Mazda MX-5 1.8i Mk2.5 NB
Discussion
Afternoon,
Not a huge amount to say on this one but thought I'd throw up a post on my experience so far with the MX. Previously and up for sale is my Suzuki Ignis Sport; me and OH decided to get something even less practical for the summer
Been looking at all manner of cars (at least on the classifieds) to try and decide what to go for. I thought about e46 330 Sport, I test drove a 140 Mk7 Celica (lovely to look at, HORRIBLE to drive) and settled on the roadster that was about 1/4 of a mile away from us in the end. So; had a look around and a test drive in the week, all went well, seller was a good chap who was selling due to impending babies (at least 1 anyway). I did a bit of research on mx5 nutz forum and got some good/worrying info about the Mk2.5s including the possiblity of catastrophic rust on the front chassis rails which is coming to light quite recently. The problem being that the rails are almost totally hidden by the plastic under tray and as some of you may know MOT testers are not allowed to remove panels etc to find any issues ergo the horrendous rust issues are going unnoticed/unchecked. I had the best look around it as I could without it being in the air and when it came down to it - I took a punt. 2k wisely invested or thrown in the bin until it could be confirmed either way.
Fortunately there's an MX-5 specialist very close to me called Penarth MX5 and Delsol. I'd spoken to Mark there during the week for some advice and having picked the car up this morning I drove straight to his unit for an inspection. I CANNOT praise Mark enough for his help today. Seemingly happy to be there on a Sunday as soon as I arrived he greeted me genially and we pulled the MX into his unit and straight up onto his 2 post lift. He spent about 30 mins going through the car from front to back explaining what to look for and commenting on the general condition of mine giving helpful advice as he went. No sales talk; just friendly warm advice/info. There is the start of some rust issues on the sills, nothing that cant be sorted relatively easily and painlessly. He adjusted the handbrake to 4 clicks. As we moved to the front of the car he noticed that the lower near side arb droplink mount on the wishbone had actually snapped
not the end of the world but how it passed an MOT a month ago neither of us could fathom.
Then, the crunch, the chassis rails. He inferred that this could either confirm a good buy or confirm I'd bought 1ton of scrap metal. Left leg, ok, the start of some rust but hadn't penetrated. phew. Right leg, a little worse, but only a little. The issue with Mk2s is they went from solid rails (Mk1) to layered rails due to crash protection legislation and the water gets in there, sits and corrodes from the inside out. The bottom rail is split on the off side leg, but that's it. Not perfect but fixable. Great; It's staying phew
It could do with 4 new tyres. Can someone actually recommend 14" tyres for these, I understand they're 185/60/14? The plastic on there at the moment seem fine and have proved fun on the odd round about
but they're down to the wear bars and as the OH will be driving it I don't want her disappearing down banking's etc..
Wash today and that's about it. Looking forward to getting used to it over the coming weeks.
And if anyone is in the South Wales area or if you don't mind travelling to ensure your MX is being looked after I recommend Mark without reservation. From my first visit I know I'll be going there for the life time I own the car, he can accommodate all work needed and is a real gent.
Dori
dem jap cars tho
Not a huge amount to say on this one but thought I'd throw up a post on my experience so far with the MX. Previously and up for sale is my Suzuki Ignis Sport; me and OH decided to get something even less practical for the summer
Been looking at all manner of cars (at least on the classifieds) to try and decide what to go for. I thought about e46 330 Sport, I test drove a 140 Mk7 Celica (lovely to look at, HORRIBLE to drive) and settled on the roadster that was about 1/4 of a mile away from us in the end. So; had a look around and a test drive in the week, all went well, seller was a good chap who was selling due to impending babies (at least 1 anyway). I did a bit of research on mx5 nutz forum and got some good/worrying info about the Mk2.5s including the possiblity of catastrophic rust on the front chassis rails which is coming to light quite recently. The problem being that the rails are almost totally hidden by the plastic under tray and as some of you may know MOT testers are not allowed to remove panels etc to find any issues ergo the horrendous rust issues are going unnoticed/unchecked. I had the best look around it as I could without it being in the air and when it came down to it - I took a punt. 2k wisely invested or thrown in the bin until it could be confirmed either way.
