Hi, yes apologies looks that way, haven’t taken mine back out but according to description etc that is correct, will order myself another pair as back up.
I’ve just ordered some from MX5 Parts. It looks like the bulb holder twists off? See what happens when they turn up. Did you just prise out the originals gently from the rear?
Hi, no I used plastic trim tools, lifted initially from underneath then slid blade into front to push clip back then lifted out front first, hope helps and sorry for misinformation, really must buck up, blame it on my age ! Paul H.
Now another interesting one, how many of you have been round with a magnet to check panel material ?, I bought some magnetic stone chip panels for the front of the rear wheel arches, wont stick ! so I have found (to start with) bonnet, front wings, sills all alloy,
Doors, rear wings & boot lid steel, so my magnetic items won’t stick on alloy, go on go and have a go & see what you find. Paul H.
My bumpers are plastic 
I had a rock hit my bonnet a while ago, small dent the size of a ten pence piece. The guys @ Ding Master Filton removed it 100%, very impressed. They said that the aluminum is a bit more tricky to get spot on, steel has a memory and is easier to manipuate back into place. £50 well spent, but no point spending £300 odd to get it resprayed for it to happen again, battle scares I can live with. Actually the Mazda touch up kits are quite good, got mine from MX5 Parts.
Smoked repeaters should arrive today, will let you know how I get on.
I have got it wrong, the sills and bottom section of mine are not alloy but plastic, presumably covering steel sills underneath, need to look at the parts manual to see the make up !.
Further to the discussion regarding "that horrible black plastic pipe) did some trawling and found that it is only there to make noises as you accelerate to make you think you are going faster ? but not only that it sucks in unfiltered air from the passenger compartment - so - viola, this pipe is a direct replacement, doesn’t invalidate warranty and allows you to remove the black plastic thing, problem solved:
Mazda P/no PEFA-13-220 PIPE AIR. cost approx £ 30.00, better than a blank in the pipe, just ordered mine, plenty of Mazda UK stock, although you will have to “grommet” the bulkhead yourself. rgds Paul H.
Also fitted Alloygators this morning, rims too precious these days, looks good in black as well, pictures later, Paul H.
Very interesting thread, thanks. As someone just getting to know my RF there is a lot of useful stuff here for me to digest. My initial thoughts are very similar to those in the first post (including comments on room for the driver because we are similar heights), but I’m happy enough with the exhaust note. I too noticed the gear change getting slicker as the car warms up.
That reversing camera fit looks interesting. I got very used to having one in my last car so that’s a possibility. I may well go for smoked side repeaters too. I’m still deciding on that one. My car is white so the contrast might be good but, equally, the fully clear ones blend with the body quite nicely. Has anyone fitted the side reflectors that replace the blanking panels on the wheel arches?
Hello Enjay. I’m afraid I can’t comment on the side reflectors, but as someone who’s thinking of making the change from ancient Eunos to RF as you’ve done, I’d be very interested to know if you find driving the RF as pleasurable as when in the Eunos, particularly with regard to chassis and steering ‘feel’. Difficult to quantify I know, but I’d be grateful for any thoughts you may have on that subject.
Thanks.
Hi Parker
I’ve never driven an NA but I had my 2001 (mk2.5) NB 1.8 sport for 6 years and I loved every minute of it. As a comparison with the RF:
- The RF still has that nimble feeling which is not surprising given the light weight
- There is a fair bit of body roll but the NB had quite a bit too on standard shocks and tyres. Doesn't bug me and still feels awesome in the twisties. Some people assume body roll is bad but often they come from the same set that assume that stiffer = more grip. This is both mathematically and practically not true otherwise suspension would be redundant on race cars which it clearly isn't. Disclaimer: the RF is more biased towards comfort than a full race car would be though, and if yours is meant for only weekend and trackday use and not a d/d like mine then a stiffer setup would be more appropriate.
- Electric power steering is great, it is a much better all-rounder than hydraulic and feeds back beautifully.
- The 2L feels much stronger than the 1.8 but I had my 1.8 at 1600m altitude and my RF at sea level so not a fair comparison
- I always felt my model NB had a good quality interior so I was happy the RF 2.0 Sport Nav has a nice premium feel.
- You cant really see the sport-back section while driving, so top down still feels like top down in my NB right up to the moment you try to check your blind spots.
- Other than that mine has the safety pack which I think is worth every penny and has already made itself useful. Probably more worth it in the RF than the roadster.
- One big difference is the RF feels smaller inside to me, this is a big negative because making it the same size as the NA/NB would have been great and instead they 'had' to make it smaller. Maybe I'm forgetting what my NB was like but I doubt it. Also no traditional glove box. Hopefully in 8 years time the NE will be back to NA/NB size.
- Lastly, I drove both the roadster and the RF and if you focus on it you can feel the extra weight but then having a passenger feels like it has a much bigger effect. For me as a d/d I'd take the hard top every time for the extra refinement at speed.
Hope that helps
Just put some chrome tail pipes on mine, quite a difference.
Thanks very much for that comprehensive review AndrewJ - very encouraging
All I need to do now is to get the better of my inner Scrooge!
What tail pipes where those then? I would be quite interested in getting some as the standard ones look at bit lost!
Hi, don’t forget to get quotes from dealers through Drive The Deal or Carwow to get a discount, I managed about 10%, better than a slap in the face And will appeal to Scrooge!
WOW after reading a lot of comments regarding the ND and RF I personally think Mazda have lost the plot. I’ve loved the MX since the Mark 1,2, and 3 personally the 3.5 or 3.75 are my favourite and really looked forward to the Mark 4 coming out once seen I came to the conclusion it’s a weekend car as no storage space for your odds and sods everybody carries so can’t be used everyday for work (although retired now) so looked forward to the RF as a hard top but it’s not a hard Top it’s a Targo top so now waiting to see what comes next. Saving up my money for a 25th Anniversary.
Fox 4 - don’t knock it until you have tried one for a day or two, I have had Mk1/2/3 (PRHT) the RF is better than all the others, I too am retired but can find places in the car to carry similar amounts of “essentials” as the other Mk’s, go give one a try, maybe not to everyones taste but just love mine, Paul H.
I’ve had four before the ND; an NB, two NC’s and an NC 3.5 PRHT. Loved 'em all, BUT, the ND is easily the best. Best looking, best to drive, best economy and by far the best equipment levels. I like the electric power steering and I love the sound too. All IMHO of course. Don’t be put off by the doubters, most people don’t post unless they’ve got problems, perceived or otherwise. Have a good test drive, then come back and tell us what you think
Got to agree the ND is the best looking
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Ouch! I didn’t mean to offend anybody. I just tried to say that not having a glovebox in an ND was not a huge issue and that I didn’t think that Mazda had lost the plot with the ND. I have seen far worse on this forum.
I would just like to say that I agree with Paul H’s and c0l’s comments as well.