thought I saw this on Readers Cars

I think you saw it in Jap Chat before. We've just updated the insurance with Churchill until Amy's current policy runs out then we'll go hunting properly (it was the easiest way of doing things). Going to keep hold of your email though and ring all the people you recommended.

Got to get hold of grill to protect the radiator as it's missing one on the car.

Think I might go drifting though - front tyres are P6000 ditchfinders and the rear are a generic brand. Got to wear them down and replace with some Eagle F1's or Toyos i think

[Sporting Bear]

pmanson said:

I think you saw it in Jap Chat before.

yes of course I was updating my thread

pmanson said:

We've just updated the insurance with Churchill until Amy's current policy runs out then we'll go hunting properly (it was the easiest way of doing things). Going to keep hold of your email though and ring all the people you recommended.

I guessed you swicthed cars with Churchill as you looked at and bought the car on the same day, ring and go to web sites, try others too

pmanson said:

Got to get hold of grill to protect the radiator as it's missing one on the car.

Phill you're going to have to join the club or buy a book as IIRC they don't have a grill but some owners add them

pmanson said:

Think I might go drifting though - front tyres are P6000 ditchfinders and the rear are a generic brand. Got to wear them down and replace with some Eagle F1's or Toyos i think

P6000 are usually saloon car tyres (BMW) with softer sidewalls so are not the best choice for the MX-5 but stick with them for a while as you/Amy get use to the car (always take it easy with new tyres run them in for about 100 miles) also see my post above about getting rain tyres and seek advice from owners with standard MX-5s as to the best make and model of tyres

No matter which tyres don't go dicthfinding it hurts your body, ego, confidence, wallet and insurance premiums

Do a little more research on the car and you'll get the very best out of it, ask owners, ask here, get the book, join the club - if you must the general internet but info can be iffy

My knowledge of MX-5s has just about been exhausted above but if I can help answer a question you have just PM me

Enjoy it safely (see above be carefull with roundabouts)

[Munter]

pmanson said:

Sporting Bear said:

When funds allow after all other servicing/maintainence treat yourself to replacement suspension bushes (if not already done)

Keep dampers/springs as standard

Who did you insure with in the end?

Good night

I'm not sure how I happened on this forum I thought I saw this on Readers Cars

I think you saw it in Jap Chat before. We've just updated the insurance with Churchill until Amy's current policy runs out then we'll go hunting properly (it was the easiest way of doing things). Going to keep hold of your email though and ring all the people you recommended.

Got to get hold of grill to protect the radiator as it's missing one on the car.

Think I might go drifting though - front tyres are P6000 ditchfinders and the rear are a generic brand. Got to wear them down and replace with some Eagle F1's or Toyos i think

Eagle f1's on mine. It was on P6000's when it had it's excursion..... let that be a warning as far as I'm concerned...

[MX-5 Lazza]

Munter said:

Eagle f1's on mine. It was on P6000's when it had it's excursion..... let that be a warning as far as I'm concerned...

I'd agree with that. Tyres aren't worth skimping on. Get rid of the P6000 and fit some F1's or Toyo T1S/R. Crap tyres can be fun but not when you are going sideways through the undergrowth.

A grille is nice but not essential. I've never heard of an MX-5 radiator being holed but road debris. You can get them from MX-5 Parts for £30 to £100 or so.

[Sporting Bear]

(I tried to post this earlier but site was playing up, MX-5 Lazza has posted since)

Munter said:

Eagle f1's on mine. It was on P6000's when it had it's excursion..... let that be a warning as far as I'm concerned...

MX-5 Lazza said:

I'd agree with that. Tyres aren't worth skimping on. Get rid of the P6000 and fit some F1's or Toyo T1S/R. Crap tyres can be fun but not when you are going sideways through the undergrowth

Whilst brand new P6000s are not the most compatible tyres they will not take you on an excursion or into the under growth as they are not crap tyres

Excellent advice to get the best quality tyres as they are your only contact with the road (hopefully)

I know nothing of what happened to Munter’s car and all the following comments are in general

In my personal experience and knowledge most offs and spins (especially on roundabouts for MX-5s) are caused by the driver (and I include myself here) either not paying enough care and attention or driving too fast for the conditions and environment at the time

By too fast I don’t mean high speed I mean faster than suitable for the conditions and enviromment and driver’s ability

The often heard excusses such as “diesel spill” are to protect the driver’s ego and insurance premiums

I’ve never spun a MX-5 but I have spun (and flipped) other cars and my mate spun his Eunos 1.8 in the rain on an empty dual-carriageway despite my warnings that the MX-5 grip so well that you can become complacent – each event was due to driver error and not perfectly good tyres

Edited by Sporting Bear on Monday 5th November 00:19

[Sporting Bear]

pmanson said:

Any recommendations on what to clean and treat the roof with? I have most car cleaning products lined up in the garage (typical PHer) but this will be the first soft top!