Fortunately there's an MX-5 specialist very close to me called Penarth MX5 and Delsol. I'd spoken to Mark there during the week for some advice and having picked the car up this morning I drove straight to his unit for an inspection. I CANNOT praise Mark enough for his help today. Seemingly happy to be there on a Sunday as soon as I arrived he greeted me genially and we pulled the MX into his unit and straight up onto his 2 post lift. He spent about 30 mins going through the car from front to back explaining what to look for and commenting on the general condition of mine giving helpful advice as he went. No sales talk; just friendly warm advice/info. There is the start of some rust issues on the sills, nothing that cant be sorted relatively easily and painlessly. He adjusted the handbrake to 4 clicks. As we moved to the front of the car he noticed that the lower near side arb droplink mount on the wishbone had actually snapped
not the end of the world but how it passed an MOT a month ago neither of us could fathom. Then, the crunch, the chassis rails. He inferred that this could either confirm a good buy or confirm I'd bought 1ton of scrap metal. Left leg, ok, the start of some rust but hadn't penetrated. phew. Right leg, a little worse, but only a little. The issue with Mk2s is they went from solid rails (Mk1) to layered rails due to crash protection legislation and the water gets in there, sits and corrodes from the inside out. The bottom rail is split on the off side leg, but that's it. Not perfect but fixable. Great; It's staying
phewIt could do with 4 new tyres. Can someone actually recommend 14" tyres for these, I understand they're 185/60/14? The plastic on there at the moment seem fine and have proved fun on the odd round about
but they're down to the wear bars and as the OH will be driving it I don't want her disappearing down banking's etc..Wash today and that's about it. Looking forward to getting used to it over the coming weeks.
And if anyone is in the South Wales area or if you don't mind travelling to ensure your MX is being looked after I recommend Mark without reservation. From my first visit I know I'll be going there for the life time I own the car, he can accommodate all work needed and is a real gent.
Dori
dem jap cars tho
Edited by squareflops on Sunday 25th May 14:02
Cheers patch, will book the tyres tonight so will look into them.The more I drive it the more I like it. The one thing I like the most I think is the gear change; it's so 'snicky' (not a word I know but conveys my feel)
The steering wheel sits a little low for my liking and the column isn't adjustable but that's ok. The pedals are off the to the right also, not a criticism as such more of an observation. Oh I also like the noise the boot makes when it shuts
It rides like a bigger heavier car in a good way; beautifully damped
Just waiting for my PH smiley to arrive
The steering wheel sits a little low for my liking and the column isn't adjustable but that's ok. The pedals are off the to the right also, not a criticism as such more of an observation. Oh I also like the noise the boot makes when it shuts
It rides like a bigger heavier car in a good way; beautifully damped
Just waiting for my PH smiley to arrive
My mum made the mistake of giving me £900 and telling me to find her a car that was 'small, green and easy to park'. She was a bit sceptical when I came back with one very similar to yours in the same colour (albeit on a T reg and not as clean and tidy!) but now she loves it. I borrow it at every opportunity and it's a real hoot, I eagerly look forward to the next damp roundabout whenever I'm in it 
Sounds like you've got away lightly with the chassis rails though, ours are definitely looking a little crusty despite all the waxoyl over them
Sounds like you've got away lightly with the chassis rails though, ours are definitely looking a little crusty despite all the waxoyl over them
Don't blame you DS, good effort in the first place, I imagine your mum was expecting more 'Chevrolet Matiz' top man 
Was pure luck dude, I did it about as backward as I could, paid the money, then went directly to get it inspected. All turned out 'reet thank god but as the specialist noted; it's a lottery these days with these.
It's the OH car but I'm the same, can't wait to get in it!
Get the rails looked at? Ours are fixable for about £120, get it early and save the car?
Was pure luck dude, I did it about as backward as I could, paid the money, then went directly to get it inspected. All turned out 'reet thank god but as the specialist noted; it's a lottery these days with these.
It's the OH car but I'm the same, can't wait to get in it!
Get the rails looked at? Ours are fixable for about £120, get it early and save the car?
Small update, I've had 4 Yokohama BluEarth AE01s fitted, not done a lot of mileage on them yet but first impressions seems great, very quiet, good grip in normal driving in the dry/wet and break away progressively when asked. For an Eco tyre I'm really pleased so far and hope to see a few more MPG.
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