2005 MX5 'Launch Edition' BBR Super 200
Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
Exciting times ahead then hopefully TRD! 
I'd love to sample a Porsche one day, and I've never even sat in one...nevermind actually driven one.
I must admit I didn't think I'd end up going back but you never know, Boxsters still seem like cracking value for money ultimately, in a market where there are few cheap cars anymore, at least not the sort of cars I want to drive!I'd love to sample a Porsche one day, and I've never even sat in one...nevermind actually driven one.
One of my mates has just bought a Macan too so he's quite keen for me to buy one as well. I've got my eye on one that looks nice but it'll need to be inspected as I'm taking no chances. I'm not expecting it to be cheap to run, but obviously if I can avoid an engine failure in the first few months that would obviously be good
buccal said:
TameRacingDriver said:
buccal said:
Great thread, not sure how I missed it previously.
I remember messaging you years ago when I had an RS Limited.
Funny we are both in super 200's now.
I often contemplate going the opposite way to a Boxster, (entirely for the flat 6) but very interesting to read your views. Gerraint Thomas who has a similar thread also said stay with the BBR.
Otherwise ITB’s are often on my mind but I’m worried it could be a step too far.
Off for a spin, will upload a pic later
We must both have impeccable taste I remember messaging you years ago when I had an RS Limited.
Funny we are both in super 200's now.
I often contemplate going the opposite way to a Boxster, (entirely for the flat 6) but very interesting to read your views. Gerraint Thomas who has a similar thread also said stay with the BBR.
Otherwise ITB’s are often on my mind but I’m worried it could be a step too far.
Off for a spin, will upload a pic later
I must confess I do wish in a way I'd had a little more time with the Boxster, as I felt it was cut short prematurely, but it's definitely a more sensible, laid back type of car. As standard they are quite muted as well, I had mine booked in for bypass valves 3 days after the accident happened, so I never got to find out what that would have been like, but I think it would have made all the difference.
I'm always thinking about ITBs as well, but like you, wonder if it would be too much, and also, I have better things to spend that sort of money on at this stage - the most important thing will be to make sure the bodywork is sorted before winter, so that if I do decide to go that route, the car is fundamentally sound.
I've just been out just now, great fun as always. Enjoy!
This is not going to help me trying to avoid that flat 6 itch ……
Part of my motivation was because I want the car to sound good, and I doubt anything I could have done to the MX5 short of an engine swap would have been able to deliver the satisfaction I'm getting from the flat-6.
Also feels a lot more solid and planted, with steering just as good if not better, and far superior ride comfort while maintaining flat cornering. Again, to get this composure in an MX5 would have cost a few quid.
I have really enjoyed my time with the MX5 but I think I've moved on from that sort of a car bit now. Still, here it is with it's replacement. I will be putting it up for sale soon.
CABC said:
I agree with your comparison of the 2. The Porsche is solid - feel and engineering. And a flat 6! A good choice I think.
I once did not buy a Boxster (which I had the cash for...burning in the pocket) and kept my 5 as it was lighter and more engaging for my usage at the time - purely fun miles. that's not meant as a criticism; they're both iconic cars but for different reasons. I'd have both! Then again I have a weakness in wanting a lot of cars.
slight segue, I'm looking to get a Swift Sport. not the 'best' at anything, but a useful hatch that's a hoot.
Yeah I can get why some people will prefer the MX5, totally different sort of driving pleasure. I'm having more fun in the Boxster, I think the noise helps and the fact it feels a bit more confidence inspiring to drive hard, though it does give it higher limits which is an argument both for and against. It also feels a bit more of an event for me. Even down to just starting the car up with that lovely noise. I wouldn't mind keeping both to be fair, but she insists she needs a 4 seater (which we probably do to be fair). I once did not buy a Boxster (which I had the cash for...burning in the pocket) and kept my 5 as it was lighter and more engaging for my usage at the time - purely fun miles. that's not meant as a criticism; they're both iconic cars but for different reasons. I'd have both! Then again I have a weakness in wanting a lot of cars.
slight segue, I'm looking to get a Swift Sport. not the 'best' at anything, but a useful hatch that's a hoot.
