MX5 Models

[George Coulthard]

I was going to post his on the MX5 owners club website until I realised it would £25.00 to join; and as I only want a little advice I thought I would come to the font of all knowledge otherwise known as Pistonheads....

I am thinking of buying a Mark 1 or possibly a Mark 2 UK supplied MX5 later this year (July August time). I know that I want a 1.8 and my questions are:

1] Did Mark 1 1.8iS's have a limited Slip differential (LSD) as standard?

2] Did Mark 1 1.8iS's have ABS as standard? (and was it just an option for the 1.8i?)

3] Were the (numerous) special editions based on the 1.8i only (i.e not with std ABS)?

4] Did the Mark 2 1.8iS have ABS and a LSD as standard?

5] Would NOT having a LSD make a real difference to spirited driving (of an MX5) on a day to day basis, as opposed to on the track?

My budget is up to about £5000 possibly £5500. Would you go for a Mark 1 or a Mark 2? I have seen both within my price range in the classified's section of this site... I particularly like the look of the Mark 1 Merlot an the Daker but there are two Mark 2 1.8iS's at £5,500ish which look good as well.

Any advice would be appreciated; and if I may be so bold... If any members of the MX5 owners club should stumble across this post and be inclined to post similar questions on their forum that would be perfectly peachy!!!! if not a little cheeky of me...

[puggit]

Sorry can't answer, as I drive the older cousin. But wouldn't it be better buying the convertible earlier in the year in order to enjoy the summer?

[munter]

George Coulthard said:

I was going to post his on the MX5 owners club website until I realised it would £25.00 to join; and as I only want a little advice I thought I would come to the font of all knowledge otherwise known as Pistonheads.... I am thinking of buying a Mark 1 or possibly a Mark 2 UK supplied MX5 later this year (July August time). I know that I want a 1.8 and my questions are: 1] Did Mark 1 1.8iS's have a limited Slip differential (LSD) as standard? 2] Did Mark 1 1.8iS's have ABS as standard? (and was it just an option for the 1.8i?) 3] Were the (numerous) special editions based on the 1.8i only (i.e not with std ABS)? 4] Did the Mark 2 1.8iS have ABS and a LSD as standard? 5] Would NOT having a LSD make a real difference to spirited driving (of an MX5) on a day to day basis, as opposed to on the track? My budget is up to about £5000 possibly £5500. Would you go for a Mark 1 or a Mark 2? I have seen both within my price range in the classified's section of this site... I particularly like the look of the Mark 1 Merlot an the Daker but there are two Mark 2 1.8iS's at £5,500ish which look good as well. Any advice would be appreciated; and if I may be so bold... If any members of the MX5 owners club should stumble across this post and be inclined to post similar questions on their forum that would be perfectly peachy!!!! if not a little cheeky of me...

The www.mx5ocforum.co.uk should be free to register on the forums. You have to pay to join the club but the advice forums have always been free to use. (unless something changed recently!)

1) NO!!! Only started to be fitted on the MK2.
2)ABS Standard on the 1.8is mk1.
3)special editions.... al lot based on the "basic" 1.8. So you'd have to look under the bonnet to check for ABS etc.
4)Yes. Torsen LSD and ABS as standard on the MK2 1.8is.
5)It's "safer" without the LSD. Personally I have trouble getting out of junctions without spinning the inside wheel a bit and i'm looking to upgrade the diff to a torsen. But that said I love the car and i've had it over a year so it's not THAT important.
6)I'd probably go for the MK2 cars to get the torsen LSD. The Merlot is a nice edition but i'd still want that LSD.

General advice is read the MX5 owners club forums.

If I was buying a MK1 again I personally think i'd get a GOOD 1.6 upto 1994 (e.g. the 115 bhp) and then spend the rest upgrading the diff and putting a supercharger kit on the car.

Otherwise get the MK2 1.8is.

[George Coulthard]

puggit said:

Sorry can't answer, as I drive the older cousin. But wouldn't it be better buying the convertible earlier in the year in order to enjoy the summer?

Yes you are spot on, but I am afraid it is a question of finances... But I may well wait until the autumn / winter in order to pick one up a bit more cheaply.

[George Coulthard]

Hello Munter

Thanks for your response. I will revisit the owners club site and see if I can registered for free on the forums.

In Point 5 of your response you states it is safer without the LSD, can you explain what you mean? Because in my limited experience I thought the car would be more controllable.

Thanks again
George

[anonymous-user]

George Coulthard said:

In Point 5 of your response you states it is safer without the LSD, can you explain what you mean? Because in my limited experience I thought the car would be more controllable.

If you get a bit excited with an open diff, the inside wheel will spin away all the excess power. With an LSD, the wheel with grip will keep powering the car all the way around the nice pirouette you're doing in the middle of the road.

[George Coulthard]

LexSport said:

George Coulthard said: In Point 5 of your response you states it is safer without the LSD, can you explain what you mean? Because in my limited experience I thought the car would be more controllable. If you get a bit excited with an open diff, the inside wheel will spin away all the excess power. With an LSD, the wheel with grip will keep powering the car all the way around the nice pirouette you're doing in the middle of the road.

