- My model of MX-5 is: __2008 Niseko
- I’m based near: __East Sussex
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: _painting
After years of owning an MX5 I have finally bought the car I always wanted, a blue Niseko. It does not handle as well as my last NC and it has a Cobra exhaust that wakes up the dead! However, my main gripe is the difference in paint colour on the bumpers, they appear to be different no matter what the light. Is this normal and would a simple repaint fix the problem?
Looking closely at the picture of the front bumper I’d say it could have had a refresh there of paint. These metallic colours are hard to match even for a good paint shop and they can turn out a different shade on plastic parts to the metal panels.
Don’t forget also that if the paint there is looking pretty good with minimal stone chips it’s highly likely been painted, many pick up chips there and the original paint chips easily.
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My mate got his Niseko bumpers repainted and the bodyshop did a fantastic job of matching the colour. It can be done, but you need a really good bodyshop and painter who can tweak the colour before painting.
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I know of the same model and colour in my area, bumpers look a different shade of blue also.
Unfortunately I would say yes. I’ve seen plenty of NCs at meets where the paint appears a different shade between the plastic bumpers and metal body panels. It can be really obvious on the Spirited Green Sport Black edition. I don’t think they’ve (all) had resprays. Even my Soul Red ND (2016) shows some difference between bumpers and metal panels in the right light and it hasn’t had paintwork to my knowledge. I’ve never noticed this on the BMWs, Minis, and Fords I’ve owned 
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Always check Tyres and Alignment!
My Niseko was scary pants with the OEM Bridgestone tyres, but held the road like a limpet with new good tyres and a check on the alignment.
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The tyes are mixed brands so I must replace them and get the alignment done. The front outer edges are wearing out! However, the last owner fitted a Cobra exhaust, a real waste of £700. The noise is indescribably loud. I dare not rev the car and it is so big it is fouling the rear bumper! It will take a bit of time and money but I will get it all fixed.
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