I've tried suggesting the Swift actually but I don't think she's keen. I remember seeing a video from some guy where he claimed he had more B road fun in the Swift he owned v's an NC, which I found quite surprising in all honesty, as I've never felt the love for the Swift personally, but I do reckon it would make a good car for the Mrs. That said, we'll probably end up with a 1.5 Cooper which isn't a bad compromise I reckon
MC Bodge said:
Interesting. Enjoy the Boxster.
Ps. I was up in North County Durham & Northumberland over Easter weekend. Some of the roads are superb (and quiet). The undulations and range of bends is great. The forward visibility is often amazing too compared with my local Cheshire and South Lancs roads.
Thanks mate.Ps. I was up in North County Durham & Northumberland over Easter weekend. Some of the roads are superb (and quiet). The undulations and range of bends is great. The forward visibility is often amazing too compared with my local Cheshire and South Lancs roads.
I am lucky to have those roads right on my doorstep I reckon.
Anyway, hard top is back on the MX5 which means I'm getting close to putting it up for sale, but honestly, I have no idea how much it's worth, as it's a weird combination of being: -
- A sought after Limited Edition with a high spec
- With a highly desirable tuning package
- Hard top
- 139,000 miles on the clock
- 18 years old
- Miles away from nearly everywhere in the country
So I still haven't put the '5 up for sale.
It's 'replacement' goes to a specialist on Tuesday for another inspection / diagnosis after I found oil in the coolant / mayo on the cap.
4 weeks in and it's already been a disaster.
Meanwhile, the little MX5 remains, I've been driving it, I still like it. If it had a 6-pot it would have been perfect - no I wont be doing a Rocketeer - I'm broke after that bd german lump screwed me. 
I may end up keeping it yet. If the problem with the porka ends up being a cracked cylinder head then I will likely cut my losses with it.
If that happens, I've pretty much decided I'm done with cars. However, I still need a car to get me from A-B. My original plan was to sell both cars and just get a normal runaround, something like a Fiesta ST, Swift Sport, even a newer ND MX5, something like that. I'm not sure I can bring myself to drive something genuinely boring...
Then I thought, the answer is staring me right in the face. Why don't I just keep this one?! It's never really let me down, and I never get the impression it will, not in any serious way anyway. When it has needed something putting right, it cost virtually nothing to fix. I still say it's more fun than the porka until the speeds get above NSL, after which I'd probably say the experience of the porka is on a different level really, but that's not enough to tempt me to empty my bank account on a monthly basis fixing a highly strung, unreliable, badly engineered and extremely expensive to maintain old Porsche.
If I end up cutting my losses with the Porsche, it will have been a catastrophically expensive mistake on my part, but I'm starting to think, even if my interesting in cars and driving is waning, particularly after this, I can't see anything else I could buy really being any more cost effective or easier to live with... so, TLDR, it might be staying. We'll see.... watch this space. For now though it stays until I've decided what to do. If I do keep it, then I doubt I'm going to look for anything else for a long time.
I also think it looks pretty smart with the hard top! This picture isn't the best to be honest, I will take a better one sometime - from certain angles it really does look quite fit
. This particular photo wasn't today, and doesn't show it at its best angle. but I was walking back to it today and thinking it looks really very nice. Almost like a cross between an MX5 and an F-Type / Z4 coupe etc from a certain angle 
It's 'replacement' goes to a specialist on Tuesday for another inspection / diagnosis after I found oil in the coolant / mayo on the cap.
4 weeks in and it's already been a disaster.
Meanwhile, the little MX5 remains, I've been driving it, I still like it. If it had a 6-pot it would have been perfect - no I wont be doing a Rocketeer - I'm broke after that b
d german lump screwed me. I may end up keeping it yet. If the problem with the porka ends up being a cracked cylinder head then I will likely cut my losses with it.
If that happens, I've pretty much decided I'm done with cars. However, I still need a car to get me from A-B. My original plan was to sell both cars and just get a normal runaround, something like a Fiesta ST, Swift Sport, even a newer ND MX5, something like that. I'm not sure I can bring myself to drive something genuinely boring...
Then I thought, the answer is staring me right in the face. Why don't I just keep this one?! It's never really let me down, and I never get the impression it will, not in any serious way anyway. When it has needed something putting right, it cost virtually nothing to fix. I still say it's more fun than the porka until the speeds get above NSL, after which I'd probably say the experience of the porka is on a different level really, but that's not enough to tempt me to empty my bank account on a monthly basis fixing a highly strung, unreliable, badly engineered and extremely expensive to maintain old Porsche.
