Typically, a Spotted will point to something new in the used market or something especially rare or important - or else valued like it might be. Not this time, however, because this time it's a BBR MX-5. We've said many good things about the tuner's cars in the past, we'll more than likely do the same in the future, and you can expect plenty more in the next few hundred words. No surprises here, then - just more PH MX-5 fanboying.
As car tuning has predominantly moved to mere ECU remaps (and soon, presumably, to battery upgrades), so the more traditional approach of both the Mazda roadster and BBR appeals. Take a 2.0-litre, rear-wheel drive, open-top sports car, treat it to racier cams, a better exhaust manifold, some ECU work, a new air filter and BBR badges (at least 5hp each) and the result is the same as it has been for decades - a more exciting sports car comes out the other end.
For the Super 200, the name actually sold the package short, as BBR claimed 208hp and 167lb ft for its Mk3 MX-5 upgrade. This car has the kit fitted, alongside some other worthwhile upgrades - a bigger exhaust and lowering springs, for starters - and is notable for being BBR's actual car. Well, once upon a time, at least.
Sold new in 2011 to its first owner, the car stayed with them until 2017, when it was sold to the Brackley-based firm. Then they worked their magic - see the silver MX-5 on all its NC pages - and, so enthused by what had been created, the original owner bought it back off BBR in 2018. And, presumably, has enjoyed many very happy miles since, even though just 20,000 have been recorded over the past decade.
Even without the BBR goodies, it's a very nice MX-5. There's a detailed service history as well as some recent work including four new Michelins and brake pads this summer. It's the desirable hard top (the majority of NC sales in the UK were for the Roadster Coupe, before you say anything) and, as a 2.0 Sport Tech, it gets an LSD as standard as well.
And the best bit? It's not even that much money. This BBR'd MX-5 is for sale at £12,995; a standard, 2012 MX-5 with almost twice the mileage is on offer at similar money from another garage. It's not quite a free upgrade, because decent 2.0-litre MX-5s of this era can be had for £10k, but it looks good value nonetheless. Just the Super 200 kit alone is £2,400 from BBR before fitting, and that's without considering this car's other features. Some may still wish to hold out for the lighter, more stylish Mk4 MX-5 to fall in value a little more, but this Mk3 looks a fine substitute until then. And that's assuming a BBR upgraded car ever comes up for sale, of course; you might have heard they make for quite a good Mazda MX-5...
SPECIFICATION | MAZDA MX-5 NC 2.0
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: 2011
Recorded mileage: 20,000
Price new: £21,205 (roadster)
Yours for: £12,995
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