- My model of MX-5 is: __ 2010 Sport Tech
- I’m based in Sheffield
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Suspension
Morning all,
Had my car in for service with Mazda in Sheffield yesterday. As I suspected the suspension is worn, rear shocks leaking and the front not far behind.
They quoted £1840 to replace. I haven’t shopped around and I wont as I called Paul at Roddisons and he has recommended Meister Sportive or CRDs. Approx £1100 or £1600 fitted and sorted. I wont track day the car but I like to drive enthusiastically when conditions allow. I had the BBR Super 200 package installed early last year so I’ve already put a fair bit in the car, but I have to do something don’t I. So I know it’s a well trod topic but if I get the cheaper Sportive will I regret not going CRD? I intend to keep the car for a while yet so the extra £500 doesn’t really matter too much. Or I could just stick with the Sport Tech Bilstein set up, but this is an opportunity to upgrade.
Cheers Nick
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CRD’s offer ride height adjustment whereas Sportive’s do not, as I recall.
If you’re happy the way your car sits (and given it’s a 2010 Sportech, it probably sits nice) I’d be inclined to say “Get the Sportives”.
Others will no doubt soon chime in 
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The sportives do allow ride height adjustment, as well as spring pre-load adjustment. But no damping adjustment. I would be interested to hear how the damping adjustment can be used to vary the ride and handling. It seems to me that for a vehicle with very little variation in gross weight (10%) and fixed spring rates would have one ideal damping setting, as provided on sportives.
I have the Sportives on my 2014 NC and they are good, the car probably sits a little low for my liking but I guess that can be adjusted.
My previous NC had the CRD’s which as you know can be adjusted for ride comfort. They were fitted by Paul probably 6 years ago and I can really recommend having those fitted if your budget allows.
I’ve been telling myself to not swap the current suspension it’s ok (it really is) for CRD’s, I do like the ability to adjust the ride comfort though.
Were those fitted prices including full alignment/corner weighting?
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The car can be raised on Sprotives but not far.
Corner weighting is important as the spring rate is high for such a light car. Mine was dozens or kilos out initially.
Alignment is vital if lowered or raised. Initially my rear camber was way off.
How did you changes in ride comfort change? Did the increased rebound affect steering?
Thanks so far!
Mick, Paul mentioned corner weighting in his quote, I assume then as Steve has mentioned this is important. He’s quoting £500 + vat to fit, align and corner weight. May seem pricey but I cant do it and we all know that Paul knows what he’s doing! Also I live in Sheffield so that’s a big bonus. I was a little tempted to go with the BBR set up as they have worked on the car, but I cant be arsed with the journey and the Meisters seem at the mo the way to go. But I reckon with the car cost, the BBR 200 work, new tyres, underseal and Pioneer stereo and now the suspension I’ve spent over 15K on the car. Of course it’s a brilliant car and fairly low mileage at 44k. Also it’s my hobby (along with vinyl and road bikes). Its just for that amount I’m look at a ND or a Boxster… yes I know I’d be spending more on those as well but it makes one think.
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I can’t compare the before and after re steering as when I bought the current NC the Sportives were already on the car.
Spent around £1k+ on the car recently and it’s a new set of tyres too shortly, so it’s probably leave the suspension as is for now.
Only last week t noticed my o/s/r shock leaking. Now booked in for a set of Sportives Got to waite till mid sep as they are full . On Meisters web page they say they are out of stock…
Booked in at Roddisons week Thursday. Looking forward to getting it sorted.
If you can afford the CRD’s , get them you will not be disappointed , you have full control on how you want the roadster to feel, behave and look, I would recommend also getting the rear adjuster extensions to make life easier for fine adjusting what you want.
The sportives are a set dampening but do have some adjustment for ride height, they are set somewhere in the middle of what you can adjust the CRD’s and were produced as a road suspension set up, we tested a number of pre production sets before they hit the shelf’s for him, and was really impressed with what you got straight out of the box to be used from 12 months of testing on 3 different roadsters used in different ways, gave him our feed back and adjusted them for the market.
The choice is yours at the end of the day either or is fine with me , but if i had to choose then I do like the full adjustment of the CRD’s to set them up to the individuals preferences.
M-m
Hi M-m,
Thanks for the info and yes I’m going for the CRDs.
The rear CRD adjuster extensions fitted to my previous NC.
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Just rung Paul, fitting adjusters
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Recently fitted the zeta crd’s and it has made a huge difference in ride at all speeds. Worth every penny. Cheers for the install guidance Mm…
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Glad it helped buddy , just out of interest,which one? the vid or walk through.
Get some 32mm penny washers on these drop links, S/S if possible on the top outer on the sway bar, it will keep the bushes in place better front and back of the Roadster.
M-m
Am gratefull you took the time pal, it was this one mostly… Meister R Zeta CRD Suspension installation guide - Mk1 MX-5 - YouTube
Excellent step by step. I struggled with the pins on the castle nut. They were on for 105k though. Everything refitted got smothered in copper grease too. On those drop link washers * have looked them up and believe bolts are M10, i might just pick up a couple of sizes in case. Cheers again M-m
Washers ordered! Your very detailed reply is most welcome… Also ordered some more copper grease, it appears i have been largely unapplying that lovely stuff 
Nice one M-m
Hi all,
On Thursday evening I collected my car from Roddisons after Paul had fitted the CRDs, adjusters and his brake pads front and rear. Not been able to drive the car, apart from his garage and back across the city home (and back again as I forgot to give him the courtesy car key back) and a quick razz on Friday, as now down in Sennen for a holiday. Sadly I can’t bring the MX as I can’t fit the family in!
He’d set the clicks to 8 on the front and 9 on the rear and aligned the car to a “Peak District” setting.
The car feels absolutely brilliant, it’s made quite a difference! We decided not to lower the car too much and I’d say Paul’s got it right, as on Friday I drove round an area called Nether Edge as they have some fairly high speed bumps and the car was fine over them.
Only been in Cornwall a day but can’t wait to get back and go for a long drive.
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