Hi All,
I’m a new member so bear with me.
At last I’ve decided to scratch the itch and get into the world of MX5 ownership. I’ve got a diesel Audi A4 as my everyday car, which is lovely and brilliant at beating up and down motorways, but very boring.
The MX5 I decided to buy was from a friend of a friend. Looking over the history file, it was cherished up until its last owner. The first 11 years and 60,000 miles of its life it was clearly serviced on time and had no expense spared. The last 6 years and 25,000 miles have consisted of zero servicing and MOT ‘weld a plate over it’ bodges. Still, for £500 I didn’t mind taking on a bit of a basket case.
It’s a 2003 1.8 SV-T with no aircon. 85,000 miles and it runs perfect (even if the oil hasn’t been changed in a long time). Standard apart from cold (hot?!) air intake.
Bad bits-
Chassis rails were rotten
Both sills rotten
Sill to floors rotten
Wheels badly corroded
Electric aerial does not work so has been disconnected
No recent service history
Cambelt and water pump overdue
Exhaust rotten and blowing
One of the headlights clouded over
Engine light was on
Filthy inside and out
Mis-matched Chinese ditch finders
I think you’re getting the idea…
It’s not all bad though! It starts and drives fine. The brakes aren’t binding and there is evidence the callipers have been stripped+refurbed quite recently. There is a new (proper size) battery on it and the roof is in perfect condition with no leaks. Still overall it is pretty bad!
So far I’ve/had the following done-
Wheels stripped and powder coated in light gun metal
De-tangoed with MX5 parts kit
A good clean and polish
Cleared fault codes- engine light has stayed out
Cleaned air filter with K & N kit- it was filthy!
Restored faded headlight with 3M kit
Touched up a few bits of paint
Two new Toyo TR1’s fitted on the front and two used Pirelli P Zero Nero’s fitted on the rear (a mate had them laying around)
It’s currently in having the chassis rails replaced and the sills repaired. If I had the funds it would have had the sills completely replaced, but a good quality repair will have to do for a couple of years. The repair is solid to be fair with lots of work put in cutting out the bad metal in the floor/sills. Definitely not some rubbish patch.
It’s also having a full service with all the fluids, new drop links, cambelt and water pump, stainless cat back exhaust (Japspeed ebay special- doesn’t seem too bad quality at all!), ARB drop links and a new coil spring. Lastly an MOT (it’s on the extension until Oct).
I get it back Wednesday and I can’t wait! I’m still questioning why I decided to take it on TBH. Suppose I felt it needed saving from the scrapheap in the sky and I wanted something to tinker with. I’m too far in now so it’s too late! Plus I can’t get over how much fun it is to drive.
Immediate plans are-
Paint correction
Renovo roof restore
Upgrade rubbish speakers
Android head unit
Replace flaky chrome fuel filler cap
Full alignment
Get some new mats
Sort out the air filter situation- I like the induction sound but need to move it from it’s current place above the exhaust manifold
Stiffer ARB’s
Better pads and braided brake lines
Then I’ll run out of money or the missus will shoot me.
Thanks for reading the essay
Some photos so far-
How it stood when I brought it home and gave it a quick wash-
Post refurb-
Old chassis rails-
New rails and one of the sill repairs-
How it stood after de-tango and wheel refurb
I know the ebay exhausts take a bit of a bashing, but no issues here on quality etc. With the cone filter it sounds fantastic when opened up. The only issue I do have is the hangers. The exhaust was fitted with the old ones and they’re a bit tired/saggy. New poly ones are on order from Mx5 parts which should stop the slight movement/vibration I’m now getting.