If I end up cutting my losses with the Porsche, it will have been a catastrophically expensive mistake on my part, but I'm starting to think, even if my interesting in cars and driving is waning, particularly after this, I can't see anything else I could buy really being any more cost effective or easier to live with... so, TLDR, it might be staying. We'll see.... watch this space. For now though it stays until I've decided what to do. If I do keep it, then I doubt I'm going to look for anything else for a long time.
I also think it looks pretty smart with the hard top! This picture isn't the best to be honest, I will take a better one sometime - from certain angles it really does look quite fit
. This particular photo wasn't today, and doesn't show it at its best angle. but I was walking back to it today and thinking it looks really very nice. Almost like a cross between an MX5 and an F-Type / Z4 coupe etc from a certain angle Edited by TameRacingDriver on Sunday 30th April 12:59
Nickp82 said:
Had to smile a little reading the above as your experience is along the same lines as mine and highlights why I’m such a big fan of the MX-5.
Long story short I was the owner of a 911 for all of 20 miles before it cracked a cylinder lining (hopefully nothing so serious in your Boxster) so I cut my losses and lost a chunk of money doing so. Compare that to my MX-5 which is just sheer fun, so easy to live with and biggest unexpected expense has been an O2 sensor.
Ouch, bad luck Long story short I was the owner of a 911 for all of 20 miles before it cracked a cylinder lining (hopefully nothing so serious in your Boxster) so I cut my losses and lost a chunk of money doing so. Compare that to my MX-5 which is just sheer fun, so easy to live with and biggest unexpected expense has been an O2 sensor.
I think it will be my last Porsche. They're clearly very good drivers cars, but I want to be out driving, not fixing the thing constantly. This is where the MX5 and other Japanese cars seem to excel for me. They're always been so reliable and well made. The MX5 is also such a fun little car at the same time despite being relatively 'slow'.
I can already picture CABC saying "I told you so"
Chimune said:
Prudhoe Coop ?
I just got rid of my trusty rusty NB last week ans replaced it with an NC2 anniv PRHT.
Am still getting to grips with it tbh - its a very different thing in almost every respect ! Mrs was not convinced either - she had a NA many moons ago. However since i raised the clutch bpoint an inch we both enjoying it a bit more.
I just got rid of my trusty rusty NB last week ans replaced it with an NC2 anniv PRHT.
Am still getting to grips with it tbh - its a very different thing in almost every respect ! Mrs was not convinced either - she had a NA many moons ago. However since i raised the clutch bpoint an inch we both enjoying it a bit more.
very well spotted! Small world. Give me a wave if you see me about I've had an NA RS LTD and I gotta be honest this car is as much if not more fun, but much more civilised. If I was buying again though I'd go for an NC2 PRHT or an ND RF. That said, I'm quite liking it with the hard top at the minute.
CABC said:
definitely not!
A flat 6 is a great sports car engine, compact and balanced. you tried it twice!!
When I had my Evora I slept well at night knowing that the Japs had tested that 6 cyl engine to death. But overall I still prefer lighter cars than Evora/Porsche. It's the nice thing about Elises and MX5s - they're all about the chassis and a solid power plant. shocks are unlikely.
tough times but you'll get your mojo back. nothing wrong with a sorted 5, great sports car full stop. Things could have been worse, you could have sold the 5 the day before
A flat 6 is a great sports car engine, compact and balanced. you tried it twice!!
When I had my Evora I slept well at night knowing that the Japs had tested that 6 cyl engine to death. But overall I still prefer lighter cars than Evora/Porsche. It's the nice thing about Elises and MX5s - they're all about the chassis and a solid power plant. shocks are unlikely.
tough times but you'll get your mojo back. nothing wrong with a sorted 5, great sports car full stop. Things could have been worse, you could have sold the 5 the day before
I do love the engine of the Pork, no doubt about it. Intoxicating, especially with the ASBO exhaust, at least when you're hooning. It's a bit annoying when just going from A-B admittedly
I also enjoy the sure footed handling, I still say it feels like a gateway drug to supercars. However, a car having a lot of expensive problems is always going to put me off it eventually, and the MX5 is still a car I have an awful lot of affection for, on account of it being cheap, reliable and still a huge amount of fun. I guess it will always be my 'baseline' car. It's still a brilliant little thing to drive and in many ways I still think it is more fun than a Boxster more often than not. Hopefully it will sink in this time
It is what it is. Let's see what Tuesday brings when I may find out exactly what is or isn't wrong with this Boxster, but whatever the case I'm tempted to stick to the '5. I guess I'm learning the hard way the grass isn't always greener.
