Here we have my MX5 RS Limited – one of the rarest and most desirable MX5 MK1’s available with low mileage of just 77k. 1 of only 500 made, this special edition had some of the most desirable factory upgrades for any MK1. These include the ultra rare and expensive Recaro Kevlar Carbon seats – I have these off the car for security reasons and the car will come with the Recaro seats on original rails as well as a cloth set of MK1 seats on rails, or I can fit the Recaros in for collection. What makes this RS even more desirable is the fact that it has the original side skirts – these were a factory option on the RS so not all RS’s had them and they are the only side skirts made by Mazda for the MK1. The wheels on this car are 15inch BBS RGF alloys – These are available in Japan only (cost around £2K) and are the lightest alloys for a MK1 I have come across, even lighter than the standard BBS’s you would get on these. Additionally, the car has the Mazdaspeed carbon fiber gear knob which in itself is very desirable and the previous owner was offered £500 for this alone. Also included are the tonneaue covered – in mint condition. I have the original Blue Roadster mats in excellent condition. The car has around 10 months MOT with no advisories – recently went through a mechanical overhaul which I will detail below.
Mechanical overhaul: Around 6 months ago I had a leak on the rocker gasket and decided to fully refresh all the mechanicals on the car. I had no intention of selling the car and it ran fine but I wanted it refreshed to maintain it as fully as possible and ideally be problem free for a few years. The car was given to a classic car and MX5 specialist who is a personal friend of my brothers – he has overhauled many MK1’s, the work was done methodically and carefully – I put no time limit on the work and asked for everything to be checked and done properly. He kept the car for around 2 months during which the following work was carried out:
- New Exedy Clutch and spigot bearing
- Crankshaft seals and gasket
- Engine was separated from the Gearbox and the seals replaced
- Main fuses replaced
- Injector seals and O ring replaced
- Injectors cleaned and checked and spark plugs replaced
- Shock Absorbers, brake pads replaced
- Inlet Manifold Gasket replaced
- Water Pump Gaskets replaced
- Rocker Cover Gasket replaced
- Cas O ring replaced
- Slave and Master Cylinder replaced with Braided Steel Clutch Line to replace rubber hose
- New Timing Belt Kit Fitted
- Alternator and all belts replaced
- New Radiator
- Torsen Diff checked and seals replaced
- Suspension checked, drop links replaced
- Thermostat replaced and entire water system flushed with housings removed and cleaned.
- New number plates and holder
- Gearbox Shifter kit for complete lever rebuild
- New Battery
- All fluids replaced, full service with Mobil 1 engine oil – new filters etc
- Many other bits I will have forgotten!
I have all receipts for the parts used – around 2k in parts – as a personal favour I had a discount on the labour but the for the extent of work done would usually cost another £2-3k and would not be done so carefully in all likelihood!
Aside from this the car has a full maintenance and service record with a huge folder of booklets and receipts, several keys with Toad alarm etc. I have owned the car for around 2 years and previous owner had the car for around 15 years where it was well maintained. Bodywork on the car is very good with only minor age related marks and blemishes, minor paint blemish on right pillar but simple to get sorted. The sills and underneath were inspected during the overhaul and there were no immediate areas for concern or attention – I believe the right rear sill was replaced a few years ago with receipt for work (done properly) in paperwork. Recently ceramic waxed to give added protection.
The engine on the car now feels even more powerful than it did before the overhaul. It launches the car and the stainless exhaust gives a wonderful sound. I have owned and driven many MK1’s and this feels more powerful than any standard car. For people who have driven many MK1s and an RS they usually say that the RS feels slightly better than most other special editions.
So a bit about myself – I am an MX5 enthusiast and owned a number of MK1’s over the years. I’m a member of the owners club and have enjoyed owning many of the special editions – when the opportunity came to purchase this RS a couple of years ago I couldn’t pass it up as they almost never come up for sale and never with this low miles and with the original seats in place, and the skirts to boot! I also own a low mileage R limited and due to a planned house move in the near future I have decided I can’t justify two rare MK1’s which don’t get driven much due to family and work commitments. As a result I have decided to sell at least one – whichever sells first I will likely keep the other!
I understand compared to most MK1’s the price I am asking may seem high but this is the lowest mileage RS limited I have found for sale in the past five years or so. Only a handful have even come up for sale at all. It is also one of the most complete with the seats, skirts and alloys even better than the originals. The seats alone I have seen advertised in the UK for over 5 figures as these seats also come on the RX7 RZ Edition and are super rare. I have heard about people paying upto £4k for the side skirts on their own. You could probably sell and swap out a few bits on this car for standard MX5 parts and get to around three quarters of what I’m asking. Last time I checked there were only 24 RS’s on the road in the UK, in Japan prices for these have skyrocketed, one sold last year for £24k without the side skirts and higher miles – I estimate mine would be in the £30k range in Japan now.
Considering the extent of work carried out, rarity and completeness of the car, low mileage, as well as bonus bits like gear knob and wheels I believe the car is well priced and the value will only go up year on year so is pretty much a free car and investment you can enjoy. I also have a matching colour heated hardtop I’d be willing to negotiate on.
Viewings are welcomed for serious buyers – happy to do test drives with me driving the car – I assure you will appreciate the drive of the car! STRICTLY NO TIMEWASTERS, If you have no intention of buying, please do not waste my time or your own. Ideal for a collector, investment or lover of MK1’s. Any questions regarding this or my other car please message and more than happy to have a long chat to talk about MX5’s!
Price: £18,995
