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Mazda MX5

Discussion of other cars non-Z4
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srhutch
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Mazda MX5

Post by srhutch » Sat Dec 30, 2017 12:27 am

Nearest I got to one was a test drive. Tested one with the retractable hard top, followed shortly afterwards by testing a 2.2i Z4. The rest as they say is history.

The LSD put me off as on a roundabout it was really noticeable being fixed. That and the fact there was no discount on the MX5 and a 3 month wait. As a result a Z4 with a list of 10k more cost only 2k more (2.5si sport) so the deal was done.
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Steve84N
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Post by Steve84N » Sun Dec 31, 2017 12:31 pm

I had a Mk1 Eunos Spec-B 9yrs ago, it was a super rare factory model that came with an M45 supercharger and other Mazdaspeed goodies including a TorSen differential. It was great fun and made an awesome noise but it had serious problems.

The smaller supercharger is bolted to the head rather than the block like the larger MP62. This can and did crack my cylinder head so I got Phil Dixon to rebuild it and he used a MK2 head which flows better. I got it back on my birthday and it blew up, spewing white smoke like a Challenger tank. I think it was running lean and although he repaired it we never got the supercharger back on before some spotty oink crashed into me at 2am after losing the back end of a Corolla coming off a roundabout. Then they ran off... After being caught he had alcohol in his breath but was just under the limit.

The Eunos was replaced with a DC2 Integra Type-R and then a 330Ci before the Z4 I had. It's a close call as to which was the most fun but now it's all been surpassed by a C63.
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C63 AMG Estate 6208cc

Lazza
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Post by Lazza » Sun Dec 31, 2017 5:48 pm

Ooh, nasty. Especially for a rare (over here) special!

The MP62 is also attached to the head bug it uses better mountings and also has a brace underneath that attaches to the power steering bracket.
Phil Dixon (Performance 5) is the guy who did 90% of the work on my car too! A good guy and very knowledgeable but terrible at running a business.
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire

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Steve84N
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Post by Steve84N » Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:49 pm

Thanks for the correction, my knowledge is a little rusty.

Phil developed some nice suspension around the time I had mine and I saw him crop up again years later when I installed WhatsApp as he's still in my phone book.
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DPG
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Post by DPG » Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:58 pm

Has anyone tried one of the new ones?

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markplant
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Post by markplant » Sun Dec 31, 2017 10:52 pm

DPG wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:58 pmHas anyone tried one of the new ones?
Stevie.w who did the V10 zed, has one as a project
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=101847&p=1495781&h ... 0#p1495781
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enzed4
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Post by enzed4 » Sun Dec 31, 2017 10:52 pm

DPG wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:58 pmHas anyone tried one of the new ones?
I had a look at an RF in the local Mazda dealer a couple of weeks ago. Very tasty, they've done a 'special edition' makeover on it, removing all badges and bits and pieces and respraying them black. The end result looks fantastic IMHO; distinctive but not over the top.
Actually, I see it's still for sale, so here a a few pics from the dealer's website:
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Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport

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Post by mcbeee » Sun Dec 31, 2017 11:05 pm

We had one, after 4 zeds and in between my Boxster S and the current M roadster, it was a bday present for wifey, a 2006 GT. It didn’t have enough gears for my liking, needed about 8 for highway driving in this country. It was fun around town when she let me take it, without her :D ,
Sold the Z4 M Roadster and a 911 Carrera S now I have a 2021 Z4 3.0i
8) 8) 8)

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Post by Lazza » Mon Jan 01, 2018 1:55 pm

DOOM wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2017 8:13 pmThey really suit the car, nice one!
Is that deuce roll bar?
It is indeed a Hard Dog Deuce.
The other mods that you can’t see are:
GAZ Gold Pro coliovers with F400/R300 lb/ft springs
Larini Sports Cat & Sports midpipe and Racing Beat dual exit back box. Sounds great!
Oil filter relocated
Flyin Miata Twin-Cooler (large aluminium coolant rad with an oil cooler built in)
It’s had Elise S1, then S2 seats and is now fitted with MX5 Mk3 heated leather.
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Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
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Post by DOOM » Mon Jan 01, 2018 5:15 pm

:thumbsup:
been searching a Boss Frog Double Hoop roll bar myself for sometime now, but they're nowhere to be found.
Probably I'll end up with a Hard Dog one, like yours!
I, too, am considering the Mk3 seats..Do you actually sit lower on them?
cause being 6'1" I struggle a bit even though I performed the well known foamectomy..
'07 Z4C, Stratus Grey | square 108s | Quaife LSD | Lotus seats | Bilstein B4s | ZHP Knob| Cruise Control | Meyle Suspension arms | Pioneer head unit
Miata NBfl 1.8, Torsen T2, JVC Head Unit, Lotus Seat
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Post by Lazza » Mon Jan 01, 2018 6:41 pm

My Mk3 seats are bolted down to plates on the seat mounting points so they are a bit lower than the stock seats. I'm not sure they would be lower if they were on runners. They do have much netter lateral support though, especially around the shoulders where the stock seats have none which makes a massive difference on the track. The pax seat is a PITA to fit though due to the odd shape of the pax cabin space, I think caused by the handbrake mechanism.
I'm 6'2" and I only just "fit". The Elise S2 seats were the best for space. If I had the seats all the way back I couldn't reach the pedals and they were a lot lower than stock. Mrs found them uncomfortable though and I wanted to fit something that looks more like stock.
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Buckz
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Post by Buckz » Mon Jan 01, 2018 6:53 pm

Mine has a carbing with sidelegs and I do think it adds enough protection. It does eat into the seat space a little. And needs good padding for obvious reasons but in a case of roll I'd rather have that than not.
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Post by 99ron » Mon Jan 01, 2018 7:01 pm

My MX5 mk1 helped me establish the "3rd car for sunny days" concept. I bought it to lend to my son (his from the time in the background) whilst his was being fixed with the intention of selling it after a couple of months but liked it so much I kept it for a couple of years. Was great fun to drive. Replaced with the Z4M :D
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Z4MR E85 for sunny day Hooning. 8)
Now with added joy of Gruppe M.

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Post by Bmac » Fri Feb 02, 2018 1:19 am

Sold my mx5 mk3 2.0 sport to get the z4. The worst thing I did was decat exhaust to noisy :cry:
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Z4 E89 23 i M-Sport highline in red

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Post by Lazza » Fri Feb 02, 2018 2:40 pm

Bmac wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2018 1:19 amSold my mx5 mk3 2.0 sport to get the z4. The worst thing I did was decat exhaust to noisy :cry: IMG_0246.JPG
I like noisy. I'm finding my 35i a bit to quiet :?
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
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