A fair point, but unfortunately its a 300 mile trip each way, so its not realistic to go back to get another used shock fitted.
So to summarise, a fresh import supplied by a well known MX5 specialist was sold with used shocks, inadequate power steering fluid and possibly a coolant leak. Hmm.
Sometimes there can be a coolant leak if a cambelt has been changed, but not the waterpump, and only presents itself when the engine is running and warm.
I could also mention that both the upper and lower gear lever boots where badly perished, and the gear lever nylon cap was in fragments.
- As this was the first (significant) issue I fixed it (using new parts!) myself (as I thought the gear change sloppier than i recall from previous mx5’s)
… at least the gear change is as good a new now
The issue is, thanks to the exchange rate, a £4k fresh import is on a very tight margin, but it doesn’t take much to make the cars look presentable. The best cars in Japan will probably retail here for £10k+, but that is a tiny addressable market.
Is it still on Japanese tyres; these tend to be quite hard, and even if look new, change them.
It does not have shock boots on. Given they cost hardly anything I don’t know why people don’t fit these when they change the shocks as they cost very little and help eal with the MX5 habit of throwing crap up onto the shock which then gets onto the oil seal and finishes an OEM or pattern shock off pronto.
Go to MX5 Parts and look up shock absorber boot - they are 14.95 each.
Thanks for the advice, new suspension has now been fitted by an independent Mx5 specialist, complete with shock boots
The reason why they were not fitted here is the same reason why an importer would rather spend £20 on a scrapyard shock assembly than £50 trade price for new shocks…
The irritating thing is if the dealer had offered to fit new suspension at the time of purchase (at additional cost), rather than (to use your words) “scrapyard” parts, I would have taken it.
To be fair, the dealer requested that the car be returned, so this and a number of other issues can be fixed. However, I didn’t feel it was safe to drive 300 miles with a failed shock, and with transportation being in the region of £300, return was not an option. (Especially with the prospect of more “good used” parts)
He also offered, as an alternative to supply 1 new, or 2 used shock absorbers.
Given that one shock had failed within 400 miles, and the extremely rusty state of the rear shocks, rather than accept his offer, I instead had all new shocks & springs fitted locally, and have now requested that the dealer to make a significant contribution.
To be continued…!
I know exactly what you mean. Over the years I have ended up learning a lot about fixing this and that. I do this as garages repeatedly do a half cock job.
If any garage proprietors are reading this, do they have any rational explanation at all for why I can fix most things on my car because apparently garages over the years, including specialists cannot or will not fix them. I would add I never quibble about cost, what needs doing nor how long the garage can have the car.
The latest thing was the exhaust - I got a garage to put it on because I don’t have a lift. Rather than tell me they could not get the centre mounting off (rusted threads) and it might need a bit of work for which I would have given them many of hundreds of pounds extra, they didn’t get the flanges mated up properly and clagged the joint up with cement which failed after 50 miles. I then had to put it on axle stands and spend the whole weekend on my back doing the thing properly.
Returning to shocks, I drove mine back with the shock failing quickly. It was a private purchase. 100 miles was terrifying and with hindsight I should have stopped and had it recovered. Driving one with a shock properly failed for 300 miles would be very bad. They are easy to change although you have to be confident around spring compressors which are not everyone’s cup of tea for good reason.