Talking of interiors.... do the leather seats and door panels from other models just drop straight in?

Sorry Phill on rereading thread I see I didn’t answer above

Black vinyl roof – your roof doesn’t look excessively dirty so just wash and dry as usual then apply AUTOGLYM Bumper Care, follow instructions on bottle except apply with an inch and a half cubed piece of sponge
You could use AUTOGLYM Vinyl & Rubber Care instead if the roof just needs freshening up (I prefer Bumper Care which you can also use to bring up other exterior trim)

IIRC Mk1 seats are different from later seats

Eunos Mk1 seats (check this) may fit and are often leather and also often have speakers in each headrest

I would have thought door panels vary with later models but again Eunos Mk1 (again check this) may fit

[skinny]

looks like you (or rather you OH) got a very good buy there - nice one!

and you are right about the white cars looking good on dark rims...

[pmanson]

Sporting Bear said:

Sorry Phill on rereading thread I see I didn’t answer above

Black vinyl roof – your roof doesn’t look excessively dirty so just wash and dry as usual then apply AUTOGLYM Bumper Care, follow instructions on bottle except apply with an inch and a half cubed piece of sponge
You could use AUTOGLYM Vinyl & Rubber Care instead if the roof just needs freshening up (I prefer Bumper Care which you can also use to bring up other exterior trim)

Nice one! I already have some of that in the garage. I'm working on prevention is better than cure!

[pmanson]

skinny said:

looks like you (or rather you OH) got a very good buy there - nice one!

and you are right about the white cars looking good on dark rims...

I'm hoping I can "borrow" it occasionally for the drive to work:

Cold winters morning: Check
PH Hat: On order
Gloves: Check
Roof Down: Check!

The wheels are rusty in places so i'm going to look at getting them sorted in the New Year in either black or dark grey.

Above all we're just going to enjoy driving it!

[MX-5 Lazza]

The best thing for the hood is Renovo - available from MX-5 Parts. It comes in 2 parts, a cleaner and a protector. The cleaner removes all the deep down grime & grease and the protector adds a protective layer that also makes the hood look blacker.

The AG Bumper Care & vinyl stuff looks OK at first but when it rains it leaks out and runs down the paintwork causing streaks.

[Sporting Bear]

MX-5 Lazza said:

The best thing for the hood is Renovo - available from MX-5 Parts. It comes in 2 parts, a cleaner and a protector. The cleaner removes all the deep down grime & grease and the protector adds a protective layer that also makes the hood look blacker.

Nothing wrong with having different opinioins

Renovo I've found was OK for cloth type hoods, that's where the protective layer is most useful but it's expensive so might just as well use Autoglym Cabrio cleaning kit for those hoods

MX-5 Lazza said:

The AG Bumper Care & vinyl stuff looks OK at first but when it rains it leaks out and runs down the paintwork causing streaks.

Putting the Bumper Care on is so quick it's not a hardship, after the first time you could use Vinyl & Rubber Care to be even quicker

Perhaps you used to much you shouldn't get streaks and if it did it wouldn't harm the paint work (indeed you'll know where its been as the water will run straight off) and can be wiped off

Renovo requires a bit of care when applying and is a two part operation so takes a lot longer

Phill perhaps could try one method for a year them swap to the other see which he prefers - or get Amy to clean it with a household cleaner

[MX-5 Lazza]

No problem with differences of opinion - that's what forums are for!
And I'm not trying to say you are wrong either - if it works for you then who am I to argue - I've never seen your car!
I'm just passing on my own experience.

So...

I agree that Renovo is more expensive and more time consuming to use but to be honest you only need to use it a couple of times a year at most so a bottle (ok, 2 bottles, one of each) should last you 5 years or more.
I've just about used up the bottles I bought for use on my old mk1 which I sold 3 years ago!

I never tried the bumper care but did use the vinyl 7 rubber stuff and found it leaked onto the paintwork regardless of how little I tried to use. maybe I'm just more picky - I do tend to keep my cars very clean and shiny.

Maybe it has something to do with the hoods themselves. I had my Mk1 from new and kept the hood in tip-top condition and my current car was barely used and was garaged most of the time before I bought it so the hood was like new and maybe your hood is older and more porous so it holds onto the AG stuff better?