I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __Gear Change
I recently took delivery of a new 1.5 ltr ND
I have owned a number of MX-5’s over the last 28 years, NA, NC, ND but have to say this car has a particularly notchy gear box when cold mainly 1st to 2nd and a little notchy 2nd to 3rd (I’m aware its a common thing on MX-5’s) but on this car it doesn’t start to improve until after about 30 minutes driving, even then its not as slick as my previous MX-5’s.
So far I have only clocked up 500 miles and hope the gear change will improve when the miles increase. Has anyone else experienced a similar issue on a late model ND ?
Just remember you have 3yrs (or is it 6yrs now?) warranty. I think it you take it back now all you’ll get is a ‘give it a chance’ response, unless it’s almost undriveable.
I’ve had a number of issues (like gearbox whine) on my 2l which have gone away or I’ve got used to them in a 6000m…
For what it’s worth my 2023 1.5 ND had very smooth and slick gear changes in all gears. If it had been as difficult as you describe it would have gone back to the dealer.
I do agree that giving it a few thousand miles to ease off should improve things. However if there is something wrong and it gets worse then you don’t want the dealer blaming you for not reporting it earlier.
Email to the service manager does sound like a good plan and might be worth asking if it would be wise to bring it in to have the gearbox oil level checked. They will probably say not necessary but at least then you’ve got your concerns documented.
If it’s better when it’s warm then that wouldn’t be unusual. But the email sounds like a good idea.
I suspect that, if they do respond, they will phone you. Get a name and make contemporaneous notes;)
Don’t let it prey on your mind. The gearbox issues (which do exist) became a big talking point around the time we bought our 1.5 Arctic in 2017. It still baulks when cold and I’m still waiting for it to break!
I posted a couple of weeks back about the 6 speeders in another thread. Apart from the NA 5 speed all the other MX-5’s I’ve owned including the current ND1 which total 4 have been 6 speed. All of those have had stiff/notchy changes 1st to 2nd when cold, worse in the winter cold.
Also I mentioned, you just adapt to driving it that way, change the way you change gear, especially 1st to 2nd.
No doubt the dealer will say, give it time sir, it’s wearing in and will improve within the first 1k miles or something on those lines. They could be correct and you will probably get used to it being like that. Time will tell, at least you’ve made them aware of it and it’ll be interesting to how they respond.
I can’t moan at mine, but it was stiffer when new. I’d say 6K miles or so.
I sometimes wonder when watching reviews, do reviewers just peddle out rubbish like the world’s best gear change etc as they think they’ve got to. Again, I can’t moan at mine, but my Mrs’s MINI or my up! gti are better.
As for inofrming the dealer. NO doubt you’ll just be gaslighted, and in fairness, like others have said you’ve got a 6 year warranty and again as other have mentioned (including my own case), it did/do get looser over time. I recall occasional issues putting mine into 1st after being in neutral at traffic lights, was one from the early days. Touch wood it hasn’t done that for years though. That jogs a memory in fact, when I had my first ever ND test drive, the demo car was literally new. I couldn’t get it into 1st on the forecourt, and nor could the dealer!!
I’ve had a new 1.5 ND1 and now have a 2.0 30AE from new. Both were/ are a bit notchy 1st to 2nd but improves as the box warms up. I found it is also better now a few miles on the clock. Takes about 10,000 miles before you get the best from the car in my opinion
Sorry about no update,
I had to cancel the appointment due to ill health (prostate problems) I told the dealership I will re-arrange to take the car in in the new year hopefully when things have improved health wise.
I have emailed a detailed description to the service manager of my local Mazda dealership and he has acknowledged my concerns. I have had a number of MX-5’s from from this dealership and they are always helpful, so not too worried. I suspect the gearchange may well improve when I can put some miles on the car.
I have now clocked up just over a 1000 miles, the gear box has improved vastly. Its notchy 1st to 2nd especially when cold but fine after around five miles.
The not so good news regarding my prostate problem. Following treatment the consultant has told me a low seating position in a car will aggravate my condition
every time I use the car. He has advised me to have a car with a high seating position. Not easy in an MX-5 even sitting on a cushion.
After 28 years of MX-5 ownership it has come to a frustrating end.
Just Googled “does a car with low seating position aggravate prostate problems” and yes it does.
One section of the AI overview states -
Poor Posture: Low car seats often encourage slouching or an awkward posture, which exacerbates the pressure on the pelvic region and prevents proper weight distribution.
I’ve found with my own ND it’s difficult to get a comfortable seating position due to a lack of lumbar support. I’ve added an inflatable lumbar support within the back of the seat and it makes a huge difference. Long journeys gave me lower back ache without it. With a decent lumbar support it creates a more natural and much more comfortable upright seating position.
Rather than sitting on a cushion it might be worth trying a small cushion or even a rolled up towel placed in the small of the back.
I already have an inflatable lumbar support cushion that works very well, unfortunately it does not help with the pressure on the prostate.
The problem being my knees are basically higher than my hips when sitting in the MX-5, so there is continual pressure on the prostate which can become inflamed and infected.
I have just completed my fifth course of antibiotics over a three month period and thankfully I now have some relief. However after a 40 minute drive yesterday I had considerable prostate discomfort again.
Sorry to hear of your prostate issues 1954. The ND is tight inside and in your position, I think I’d consider selling and start looking for an alternative.
