1999 Mk2 MX5 Suspension Update
Discussion
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I’ve also posted this on the owners club forum.
I currently have a 1999 Mk2 MX5 that my Wife very kindly bought for me for our wedding anniversary. I am waiting for the sills and arches to be redone in July/August by CBS Autos and then want to update the tired suspension and alloys. I am after something for fast road use mostly and perhaps an occasional track day. Ideally after a small drop in ride height at the same time.
There seem to be be many options available through MX5 Parts although most seem to have mixed reviews. I am wondering if any owners may be able to provide some suggestions based on experience please?
I can provide more information if required.
Many thanks in advance!
I’ve also posted this on the owners club forum.
I currently have a 1999 Mk2 MX5 that my Wife very kindly bought for me for our wedding anniversary. I am waiting for the sills and arches to be redone in July/August by CBS Autos and then want to update the tired suspension and alloys. I am after something for fast road use mostly and perhaps an occasional track day. Ideally after a small drop in ride height at the same time.
There seem to be be many options available through MX5 Parts although most seem to have mixed reviews. I am wondering if any owners may be able to provide some suggestions based on experience please?
I can provide more information if required.
Many thanks in advance!
I don't think you can go wrong with MeisterR CRD's. However, I would also strongly recommend replacement of all bushes/drop links/ARB's and a quality four wheel alignment to ensure you do a proper job.
Someone like Blink Motorsport in Cheshire will sort this and the car will be unrecognisable from its previous self.
Someone like Blink Motorsport in Cheshire will sort this and the car will be unrecognisable from its previous self.
I guess a lot of it depends on budget - not everyone wants to spend the money on MeisterR's (though I can imagine how good they are, despite having never tried them). A potential cheaper approach could be to fit lowering springs (Eibach are a well respected brand in this area) and renew all other suspension components (shocks, bushes, drop links etc) to OE spec. For bushes, don't go with polybush (an appealing option as they're much cheaper than rubber), they're too hard for the road.
Do not fit polybushes on a road car, not reccomended.
There are a number of cheaply available polybush kits available, they are all garbage.
There are some 'good' options but they are as costly as fitting proper, metalastic/rubber type bushes.
The bushes tend to last quite well anyway.
I would not discount the use of 'OEM' type replacement shock absorbers. It is easy to assume you need to fit supposedly upgrade parts, Meisters etc, however people only ever replace knackered old OEM stuff with these, hence they assume they are much better.
Years back I had a Mk2 with around 80k on it, fitted new (mild lowering) springs, with some very inexpesnvie but good quality, standard fit shocks (Either Sachs or KYB gas I think). Plus an upgrade to the Anti Roll bars and bushes, new droplinks (these are dirt cheap).
This was very affordable, and the fifference was remarkable. There was outwardly nothing wrong with the old parts, no leaky shocks etc, but once they were replaced it was apparent they were well past their best.
Don't get me wrong, I've had some very fancy suspension and coilovers (I had Ohlins on my first Mk1) but honestly, don't discount just 'new' OEM type stuff, The refreshed Mk2 probably had the best feel for a road car of all 3 of my MX5s, comfy, tight, and fun over even crappy road surfaces.
There are a number of cheaply available polybush kits available, they are all garbage.
There are some 'good' options but they are as costly as fitting proper, metalastic/rubber type bushes.
The bushes tend to last quite well anyway.
I would not discount the use of 'OEM' type replacement shock absorbers. It is easy to assume you need to fit supposedly upgrade parts, Meisters etc, however people only ever replace knackered old OEM stuff with these, hence they assume they are much better.
Years back I had a Mk2 with around 80k on it, fitted new (mild lowering) springs, with some very inexpesnvie but good quality, standard fit shocks (Either Sachs or KYB gas I think). Plus an upgrade to the Anti Roll bars and bushes, new droplinks (these are dirt cheap).
This was very affordable, and the fifference was remarkable. There was outwardly nothing wrong with the old parts, no leaky shocks etc, but once they were replaced it was apparent they were well past their best.
Don't get me wrong, I've had some very fancy suspension and coilovers (I had Ohlins on my first Mk1) but honestly, don't discount just 'new' OEM type stuff, The refreshed Mk2 probably had the best feel for a road car of all 3 of my MX5s, comfy, tight, and fun over even crappy road surfaces.
Some good and valuable comments above. I had the work done on mine as a fast road car, but it's now been a hillclimb car for two seasons.
The MeisterR's are expensive but 100% worth it in my opinion. The completed work including bushes, geo and tyres was so good that it eclipsed my Megane 275 Cup S from a handling perspective. The car is incredible now. You can dial it back for road use and then just tweak it trackside for competition and have an incredibly well balanced car.
I totally agree about polybushing, they are awful in my opinion. Mazda spent a bundle on getting the bush compliance right and OEM is the way to go - even Blink admitted this and they do polybushing.
Geo is so important - I had some tweaks done over the winter to get a more personalised set up and it's just been an utter joy all this season.
Now you lot have made me want to get back out in it - sadly I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic until Sunday. Boo hoo!!
The MeisterR's are expensive but 100% worth it in my opinion. The completed work including bushes, geo and tyres was so good that it eclipsed my Megane 275 Cup S from a handling perspective. The car is incredible now. You can dial it back for road use and then just tweak it trackside for competition and have an incredibly well balanced car.
I totally agree about polybushing, they are awful in my opinion. Mazda spent a bundle on getting the bush compliance right and OEM is the way to go - even Blink admitted this and they do polybushing.
Geo is so important - I had some tweaks done over the winter to get a more personalised set up and it's just been an utter joy all this season.
Now you lot have made me want to get back out in it - sadly I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic until Sunday. Boo hoo!!
Edited by GibsonSG on Thursday 27th June 11:21
Edited by GibsonSG on Thursday 27th June 11:22
I did mine (a 98 mk2 RS) 18 months ago.
I'll go against the grain, and say that proper poly bushes, combined with good damping, is far better than stock rubber bushes.
Reason being, there's no stiction or preload, letting the dampers properly work.
I went for superpro all round, new drop links, ball joints, refurbished wishbones. Then got a little silly and went for MeisterR GT1 dampers. 3 times the cost of the CRDs or whatever the equivalent is now, but custom valving, true lifetime guarantee and the nitrogen chamber make an exceptional ride and handling combination.
I commute 500 miles a week in it. Across bumpy, broken A and B roads. It rides better than the E Class used by my local specialist, and handles simply divine.
For most, I'd say the GT1s aren't worth it. They are to me. But the poly bushes are night and day compared to cheap poly, and far better than the knackered rubber bushes.
I'll go against the grain, and say that proper poly bushes, combined with good damping, is far better than stock rubber bushes.
Reason being, there's no stiction or preload, letting the dampers properly work.
I went for superpro all round, new drop links, ball joints, refurbished wishbones. Then got a little silly and went for MeisterR GT1 dampers. 3 times the cost of the CRDs or whatever the equivalent is now, but custom valving, true lifetime guarantee and the nitrogen chamber make an exceptional ride and handling combination.
I commute 500 miles a week in it. Across bumpy, broken A and B roads. It rides better than the E Class used by my local specialist, and handles simply divine.
For most, I'd say the GT1s aren't worth it. They are to me. But the poly bushes are night and day compared to cheap poly, and far better than the knackered rubber bushes.
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