Sorry to read that. Clearly the Miller’s 75W-80 isn’t an elixir. Flanders reported similar (albeit on 75w-90) until he returned to the OEM oil. He stumped up and paid for the £200+ 20L drum if I recall correctly. In all honesty, if I can’t see again with my own eyes like I did last time what’s going in there in 2.5 years time when the next change rolls around, I think I’ll do the same. I’ve wasted more money on far less useful things in my life thus far.
I@d say it’s good in a particular way. I shouldn’t give grief like you describe, but it isn’t totally ‘butter’ in the way my mrs’ MINI Copper is, or my up! gti are (reverse though is not the best on that). Those literally give no resistance. The ND gearbox is more mechanical, connected, like you’ve got to work it and be in respect of it, but at the same time not hard work, if that makes any sense.
These are my gearbox symptoms.
Cold start. If I let the car idle on start up I can shift through all gears easily. The main issue is if I try to change into 2nd when the car is rolling, say 10mph maximum, the gear is a pig to select. If I give it a few more revs in 1st, around 4000rpm before changing to 2nd its a lot easier. So the change up at higher speed is better. There is a little notch from 2nd to 3rd but it’s not that bad. Changing down into 2nd from either 3rd or 4th is still fairly difficult until the car is warmed up. Once fully warm its all fine.
Does this sound normal or could I have a problem with 2nd gear?
1 Like
In my particular case a local garage with much NA and NB experience put Comma oil in as a replacement for OEM. The shift after the comma was poor and I put Miller in myself and the result was excellent.
1 Like
Kind of normal. Can you ultra granny shift the 1st to 2nd, as in snail pace/boarderline rumbling? You might find 1 → 2 gives no grief then, and like you said, fine in general at all revs a bit later on. when it’s warmer. I don’t high rev it myself on early 1-2 shifts. The tiny notch you commented from 2-3 I’ve got at times, but more OCD stuff.
The 1-2 stuff you describe sounded like mine in its early days, until it bedded in.
Ideally you/all of us need to drive each others cars and compare lol
Trying other cars would be very useful!
Thing is, you’d need to try them when stone cold. I feel that if I drive to a garage for someone to check it the car will then be warm and it’ll drive just fine.
1 Like
Yes, everyone needs to swap houses for the night and drive the other person’s car the next day 
Could you blag a test drive at a dealership/garage? Don’t go in your MX-5 of course, but express an interest and take one for a test drive. It may well have been on the forecourt for weeks, untouched.
I’ve thought about that. Quite possible.
1 Like
All those oils have been tested by me and others and found not to cure the issue.
So the mod’s own words, as well as others, count for jack all?
Don’t tell me, the oil you recommend and can supply isn’t free?
And everyone else’s experiences count for nothing too?
They actually trump all the peoples experiences in this thread because they tested more oils than you did.
Which is the more accurate result from these two polls:
Asking ten people what they thought of 4 products.
Asking 100 people what they thought of 6 products.
?
When other people start giving oil away for free i’ll match them.
I have actually given it away before now. A guy didn’t believe it would work so I sent him some for nothing if he’d report his findings on Farcebook.
It worked wonders during sub zero temps in Jan/Feb, he kept his side of the bargain.
It’s still there in print to read.
No, I agree, everyone’s experiences count for something. They all did a public service in trying another oil, and reporting back. Positive or negative outcomes.
But you also state:
Which is odd, given posters such as the mod and others have kindly reported the oil they used were fine.
You are also correct that they have tested more oils than me. I haven’t needed to as I was lucky enough to have the Mazda Orginal long life gear oil IS 75w-80 OEM oil, which has been great.
Yes, I see what you mean 
One reason people have difficulties in the 1st to 2nd gearchange is the difference in the ratios and consequently the rev drop. The synchro has a hard job with a cold/thick oil in coping with the speed and inertia difference. One answer is to be more patient and allow the engine revs to drop enough so the synchro has less work to do. As a regular driver of vintage cars with crash, non synchro, gearboxes it is natural to match the engine speed when changing gear and to notice the difference between cold and warm gearbox oil.
3 Likes
I don’t think this is the problem with the ND gearbox. Even if you change from 1st to 2nd at 5mph it can be ‘difficult’ when the oil is cold.
1 Like
Interesting, and makes me think of variations/manufacturer tolerances between different cars. Mine is fine in the situation you describe.
I could not be happier with my ND1 2.0 gearbox but I am certain it’s still on its original oil since 2018. I know I’m not bringing it to Mazda because the cost they quoted is ludicrous but I’m not yet sure what to buy for a fluid change. Lots of opinions is always nice but it makes decision making difficult.
1 Like
I’ve never encountered it in any other car I’ve had, and I’ve had quite a lot. But for now I’m just going to put it down to a quirk of the car and adjust my driving to compensate. Its fine. After 5-10 mins it’s okay so I can live with it.
2 Likes
Have you used this yet?