The current MX-5 brochure lists hydraulic struts for the bonnet as an accessory. I quite like the idea of these instead of the flimsy bonnet prop.
Has anyone fitted them, are they any good and is is an easy DIY job involving no more than a spanner and no drilling ?
The fitting instructions say
These lifters attach to the inside lip of the front wings, using the existing hole just forward of the engine bay bulkhead. The bonnet fixing is via a hole that you drill and tap into the side of the hinge.
I had these fitted for a while, but you could see them through the gap at the sides of the bonnet, so they now lay on the shelf in the garage
I think the ones the OP is reffering to are the Mazda ones, these have their own fittings and if they are like the RX-8 ones can not be seen when the bonnet is closed. The RX-8 kit comes with relocation brackets to move the wiring loom and the struts themselves fit to the front of the bonnet and not the hinge.
Why Mazda don’t fit these as standard I will never know especially on the RX-8 where the oil has to be checked so often.
Another point I would pay the extra (although in my case I got the RX-8 kit at cost so they where the same price as the one I got for the MX-5) for the Mazda kit as the quality is far better than the other struts around.
So do the RX8 ones fit a Mk1 ?
As far as quality is concerned, mine started to show rust stains after a while
Mixed reviews then. Not keen on the idea of drilling anything but will make enquiries with my local dealer about how they fit.
Last comment from me, if you can find a set that fit neatly and don’t rust, then it is a nice mod to have. Makes working around the front of the engine a lot easier.
I’ve fitted a set of the genuine Mazda lifters to my LE. The only scary part is drilling the bonnet, but as long as you take your time, it’s no real problem. You also need a blind rivet gun and I was lucky enough to be able to borrow one from my mates autobody shop. The instructions are ok, but care is needed as they flit between left and right hand drive. I can’t see the lifters when the bonnet is down and unlike some aftermarket ones I’ve seen, the lifters are mounted towards the front of the bonnet which is preferable. And you get rid of the stupid stick. 
Apparently, these do not fit the Mk3.5 as there’s some extra bits and pieces fitted to that car under the bonnet.
