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Mazda MX5

Discussion of other cars non-Z4
Lazza
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Mazda MX5

Post by Lazza » Thu Dec 28, 2017 7:16 pm

How many other Z4 owners on here have had or still own an MX5?

I bought my first one, a brand new Mk1 1.8i Berkeley back in 1998 and owned it for around 5 years. I bought my second one in 2003, a 2011 Mk2.5 1.8 Sport. A few months later I had a lot of work done to it, rear roll bars, upgraded coil overs and most importantly, MP62 supercharger with big FM intercooler. Various upgrades including a standalone ecu saw the power steadily rise to over 240bhp - plenty in an MX5. I think in a straight drag race, it wouldnt be far behind my 35i!
It was featured in the EVO MagazineRoad & Track Car of the Year article in 2004 when it still had just 215bhp.
Last year, after around 70k mikes of road, track and drag strip use the charger finally gave up and munched the bearings. Rather than replace it I have removed all the charger/intercooler/ecu and taken it back to standard power, other than the little power that the exhaust upgrades will be giving. Realistically, on the road, it’s just as much fun now as it was with the charger, possibly more as you have to work it harder to make good progress. I still have it. At some point I need to sell it on as the Z4 is supposed to be a replacement. It’ll be a bit of a wrench though.

The plan has been to replace it and the 2011 Merc C220 cdi with a single car that could do the job of both. The comfort and cruising ability of the Merc along with the speed & fun of the ‘5. I think the 09 35i I have bought fills that gap perfectly.

Mk1 Berkeley in Scotland
E27774EE-5C52-43FB-AEFF-0F2B41BD57E2.jpeg
E27774EE-5C52-43FB-AEFF-0F2B41BD57E2.jpeg (262.65 KiB) Viewed 1497 times
Mk2.5 Sport at EVO COTY 2004
E68C0163-958C-4E8F-8A14-5D8A3849F26F.jpeg
E68C0163-958C-4E8F-8A14-5D8A3849F26F.jpeg (293.65 KiB) Viewed 1497 times
Mk2.5 Sport in Scotland
D0070EF9-3358-47B2-B6B9-FBE6B6CB2774.jpeg
D0070EF9-3358-47B2-B6B9-FBE6B6CB2774.jpeg (222 KiB) Viewed 1497 times
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire

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markplant
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Post by markplant » Thu Dec 28, 2017 7:36 pm

If you haven't seen Stevie's thread it might interest you
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=101847&p=1495781&h ... 0#p1495781
3.0 Manual. Sterling Grey. Cream leather Electric an Heated. Professional Navigation/Sony tablet replacement. Storm Werks . an parts waiting to be fitted

EssexZed

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Post by EssexZed » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:02 pm

I think there are quite a few members on here that have migrated from MX5 ownership, including me. For the money they’re a great roadster. I had a 2.0 Mk3 with the folding hard top. Uber reliable and frugal too, we just outgrew it for our frequent trips to the south of France.

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Post by Lazza » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:10 pm

Ta Mark. I'll keep an eye on that thread!
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire

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markplant
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Post by markplant » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:21 pm

Lazza wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:10 pm Ta Mark. I'll keep an eye on that thread!
If you want a really good read there's a monster thread where Stevie put a V10 in his zed
3.0 Manual. Sterling Grey. Cream leather Electric an Heated. Professional Navigation/Sony tablet replacement. Storm Werks . an parts waiting to be fitted

Lazza
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Post by Lazza » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:23 pm

EssexZed wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:02 pm I think there are quite a few members on here that have migrated from MX5 ownership, including me. For the money they’re a great roadster. I had a 2.0 Mk3 with the folding hard top. Uber reliable and frugal too, we just outgrew it for our frequent trips to the south of France.
I thought there might be as they seem like an obvious 1st step towards something like a Z4, SLK or S2000.
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire

Lazza
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Post by Lazza » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:24 pm

markplant wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:21 pm
Lazza wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:10 pm Ta Mark. I'll keep an eye on that thread!
If you want a really good read there's a monster thread where Stevie put a V10 in his zed
I'll have a good look around when I get some spare time on my hands.
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire

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buzyg
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Post by buzyg » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:35 pm

