Reversing Sensor Kit from MX5 Parts

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: __NC Nk3.5 Sport tech 2 lit
  2. I’m based near: Stirling__
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: _
    Hi - I’ve had a few near misses whilst reversing since I bought my NC four years ago. I’m thinking about buying a reversing sensor kit from MX5 Parts. Does anyone have experience installing this kit. I’m not necessarily after the cheapest kit, just one that’s good quality, reliable and easy to install.
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I fitted the MX5parts kit to my NC Mk3 five years ago. I assume they are selling the same type.
The only difference for the NC Mk3.5 is the sensor hole locations are already marked on the inside of the bumper, making for a much quicker install than with my older car.

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Thanks, good to know that.

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Don’t know how much the Mx5 parts ones are but I have fitted several of these kits to cars without issue.
Can get them already colour matched too.

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Hi Craig - thanks for getting in touch. MX5 Parts sell their reversing sensor kit for £35 which I think is quite competitive. I’m told that the sensor positions are already marked on the inside of the bumper (hope so). I don’t have a problem spray painting the sensors before they go in. I’m actually quite looking for to doing all this. I was just curious to see how many other MX5 owners had done this and their thoughts.
Thanks,
Dave MacPherson

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Hi Richard - please can I pick your brains.
In fitting the kit would it be possible to have everything within the boot including the speaker, I’m not fussed about the big ugly display unit, and I’d prefer not to have to route wires through the cabin. The boot is so close to where you sit you should be able to hear the speaker.
Your comments would be appreciated, thanks.
Dave

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Hmm, no display in the Mx5parts kit.

Mx5parts kit is really simple, and almost exactly functionally the same as the optional Mazda kit was at the time the car was made.

If you read down my build thread to a later post you’ll see how I moved the sounder to right behind the driver’s seat, it’s plenty loud enough there.

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Thanks to everyone who commented.
I ended up taking the bumper off. It was a bit of a faff but it also allowed me to do some rust treatment on the steel bumper bar. My bumper didnt have the sensor positions market but with masking tape, a tape measure and a pencil it wasnt difficult to mark the positions. All back together now and everything working well. A nice wee exercise for the weekend.
Dave

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Excellent!

But now you need a reversing camera…

Lots of options, best is if you have a decent head unit for the audio with big screen that includes a camera input. Several good threads in the Forum on how people have done this.

I didn’t have a snazzy head unit, mine is standard basic and OK. But I do have a very nice stick-on Garmin satnav which allows a radio link reversing camera. See my thread on fitting it.

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My previous NC1 had rear sensors and they were great, I’ve previously fitted cheap sensors off eBay and they have been perfect, just avoided kits with the cheesy display. You can also get a surround for your number plate which has 3 sensors fitted, so no drilling of the bumper required, but I’m not sue how well these work.
I’d like sensors on my current NC1, happy to fit myself, but I was hoping the rear of the bumper may be marked out as all the measuring is so easy to get wrong and I’ve seen some nasty lob-sided installations in the past.

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Hi Keith,
I think you’ll get a better job taking the bumper off. It’s a bit of a faff but worth it. If you have an NC1, I can almost guarantee that you’ll have a rusty steel bumper bar. Take it off and treat it for rust at the same time. My 2009 NC didn’t have the sensor positions marked so I think it unlikely that yours would.
There’s a fair bit of really helpful information on the forum about all this, if you follow it you’re unlikely to go wrong.
Dave

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