MK 2 MX5 New engine
Discussion
I have a 10 yr old MX5 with just under 53000 on the clock. Engine recently been pinking and just taken into Mazda garage. Have just been told I need a new engine at a cost of around £6000. I paid a lot less than this for the car a year ago and I'm totally gutted. Can't bear to scrap her. I am no car expert and wondered if there is a cheaper way around this. Recon engine or similar. If anyone can recommend somewhere in the Manchester area I'd be very grateful. Thankyou
As above, if the engine really is scrap, there are loads of good second hand MK2 engines around, mainly because they are a robust engine and the front chassis rail problem is killing a lot of cars.
in fact, before you do anything, make sure that someone looks at the front rails on yours before you chuck any money at it...
in fact, before you do anything, make sure that someone looks at the front rails on yours before you chuck any money at it...
Thankyou for the replies. My husband noticed that the oil was very low and put some more oil. Problem is that it didn't cure the noise and started misfiring. We just took it to the nearest Mazda garage to have it checked so haven't got the full report back yet. I know nothing about cars but she seemed to be running fine until about a week ago when there was some slight pinking. I'm far more emotional over this car over any that I've ever had and can't bear to scrap her
I bought a mk 2.5 with a seized engine (stone hit rad and was ran with no water) and bought a 60k engine from a scrappy on ebay for £370.
Came with car reg & VIN so history could be verified.
Oil, coolant, filters, belts, plugs, window mech, rad, etc. Total £850 spent (not including purchase) with a years ticket.
A couple of days work but made a nice profit. Wish I could find one every week.
If your cars 10 years old it might well be a mk3 btw.
The NC is renowned for low oil problems. Keep them just above max.
Don't go for a new engine on a ten year old car.
Paul G
Came with car reg & VIN so history could be verified.
Oil, coolant, filters, belts, plugs, window mech, rad, etc. Total £850 spent (not including purchase) with a years ticket.
A couple of days work but made a nice profit. Wish I could find one every week.
If your cars 10 years old it might well be a mk3 btw.
The NC is renowned for low oil problems. Keep them just above max.Don't go for a new engine on a ten year old car.
Paul G
Edited by finishing touch on Thursday 25th July 17:29
Edited by finishing touch on Thursday 25th July 17:32
Thanks for further replies. Apologies couldn't reply sooner. Newbies were blocked from posting last night for some reason. My car is indeed a MK 3! Therein lies my problem! I know nothing about cars and reliant on someone knowledgeable and not trying to fleece me. My husband expressed an interest in a brand new one at the garage. Could this have any bearing on them saying my engine is beyond repairing?
I know nothing about MK3 engines but 6000 for a new engine is absolutely fanciful. Join the owners club & they should be able to help with a local specialist.
I’ve used Blink Motorsport who are in Winsford (about 30 miles from Manchester) & have a national reputation as MX5 specialists, albeit with a leaning towards making these great little cars go really quickly.
I’ve used Blink Motorsport who are in Winsford (about 30 miles from Manchester) & have a national reputation as MX5 specialists, albeit with a leaning towards making these great little cars go really quickly.
Thankyou for that. I'll make some enquiries now and see if I can get some estimates. Once again thankyou for all your responses. She's the first car I've had that's my very own, owned her a year and just love her to bits! I'll see what I come up with otherwise will have to buy a new car! Your comments on here have been very useful.
For certain if you have the time seek one of the independent MX5 specialists.
Mazda main dealers are laregly incapable of any actual mechanical work as with most main dealers.
They always prefer to replace.
Saves them getting hands dirty and oil on the floor of the laboratory like workshops
Whereabouts are you in the country ?
Mazda main dealers are laregly incapable of any actual mechanical work as with most main dealers.
They always prefer to replace.
Saves them getting hands dirty and oil on the floor of the laboratory like workshops
Whereabouts are you in the country ?
I'm in South Manchester. Just been quoted about £1500. Opinions please. Is it worth doing this on a 13 year old car? Everything else on it is OK. It is currently stuck in a Mazda garage. They will give me £3000 PE against a brand new one. I can only keep it there for a week before they'll say it has to go elsewhere. If I have it fixed then at least I won't be pressured into getting a new one straight away. Any advice on pros and cons? I'd prefer not to buy brand new really as I'd generally go for one 2 or 3 years old.
If it were me, i would fix it... £1500 is very reasonable and not even that much money in the grand scheme of car maintenance, i've spent a lot more on repairing much older cars!
Depends what your car buying and maintenance ethos is really i suppose.
If it is otherwise good condition, then the devil you know is generally going to be the financially safer option... with new used cars come potential problems, whereas your NC is a known quantity.
Just make sure whoever does the engine swap is competent and willing to warranty and gurantee the work to a reasonable extent.
Depends what your car buying and maintenance ethos is really i suppose.
If it is otherwise good condition, then the devil you know is generally going to be the financially safer option... with new used cars come potential problems, whereas your NC is a known quantity.
Just make sure whoever does the engine swap is competent and willing to warranty and gurantee the work to a reasonable extent.
Edited by designforlife on Friday 26th July 15:40
Helsbels1960 said:
I'm in South Manchester. Just been quoted about £1500. Opinions please. Is it worth doing this on a 13 year old car? Everything else on it is OK. It is currently stuck in a Mazda garage. They will give me £3000 PE against a brand new one. I can only keep it there for a week before they'll say it has to go elsewhere. If I have it fixed then at least I won't be pressured into getting a new one straight away. Any advice on pros and cons? I'd prefer not to buy brand new really as I'd generally go for one 2 or 3 years old.
Is that £1500 from Mazda for a full repair ? With a warranty?
Helsbels1960 said:
No it's from another garage. 1500 +VAT. Will cost me 400 just to strip it down and see if it can be done. Just thinking about it over the weekend and will make a decision tomorrow!
in view of your previous comment..."Engine is burning oil excessively internally and coming out of the exhaust, suspected piston ring failure, serious engine repair needed , or a new engine may be a better option"
I would be quite cautions about spending £400 to strip it down. it sounds serious, engine parts and labour is expensive, and to be honest its a skilled job, and many "mechanics" simply don't have those skills anymore... don't assume that when its fixed it will be OK...
I think a good second hand engine would be better... Or, get it home, pop it on Ebay with an honest description and take the hit on it. you may be surprised what it will go for!
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