My new MX5 10th Anniversary Edition

[Merlot]

Picked this up from my local specialist on Monday to replace my Mk1 Merlot I've had for the past two years.









Only 29k on the clock, so feels really tight and new despite her age. The Mk2 Bilstein set up is recommended!

[Skylinecrazy]

Looks smart mate!

What's the difference between the norm' and the anniversary addition?

[Planet Claire]

Best edition you have there!

Skylinecrazy said:

What's the difference between the norm' and the anniversary addition?

Loads. It had the 6-speed, Bilsteins, TorSen LSD, highly polished and highly corroding blingy wheels, special blue interior to match one-off blue paint and blue hood.
http://www.mx5-3rdgenerationlimited.com/10thannive...

[Jag-D]

Lovely car, but the wheels are hideous

Good to see more MX5 owners coming out lately

[soad]

Those wheels aren't bad - a bit bling but liveable with, i reckon.

Prefer Mk1 somehow - purely on the looks, i'm yet to drive either myself

[Jag-D]

soad said:

Those wheels aren't bad - a bit bling but liveable with, i reckon.

Prefer Mk1 somehow - purely on the looks, i'm yet to drive either myself

I like series 1 and 2

The latest MX5s just look a little too big

[Merlot]

soad said:

Those wheels aren't bad - a bit bling but liveable with, i reckon.

Prefer Mk1 somehow - purely on the looks, i'm yet to drive either myself

The (this) Mk2 feels a lot more composed and refined to the Mk1 - probably down to being a third of the mileage with the better Bilstein suspension compared to my Mk1 Merlot. Feels a bit better put together.

Not sure on the wheels myself, but I'll live with the bling for a while. It'd have to be a major dislike for me to remove them simply because I like keeping things original.

[insanojackson]

out of interest what did you get for the merlot?? i have one on a p plate with 97k on that i am considering selling shortly. Its simply not getting the use it deserves.

[Taffer]

Jag-D said:

Lovely car, but the wheels are hideous

Good to see more MX5 owners coming out lately

With a profile name like that I don't think he was 'in the closet' - the question now is if he is to be known as '10th Anniversary' from now on.

Merlot/10thAnn, lovely lovely car, but it has no pop-up headlights, ergo it is not cool.

Only kidding - nice car!

[Merlot]

insanojackson said:

out of interest what did you get for the merlot?? i have one on a p plate with 97k on that i am considering selling shortly. Its simply not getting the use it deserves.

I've PM/Emailed you the details

[Merlot]

Taffer said:

Jag-D said:

Lovely car, but the wheels are hideous

Good to see more MX5 owners coming out lately

With a profile name like that I don't think he was 'in the closet' - the question now is if he is to be known as '10th Anniversary' from now on.

Merlot/10thAnn, lovely lovely car, but it has no pop-up headlights, ergo it is not cool.

Only kidding - nice car!

Good point, maybe I should change my name to 10AE !

[hbwold]

Very smart, nice to see one in good nick with low miles. I like the interior's on these but you didn't put a photo up!

[Superhoop]

It's lovely - And without a doubt, the very best of the special versions of the MX-5 by a long long way....

[Merlot]

hbwold said:

Very smart, nice to see one in good nick with low miles. I like the interior's on these but you didn't put a photo up!

Here you go!

[CaptainSlow]

I've been looking at these recently. The interior is lovely and the 6 speed box is useful. Must say the wheels aren't great though. Can you say how much it cost you?

[Merlot]

CaptainSlow said:

I've been looking at these recently. The interior is lovely and the 6 speed box is useful. Must say the wheels aren't great though. Can you say how much it cost you?

Just under five and a half large.

Top book but it's pretty much immaculate and with only 29k on the clock plus I purchased it from a very well established MX5 specialist literally a mile from my house so I have warranty and piece of mind. I did get them to do the full cambelt service as a condition of sale too.

There are cheaper out there but these usually are much higher mileage or generally poorer condition private sales. This one looks nice - http://pistonheads.com/sales/1730629.htm

I have to say, though, the 6 speed box is more of a close-ratio box and the 6th gear can be used for every day driving rather than a 'cruising gear' like you find with most 6 speed 'boxes. It is, however, a really lovely gearbox which is much nicer than the 5 speed MX5 boxes I've used in the past.

Edited by Merlot on Wednesday 2nd June 21:47

[hornetrider]

Nice car

[Jag-D]

I could use a 6 speed conversion in the Eunos

[Ved]

How does it compare to a similarly setup MK1 like my S-Special, Merlot?

[Merlot]

Ved said:

How does it compare to a similarly setup MK1 like my S-Special, Merlot?

I've only been in, not driven a Bilstein'd Mk1.

The Mk2 feems more 'supple', seems to handle just as well but less harsh over the bumps.