Discussion
As per the title really, I am keen to get an MX5 and there seem to be more MK2s for sale, and obviously they are newer and condition will be better. I however like the look of the Mk1 better. Is the Mk2 essentially a MK1 without pop up headlights? or is it a heavier and less pure driving experience?
The Mk2 drives just as well, if not better than the Mk1. Yes they are heavier, but they have more powerful engines.
For me (and I reckon just about anyone who grew up in the 80's) it HAS to be the Mk1 for the pop up headlights. Oh and I think the Mk2 is just too girly (ditto Mk3)whereas the Mk1 is retro cool...
For me (and I reckon just about anyone who grew up in the 80's) it HAS to be the Mk1 for the pop up headlights. Oh and I think the Mk2 is just too girly (ditto Mk3)whereas the Mk1 is retro cool...
Its funny, I have a Mk1 (because they're much cheaper and I have both Dutch and Scottish blood in my veins) but I personally think the Mk1 looks girlier than the Mk2... and I don't like pop-up headlights!
I haven't driven a Mk2 but I hear they're more refined and not as raw as the Mk1 but have less interior room despite being slightly bigger and heavier.
I haven't driven a Mk2 but I hear they're more refined and not as raw as the Mk1 but have less interior room despite being slightly bigger and heavier.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 23 February 08:46
Yes Chris - they are fundamentally the same car underneath just with revisions - different body panels and a different interior, the design was refined a fair bit. Body is a little stiffer too IIRC.
Most mechanical stuff is very similar, there are just as many options for fettling with Mk2's as there are with earlier cars.
Most mechanical stuff is very similar, there are just as many options for fettling with Mk2's as there are with earlier cars.
snotrag said:
Yes Chris - they are fundamentally the same car underneath just with revisions - different body panels and a different interior, the design was refined a fair bit. Body is a little stiffer too IIRC.
Most mechanical stuff is very similar, there are just as many options for fettling with Mk2's as there are with earlier cars.
Hmmm, so mk2 MX5 with all the bits + large supercharger = funMost mechanical stuff is very similar, there are just as many options for fettling with Mk2's as there are with earlier cars.
Might have to investigate that theory later on this year...
MX5-Lazza on here has a very quick Mk2 with all the bits - 260bhp ish I think?
And Tybo also on here used to own a Supercharged MK2.
More info than you could possibly wish to consume on www.mx5nutz.com (its down at the moment though).
And Tybo also on here used to own a Supercharged MK2.
More info than you could possibly wish to consume on www.mx5nutz.com (its down at the moment though).
snotrag said:
More info than you could possibly wish to consume on www.mx5nutz.com (its down at the moment though).
Nutz is back 
Late Mk1 1.8iS = 1080Kg. Mk2 1.8iS = 1080Kg. They really aren't heavier when compared like-for-like. Mk2.5 1.8 Sport (facelift 2001 onwards) is a little heavier but also better equipped.
The Mk2 is a bit softer than the Mk1 but the chassis is stiffer so the handling is just as good and it has more grip and a more comfortable ride. It's been said that the Mk1 is the better sportscar but the Mk2 is the better car. Stock that may be true but any mods you can do to a Mk1 you can do to a Mk2. My car has the same GAZ shocks & springs as the PlanetMX5 Motorsports Mk1 1.6 and handles just as well but with more grip.
The Mk2 interior does have a little less space than the Mk1 but it's not a big difference and the interior is a much more pleasant environment.
My Mk2.5 is indeed supercharged and was last dyno'd at 226bhp. It was limited by the size of the injectors though. I've just invested in some 550cc RC injectors and an Adaptronic ecu to control it. I reckon it should make around 240bhp and over 200 torques when I get around to fitting it all
The Mk2 is a bit softer than the Mk1 but the chassis is stiffer so the handling is just as good and it has more grip and a more comfortable ride. It's been said that the Mk1 is the better sportscar but the Mk2 is the better car. Stock that may be true but any mods you can do to a Mk1 you can do to a Mk2. My car has the same GAZ shocks & springs as the PlanetMX5 Motorsports Mk1 1.6 and handles just as well but with more grip.
The Mk2 interior does have a little less space than the Mk1 but it's not a big difference and the interior is a much more pleasant environment.
My Mk2.5 is indeed supercharged and was last dyno'd at 226bhp. It was limited by the size of the injectors though. I've just invested in some 550cc RC injectors and an Adaptronic ecu to control it. I reckon it should make around 240bhp and over 200 torques when I get around to fitting it all
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Tuesday 23 February 14:50
MX-5 Lazza said:
My Mk2.5 is indeed supercharged and was last dyno'd at 226bhp. It was limited by the size of the injectors though. I've just invested in some 550cc RC injectors and an Adaptronic ecu to control it. I reckon it should make around 240bhp and over 200 torques when I get around to fitting it all
What 'sacrifices' do you have to make to get that sort of power out of an MX5? Is it still fairly useable or are you starting to make any significant compromises on driveability, economy, reliability etc?
!!Not sure how much heavier a Mk2.5 is but it's not much when compared like for like to a Mk1/Mk2. People always overstate the weight gain by comparing to an early 1.6 Mk1 but a Mk2.5 has 30bhp more so is still a fair bit quicker than a Mk1 1.6.
Sacrifices? Well I suppose that much extra torque must shorten the engine life a bit but if it's tuned well I don't see why it wouldn't do 100k+ miles without a problem. If something like a Powercard is used or the tuning isn't good then economy will be down quite a bit but a well tuned setup should be at least as economic as stock as long as you are careful with the right foot. My economy now is no different to how it was before I added the SC.
I guess the only real sacrifice is financial. It does cost a fair bit to get that much power if you want it to be reliable.
Powerful. Reliable. Cheap. Choose only 2. That goes for any FI project.
Sacrifices? Well I suppose that much extra torque must shorten the engine life a bit but if it's tuned well I don't see why it wouldn't do 100k+ miles without a problem. If something like a Powercard is used or the tuning isn't good then economy will be down quite a bit but a well tuned setup should be at least as economic as stock as long as you are careful with the right foot. My economy now is no different to how it was before I added the SC.
I guess the only real sacrifice is financial. It does cost a fair bit to get that much power if you want it to be reliable.
Powerful. Reliable. Cheap. Choose only 2. That goes for any FI project.
Didnt realise any mk1 weighed 1080 kg 
If you prefer the mk1 shape, look out for an RS Limited, as its under 1000 kg, and has nice bucket seats.
I had mine supercharged, but just the basic kit with a powercard and no timing solution. It was thirsty, and not particularly much faster than standard (did have a lot more shove in top though). I'd agree, if you want it to run decently, it'll cost ya!
If you prefer the mk1 shape, look out for an RS Limited, as its under 1000 kg, and has nice bucket seats.
I had mine supercharged, but just the basic kit with a powercard and no timing solution. It was thirsty, and not particularly much faster than standard (did have a lot more shove in top though). I'd agree, if you want it to run decently, it'll cost ya!
Edited by pbirkett on Tuesday 23 February 20:07
Having gone from a mk2 (which was supercharged) to a mk1(turbocharged), If I were given the option - i'd go with a mk2 again.
There are small differences, but still quite noticable ones.
I felt that the mk2 handled slightly better, and just felt more planted on the road.
In fact, i'm quite tempted to start looking for a swap of some kind with a mk2 again (supercharged of course)
There are small differences, but still quite noticable ones.
I felt that the mk2 handled slightly better, and just felt more planted on the road.
In fact, i'm quite tempted to start looking for a swap of some kind with a mk2 again (supercharged of course)
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