Thanks for the clarification; that makes sense.

[munter]

George! I dont know if your still looking but i'd cut my right arm off to have the spare cash to buy this car!

www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=32834&highlight=

[cy88]

munter said:

George Coulthard said: I was going to post his on the MX5 owners club website until I realised it would £25.00 to join; and as I only want a little advice I thought I would come to the font of all knowledge otherwise known as Pistonheads.... I am thinking of buying a Mark 1 or possibly a Mark 2 UK supplied MX5 later this year (July August time). I know that I want a 1.8 and my questions are: 1] Did Mark 1 1.8iS's have a limited Slip differential (LSD) as standard? 2] Did Mark 1 1.8iS's have ABS as standard? (and was it just an option for the 1.8i?) 3] Were the (numerous) special editions based on the 1.8i only (i.e not with std ABS)? 4] Did the Mark 2 1.8iS have ABS and a LSD as standard? 5] Would NOT having a LSD make a real difference to spirited driving (of an MX5) on a day to day basis, as opposed to on the track? My budget is up to about £5000 possibly £5500. Would you go for a Mark 1 or a Mark 2? I have seen both within my price range in the classified's section of this site... I particularly like the look of the Mark 1 Merlot an the Daker but there are two Mark 2 1.8iS's at £5,500ish which look good as well. Any advice would be appreciated; and if I may be so bold... If any members of the MX5 owners club should stumble across this post and be inclined to post similar questions on their forum that would be perfectly peachy!!!! if not a little cheeky of me... The www.mx5ocforum.co.uk should be free to register on the forums. You have to pay to join the club but the advice forums have always been free to use. (unless something changed recently!) 1) NO!!! Only started to be fitted on the MK2. 2)ABS Standard on the 1.8is mk1. 3)special editions.... al lot based on the "basic" 1.8. So you'd have to look under the bonnet to check for ABS etc. 4)Yes. Torsen LSD and ABS as standard on the MK2 1.8is. 5)It's "safer" without the LSD. Personally I have trouble getting out of junctions without spinning the inside wheel a bit and i'm looking to upgrade the diff to a torsen. But that said I love the car and i've had it over a year so it's not THAT important. 6)I'd probably go for the MK2 cars to get the torsen LSD. The Merlot is a nice edition but i'd still want that LSD. General advice is read the MX5 owners club forums. If I was buying a MK1 again I personally think i'd get a GOOD 1.6 upto 1994 (e.g. the 115 bhp) and then spend the rest upgrading the diff and putting a supercharger kit on the car. Otherwise get the MK2 1.8is.

My understanding is most Mark 1 1.8 Eunos roadsters (and 1.6s) had LSD (see here http://specs.amayama.com/mazda/eunos_ Mark 1.8 Eunos had VIN ref NA8C).

That is one of the benefits of Jap import cars (if you're after LSD)

Edit: I believe that ABS was an option on 1.8 Eunos's.

Ps: read the comparison of Mark 1, 2 and 3 cars in EVO this month. They recommend the Mark 1, having tested a Eunos roadster for the article.

>> Edited by cy88 on Tuesday 11th April 12:48

[George Coulthard]

munter said:

George! I dont know if your still looking but i'd cut my right arm off to have the spare cash to buy this car! www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=32834&highlight=

Hi Munter

Sorry for not answering sooner but I have been down in Cornwall this week! Unfortunately it is a little too soon for me to be looking (Still saving) which is really unfortunate as the person selling can only be about 10 miles from my mothers place!

I agree it looks like a beauty. Why are you so keen? Is it the overall condition or because of the spec?

>> Edited by George Coulthard on Wednesday 12th April 18:37

[George Coulthard]

cy88 said:

[quote=munter][quote=George Coulthard] My understanding is most Mark 1 1.8 Eunos roadsters (and 1.6s) had LSD (see here http://specs.amayama.com/mazda/eunos_ Mark 1.8 Eunos had VIN ref NA8C). That is one of the benefits of Jap import cars (if you're after LSD) Edit: I believe that ABS was an option on 1.8 Eunos's. Ps: read the comparison of Mark 1, 2 and 3 cars in EVO this month. They recommend the Mark 1, having tested a Eunos roadster for the article. >> Edited by cy88 on Tuesday 11th April 12:48

Thanks for the link; unfortunately it was down when I tried, but I will continue to try. I will get EVO and have a look at the article.

Thanks

[munter]

George Coulthard said:

I agree it looks like a beauty. Why are you so keen? Is it the overall condition or because of the spec?

Both really. Eunos roadsters tend to be in better condition. And as said above by another poster they tend to come with an LSD. I'm 90% certain that that model does and it's got the front strut brace. All as standard. Also it's old enough not to need a CAT to pass the MOT. Which in my book makes it a good buy. (Assuming theres nothing the sellers not advertising)