I don't fit in. :cry: Our son has a nice Mk2 though. :thumbsup:
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DOOM
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Post by DOOM » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:41 pm

I bought my 2004 NBfl a year ago as my (sort of) daily.
I a d o r e it.
Been wanting one since I can remember myself.
And tbh, luckily it came after the ZC cause if I had bought her earlier I am not really sure if I would have gone the Zed route..
'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
Vauxhall Corsa C 1.4, bone stock :D

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jabber
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Post by jabber » Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:26 pm

I have owned 3 mk2.5s in the past great little car but not as practical as an e85
Z less again
14 E89 Z4 2.0 msport grey gone now
10 E89 Z4 3.0 Black auto now. Very sadly gone
Gone 04 E85 z4 3.0 Maldives blue smg

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Post by Buckz » Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:18 am

I do own a Japanese import MK1 mx5..

She's a 1800cc s special in Laguna blue.. only mods are roll bar, flyin Miata suspension, alloys and that's it. Rest is stock. Did come with a lot of body bracing.

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DOOM
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Post by DOOM » Fri Dec 29, 2017 2:24 pm

Lazza wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 7:16 pm How many other Z4 owners on here have had or still own an MX5?

I bought my first one, a brand new Mk1 1.8i Berkeley back in 1998 and owned it for around 5 years. I bought my second one in 2003, a 2011 Mk2.5 1.8 Sport. A few months later I had a lot of work done to it, rear roll bars, upgraded coil overs and most importantly, MP62 supercharger with big FM intercooler. Various upgrades including a standalone ecu saw the power steadily rise to over 240bhp - plenty in an MX5. I think in a straight drag race, it wouldnt be far behind my 35i!
It was featured in the EVO MagazineRoad & Track Car of the Year article in 2004 when it still had just 215bhp.
Last year, after around 70k mikes of road, track and drag strip use the charger finally gave up and munched the bearings. Rather than replace it I have removed all the charger/intercooler/ecu and taken it back to standard power, other than the little power that the exhaust upgrades will be giving. Realistically, on the road, it’s just as much fun now as it was with the charger, possibly more as you have to work it harder to make good progress. I still have it. At some point I need to sell it on as the Z4 is supposed to be a replacement. It’ll be a bit of a wrench though.

The plan has been to replace it and the 2011 Merc C220 cdi with a single car that could do the job of both. The comfort and cruising ability of the Merc along with the speed & fun of the ‘5. I think the 09 35i I have bought fills that gap perfectly.

Mk1 Berkeley in Scotland
E27774EE-5C52-43FB-AEFF-0F2B41BD57E2.jpeg

Mk2.5 Sport at EVO COTY 2004
E68C0163-958C-4E8F-8A14-5D8A3849F26F.jpeg

Mk2.5 Sport in Scotland
D0070EF9-3358-47B2-B6B9-FBE6B6CB2774.jpeg
What shoes is the Mk2.5 wearing, if I may so ask?
'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
Vauxhall Corsa C 1.4, bone stock :D

Lazza
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Post by Lazza » Fri Dec 29, 2017 2:55 pm

They are 17” OZ Superturissmo. A little on the heavy side but they look great and don’t seem to hurt the ride at all.

I also have a set of 15” Rota Circuit 10 with Yoko A048 for track use.
12AFF811-FBD1-44A1-AC28-9A5878C8C108.jpeg
12AFF811-FBD1-44A1-AC28-9A5878C8C108.jpeg (262.9 KiB) Viewed 1381 times
Z4 S-Drive 35i
Audi TT S-line
Mazda MX5 Mk2.5 (for sale)
Wokingham Berkshire

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DOOM
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Post by DOOM » Fri Dec 29, 2017 8:13 pm

They really suit the car, nice one!
Is that deuce roll bar?
'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
Vauxhall Corsa C 1.4, bone stock :D

paulgs1000
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Post by paulgs1000 » Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:05 pm

Yep - I had an MX5 Mk2 before my Zeds - fabulous fun and never failed to put a smile on my face :thumbsup:
Now Porsche flat 6 experience, 986S & 981S.
2006 Z4MR Imola Red/Imola Red, 2008 3.0si Sport Stratus Grey/Piano black, 2006 2.0I Sport Silver Grey Facelift. MX5, TVR Chimaera, many motorbikes.

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