This is the technical description of the ND development by Dave Coleman, Vehicle Dynamics Manager Mazda USA. Not sure why video don’t work embedded but it works for me once I click the link
Suspension geometry, steering geometry and tyres can all affect the “feel” of a cars steering. Good as it is the suspension geometry and steering geometry of factory built cars has quite a lot of tolerance allowing a significant amount of variation, deemed as acceptable by Mazda and one car can feel significantly different to another, especially if they are at opposite extremes of the manufacturing tolerances. Castor angle and toe have a significant effect on steering feel and stability. Roddisons increased the castor on my car to the maximum available and that increased the self centering and feel significantely.
I’m now on my 3rd ND. I use Wheels in Motion at Chesham to check the alignment of my cars and the first one needed several adjustments to bring it to factory spec but it made little difference. Since the car was relatively new I was disappointed that it needed any. When the RF first came out I road tested it with a view to possibly buying one. It wasn’t for me but the steering had been improved noticeably and I asked the Mazda rep who’d delivered the car to the main dealer whether this change had been made to the NDs as well. He said no but it was such an improvement that I’d have swapped my 1.5 ND1 for a new 1.5 ND1 there and then had that been the case.
In early 2018 I replaced the 1.5 for a 2.0. This did have improved steering but the engine was so boring I couldn’t wait to sell it. Sure it had more bhp and torque but it wasn’t ‘zingy’ like the 1.5 and didn’t thrill me at all. However, when Wheels in Motion checked the steering alignment in the summer nothing needed adjusting so that was a step up in quality control.
When the ND2 was announced I road tested it as soon as my dealer had one in stock to see if anything had radically changed and the updated 2.0 litre engine was a revelation. After 3 years they had finally produced a car which managed to tick almost every box I could wish for. I had the steering alignment checked quite soon after purchase and again it was virtually spot on. It’s due another check, along with a 3 year service and MoT next week and I have no plans to change it, it still makes me smile whenever I take it out and I usually leave early and taking the long route to my destination.
FWIW I’ll be using Brayley Motors in Milton Keynes again. Although it’s a 120 mile round trip for me there are several interesting routes I can take from my home in south west London and, for those who don’t know, they give a 20% discount to owners club members which more than covers the cost of the fuel.
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Thanks for that Paulcroft. It explains a lot, and makes me glad I went straight from an NC to a 2.0 ND2 which to me seems to handle as well as NC (slightly less talkative rack apart) and goes a lot better than that car.
Hi Paul
Thanks for that, I haven’t found the steering on my ND2 to be much of a problem, maybe a bit light compared to what I’m used to, but it doesn’t spoil the country lanes experience as much as the body roll. Stiffer anti roll bars should sort that though.
Do you know if Brayleys offer the discount across their dealerships? I bought mine from the Grays branch and was planning to use them when service is due, it would be good to know if a discount is available.
Cheers
Andy
Hi Andy
Brayley advertise their offer in the club magazine under ‘Brayley Mazda Milton Keynes’ so I guess not but I would think it’s got to be worth you asking their Grays branch. The 20% discount off servicing is off a good initial quote too so my 3 year service quote is £183.20 which is over a £100 cheaper than my nearest Mazda dealer. I first used them for the two year service last year and have no complaints, hence my returning this year - I wouldn’t return if I thought there was anything sub-standard about their workmanship.
Paul
Thanks Paul, my service is a long way off, but I’ll ask them when the time comes. Otherwise it’ll be a trip to Milton Keynes.
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