Just got one...
Discussion
Picked up a 2001 Sport S-VT at the weekend, from PH classifieds.
Got a couple of niggles I need to sort out, which I'll ask about here and you can direct me to the best MX-5 community if it's beyond you! lol
1. No locking on roof catches... The button makes no difference at all. - I've adjusted the roof slightly to stop it popping open, but don't know if I'm going to need new catches.
2. Juddering when pulling away... Not from setting the gas too low, just sometimes the car gives quite a violent shake when you're feathering the clutch. - No other signs of clutch issues though.
3. Full or semi-synth oil? Could do with a full service, but the handbook doesn't specify. What does everyone else use?
4. Induction kit. Thinking about getting an even sweeter engine note as the wife won't let me put a nice rorty exhaust on. Any recommendations?
I'll think of some more soon, but your input will be appreciated in the meantime.
Got a couple of niggles I need to sort out, which I'll ask about here and you can direct me to the best MX-5 community if it's beyond you! lol
1. No locking on roof catches... The button makes no difference at all. - I've adjusted the roof slightly to stop it popping open, but don't know if I'm going to need new catches.
2. Juddering when pulling away... Not from setting the gas too low, just sometimes the car gives quite a violent shake when you're feathering the clutch. - No other signs of clutch issues though.
3. Full or semi-synth oil? Could do with a full service, but the handbook doesn't specify. What does everyone else use?
4. Induction kit. Thinking about getting an even sweeter engine note as the wife won't let me put a nice rorty exhaust on. Any recommendations?
I'll think of some more soon, but your input will be appreciated in the meantime.
Oh yeah, and does anyone else have issues where the gear lever jumps about in your hand when you apply/lift off the gas? - It feels like an engine mount would in a transversely mounted car, but as the engine is the right way in this I'm not sure what could be causing the lever to pull longitudinally. (Is that even a word?)
Congrats on your new purchase!
To Answer some of your questions..
1. No locking on roof catches... This is a fairly common problem, i believe you will need to replace the latches.
2. Juddering when pulling away... The famous clutch judder issue, very common on the 01+ cars, i know of many cars that had the Clutch/Flywheel replaced under warranty more than once. One way to solve is to fit an after market clutch and maybe flywheel.
3. Full or semi-synth oil? I use 5w40 Fully synthetic oil and change every 5000 miles (My car is Supercharged so i do it more often). When ever i change it the oil looks good and its not that much more expensive than Semi synth, seems worth it to me.
4. Induction kit. Look at the Goodwin Monsterflow kit (Available from various Suppliers). I had this kit and it sounds great and improves throttle response.
To Answer some of your questions..
1. No locking on roof catches... This is a fairly common problem, i believe you will need to replace the latches.
2. Juddering when pulling away... The famous clutch judder issue, very common on the 01+ cars, i know of many cars that had the Clutch/Flywheel replaced under warranty more than once. One way to solve is to fit an after market clutch and maybe flywheel.
3. Full or semi-synth oil? I use 5w40 Fully synthetic oil and change every 5000 miles (My car is Supercharged so i do it more often). When ever i change it the oil looks good and its not that much more expensive than Semi synth, seems worth it to me.
4. Induction kit. Look at the Goodwin Monsterflow kit (Available from various Suppliers). I had this kit and it sounds great and improves throttle response.
I agree with Paul on all points but I'll add a couple of comments.
1. Before you replace the catches try adjusting them so they are too loose and then tighten a little so they are just tight enough (they don't need a lot). It might just be that they are too tight. If you do need to replace you can get new ones from MX-5 Parts or you might find some 2nd hand ones at a scrappy or on one of the forums (MX5Nutz is the best one.
2. Pain ain't it? I had this on my 01 Mk2.5 when I bought it but it was just inside the warranty period so I got it fixed under warranty. I was lucky as at the time they did mine they were fitting uprated clutch & pressure plate and cleaning the flywheel so I'm still on this clutch after over 2 years of SC with 215bhp and 170lb/ft with 7 trackdays, a run at the pod and leaving the car in the hands of EVO magazine for 3 days
3. I use fully synth. Well I use Mobil 1 which is as close to fully synth as I can afford to go (it's still a cracked mineral oil as most of them are).
4. A good induction kit (monsterflow, K&N etc.) can make the car sound much better and makes it feel like it's pulling stronger. In fact they don't give any more power and in fact reduce power in most cases according to any dyno runs I've seen but it's still worth it imho as they really do sound good. Shame the JR CAI isn't available for Mk2/2.5 as this is the one that sounds the best and is one of the few that has actually been proven to give a little extra power.
