Is it a 3.0 or 3.5?

[Ramon]

I have a uk 2010 registered right hand drive MX-5, the VIN and the V5 state that it is an NC. It has a 1.8 engine and is a facelift model with the smiley grill etc. It has a retractable hard top and the seats have a height adjustment, but is it a Mk3 or 3.5.

Is there any easy defining feature that will tell me which model it is ?

[IanH]

What shape are the fog light inserts?

3.0 are round
3.5 are sort of diamond shaped
3.75 are different again

also covered here:

What model MX5 do I have? Sorry for showing my ignorance

Can someone please explain all the suffixes regarding the MX5 models as I cannot understand which model I actually own? As far as I was concerned my car is a Mk3. But is it!! Whats the difference and how do you identify the difference between a Mk3 and a Mk3.5? My cars log book states the model is a MX5 I SE 1798cc and is registered 03 09 2009.

[Ramon]

I suppose this is round with diamond shaped housings.

[foolhandy]

NC3

NC3.25

NC3.75

[IanH]

@foolhandy

NC3.25

Not heard that particular description a typo or is there some substance? (thinking of whether a particular car is an ND3 or ND2 or NE… )

[foolhandy]

I’ve often heard of the two facelifts described as 3.25 and 3.75. I don’t think it’s official Mazda lore but I don’t think I’ve dreamt it!

[IanH]

@foolhandy

I’ve often heard of the two facelifts described as 3.25 and 3.75

3.5 and 3.75 is what I’ve heard most, not official as you say so we can all be correct

[MickAP]

All models and what they call facelifts

Which Mazda MX5 Model Have I Got? - MX5 Parts

Or alternatively in the link below to add to the mix NC1, NC2, NC3

UK MX-5 Model Guide

[Ramon]

Thanks guys, I think I’m leaning towards the so called 3.25.

I wonder did they ever actually build 2 cars the same

[Roadster_Robbie]

If the 6th from last digit of the VIN is a 1 it’s a MK3, if it’s a 2 it’s a MK3.5, if that’s what we’re going to refer to that as for the purposes of this topic.

[Ramon]

Thanks Robbie, looks like a 3.5 then.