248 replies to this topic

[G-Bob]

Right, so I've driven the car for about 300miles now and here are my findings/list of things too fix The car is very comfortable to drive and its generally a nice place to be in when travelling distances. The seats are comfy, the cabin is toasty warm, and it soaks hip the miles like any other normal car. Its nowhere near as focussed as the Vx and rolls like a boat at the moment, but as far as motorway miles, its a lot nicer place to be. Things to fix: - the brake pads feel like wood. This is possibly part of the wooden option pack of the special edition, but they are going to be changed. - The electric windows stick part way down. The fact that they move to start with must mean that the motors are working so maybe they need the runners re-alligned, greased up or something similar. - the gasket in between the back box and the center off the exhaust is knackered. I could replace this for about 4 but it might be an opportunity to change the back box to something subtle but a bit fruitier. - There's a few tiny holes in the softop about the size of a pinkie nail. I've a feeling I'm going to change the roof next year but in the meantime I might just put a little patch over them. I was thinking one of the bike tube repair patches that are the colour of band aids, and then put some waterproof stuff over them. - the suspension rolls a lot as I pointed out, but the dampening seems to be pretty good over the bumps. I have a feeling that the car just needs stiffer springs and I may replace the standard shocks at the same time. I'll investigate this one. - clear out the drainage holes apparently (Donkey says I should) - get some touch up paint on the edge of the door before it rusts. - Her some new tyres with stiffer sidewalls that aren't cracked or Korean ditchfinders.

[Rickwoo118]

Not bad for the money.

[LazyDonkey]

You need to clear those drain holes ASAP or its going to get wet in there. There was all manner of sh*t at the top of yours (especially pax side) so I'd give it a good clean. Otherwise you get wet carpets behind the seat, shed loads of condensation and a nice damp smell. If they are blocked further down you also get rust. When I first cleared mine out a load of sh*t came out of the bottom....and it stank.. http://www.autolinku...rain-holes.html

Edited by LazyDonkey, 09 December 2012 - 07:56 PM.

[G-Bob]

So I've been buying stuff for it already, but this time I've been sensible:

5 x seethrough waterproof patches for the tiny little holes in the roof. £5
A minor service kit - Oil filter, air filter, 4 sparkplugs and a sump plug washer £16 (absolute bargain)
A new set of HT leads £20
A new exhaust gasket for the one that's blowing slightly £4


All I need is some oil and then I'll give it a good service. After that - Stick on TAT!

[Rosssco]

"It's so damn hot - MX-5 was a bad choice.."



Only joking Looks seriously ok... And I quite the cosy country house vibe that wood and tan leather is gives it!

If it was me, I'd get a set of good condition standard suspension, and some stiffer ARB's - make it a nicer everyday drive, but more 'pointy' with less roll (of course)

[G-Bob]

Only joking Looks seriously ok... And I quite the cosy country house vibe that wood and tan leather is gives it!

If it was me, I'd get a set of good condition standard suspension, and some stiffer ARB's - make it a nicer everyday drive, but more 'pointy' with less roll (of course)

The country house vibe is cool at this time of year. A christmas jumper would finish off the look entirely.

I quite like the dampening of the standard shocks and they seem to ride well over the bumps so I was thinking along the same lines, with maybe some uprated springs (not a big drop) and some stiffer "sway bars" or brace bars.

[FLD]

Just seen this... Bob has a wooden rim. Fnaaaar. (and a wooden knob). Seriously though MX5's are great. Should be fun dude.

[CocoPops]

You need to clear those drain holes ASAP or its going to get wet in there. There was all manner of sh*t at the top of yours (especially pax side) so I'd give it a good clean. Otherwise you get wet carpets behind the seat, shed loads of condensation and a nice damp smell. If they are blocked further down you also get rust. When I first cleared mine out a load of sh*t came out of the bottom....and it stank..

http://www.autolinku...rain-holes.html

LD is spot on.

drain channels are a notorious problem area on mx5s

[G-Bob]

Just seen this...

Bob has a wooden rim. Fnaaaar. (and a wooden knob).

Seriously though MX5's are great. Should be fun dude.

Bob's got wood! MAHAHAHA

[G-Bob]

You need to clear those drain holes ASAP or its going to get wet in there. There was all manner of sh*t at the top of yours (especially pax side) so I'd give it a good clean. Otherwise you get wet carpets behind the seat, shed loads of condensation and a nice damp smell. If they are blocked further down you also get rust. When I first cleared mine out a load of sh*t came out of the bottom....and it stank..

http://www.autolinku...rain-holes.html

LD is spot on.

drain channels are a notorious problem area on mx5s

Yeah, got some time tomorrow night, so I'm going to attack them then.

[LY_Scott]

If you're at it tomorrow night I may pop along after work for a butchers

[G-Bob]

If you're at it tomorrow night I may pop along after work for a butchers

By all means.... you can take it out for a blast if you like?

[LY_Scott]

Could do. I'll chuck you the keys for the VX if you like. My geo is a bit out but it'll give you a chance to have an out of one into the otherish type comparison.

[G-Bob]

You got your brakes sorted yet? I'll be going over to visit john in the new year to get him to fit some new tyres and sort out the Geo on the 5. You should come at the same time and we'll get them both sorted.

[LY_Scott]

No, brakes are still shite, but I'm used to them. The whole living in a rented flat is starting to grate on me for things like that. Must boot tenant out of house and get garage back for fettling. Was planning to get Geo done on Saturday but then remembered I had works night out in the weege on Friday night....slept through checkout and woken by cleaner at 1pm meant a lonely train journey back. Certainly up for a joint journey to John's in the new year

[Goosenka]

Great purchase Bob :: Personally I would have bought the Mrs another horse

[G-Bob]

Great purchase Bob : :

Personally I would have bought the Mrs another horse

I could get some beige leather to go with that too.
Nah, would cost a lot more on a monthly basis to run than an MX5.

[Goosenka]

Great purchase Bob : :

Personally I would have bought the Mrs another horse

I could get some beige leather to go with that too.
Nah, would cost a lot more on a monthly basis to run than an MX5.

With your shopping list I reckon you will be back where you started

[G-Bob]

Great purchase Bob : :

Personally I would have bought the Mrs another horse

I could get some beige leather to go with that too.
Nah, would cost a lot more on a monthly basis to run than an MX5.

With your shopping list I reckon you will be back where you started

Nah, just buying all the cheap stuff.

[Goosenka]

Great purchase Bob : :

Personally I would have bought the Mrs another horse

I could get some beige leather to go with that too.
Nah, would cost a lot more on a monthly basis to run than an MX5.

With your shopping list I reckon you will be back where you started

Nah, just buying all the cheap stuff.

True with MX5s you can get good cheap stuff for them. I had to bin mine after 6 months as I was driving down the road to work in the Summer roof down. Pulled up at a set of traffic lights and a transit van pulled up next door.

Guy in the van looks down at me and says " Nice motor"

To which I replied "Thanks"

To which he shouted back " If your a bird"