Mazda MX5
Posted: 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
Mk2.5 Sport at EVO COTY 2004
Mk2.5 Sport in Scotland
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
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Our son has a nice Mk2 though. 
