Hi Folks
I recently bought my first mx5. It came with GAZ coilovers. The ride and handling are dreadful. I need someone to advise on how to get the car drivable. Hopefully in my neck of the woods… Limavady. I have searched for replacement shocks and springs but I’m reluctant to spend over £600 without speaking to an expert first. If someone can recommend a good mechanic or garage that specialises in MX5s that would be great…
Many Thanks
Carl
Hi,
Handling wise have you checked the wheel geometry to make sure thats ok? If its off that will make a big difference - did to mine!
Also was surprised when I got mine how many people were saying how much of a difference having a matching set of 4 good tyres makes to the MX5 - turns out they were right, makes a big difference!
check tyre pressures too, again , makes a difference
Thanks guys… have already got a four wheel alignment done. The first thing the guy said after his test drive was. I would advise you to change those shocks… I think I need a chiropractor… LOL. It’s definitely the Gaz shocks … even screwed up the full way the car doesn’t absorb many bumps. Rather it falls into every hole or dip with a clatter… I have also removed the wheel spacers from all wheels…the rims are standard sport 17 inch and tyres are 205 x 45…from what I read on line the sport model comes with slightly stiffer suspension as standard. Bilsteins I think but not 100 % sure.
I just want the car to be comfortable to drive for my wife and I. At the moment we avoid the car like the plague and it’s not used. Next step is to sell it if I can’t get it sorted or if it’s gonna cost a fortune to put right.
Cheers again guys
I can recommend a place which would sort out your problems, I think you will be spending much more than £600 though.
I had MeisterR’s fitted, alignment, corner weighted. The parts alone were £800 add fitting and you can easily add another 0 to that figure and some above.
Proper job though, to get it spot on go to a specialist
Thanks MickAP,
When you say, “add another 0” do you mean it cost you £8000.00 to get the parts fitted?? Just to reiterate…I would like to find someone in Northern Ireland, Preferably Co. L’Derry that can fit standard suspension. I have already costed these by calling local Motor Factors outlets and I have spoken to MX5 Parts online and AutoDoc. The cost of the replacement standard shocks will be around £600 inc Vat. I dont want to purchase a brand that isnt suitable so I would like to take advice from a local expert or MX5 enthusiast. Thanks guys…
No not that much, I mean £1000 + but that was for the Meisters.
As said above, secondhand Bilsteins come up for sale on a regular basis, they are the standard fit for the Sport model. You can then get lowering springs fitted to those if you want or leave at the standard height.
I sold mine recently, less than £100 as they were going spare after a suspension upgrade, they had lowering springs already fitted too.
No sure what your Mx5 is but if its an NC this may be of interest:
https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst105127_Used-Bilsteins-and-Gaz-lowering-springs.aspx
Hi, just reading this and you said “even screwed right up they are no good” or words to that effect? The GAZ Classic coil overs are height adjustable and bump/rebound adjustable. They can also be fitted with various spring rates. So, all these things can have an effect on your ride, one way or another. Do you have any paperwork with the car for the coil overs? Any info found may shed light on the Spring stiffness? Seems a shame if you can’t sort it as these cars are generally fun and enjoyable to drive.
Barrie
EDIT: then again, there’s these in the classifieds
Hi Bettabuilda
Thanks for your assistance.
I have taken pictures of the Gaz coilovers but Im not sure about paperwork. I will immediately go and look in the glove compartment as there may well be info there. When I say the shocks were screwed up full, this was to lift the car body higher of the wheels . My mechanic recommended this to see if we could get a better ride quality. Also, originally the little thumb wheel damper setting on each shock was screwed right up to the hardest setting. These have now been set to around ‘click’ 5 or 6 from the softest setting. I have also removed the wheel/hub spacers which made the wheels essentially stick out further. Not sure what other purpose they server. After all that I had a four wheel alignment done. The end result was a better ride quality but essentially it went diabolical to dreadful…lol … If I have a journey to do I will use one of the company vehicles like a suzuki alto or Nemo van. Both really basic vehicles but a thousand times better in ride quality and comfort. I dont seem to have an option to attach pictures here so unfortunately I cants show you the coilovers or the ride height of the car at the moment. It is a lot higher than when I purchased which I am perfectly happy with if it eventually makes the vehicle usable. Thanks again for your help.
