"The chief difference between the 1.8 and 2.0 is that the latter has variable valve timing; otherwise, capacity aside, they’re essentially the same. Both, according to specialist Paul Roddison (mx5-racing.co.uk), are ‘bombproof’ so long as the oil is checked regularly and changed on time; Paul advises every year or 10,000 miles for oil changes.
‘They can use oil, up to half a litre every 1000 miles,’ he says. ‘The only problems we’ve ever seen are when the oil has run low. Our race car bounces off the rev limiter all day and we’ve never had a problem.’"
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