Gad-Westy said:
Sorry to hear of the headache you’re having with the boxster TRD. I have to admit when I had the 996, the worry of it going bang in a big way did really erode the joy of ownership. I’m sure it’s fine if it’s a second car with a deep pocketed owner but I didn’t fall into that category though did luckily get in and out relatively unscathed. As you and others have said this is where Mx5’s really excel. Other than bodywork, they never feel like they’ll let you down. And you know that if they do, you’d have to be extremely unlucky to get a huge bill. Annual underselling, keep the drains clear and regular servicing and you can sleep like a baby.
I hope the Porsche issue isn’t major. Happy to did the spanner’s out if you need a hand with anything.
Thanks mate, I'm clearly not cut out for running an old Porsche. I lack the time, skills, a decent work space, tools, confidence and of course the deep pockets needed to run such a thing. I don't think I really thought it through properly ultimately. It's given me a new found appreciation of the MX5 and just how trouble free they are. Thanks for the offer. I still need to swing by your place sometime for a chat I hope the Porsche issue isn’t major. Happy to did the spanner’s out if you need a hand with anything.
emmetb said:
Not an MX-5 story but similar. Many moons ago I had finally got my hands on a Boxster S after a number of more hardcore sportscars (Elise and the likes). Initially I was sucked in by the feel of solidity and the sound of the flat 6 etc. However, very soon it started to go wrong... a lot... and it wasn't an old car either... 6 years old with 60K on it. Porsche didn't help as they kept giving me huge bills and then another problem arose, but one day I realised what the real problem was... I missed the occasional 'great days' when an Elise was second to nothing else... yes it was unrefined and difficult to get in and out of, but it could deliver a truly great experience on the right roads... the Porsche never did that, it was too refined and I suspect would only deliver that sort of experience on a track, or maybe not even then I don't know.
Anyway I chopped it in for a Honda S2000 and never looked back. More fun in one afternoon than I'd ever had in the Porsche and over the next 6 years it cost me nothing more than consumables at the price of bits for a Civic. Up on the Yorkshire and Lancashire moors and in north Wales I had some of the best drives of my life in that car as I'd accepted what it was good at and just put up with the slight lack of refinement etc. in town and traffic. Nearly twenty years later I have another one (after moving on my heavily modified SL55) and am loving it all over again for the same reasons. The point of my story is that sometimes the grass is not greener on the other side and while a car may be better for most use cases than a less refined alternative it will never deliver those 'wow' moments you get with the smaller lighter alternative.
Maybe the MX-5 is all the car you need... looks like a lovely example too.
As said above, it just seems to me like these Porsches are just trouble! Although you do get those who claim they are the most reliable cars going. Perhaps they are just lucky. I'm certainly not Anyway I chopped it in for a Honda S2000 and never looked back. More fun in one afternoon than I'd ever had in the Porsche and over the next 6 years it cost me nothing more than consumables at the price of bits for a Civic. Up on the Yorkshire and Lancashire moors and in north Wales I had some of the best drives of my life in that car as I'd accepted what it was good at and just put up with the slight lack of refinement etc. in town and traffic. Nearly twenty years later I have another one (after moving on my heavily modified SL55) and am loving it all over again for the same reasons. The point of my story is that sometimes the grass is not greener on the other side and while a car may be better for most use cases than a less refined alternative it will never deliver those 'wow' moments you get with the smaller lighter alternative.
Maybe the MX-5 is all the car you need... looks like a lovely example too.
I nearly bought the S2000 on a number of occasions. Although originally I was looking for a coupe as I couldn't be bothered with soft tops and having them live outside, but then again I've not had any bother with the MX5s leaking or anything like that, and I'm sure the S2000 is probably the same, Honda and Mazda really know how to do things properly. Saying that I've virtually converted the MX5 into a coupe now anyway! I'll never say never with the S2000 and I certainly enjoyed my DC2 and FN2.
