Mazda MX-5: Spotted
BBR engine work, Ohlins dampers, Team Dynamics wheels - this is how to modify an MX-5!
Cheap and basic rear-wheel drive Japanese cars have always been about modifying. The Far East provides you with a good blank slate on four wheels, after which you set about creating your performance car par excellence. The scene is arguably more subdued now than it was, for a variety of reasons, but you're still not short of tuning possibilities if you wish to fully realise the potential of your Japanese sports car.
The Mazda MX-5 perfectly typifies that culture. It's not especially sporty as standard, but it does boast a low kerb weight, a good weight balance, rear-wheel drive and, in some installations, a limited-slip diff as standard - a perfect basis from which to begin modifying.
Now, there are often arguments against buying someone else's modified car, focused as much on the quality of the work as creating something unique to you, but when you see an MX-5 as tastefully done as this it's very hard to find a logical argument against it.
From what can be seen it's had everything you would reasonably need done to make a great road and track car from the Mk3.5 MX-5. It came to our attention through a saved search for 'Ohlins' that we have running in the classifieds - everyone has one of those, right? And the dampers are just the start...
It's been treated to BBR's Super 200 upgrade, comprised of new cams, a remap and an uprated exhaust manifold, a kit we described on PH as an "impressively sensible feeling way of making an MX-5 an even more entertaining prospect". In addition to that it has a set of Team Dynamics Pro Race wheels on Yokohama Advan AD08 tyres, and a steering wheel retrimmed in Alcantara for the full track car vibe. The aforementioned dampers will work with those wheels to create that lovely stance, and are described by the seller as "utterly stonking", which is encouraging. Fitted less than a year ago, they should still have plenty of life in them.
So what you have as an end product is a faster, sharper and more capable MX-5, one with a level of performance to make it much more interesting than standard. Crucially too it's modern and accommodating enough to be used on a regular basis, rather than having to save your traditional sports car for high days and holidays - it's the best of both worlds.
For just £10k as well, it looks something of a bargain. This entirely standard 2.0-litre MX-5 is newer and has 10,000 fewer miles, but will only save you £100. And what else could you realistically consider at £10k that isn't an MX-5? GT86s aren't down this low yet, an S2000 with a similar mileage is nearly a decade older and a £10k Elise has 130,000 miles. There's a reason why MX-5s are perennially popular...
Of course you could go further still with this car, adding forced induction and creating a far more focused driving tool. But it looks a really well sorted sports car as it is, with enough added to enhance the package while keeping it reserved enough to not entirely alter the base product. When it comes to MX-5s, that sounds like a very appealing proposition; buy now before the spring forces the price up!
SPECIFICATION - 2010 MAZDA MX-5 2.0I SPORT TECH
Engine: 1,999cc, four-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 160@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 139@5,000rpm
MPG: 36.2
CO2: 181g/km
First registered: 2010
Recorded mileage: 52,000
Price new: £21,205
Yours for: £10,499
See the original advert here.
(Specification for standard MX-5)
If I was getting it I would fit the Quaife LSD and also junk the exhaust for this
https://www.racingbeateurope.com/bgood-win-racing-...
which is really light and makes the best of the BBR mods sound wise without being too loud. .
Twin exhaust tips on the light MX5, blasphemy!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Here's mine, more miles, less shiny suspension … but also a freshly rebuilt engine and less cost ...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Here's mine, more miles, less shiny suspension … but also a freshly rebuilt engine and less cost ...
Nice car also, cheaper so can spend the saving on bits and bobs. The great thing about the MX5 is it is a blank canvas on which you can skin a cat more than one way. As people at the Tate do.....
Don't tell me you are selling it for a nice new german SUV due to expanding family ... or else that is rotten tomatoes thrown at you heh
Nice car also, cheaper so can spend the saving on bits and bobs. The great thing about the MX5 is it is a blank canvas on which you can skin a cat more than one way. As people at the Tate do.....
Don't tell me you are selling it for a nice new german SUV due to expanding family ... or else that is rotten tomatoes thrown at you heh
Nice car also, cheaper so can spend the saving on bits and bobs. The great thing about the MX5 is it is a blank canvas on which you can skin a cat more than one way. As people at the Tate do.....
Don't tell me you are selling it for a nice new german SUV due to expanding family ... or else that is rotten tomatoes thrown at you heh
Mainly selling it to fund other projects … along with the fact I have 3 cars and 1 parking space!
I currently have an 04 S2000 (insurance is £340 a year) and quite fancy moving onto an MX5-RF at some point but would prefer to keep some poke while having a little more comfort.
Unfortunately I found the MX5 in standard form just too slow and was already starting to get itchy feet. The BBR conversion changed that completely. It now can give the old Elise a run for its money (in a straight line at least) and retains all the practicality I wanted from the MX5 (heated seats, aircon … retractable hardtop).
Basically it takes the MX5 from a car you say "It doesn't need to be fast to be fun" about to a car you can just say "its damn good fun" about
I currently have an 04 S2000 (insurance is £340 a year) and quite fancy moving onto an MX5-RF at some point but would prefer to keep some poke while having a little more comfort.
If I was getting it I would fit the Quaife LSD and also junk the exhaust for this
https://www.racingbeateurope.com/bgood-win-racing-...
which is really light and makes the best of the BBR mods sound wise without being too loud. .
Twin exhaust tips on the light MX5, blasphemy!
Regarding the insurance question, mine costs me under £300 per year with Lancaster, im 27. For that price, all mods declared below:
I didn't go for the full BBR kit, I bought a IL Manifold, race cat and Go perform back box and had it re-mapped. This cost circa £1000. On top of that, a Carbon spoiler, Meister Rs and lots of other little bits and pieces. It is now fantastic, sounds great and is much more punchy. Was the perfect companion for a road trip to the Ring in the summer along with a few trackdays and B road blasts. I enjoy it more than my S2 Elise, Civic Type R and MR2 that I've had previously.
The car in the OP looks great. As per the first poster, I'd struggle to resist a Boxster at that price point but, without looking, I guess that's going to be an older, higher miles and less sorted car for the money. I'm certain I'd be very happy in this car.
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