My new toy

[anonymous-user]

This is the replacement for the Clio - picked it up Friday afternoon from a place only 12 miles away! It was in the Autotrader listed under MX5's and didn't show up on the search for 'RS' - so many people must have skimmed it over and missed it. Wasn't until I read the description and studied the car in more detail that the penny dropped!

Sorry for the crap phone pic



The RS has the following cool bits:

• Bilstein Shocks
• BBS alloys
• Recaro Carbon Kevlar Bucket Seats
• Lightened flywheel
• 4.3:1 Final drive ratio
• Torsen LSD
• Front strut brace
• Thicker Anti-roll bars

Unfortunately when it was imported in 2002, upon landing in the UK it was stripped of its Recaros and some Mk2.5 black leather sports seats were installed instead. That's the only downside to this particular car unfortunately.

It was advertised at £4,750 back in July, then the price was reduced to £3,995. I managed to negotiate down to £3,000 cash, which he wasn't too pleased about but it's a buyers market.

It's great fun - however it desperately needs a geo setup. I had a massive moment this morning only 4 days after collecting it. I joined a motorway slip road and had an arse clenching sideways moment. Managed to keep my toe in and apply the correct amount of lock to straighten it up again, but not what you need at 8am on a Monday morning!

Hope you like it!

[Munter]

Nice find!

I'd also look at the tyres on it as well as a geo check. They dont take well to crap tyres....I should know...twice.

[anonymous-user]

Cheers!

It's running Avon ZV1's - never used them before. I'm usually a Toyo T1 or Eagle F1 man myself.



195/50/15 on the front, 205/50/15 on the rear. Not sure how old they are either

[Munter]

Mac. said:

Cheers!

It's running Avon ZV1's - never used them before. I'm usually a Toyo T1 or Eagle F1 man myself.



195/50/15 on the front, 205/50/15 on the rear. Not sure how old they are either

195/50/15 is spot on the correct tyre size. 205/50/15 is not. And will (from what people say) make wet traction worse.

Avon ZV1 is now an old tyre. They were an ok budget performance tyre used on a few MK1 MR2s when I had one of those. But were replaced by the Avon ZV3 years ago. I'd say those ZV1 tyres are pushing 5 years old at least. Chuck them. And get a set of F1's if you can or the Toyos if you cant.

[anonymous-user]

I think there are three steps - first one, get my mechanic to check all bushes, suspension arms etc to make sure they are tip top (no point in getting a geo done on tired suspension).

Replace tyres all round (195/50 front and back?)

WIM geo setup.

That lot won't be cheap!

[Munter]

Mac. said:

I think there are three steps - first one, get my mechanic to check all bushes, suspension arms etc to make sure they are tip top (no point in getting a geo done on tired suspension).

Replace tyres all round (195/50 front and back?)

WIM geo setup.

That lot won't be cheap!

195/50/15 front and back. 26psi. Thats what the standard fit is on the 15 inch rim.

Mixing widths on the MX5 is not something I've heard anybody do for a good reason. Plus your 205/50/15 will be giving you a slightly low reading on your speedo. 1mph or so at 60. So not large but I'd definately get them the same front and back.

[anonymous-user]

I think you are right - the tyres are the original ones pre-import and are quite old (at least 2002). Just ordered 4 x 195/50/15 Eagle F1 GSD3 to be safe.

Ta

[paul99]

Be careful with those ZV1's in the wet, i had numerous 'moments' with them as they just let go with little warning.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'd do it in a slightly different order.

1) Check your tyre pressures. 26-27psi should be fine.

2) Get WiM Geo. Tony can inspect all the suspension components while he's under there. If there are any problems he will tell you and you can get your friendly mechanic to do any work that's required. Tony is a very helpful chap and will probably offer to re-geo if any components do need replacing.

2) Replace the (very crap) Avons with T1R or F1 GSD3. Those Avons and ditch-finders!

No, I didn't make a mistake, the last 2 were both supposed to be 2). Do both asap, whichever you can book in first.

As for tyre widths, what did RS's come with originally? Some of the special editions did come with wider tyres and I know at least one came with 215/50/15 (can't remember which one though).

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Monday 15th September 12:54

[Munter]

MX-5 Lazza said:

As for tyre widths, what did RS's come with originally? Some of the special editions did come with wider tyres and I know at least one came with 215/50/15 (can't remember which one though).

Thats the 1st time I've heard that.

Not saying you are wrong Lazza just I've not heard of anything other than:
175/70 R14 (Snow)
185/60 R14
195/50 R15
205/45 R16

But the RS does have the different diff compared to most.....

[anonymous-user]

I have read somewhere that the RS had a dealer option of 205 width rears. Which leads me to suggest that these may be very old tyres indeed!!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Some Jap & US spec limited editions had odd sizes, Mazdaspeed & Le Mans SE for example.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I agree with the general concensus - 5's are very sensitive to this stuff.

tyre pressures, alignment, 195/50 R15 GY Eagle F1 GSD3s all round sorted my car.

[MonkeyBusiness]

Love the car - the RS is definitely the cream.

I bloody hate it though when people take the seats out. Gerrrrr

Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Tuesday 16th September 20:05

[anonymous-user]

I love this car, it's such a hoot, especially in the wet

I'm such a fking hooligan