That said though, as you say, the car I probably needed is the car I've already got.
CABC said:
great post! All of it.
I think it's just human to "upgrade". MX5 to Boxster to 911 to Ferrari... and yet, sometimes less is more. as Colin said.
we all have to experience the "better" cars to better understand both them and ourselves. The best sports cars for a Sunday blast on a British B road are the simplest, lightest (and probably cheapest) imo. touring down to the Alps is where Porsche comes in to its own. After that, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a different vibe with a GT and big engine. Bills may vary.
Horses and courses. For raw tactile pleasure everything gets compromised after a single seater.
I love this post to be honest.I think it's just human to "upgrade". MX5 to Boxster to 911 to Ferrari... and yet, sometimes less is more. as Colin said.
we all have to experience the "better" cars to better understand both them and ourselves. The best sports cars for a Sunday blast on a British B road are the simplest, lightest (and probably cheapest) imo. touring down to the Alps is where Porsche comes in to its own. After that, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a different vibe with a GT and big engine. Bills may vary.
Horses and courses. For raw tactile pleasure everything gets compromised after a single seater.
I know I'm going to end up out of pocket now, but what is done is done.
A very expensive way to appreciate the car I already had. I know you and a few others really tried to make me question this decision, but clearly I didn't listen and I'm paying the price. Oh well, 'tis what it is.
I am trying to look at this as a lesson from which I can move on. It's made me truly appreciate the simple, lightweight formula and the benefits it brings. It's made me appreciate this car I have now. I think from now on I will just stick to the cheap cars. This NC falls into that category and they seem to be getting lots of love these days despite being the runt of the litter at one time compared with the older cars and the ND.
On the plus side, at least I've had a number of very fun drives in this Porsche, so at least I can say I've experienced it, even if it has not been my finest hour.
TameRacingDriver said:
I also think it looks pretty smart with the hard top! This picture isn't the best to be honest, I will take a better one sometime
And here it is, a gratuitous hard top photo that I promised. I think the car is quite handsome with this on. I might leave it on for a bit. Definitely seems to make things more civilised in the cabin, and many owners seem to think it sharpens up the handling noticeably.
CABC said:
have no regrets. it's all part of life's rich tapestry. You did have the experience. That's sound total bks as you face down a huge expense, but really, mistakes are life and make the good times better.
Oh, and no more fking Porsches 
Aye you're right really mate. I have been quite stressed out and upset by it really, but I'm coming around to it now. I've had the experience. I did actually have some excellent drives in it as well to be fair.ks as you face down a huge expense, but really, mistakes are life and make the good times better. Oh, and no more f
king Porsches And you have my word - no more porkas
MC Bodge said:
It's fair enough. You tried the Boxster.
Unless one has deep pockets and doesn't mind spending the money on a car that can require a lot of expensive attention, rather than just driving it, the car that is good to drive, reliable and enjoyable at daily speeds makes a lot more sense to me.
Your local roads are excellent too. Get out there and use the MX5!
Unless one has deep pockets and doesn't mind spending the money on a car that can require a lot of expensive attention, rather than just driving it, the car that is good to drive, reliable and enjoyable at daily speeds makes a lot more sense to me.
Your local roads are excellent too. Get out there and use the MX5!
If there's one thing this whole thing has taught me, I'm very much in the camp of wanting a car to drive, not to fix and stress about. The MX5 really does fit that brief perfectly. It's a perfect car for people like me, and I now appreciate it a lot more.
MC Bodge said:
I know people who own, and spend a lot of money, on some fairly exotic/potent cars. They can afford to, but the joy for me is in setting-up, tweaking and/or getting the most out of something "lesser" and actually using it, as well as I can. The same applies to things other than vehicles.
Making smooth, brisk progress that didn't upset the family across the Peak District in our heavily-laden estate car earlier was a good example. A two seater would have been a struggle
I do know what you mean there. I had a great little drive once where I caught up with an M140i that then tried to lose me in the MX5. As expected, pulling away in the straights but with a few bends I soon caught up again. It's always quite fun being the underdog and keeping up. Another car like that was the MR2 Roadster, only 138 bhp but on a bendy road it was faster than it had any right to be.Making smooth, brisk progress that didn't upset the family across the Peak District in our heavily-laden estate car earlier was a good example. A two seater would have been a struggle
Making progress without upsetting the passengers is always good.
