Simple / cheap mods for the Mk3

I have just changed the centre console, now done away with the useless cup holders and have a much more roomy drawer, its an IL Motorsports product.

I also sprayed the rear of the style bars in the cars body colour, looks pretty good.

Okay, that’s useful to know. Not really looking to have to make up my own brackets or to have to buy two sets to make one working solution so may just give this a miss. Shame, as it would make a nice addition to the car.

Got any pics of the modified centre console? Sounds interesting.

 

It’s this, but they sometimes come up for sale secondhand; worth checking fleabay.

RX wiper switch, fitted 2 now, mine and my sons, urethane rear Anti-roll bar bushes( to cure a knock on corners) MX5 Parts Clear side repeaters, look good, but the chrome faded away like a till receipt. Moss Parts list replacement chrome rings, may try these.

I’ve also fitted the MX5 Parts Digital radio adapter, the aerial booster sticks on the screen, you’ve guessed it, stone chip in the screen about 3 weeks later! As it’s by no means certain that I will be able to remove and refit the foil/film, I’ve got an aerial splitter to try, but no time at the moment

My Car

 

 

Happy to be proved wrong . I’d have sworn it said it couldn’t be done. Looks good 

Are all the steering wheel controls transferable? Cruise etc?

 

 

No cruise on mine but the audio controls all work

Smart. Nice alternative. If there was an rx8 wheel with cruise buttons then I would seriously considered picking one up instead. 

 

There appear to be two different RX-8 steering wheels, from the first and second generation cars. One of the wheels (from what I can see I think it’s the second generation one) is visually identical to the MX-5 wheel, including the cruise control switches. But given that it’s visually identical I can’t see what point there would be in swapping one into an MX-5. The one shown above should be from a first generation (pre-2009) car.

I did find a picture of a first generation wheel with cruise control buttons. No idea if it would with with an MX-5 though.

And here’s a pic of the later wheel. Look familiar?

The lights were quite straightforward really - the biggest risk is being moaned at by the missus for putting the lights in her lovely clean oven! As long as you get them nice and warm then they split very easily, and then seal well once warmed again. Really it was a case of just taking your time and making sure you done rush - I think it took me a couple of hours all-in (including removing and refitting the bumper - all done on the floor, before I built my garage) and it has been done for 3 years now with no problems since…

The scissor lift is great, and was a bit of an indulgence that I added in when we had our extension done. It was bought from BH Repairs (who sell on eBay, and are based in Mansfield), and has been brilliant - lifting to a perfect height to work on brakes/suspension, and also to do most jobs underneath easily enough - while fitting within the height of a normal garage. I would certainly recommend it!

A little off topic, but I wrote up my build (including more about the lift) on pistonheads, which might be of interest if you are about to take the plunge yourself.

My Extension and Garage Build Project - Page 1 - Homes, Gardens and DIY - PistonHeads UK;

Thanks browno - I will read through that with interest. I assume you engaged an architect to do the drawings for you?

On other matters, I got a response to my email to Cravenspeed. They informed me that Moss Europe are now stocking the studdy aerial! Checked on Moss’ website and there it is. Not cheap - just over £30 including postage - but cheaper and easier than ordering from the US.

It appears http://www.motor-o-polis.com/ also do them although I think they are more expensive from them. They also do steering wheel refurbs

Fitted an RX8 stalk yesterday took 15 mins!!

35mm lowering spring next from MX5 Parts £140 or £340 fitted, get rid of the 4x4 look!!

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Further to the changing steering wheels for an RX8 wheel (2005 model best fits straight in/on except - read on) I have been using the RX8 wheel but when changing over need to swap the airbag “explosive” core - 4 times 8mm, as the RX8 airbag has 2 plugs to operate,  otherwise straight forward swop, radio buttons work exactly same as MX5 NC wheel.

But if you want a similar wheel that has cruise control buttons and radio and seem much cheaper and readily available,   than a 2004 / 2006 Mazda 6 wheel is a straight swap (other than the airbag “explosive” core needs changing over from the MX5 wheel again) did mine this morning, same diameter as MX5 wheel, same thickness rim, most come with perforated section at thumb grip points,   will post pictures later but must say looks rather good. PH.

Just got around to fitting the Alcantara wheel, now complete with colour-coded control surrounds, to the Sport Black…

MX5 Mk3.5 Alcantara Steering Wheel

There’s loads of cheap mods you can do yourself how about this wind deflector .   

 

 

 

I’m intending to get the smarttop module, and the RX8 stalk for mine - simple enough. Other than that, we’ll see what strikes me. I don’t have the technical knowledge to appreciate things like lowered suspension, but who knows what may strike my fancy in the future?