20 years old this week
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Discussion

turnipbmw

Original Poster:

65 posts

196 months

Monday 15th November 2010
quotequote all
Just noticed that my MX5 is 20 years old this week.

quite amazing really, just short of 100,000 miles

sat out in this horrible weather/salt all that time

Pretty much all original

only just had its first cam belt

you would think a wheel bearing seal would have let water in by now

or something

and to think I used to slag Japanese cars off once

anonymous-user

77 months

Monday 15th November 2010
quotequote all
Any work to the sills or arches in it's lifetime? How does the bodywork look?

My car will be 20 in March, save for a few bubbles on a sill (due to a previously blocked drain) that I'm going to get sorted soon, she looks great, ready for another 20 years!

turnipbmw

Original Poster:

65 posts

196 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
quotequote all
pretty good, I think it will be ok for next years mot and the top side looks smart and straight

Under the bonnet is mint, clean, polished and a joy to look at.

No top end lifter rattle either !

maser_spyder

6,356 posts

205 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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Mine's the same.

'89 early import model, sills are perfect, no rattles or problems, the only squeak is a little one on the exhaust mount, which will be changed soon anyway. Drives perfectly. Only 60k miles though, which probably helps!

Only money I've ever had to spend was on a rear brake caliper, and a new roof. That's pretty good going I think!

The Tea Boy

4,129 posts

258 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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Mine is 21 next week (born 26/11/1989)!! smile import, about 90k, just had to have a new diff, but other than thats its not really needed much (from the history i have on the car)
Still drive and pulls well but in need of a re-spray. No rust whatsoever.

Matt

J.P.W.

122 posts

240 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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Mine's 21. A bit bubbly around the sills but not too bad. Mechanically great though, loves trackdays, still hits the limiter where conditions allow. About 140,000 miles. I've had it 3 years and it's probably cost me only slightly more in that time than the E30 I bought a month ago!

Don Phil

622 posts

212 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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Mine will be celebrating its 18th Birthday on 30/11/2010, no rust, no running issues, however a blowing exhaust and a cracked spring (and generally hard riding tired suspension) means a very pricey birthday present of new decat & exhaust and new kyb agx shocks and eibach lowering springs.

Thats the most i've ever spent on a present, and its for my car! rofl

ukianj

40 posts

200 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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KYBs and Eibachs are a great combination, if you live somewhere with smooth roads, no speed bumps and a very forgiving partner...

Before you do it, be absolutely sure...

I think i'd keep the same shocks but have less stiff, longer springs. I find I have to have the shocks set to 8 at the front and 6 at the back (ie: very hard) to avoid grounding, and whilst it's a hoot to drive, the extra weight of a passenger makes it a jarring experience on our rubbish roads.

Don Phil

622 posts

212 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
quotequote all
Well, the ride currently is a back breaking teeth rattling experience, and I can't even go over the smallest pothole without pain, so can't be any worse! Stupid bilsteins.

Speed bumps aren't really an issue, aren't many round me, but I just thought I might not be able to get into my garage, doh!! Put my thinking cap on before I commit.

Thanks for the tip!

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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I thought KYBs went the other way i.e. 8 is softest and 1 is stiffest. I know the set of KYB AGX I had on my car was that way around - that was the Mk2 version with 4 settings - 1 = stiffest and 4 = softest. I used to have them on 3 on the road and 2 on track.

Don Phil

622 posts

212 months

Wednesday 17th November 2010
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ukianj, do you have any pics of how low your car sits on the kyb agx & eibachs?? It might give me an idea whether i can cope with the clearance issues!!

lazza, i think on these 1 is soft and 8 is hardest setting from reading a review on them. I'll do some more reading on them at some point!!

worldwidewebs

2,874 posts

273 months

Wednesday 17th November 2010
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Hmmm... that's taken me back. I ordered my first MX-5 on 27th December 1989 - nearly 21 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!

ukianj

40 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th November 2010
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Don - some pics of my 20 year old at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianjordan/sets/721576... there are some side on shots which will give you an idea. I'd say there's about 6 inches at the sill and maybe 4 inches under the lowest point of the exhaust.

Don Phil

622 posts

212 months

Wednesday 17th November 2010
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Thanks for that, i'll do some measuring, to be honest i dont think it looks any lower than i am already, it it is, its only a touch (though that could make all the difference!!)

Nice '5 by the way thumbup