Not really possible with Mrs TRD, at least not in the MX5 which always feels quite a bit faster than it is even when not making progress.I do think it is driving that is my main source of enjoyment when it comes to cars. I drive Mrs TRDs 1.0 Aygo and I still enjoy it to be fair. As for fixing them, cleaning them, or any of that other more mundane s
t, it's just not for me. I really haven't particularly enjoyed or appreciated all the hassle I've had so far with this car, including the hour and a half round trip in the morning and the same again to collect it afterwards, but needs must. Definitely give me a car that spends more of its time on the road than on a lift. If there's one thing I've noticed over the last 20 years it's how much more reliable and well engineered my Jap cars have been compared to elsewhere. My DC2 Integra Type-R was nearly 10 years old when I got it, and I thrashed the living daylights out of it for 3 years, never had a single problem. Same with most my other jap cars. German cars seem to have been the least reliable for me!
emmetb said:
TameRacingDriver said:
If there's one thing I've noticed over the last 20 years it's how much more reliable and well engineered my Jap cars have been compared to elsewhere. My DC2 Integra Type-R was nearly 10 years old when I got it, and I thrashed the living daylights out of it for 3 years, never had a single problem. Same with most my other jap cars. German cars seem to have been the least reliable for me!
Couldn't agree more... my Hondas and Mazdas have been the most reliable and cheap to run cars I have ever owned... and they have also been a lot of fun too. The 3 least reliable cars I've owned... 2 Mercs and a Porsche.... Hmmmmm!I've had the hard top on a little while and while I quite liked the way it looks with it on, it was a nice day last weekend, and it really wasn't the same having the windows open I was jealous every time I saw a convertible with the roof down, which was lots.
So, a check of the weather forecast shows wall-to-wall sunshine tomorrow, so off came the hard top tonight, ready for some roof down action tomorrow.
Having previously said I was going to sell the car, for now, it's going nowhere. After all the issues I've had lately with cars, I was considering just ditching all the sports cars and just going for something 'cheap' but that is just completely illogical when I have a near 200 bhp lightweight, convertible, RWD, LSD equipped sports car that costs as much to run as a budget hatchback.
It's taken me a while and some painfully bad luck to realise it, but I guess me and this car were meant for each other... or at least, I'm an MX5 / Jap car fanboy at heart. These are the cars that have always treat me the best.
I was jealous every time I saw a convertible with the roof down, which was lots.So, a check of the weather forecast shows wall-to-wall sunshine tomorrow, so off came the hard top tonight, ready for some roof down action tomorrow.
Having previously said I was going to sell the car, for now, it's going nowhere.
After all the issues I've had lately with cars, I was considering just ditching all the sports cars and just going for something 'cheap' but that is just completely illogical when I have a near 200 bhp lightweight, convertible, RWD, LSD equipped sports car that costs as much to run as a budget hatchback.It's taken me a while and some painfully bad luck to realise it, but I guess me and this car were meant for each other... or at least, I'm an MX5 / Jap car fanboy at heart. These are the cars that have always treat me the best.
So, after the absolute disaster that was the Boxster S, the car that was supposed to replace it, I've been having a lot of thoughts about what to do next.
It's been suggested to me to get rid of this car as well and get something newer. I did actually seriously entertain this possibility, so I started looking. At the top of the list was the F56 JCW Mini and the Fiesta ST.
All the while I've been going out in the Mazda though, and it made me realise that for a fun car, it probably does have to be a convertible, I guess I've taken it for granted a bit as I'm so used to having it, but on a nice sunny day I'm just not sure I would be as keen to go out in the car for fun.
So maybe I should keep this one... However the oil consumption issue obviously hasn't gone away. I've been monitoring this. Essentially it needs topping up every tank of petrol if you repeatedly rev it right out. If driven*slightly* more moderately, then it uses less, but still about a litre per 1000 miles. If driven gently it doesn't seem to use that much, but where's the fun in that.
I've had some advice from professionals to suggest that perhaps the engine needs rebuilding, and that the oil burning might damage the cat eventually.
So I thought about getting a newer ND model, but again a decent 184 model is £20k give or take, which is a lot of money for a car that gets used once or twice a week.
