- My model of MX-5 is:_2023 2.0 Homura
- I’m based near:_East Yorkshire
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Ride quality
Hi. I am new to MX-5’s and am after a bit of advice/heads up please.
My car is a 2023 2.0 Homura Roadster, the one that comes with Bilstein dampers and 17" BBS wheels as standard.
I am finding the ride in the car pretty hard and the front end a little bit skittish to be honest, not the kind of plush even slightly “wallowly” ride I always thought MX-5’s had. My other car is a lowered 2013 Fiesta ST which are known for their hard ride, so the MX-5 has come as a bit of a surprise in this regard. The car is only low miles thus far (1000) so will the ride soften out a bit as the miles increase? Regards?
Regarding the ride stiffness, you may be experiencing what some call the “Bilstein Jiggle”. Some have claimed the Bilstein dampers do eventually soften over time. Others have claimed the same dampers become stiffer during cold temperatures.
One thing you can easily check are your tyre pressures. They should be set to 29 PSI cold. Mazda dealers often over-inflate them during Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI).
Regarding the car being skittish, you should get your alignment checked. NDs have very loose alignment tolerances from factory therefore can result in uneven settings. You have a few garages to choose from to the west of you, who can do this including two members on here 
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Thanks for the heads up. I’ve actually dropped the tyre pressure by 1lb to see if that makes a difference. I didn’t know about the alignment issues. Is there anyone you could recommend to set up the alignment? I live in East Yorkshire. Regards
If you don’t mind travelling and worthwhile for specialists:
- Roddisons Motorsport: Based in Sheffield who known as @rodders on here
- CleaR Motorsport: Based in Preston who is known as @AdamR28 on here
- Grinspeed Motorsport: Based in Preston who I can vouch for as I’ve not personally used the above two yet
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Hi Fast H
The bistein dampers do soften a bit over time,mine seemed hard at first but actually seem a bit soft now,this happened quite quickly I have had the car from new,I am very fussy about the tyre pressures and run them slightly lower at 28,the ride is very comfortable for me now,probably to soft for most people.
All best Simon
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My car came with 23 psi in the tyres, which are Michelin PS5’s , when I bought it used from a car dealer. It did ride quite well on that, to be honest. It has Bilsteins. I knew the factory is 29 psi. I inflated them to 25 psi and I can feel its gained its jiggy from that increase. My car has , we believed been lowered , but never had any information on the mods from the dealer, so struggling on info if springs have changed poundage much.
Tyre sidewalls can make a difference with ride also. Stiffer will be more jiggy…
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Many thanks
Thanks for the info.
I have a 2018 and love the Bils. They don’t feel particularly soft but the ride is great at the same time. 29 PSI and Goodyear Eagle F1 AS6 tyres.
I’d bet on them softening up a little over the next few miles.
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Hope so
I agree about the tyres. Mine has the OEM Bridgestone S001. Don’t know if they are known for stiff side walls though?