2018 Mazda MX-5 BBR Stage 1 turbo package

Highlights

• BBR-tuned Mk 4 MX-5

• 248bhp 2.0 Turbo

• Genuine low mileage

• 0-60mph in 5.0 secs

• High spec and unusual colour scheme

Overview

BBR has a history with Mazda MX-5s. Based in Brackley, Northants, just across the road from the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team and right at the heart of the UK’s ‘Motorsport Valley’, the tuning company has been spicing up the Japanese sports cars ever since the first generation appeared in 1989.

Its preferred method of making MX-5s faster is via the medium of turbocharging, and it’s a trend the company has continued to this day – the current generation ‘ND’ model being the latest to get the forced induction treatment.

This one was given the works by BBR last year – it’s an MX-5 ND 2.0 Skyactiv, but thanks to the addition of a BBR Stage 1 package, it’s a feisty little beast. Over and above the car's purchase price, £15,000 has been spent on this conversion, which, in addition to the engine upgrades, included Wilwood 6 piston Brake Caliper upgrades to the front, grooved discs front and rear, EBC pads to the rear, OZ Ultraleggera wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres, Adjustable Koni suspension with BBR lowering springs, BBR exhaust manifold, BBR centre section and BBR Supersport backbox, Eibach front and rear anti roll bars, and a Cybul Roll bar.

According to BBR, the key element of the Stage 1 turbo upgrade is the use of a bespoke, latest generation twin-scroll turbocharger, which It calls the TSX30-71R (nice and snappy for those conversations down the pub…).

It features a billeted compressor wheel and a lightweight, low inertia turbine in a compact assembly with an internal wastegate, and thanks to Mazda’s commitment to installing engines longitudinally, it’s an unobtrusive installation – if you didn’t know, you could swear it was OEM.

What certainly isn’t ‘factory’ is the performance, because there’s a handy 64bhp power uplift over the original 2.0 Skyactiv. It’s now good for 248bhp and 0-60mph in 5.0 seconds, with a top speed (we’re told) of 155mph. That kind of performance from an MX-5? Don’t mind if we do…

Aside from the mechanical mods, this car is a bit of a stunner. Finished in striking Crystal White Pearl, it has covered 41,700 miles from new and was serviced less than 1,000 miles ago by BBR itself. It began life as a standard 2.0 Sport Nav model, with an additional Cybul roll hoop, red-stitched leather trim and a recently upgraded stereo with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among its many appealing features. The current owner has also had a reversing camera fitted and has had the “touchscreen in motion” enabled allowing seamless Carplay / Android Auto use.

None of those, though, can match the Mazda’s delightful handling – and that’s really brought out by the performance upgrades on offer here, which bring the ND’s abilities to the fore and make you wonder why Mazda itself never ventured into turbocharging the MX-5 itself.

It is worth noting that the seller hasn't ventured out on track in the car despite all of the upgrades, and it is set up for “fast road use” (the suspension is lowered but not to the point that speedbumps need to be avoided).

This is the vendor’s 6th MX5 (he is an MX5 Ownersclub member) and he knows what to look out for – this car does not have excessive rust to the underside and even the window regulators (common failure point) have been replaced as a preventative measure. He loves the car and is torn about selling it, but having just been unexpectedly reunited with his old MX-5 Mk2 – a car he has regretted selling since it turned out of his driveway – karma has played a part, and it’s now surplus to requirements.

 

History and documentation

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor

• MOT to October 2025

• Mazda digital service record printout showing inspections at the following intervals: 3 miles (2018 - PDI), 12,373 miles (2019 - main dealer), 23,749 miles (2020 – main dealer), 27,347 miles (2021 – main dealer), 30,814 miles (2022 – main dealer), 34,532 miles (2023 – main dealer), 41,113 (2024 – BBR) 

• 2 keys

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Black leather upholstery in very condition with a very small amount of light wear on driver’s side bolster

• Heated seats

• Red stitching to seats and handbrake gaiter

• Orange Cybul roll over hoops

• Air conditioning

• Cruise control

• Upgraded factory stereo to now include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Manual folding roof – super-quick operation

• Immaculate luggage area

• Original tool kit 

• Original labels inside door shuts and boot closures, showing chassis number 

 

Exterior

• Lovely Crystal White Pearl paint, with a shimmering, pearlescent finish

• No dents or notable damage, nor previous accident history

• One small scuff on front lower bumper below nearside fog lamp, which has been touched in

• One or two very minor stone chips

• All OZ alloys in superb order

• Almost-new Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres all-round

• Roof in spotless condition

• Underside appears in good order with light surface corrosion to some components

 

Mechanical

• 2.0-litre 4cyl BBR turbo conversion

• 248bhp

• 0-60mph in 5.0 secs

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• BBR bespoke twin scroll hybrid TSX30-71R turbocharger including jet turbine specification fixings

• Bespoke cast iron twin scroll BBR exhaust manifold

• BBR exhaust centre section
• BBR Supersport backbox

• Stainless steel downpipe

• BBR high-flow lightweight front mounted aluminium intercooler with factory-look black intake pipes

• Custom silicone turbo pipes in factory look black finish with stainless steel hose clamps

• Lightweight aluminium battery tray in factory black finish

• Recirculating piston type dump valve 

• Bosch MAP and temperature sensor

• BBR high efficiency carbon fibre turbocharger heat shield

• K&N Typhoon induction kit

• BBR stainless steel oil and water lines

• Starchip EcuTek RaceRom calibration software set up by BBR

• Wilwood 6 piston Brake Caliper upgrades to the front
• Grooved discs front and rear
• EBC pads to the rear
• Adjustable Koni suspension with BBR lowering springs,
• Eibach front and rear anti roll bars

 

Summary 

All MX-5s are great to drive – even shabby old ones that are clinging on by a thread. 

This one is at the complete opposite end of that spectrum. A bespoke-build recent model, it’s not only in immaculate order, but it’s also a hidden weapon, with devilishly wicked performance, neatly and professionally calibrated by a company that has lived and breathed MX-5s for almost as long as Mazda has. It’s a deeply cool car, and a very, very quick one, and also somewhat of a bargain given that the reserve is set at a value of a car without the benefit of having had £15,000 spent on upgrades. Go on, what are you waiting for?

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Ely, Cambs.