Hi Bettabuilda
Thanks for your assistance.
I have taken pictures of the Gaz coilovers but Im not sure about paperwork. I will immediately go and look in the glove compartment as there may well be info there. When I say the shocks were screwed up full, this was to lift the car body higher of the wheels . My mechanic recommended this to see if we could get a better ride quality. Also, originally the little thumb wheel damper setting on each shock was screwed right up to the hardest setting. These have now been set to around ‘click’ 5 or 6 from the softest setting. I have also removed the wheel/hub spacers which made the wheels essentially stick out further. Not sure what other purpose they server. After all that I had a four wheel alignment done. The end result was a better ride quality but essentially it went diabolical to dreadful…lol … If I have a journey to do I will use one of the company vehicles like a suzuki alto or Nemo van. Both really basic vehicles but a thousand times better in ride quality and comfort. I dont seem to have an option to attach pictures here so unfortunately I cants show you the coilovers or the ride height of the car at the moment. It is a lot higher than when I purchased which I am perfectly happy with if it eventually makes the vehicle usable. Thanks again for your help.
Hi Barrie
Yeah I have had a look at those. It seems to mention GAZ lowering springs whereas I just want standard springs… cheers
Yes what you want is standard springs and dampers but it is a bit more complicated.
The Sport came with Bilsteins dampers as standard with matched springs.
The 1.8 and the 2.0 non “sports” came with a softer and less expensive standard spring and damper set
The Sport suspension was a bit stiff for the first 10,000 to 15,000 miles then they are more than reasonable.
If you buy new units they will take some time to settle in.
You know that your dampers need changed but are you aware if the springs are standard Mazda supplied.
If you can find a trusted source it would possibly be better to get a standard set from a car that had done say less than 30,000 miles that is having other suspension fitted but as always can you trust the person selling them.
Looking at the prices on MX5Parts, I would be tempted to go for the standard units fitted to the non Sports vehicles rather than the standard fit to the Sport which are Bilsteins as you appear like I do to want more of a tourer than something to throw around twisty roads on a day in day out basis.
Hi Drumtochty… You were asking if my springs were standard Mazda. I really have no idea. The GAZ coilovers currently on the car comprise of a damper and spring. To be honest I wasnt even aware these could be separated. I assumed that a coilover was one single unit with a damper and a spring. Hence I assumed that the springs would also be Gaz. I do know that with normal suspension you the dampers and springs are separate.
If only there was a way to post a picture on this forum that might clarify whats actually on the car… Perhaps because i am a relatively new account I dont have that feature.
Thanks for your assistance…
[quote=in2thepit]
Take a look here https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst103907_Uploading-images-guide.aspx
Hi Bettabuild
Cant find any paperwork on them. I am trying to set up an image hosting account as someone on here advised but not going well at the moment. You may be correct. It may be the case that my springs can be changed if thats what you mean. Perhaps I wouldnt have to dump the whole coilover. If I can get the model number of the shocks then perhaps I can google it…lol… thanks
I managed to get some pictures uploaded thanks to Andy0306… cheers. The latest advide is to sell these on to a track day person and buy standard shocks. I dont really know if any amount of tinkering will make these right for the road…
Hi there - just noticed these on for sale bit:
https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst105172_Mk3-full-set-genuine-springs.aspx
Could be a start in the quest to get some reasonable handling for reasonable mony,
Colin
Hi,
You could try Davy Cousins beside Kirkistown race circuit in Co. Down. He services Mx5’s and runs a track day hire service with a brace of Mx5.
He will advise you on the best value solution for you and if your willing to travel down to this area I am sure he will fit it for you.
Try David Cousins, 07955 870274. Tell him I sent you.
Neil Stevenson.