For a small amount of money I have a lowish milage early original red NC1 2.0 sport, first hour driving and I just love the handling and the little bit of subtle slide from the rear coming out of corners :)) .I was wondering what mods are most rewarding to have?
My stubby aerial from Bofi Racing adds at least 50mph
Check the tyres. Ditch them if they are Chinese hedge finders. NC’s are super fussy about decent and matching tyres. Try Kumho PS71’s and makes sure the pressures are 29psi all round.
Most important thing is to get it up on ramps or at least as high off the ground as you can manage and get under it to have a good check for rust on the rear sills and both subframes etc and get it dealt with ASAP then get it under sealed to help keep it at bay.
Then stubby Aerial, aftermarket door bushes to give a nice satisfying “clunk” when closing the doors and stop the doors rattling, rx8 yellow dot anti-roll bars, new head unit and fascia, better quality speakers. Depending on how tall you are Jass performance seat lowering brackets, True Red comes up beautifully when it’s properly machine polished and almost makes the car look like it’s glowing in bright sunlight.
Welcome from Hertfordshire.
I do like red…probably why my car is blue. 
Replace the original with a new one Coolant Expansion Tank, MX5 Mk3/3.5/3.75 – MX5 Parts
DON’T bother with a fancy metal one at a far greater price.
What’s the mileage? Have spark plugs been replaced, coolant etc.All depends on age/mileage.
Loads of threads on internet re rust Buy MK3 - How much do they rust? - #18 by Sunzoffski
Fresh tyres, good brakes, suspension that works, and an exhaust with a nice burble to it.
Proper DRLs so the oncoming road-hogging oversized 4x4s can see our little gems.
Parking sensors so you can “see” (beeper) the hidden object you’re about to bash into with the rear bumper on a dark night.
Less easy than either of the above is a reversing camera, but once fitted into the blank in the boot lid it makes life easier. It mostly depends on having a suitable display, maybe in a new head-unit etc.
On the NC3.75 in the end I did it slightly differently, revised connection using the installed Alpine head unit shown here, effectively carried on from above but for a much better picture.
Never mind the mods, don’t forget the essentials. Check the sealing of the scuttle grommets, clean out the rear drain holes and check your running temperature for thermostat failure.
Plenty of info on all three in the forums.
Swap the wiper stalk for the one from the RX8, which has the variable intermittent wiper.
Your NC will have the fixed interval intermittent wipe as standard.
The best mod? Two 5/8 inch rubber walking-stick tips which fit over the rubber “stops” on which the hood rests when it’s in the down position. This restores the slight “bounce” upwards when you release the hood from the lock-down mechanism and makes for a more solid area behind your head.
I will look for some unguarded walking sticks from the umbrella pot in the cafe at Tesco…
Hi, also NC1 owner. I initially lowered mine by 30mm and there was nothing not to like. Much improved appearance and hardly any harsher ride for plenty more feedback.
I’ve now got some basic Meisters. A breeze to fit; harsher ride but I’ve got used to it/they have bedded in a bit. So two budget choices for quite a change……
Did you have an 1800 or a 2.0 sport like mine with Bilsteins? not sure if there is a difference. But I am almost certain with that the large wheel arch gap, it can’t have been lowered at all so far, it almost looks like it must be because the tyres are lower profile than the originals etc.
Welcome to MX-5 ownership. First mod for any MX-5 owner is thorough rust inspection, then bring all the servicing upto date. Looks like a fun car wishing you many smiles per mile.
Later design dipstick, as the most important Mk3 mod is keeping oil levels correct.
As I got it the oil seems overfilled to me as I read the stick (yellow top with a sort of open sided cylinder thing at the bottom to do the measuring ), is overfilling these dangerous to the engine? With some cars its a big big problem…
your car looks soo much better, my car of course looks between the two…