Have fun driving your new toy and try not to spend too much on bling
1. Before you replace the catches try adjusting them so they are too loose and then tighten a little so they are just tight enough (they don't need a lot). It might just be that they are too tight. If you do need to replace you can get new ones from MX-5 Parts or you might find some 2nd hand ones at a scrappy or on one of the forums (MX5Nutz is the best one.
2. Pain ain't it? I had this on my 01 Mk2.5 when I bought it but it was just inside the warranty period so I got it fixed under warranty. I was lucky as at the time they did mine they were fitting uprated clutch & pressure plate and cleaning the flywheel so I'm still on this clutch after over 2 years of SC with 215bhp and 170lb/ft with 7 trackdays, a run at the pod and leaving the car in the hands of EVO magazine for 3 days
3. I use fully synth. Well I use Mobil 1 which is as close to fully synth as I can afford to go (it's still a cracked mineral oil as most of them are).
4. A good induction kit (monsterflow, K&N etc.) can make the car sound much better and makes it feel like it's pulling stronger. In fact they don't give any more power and in fact reduce power in most cases according to any dyno runs I've seen but it's still worth it imho as they really do sound good. Shame the JR CAI isn't available for Mk2/2.5 as this is the one that sounds the best and is one of the few that has actually been proven to give a little extra power.
Have fun driving your new toy and try not to spend too much on bling
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Monday 25th June 10:30
Glad you're enjoying it!!
i actually took the car to Magna Mazda where the car was sold from new because of the judder and they said it was standard on that model - you do learn to drive around it in time so taht it doesnt do it, try increasing revs slightly to just under 2k before pulling away.
how was the drive back?
i actually took the car to Magna Mazda where the car was sold from new because of the judder and they said it was standard on that model - you do learn to drive around it in time so taht it doesnt do it, try increasing revs slightly to just under 2k before pulling away.
how was the drive back?
Drive back was hell in the weather, but worth it. - Loving the car!
It's the nicest car I've had, so I'm prepared to spend a bit of time and money doing all the little bits to have it perfect. Shame I don't get to drive it much.
She's kerbed the front driver's alloy already. 24 bloody hours I'd had it home and it's scuffed to buggery.
Looking for a set 2nd hand to keep nice and let her make a mess of these until I can teach her to park exactly 6" from the kerb!
It's the nicest car I've had, so I'm prepared to spend a bit of time and money doing all the little bits to have it perfect. Shame I don't get to drive it much.
She's kerbed the front driver's alloy already. 24 bloody hours I'd had it home and it's scuffed to buggery.
Looking for a set 2nd hand to keep nice and let her make a mess of these until I can teach her to park exactly 6" from the kerb!
Omi said:
Drive back was hell in the weather, but worth it. - Loving the car!
It's the nicest car I've had, so I'm prepared to spend a bit of time and money doing all the little bits to have it perfect. Shame I don't get to drive it much.
She's kerbed the front driver's alloy already. 24 bloody hours I'd had it home and it's scuffed to buggery.
Looking for a set 2nd hand to keep nice and let her make a mess of these until I can teach her to park exactly 6" from the kerb!
thats exactly what im starting to dread with the z4, im sure she'll do the same as yours!It's the nicest car I've had, so I'm prepared to spend a bit of time and money doing all the little bits to have it perfect. Shame I don't get to drive it much.
She's kerbed the front driver's alloy already. 24 bloody hours I'd had it home and it's scuffed to buggery.
Looking for a set 2nd hand to keep nice and let her make a mess of these until I can teach her to park exactly 6" from the kerb!
Omi said:
Drive back was hell in the weather, but worth it. - Loving the car!
It's the nicest car I've had, so I'm prepared to spend a bit of time and money doing all the little bits to have it perfect. Shame I don't get to drive it much.
She's kerbed the front driver's alloy already. 24 bloody hours I'd had it home and it's scuffed to buggery.
Looking for a set 2nd hand to keep nice and let her make a mess of these until I can teach her to park exactly 6" from the kerb!
Well, .......You need to be more specific when you show her what six inches looks like!!!It's the nicest car I've had, so I'm prepared to spend a bit of time and money doing all the little bits to have it perfect. Shame I don't get to drive it much.
She's kerbed the front driver's alloy already. 24 bloody hours I'd had it home and it's scuffed to buggery.
Looking for a set 2nd hand to keep nice and let her make a mess of these until I can teach her to park exactly 6" from the kerb!
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