If it wasn’t there then it wouldn’t meet safety standards.
If the catalytic converter(s) weren’t there then it wouldn’t meet emission standards.
There are lots of features that exist because they have to - no particular need to highlight them.
Hi Mark. Sorry, but being just a “bloke in the street” I hadn’t realised that. Thanks for enlightening my darkness!
Hmm, it was pointed out to me by the Mazda rep at the demo day held by Hughes (back in August 2015), but only after I had asked about the rubber strip-edges on the top of the wings below the bonnet.
I cannot be 100% certain, but I also seem to remember him saying something about the rams being safer and less destructive in the engine compartment than fitting an airbag under the bonnet. But don’t take my word for that. Even so, I would not choose to work on that engine while leaning over one of those things, or with an airbag near my head - dis the battery first thing.
This is one of the reasons why I’m in the habit of taking photos for future reference. They don’t forget or become confused with time!
Hi peeps, I thought I would touch base with an update. So the repair centre have called today to say that they have all the bits and pieces that are required for the repair except a new bonnet. Which won’t be delivered to them from Mazda until…drum roll…1st December. I presume it is being shipped (or rowed) directly from the factory in Japan. Until that time I shall continue to use my courtesy car from my insurance.
Hopefully I’ll get my ND back before Christmas
Ohh bloody hell guys.
Flog the buggers and get yourselves a decent Mk1.
Mine has an active bonnet too though…the two bits that pop up at lighty up time.
Job done. Luvvly jubbly.
I know a lot of companies use a “JIT” supply system for parts, but Mazda seem to have gone one step further and use a “Sh1T” system!
Otherwise affectionately known where I work as JTL (Just Too Late).
Hi Legoman 1985
You got PM
Helge
Hi all, thought I would give you a final update. After what has seemed an eternity I have finally received my car back today!!
It has been with my repairer since 27th October 2017. The bonnet hinges and L & R active bonnet charges where pretty easy to get hold of but they had to wait a month for the bonnet to arrive from the factory in Japan. It then additionally had to be sent to Mazda to have the front sensors and associated module in the engine bay reset. It took Mazda almost 3 weeks to do this. Granted it was in December coming up to Christmas but still
The final bill came out at £1627.58 so nowhere near as much as the figures suggested on this thread. As I went through my insurance I just had to pay my excess.
So all in all I’m very frustrated with how long its taken to get it fixed…especially from such a freak incident.
As my final thought…do not under any circumstance (within your control) allow anything to hit the front of your Mazda ND
Many Thanks
Legoman
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Many thanks Legoman for your conclusive reply. I can well, imagine your frustration at the long delay and the full news as to what has happened to the car. Pity that the car had to go back to Mazda to get the system and sensors reset, I’m surprised that dealers can’t do this themselves, but that’s life I guess.
If I see ND’s swerving all over the road from now on, I’ll know why! I just hope they have enough room to do it.
While some see this as alarmist, it’s still something to think about from my POV - if anyone likes B roads, then good luck.(you’ll need it)
The MX5 becomes less bulletproof with each new model it seems. - I’m not against safety, bu some things take the biscuit.
Still need to know the speed of a chicken sneezing? I have six Chinese bantams and some pepper. Just going to make sure the ND is safely tucked away in the in the garage
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Glad to hear you have got your car back on the road legoman. I too was surprised at how reasonable the cost was (especially considering it was an insurance job!). It should never have taken so long though. Is this going to be the case whenever an MX5 ND has a bump, you have to wait for the panels to be shipped from Japan?
The question is though, what is the legality of disconnecting the explosive bolts on the bonnet? Many of the features are fitted to increase the NCAP rating and hence sale-ability. The ND has a relatively high pedestrian rating as a result of the active bonnet. Is it actually a legal requirement in this country (as opposed to the USA)? Is it just fitted for homologation purposes? There are a huge number of modified cars on the road that in a lot of cases could be considered less safe than the factory spec cars e.g. modified engines to increase speed capability. These cars are not considered illegal as long as the owner has informed their insurance company of the modification and they are adequately covered for third part damages in the event of an accident. In some cases modifications are illegal, and very dangerous for pedestrians such as exposed over-sized wheels as seen on tarted up 4X4’s and they seem to get away with it. If you were to disconnect the explosive bolts and inform your insurance company, how would they react? Would the cost and risk benefits for removing these devices benefit the insurance company more? The chances of having a bonnet written of as a result of a minor impact are far greater than those of hitting a pedestrian. I for one, as a pedestrian would rather take my chances of being hit by an MX5 without an active bonnet than some 4X4 behemoth and lets be honest there are far more badly driven 4X4 behemoths on the road than badly driven MX5’s. If anyone has an in depth knowledge as to the legality of removing these devices, it would be great to hear their advice.
So pleased to learn that Legoman has finally got his ND back at last - thank you for keeping us updated.
But THREE MONTHS for repairs! That is really taking the mickey ! I’m sure there are going to be a lot of ND owners out there who are secretly hoping and praying that the same thing doesn’t happen to them.
I wasn’t too far off in my post no.35, when I suggested the repair costs might be around the two-grand mark - surprised really that it was as low as it was ! Now then, just imagine a ten-year-old ND having this Active Bonnet going off, either in a minor accident, or on its own, and being written off by the insurance company because of the cost of repairs (which will obviously be higher then) are too close to the market value of the car to make in a viable / economic repair ! Would the owner I wonder, be able to do a cheaper DIY job himself, perhaps removing this feature altogether, and still get his car insured ?
Doesn’t do much for insurance prices though does it?
When they next access the payouts for these type of repairs, cost of shipping parts, costs of extended car hire etc etc.
According to a PistonHeads thread Nissan GTR is up to £20,000 when it all goes off, active bonnet, bonnet airbags etc - happens with impacts under 20mph I understand - bumpers are fine (need a bit of paint) but bonnet ruined and a load of new parts, airbags and factory resets required - funnily enough you can buy them quite cheaply at the moment
Cant think why.
I think I will stick to my 2005 Shogun SWB (and my Mk1 Eunos)
Cow catcher/Bull bars anyone? S— no, they’re illegal!
Hi all, I hope you are all well. I thought I would give you something that I have noticed today.
When I went to top up my wiper/wash fluid I noticed that under my new bonnet are some plates what look like impact plates where the active bonnet struts would strike and raise the bonnet (see see links below).
I believe they were not present on my previous bonnet that got damage, but I can’t be sure.
Has anyone else noticed this on their ND? I may just be losing the plot
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HEkqaNv0a8ZO3nulJiBpzqpqZijRw5dW
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YVTbSxUbEXuqU9YI0vGz43luQb1J9wzP
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1K4ws7-Vb_F51z5xH18woDm8-zatDY47M
Mine has them also.
They are bolted onto the wrong sides of the bonnet. The folded flange should be parallel with the edge of the bonnet. Those points sticking out might well touch the wings.