Then it made me think that money would transform the car I already have. Engine rebuild, supercharger or turbo, coil overs, updated head unit with Apple car play, get the rust treatment done, and probably still have change.
So my options are...
1. Keep car, just enjoy as is until it breaks
2. Spend some money making it a beast
3. Buy an ND
4. Buy something else entirely
5. Sell it and do without a car.
Would love to hear what your opinions are.
It's been suggested to me to get rid of this car as well and get something newer. I did actually seriously entertain this possibility, so I started looking. At the top of the list was the F56 JCW Mini and the Fiesta ST.
All the while I've been going out in the Mazda though, and it made me realise that for a fun car, it probably does have to be a convertible, I guess I've taken it for granted a bit as I'm so used to having it, but on a nice sunny day I'm just not sure I would be as keen to go out in the car for fun.
So maybe I should keep this one... However the oil consumption issue obviously hasn't gone away. I've been monitoring this. Essentially it needs topping up every tank of petrol if you repeatedly rev it right out. If driven*slightly* more moderately, then it uses less, but still about a litre per 1000 miles. If driven gently it doesn't seem to use that much, but where's the fun in that.
I've had some advice from professionals to suggest that perhaps the engine needs rebuilding, and that the oil burning might damage the cat eventually.
So I thought about getting a newer ND model, but again a decent 184 model is £20k give or take, which is a lot of money for a car that gets used once or twice a week.
Then it made me think that money would transform the car I already have. Engine rebuild, supercharger or turbo, coil overs, updated head unit with Apple car play, get the rust treatment done, and probably still have change.
So my options are...
1. Keep car, just enjoy as is until it breaks
2. Spend some money making it a beast
3. Buy an ND
4. Buy something else entirely
5. Sell it and do without a car.
Would love to hear what your opinions are.
Cambs_Stuart said:
I would get the oil burning investigated and a price for a decent repair. Are there any more upgrades you could do when it's being fixed?
Alternatively, how hard would it be to swap the BBR parts over to another engine?
I recently spoke with Paul Roddison, a respected mx5 specialist. His suggested plan of action was an engine rebuild, but this will cost £2500 +vat. He advised against a second hand engine as he said another entire could easily have the same fault.Alternatively, how hard would it be to swap the BBR parts over to another engine?
The price does include retaining the BBR bits, but if I'm going to pay thousands then I would like a supercharger too as I kind of miss the instant response and the whine from my old r53 mini.
Nickp82 said:
At £2500+ vat you’re not far off the £2990+ vat BBR charge for a crate 2.5, though the labour would increase that gap I guess
I did ask Paul about the 2.5 but he said it's not a cheap endeavour. For starters, he said it would produce less power out of the box than my BBR, and to set them up properly would cost over double than rebuilding the engine that's already in it.Nickp82 said:
Interesting, was starting to think about the possibility of the swap for my own MX
I would recommend speaking to Paul on the phone, certainly knows his stuff. He said they can be good but only when setup right.Actually on eBay now there's a supercharged 2.5 for sale! Looks a beast but £12500... Could be a cracking little car or it could be selling it due to issues, but still...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX5-ZSport-BBR-Co...
I've been having a think about what to do about this car. I've not used it much, but when I have it's been a great laugh, however, it does obviously need a bit of TLC at various points in the future, so I've had a few thoughts.
First was to sell it and buy a decent TT 225, they seem quite cheap, reliable, good looking, good turbo shove, AWD, seen a few decent videos of them lately... but... I'm sure it'd still cost more to run than an MX5, and I just can't see it being as good to drive as a sorted MX5 even if they are a really good all rounder.
Another option was a Mini F56 JCW. They appear to be quite silly cars, but with a sensible side. They seem to be quite rapid, nice interior, fun handling, fairly rude sounding with the right exhaust, but they are FWD and in a way, I can sort of imagine a slight sense of detachment in a way modern cars tend to. They're also about £15k which is a lot of money.
