Hello,I am considering buying a mk3, or if my budget will stretch a mk 3.5.
I can find plenty of advise for the mk1 & 2 but none for a mk3
Is there an Achilles heel? Anything you would check for especially?
I am aware of things like a service history, outstanding finance etc
but the things an owners club would know…manufacturers recalls and such like.
Defects in early cars or certain models for example,
Thanks for taking the time to read.
-Steve
No Achilles heal really, maybe they are not old enough. Just look for what you’ve stated. They do tend to age quite well from my experience. Certainly no deal breakers if the car seems sound enough.
hey steve
I was very nervous going from mk1 to mk3 but found a really good 06 plate with 80000 on the clock but driving like almost new.
cant think of anything nasty to look out for apart from the normal stuff; rust, engine etc.
there seem to be plenty out there
good luck with the search
From my experience in buying a Mk3 check the service history, particularly if over 60,000 miles. It should have had the gearbox and diff oils changed and new spark plugs at this mileage.
The other thing to check is for signs of damp in the boot floor and passenger and driver’s footwells by lifting carpets. This is a sign of blocked roof drain tubes or leaking windscreen shuttle panel inserts. The tubes are easily unblocked but if carpets are damp they will need removing and drying out.
Also if a soft top model check under the boot lid for bubbling and surface corrosion of the aluminium around the number plate lights and blanking plates. I got the garage I bought my car from to rub down the corrosion, prime and repaint the inside of the boot lid.
There are a lot of good Mk3s out there for sale so my advise is look for one that has been looked after. Some of the ones I saw had bodywork dings and scrapes and were generally uncared for.
Thanks for taking time to reply.
I guess the roof condition is another important thing for me to factor in.
Does this model have the same tubes running inside the rear quarters as the other models?
Same concept, different design.
There are guides out there on the web (some may be a bit out of date, but useful nonetheless).
Here’s one example: http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=107711
I’m sure there are more recent guides out there too.
The roof on the Mk3 is pretty trouble free, just clean and reproof regularly, one of the first jobs that I did.
The roof drain tubes are located just behind the seats, under a plastic cover. Use a trombone cleaner pushed through the hole and with a bit of waggling it will feed down the tube and out underneath. Google cleaning MX5 drain holes, there are some good photos showing where to feed the trombone cleaner.
Further re cleaning the Mk3 roof drain tube see the link below:
we have done very extensive tests on our mk3 re engine/box/diff oils etc
i belive regular good quality oil is essential for longevity. If your near Sheffield feel free to call and see me/our cars.
paul
Some excellent links there to follow
Many thanks