How hard can you push them?
Discussion
On my previous car, I never found the limiter.. And never really drove it hard as it was french and I thought even looking near 6k would make bits fall off, comedy car style.
But the '5 is different, and I've heard you have to drive them quite hard to get them working well.. Is that right?
I drive like a granny most of the time, so when I do want to have a hoon I think compared to other 'hooners' I must be quite slow.
Just wondering really how their prefered to be driven
But the '5 is different, and I've heard you have to drive them quite hard to get them working well.. Is that right?
I drive like a granny most of the time, so when I do want to have a hoon I think compared to other 'hooners' I must be quite slow.
Just wondering really how their prefered to be driven
Well I spent much of the time driving the Mk2.5 bouncing off or near the rev limiter and it never showed any ill signs. Check the oil once a week (depending on how many miles you do obviously) and service regularly and it should be fine!
Strangely enough I've been doing similar in the Mk3 for the past 8 months, once fully warmed up I use the full length of the rev range where appropriate - it loves it!
Strangely enough I've been doing similar in the Mk3 for the past 8 months, once fully warmed up I use the full length of the rev range where appropriate - it loves it!
They like to be driven hard.
I think I read omewhere that the engine puts out max performace at 6500 rpm? - not sure if this is true or not but mine does seem to like it up there.
I don't regualrly aim to bounce of the limiter, and the first few time I did I thought something had broken, but I do try to get through plenty of revs!
I think I read omewhere that the engine puts out max performace at 6500 rpm? - not sure if this is true or not but mine does seem to like it up there.
I don't regualrly aim to bounce of the limiter, and the first few time I did I thought something had broken, but I do try to get through plenty of revs!
Make sure your oil and coolant systems are in good nick. Make sure car is nicely and steadily warmed up.
Boot it.
I think part of the reason for whole 'slow' image is that so many people have test driven them, put their foot down in 4th at 30mph and thought - wow, nothings happening. My Golf TDI is way faster when I do that.
However - hit 2nd and try again - bam - your off. Dont change up till 7000rpm. Again through 3rd. By the time you get to the point at which you have to go for Fourth you'll be very illegal.
As said - they are tough old boots and they like to be revved. My car runs noticeably better when its been given some stick, than it does if I dawdle around in it for a few days.
Boot it.
I think part of the reason for whole 'slow' image is that so many people have test driven them, put their foot down in 4th at 30mph and thought - wow, nothings happening. My Golf TDI is way faster when I do that.
However - hit 2nd and try again - bam - your off. Dont change up till 7000rpm. Again through 3rd. By the time you get to the point at which you have to go for Fourth you'll be very illegal.
As said - they are tough old boots and they like to be revved. My car runs noticeably better when its been given some stick, than it does if I dawdle around in it for a few days.
My car is supercharged so has about 230bhp at 7krpm. I regularly take it there especially on track where it pretty much lives between 5k & 7k (or the limiter if I don't change gear quick enough) for a whole day of track thrashing. The engine can take all that punishment and much more.
I used to check the oil weekly, then monthly - now I check it when I can be bothered. Even with all that power and regular thrashings it never uses any oil.
These are good engines - not the most powerful, characterful, great sounding, smoothest, easiest to tune etc. but they are over-engineered & bulletproof and will take a hell of a lot of punishment in return for very little TLC.
I used to check the oil weekly, then monthly - now I check it when I can be bothered. Even with all that power and regular thrashings it never uses any oil.
These are good engines - not the most powerful, characterful, great sounding, smoothest, easiest to tune etc. but they are over-engineered & bulletproof and will take a hell of a lot of punishment in return for very little TLC.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Just noticed you are a "Mazda Service advisor" - surely you already know all this? 
No.. On the Citroen I thought it would go wrong at the thought of some beans.. So never drove hard.Don't drive cars here hard, and in customers cars about 10mph maximum as its just on site, no reason to go elsewhere.
I know their quite strong, since I've been here in 2 years I've only had a few MX5s go wrong, but just wanted to see how everyone else drives them
Me in another thread said:
I did a track experience day (6th Gear) and the LP640 guy was chatting about MX5s as he loved them. Said they had a Mk1 which they had raced for in Max5 for 5 years since coming off the boat, and it made the most HP on the dyno compared to loads of other 5s of the same spec! I think 5s like a thrash!
So yes, they like a good workout 
Mine gets thrashed mercilessly. Doesn't seem to bother it. Unlike some on here though mine does seem to need regular oil top ups (perhaps 0.5 - 1 ltr per 1000 mls). Other than that it's not bothered about it at all.
Eta: before anyone says it, it's not the cas o-ring as that's been replaced.
Eta: before anyone says it, it's not the cas o-ring as that's been replaced.
Edited by pbirkett on Tuesday 18th May 09:06
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