So then I thought about the ND. I really like the look of these. The 1.5 is said to be a good engine, but I'm not sure I'd enjoy it that much after having nearly 200 bhp in a similar car. The ND 184 seems to be the one to go for, but they're near enough £20k, and yes they're better cars than a stock NC, but £20k buys you a lot of mods even less than half that would be enough to make it into an effectively brand new car to all intents and purposes. Not just that but the NC counters its advantages with hydraulic steering
I did also think about a later NC with the PRHT, which might be handy as it lives outside, but then again I've never really had major water leaks with MX5s generally, and if they do, unlike a Porsche, they don't do potentially 4-figure damage. I'd want an NC3.5 in white, very nice cars, but for a good one, and then the mods I'd like to do, puts me pretty close to the cost of the other cars I've mentioned, although you do also gain the engine with the higher rev limit.
Spending £15-20k upfront seem a bit silly when I don't use the car regularly anyway, so I figure I may be best off keeping my Launch Edition, as I do still really enjoy it to be fair, slowly upgrade it starting with the rust treatment, keep an eye on the oil levels, if they get out of hand, bite the bullet and rebuild the engine, perhaps also adding ITBs in the process (or a Supercharger). Upgrade suspension to Meister / Ohlins. Upgrade the head unit to a screen, better speakers. Do a few cosmetic repairs, for example, the boot lid is corroding. Get that treated, debadge the car. Fix the air con. Maybe get shorter ratios.
Would be a good little car that? After all second hand cars of any kind are a risk and eventually I'd be driving in an effectively new car. £15-20k for a 6 year old car still seems like a huge gamble to me. Better the devil you know and all that, and I'm quite attached to it at this stage.
But first of all, I'm really tempted by this Cobalt back box. I'm running standard at the minute, and it's OK but a bit vanilla. It's on sale, so only £280 , not exactly a huge expense and I think it would really increase my enjoyment of the car. This would be the first modification that I've personally made to the car in 16 months of ownership, and I reckon it would go some way to helping me get over the Boxster.
https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/mazda/...
First was to sell it and buy a decent TT 225, they seem quite cheap, reliable, good looking, good turbo shove, AWD, seen a few decent videos of them lately... but... I'm sure it'd still cost more to run than an MX5, and I just can't see it being as good to drive as a sorted MX5 even if they are a really good all rounder.
Another option was a Mini F56 JCW. They appear to be quite silly cars, but with a sensible side. They seem to be quite rapid, nice interior, fun handling, fairly rude sounding with the right exhaust, but they are FWD and in a way, I can sort of imagine a slight sense of detachment in a way modern cars tend to. They're also about £15k which is a lot of money.
So then I thought about the ND. I really like the look of these. The 1.5 is said to be a good engine, but I'm not sure I'd enjoy it that much after having nearly 200 bhp in a similar car. The ND 184 seems to be the one to go for, but they're near enough £20k, and yes they're better cars than a stock NC, but £20k buys you a lot of mods even less than half that would be enough to make it into an effectively brand new car to all intents and purposes. Not just that but the NC counters its advantages with hydraulic steering
I did also think about a later NC with the PRHT, which might be handy as it lives outside, but then again I've never really had major water leaks with MX5s generally, and if they do, unlike a Porsche, they don't do potentially 4-figure damage. I'd want an NC3.5 in white, very nice cars, but for a good one, and then the mods I'd like to do, puts me pretty close to the cost of the other cars I've mentioned, although you do also gain the engine with the higher rev limit.
Spending £15-20k upfront seem a bit silly when I don't use the car regularly anyway, so I figure I may be best off keeping my Launch Edition, as I do still really enjoy it to be fair, slowly upgrade it starting with the rust treatment, keep an eye on the oil levels, if they get out of hand, bite the bullet and rebuild the engine, perhaps also adding ITBs in the process (or a Supercharger). Upgrade suspension to Meister / Ohlins. Upgrade the head unit to a screen, better speakers. Do a few cosmetic repairs, for example, the boot lid is corroding. Get that treated, debadge the car. Fix the air con. Maybe get shorter ratios.
Would be a good little car that? After all second hand cars of any kind are a risk and eventually I'd be driving in an effectively new car. £15-20k for a 6 year old car still seems like a huge gamble to me. Better the devil you know and all that, and I'm quite attached to it at this stage.
But first of all, I'm really tempted by this Cobalt back box. I'm running standard at the minute, and it's OK but a bit vanilla. It's on sale, so only £280 , not exactly a huge expense and I think it would really increase my enjoyment of the car. This would be the first modification that I've personally made to the car in 16 months of ownership, and I reckon it would go some way to helping me get over the Boxster.
https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/mazda/...
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