MX5 lowering - Advice wanted

[Adam91_]

I've recently bought an MX5 and only taxed and insured it from 1st April, so over the last few days I've been finding out what "problems" the car has.

One of which is it needs a new rear shock absorber, I've put some new wheels and tyres on it and thinking the arch gap looks a bit monstrous on the standard set up, so wanting to lower it and freshen the suspension at the same time.

Questions:
- Best route? Standard shocks with lowering springs, uprated shocks/springs or coilovers?
- How much to lower by? Seen 30, 40 & 50mm kits, obviously coil overs adjustable.
- What other components should I replace at the same time whilst I'm at it? Suspension wise.

[Evoluzione]

Saying what model it is would help a lot.

[Adam91_]

Doh, it's a 1992 Mk1.... and a eunos, if that makes any difference whatsoever!

[TVRees]

Adam91 said:

- What other components should I replace at the same time whilst I'm at it? Suspension wise.

As mentioned - model and age would be useful.

Check and report the current condition of the suspension too. Maybe it all needs replacing, maybe nothing needs replacing, or even maybe the real answer is somewhere in between these two.

[Belle427]

I wouldn’t go too mad and upset the otherwise good handling.
If it were me I’d put a complete kit of lowered matched springs and dampers on it, not coil overs for road use.
I can’t really advise on a kit sorry but there are a few good ones around.

[WarnieV6GT]

I bought some meisterr sportive coilovers for my 98 MK1 as my original suspension was completely shot.

These are classed as OEM+ by meisterr. As my suspension was in such bad condition I can't really compare it to the OE spec stuff, but it feels great and it completely plug and play. I have not had to touch the ride height yet.

I also replaced the droplinks as it they're cheap enough. One of my track rod ends also needed replacement do I did both and that was it.

I was not after a track weapon as I bought this for low speed fun. If you want a more focused set up then I was recommended the meisterr crd's.

[Adam91_]

Belle427 said:

I wouldn’t go too mad and upset the otherwise good handling.
If it were me I’d put a complete kit of lowered matched springs and dampers on it, not coil overs for road use.
I can’t really advise on a kit sorry but there are a few good ones around.

I'm currently torn between coilovers and the lowered springs, don't think the coilovers would be too bad if I don't slam it?

[miniman]

WarnieV6GT said:

I bought some meisterr sportive coilovers for my 98 MK1 as my original suspension was completely shot.

These are classed as OEM+ by meisterr. As my suspension was in such bad condition I can't really compare it to the OE spec stuff, but it feels great and it completely plug and play. I have not had to touch the ride height yet.

I also replaced the droplinks as it they're cheap enough. One of my track rod ends also needed replacement do I did both and that was it.

I was not after a track weapon as I bought this for low speed fun. If you want a more focused set up then I was recommended the meisterr crd's.

Snap



Mine was lowered and then properly set up by Neil Garner.

[Adam91_]

WarnieV6GT said:

I bought some meisterr sportive coilovers for my 98 MK1 as my original suspension was completely shot.

These are classed as OEM+ by meisterr. As my suspension was in such bad condition I can't really compare it to the OE spec stuff, but it feels great and it completely plug and play. I have not had to touch the ride height yet.

I also replaced the droplinks as it they're cheap enough. One of my track rod ends also needed replacement do I did both and that was it.

I was not after a track weapon as I bought this for low speed fun. If you want a more focused set up then I was recommended the meisterr crd's.

Can't seem to find the sportive ones, how much are they? Won't be using on track I'd imagine as I've got a Clio 182 for that purpose, more b road blasts. Am watching these Tein ones on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tein-Street-Basis-Z-Coi...
Watched a few reviews that seem to think they are ok, wondering if anyone else has used them on their MX5.

Did you upgrade the drop links or go standard? Also seen these on mx5 parts but they only have 1 review, which isn't great: https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/anti-roll-drop-link-pai...

[WarnieV6GT]

Belle427 said:

I wouldn’t go too mad and upset the otherwise good handling.
If it were me I’d put a complete kit of lowered matched springs and dampers on it, not coil overs for road use.
I can’t really advise on a kit sorry but there are a few good ones around.

The standard mazda suspension are coils over shocks, so coilovers.

[WarnieV6GT]

Adam91_ said:

Can't seem to find the sportive ones, how much are they? Won't be using on track I'd imagine as I've got a Clio 182 for that purpose, more b road blasts. Am watching these Tein ones on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tein-Street-Basis-Z-Coi...
Watched a few reviews that seem to think they are ok, wondering if anyone else has used them on their MX5.

Did you upgrade the drop links or go standard? Also seen these on mx5 parts but they only have 1 review, which isn't great: https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/anti-roll-drop-link-pai...

Sportives are £495 delivered from meister. But you have no rebound or compression adjustment on them, you can only adjust the ride height. Mine do not bottom out at all.

Droplinks I just used a standard spec as these are easy to swap out. No point spending a fortune on droplinks with midrange coilovers imo.

[WarnieV6GT]

miniman said:

Snap



Mine was lowered and then properly set up by Neil Garner.

I bet that handles lovely

Don't see many NA's let alone the final berkeley editions. What number is yours? Mine is 94/400. You've just reminded me re-fit my wing badges..

[Belle427]

WarnieV6GT said:

Belle427 said:

I wouldn’t go too mad and upset the otherwise good handling.
If it were me I’d put a complete kit of lowered matched springs and dampers on it, not coil overs for road use.
I can’t really advise on a kit sorry but there are a few good ones around.

The standard mazda suspension are coils over shocks, so coilovers.

Yes sorry I was referring to the fully adjustable ride height type which can be tricky to set up for a novice. More money is then needed to pay a specialist to do it.

[Stevil]

I've just got hold of a 92 Roadster myself and fitted some 14" Enkeis on it which look a little lost in the arches now, so have a set of Ohlins on order as I know from the bike world just how good they are. Unfortunately Brexit means there's a six week wait for them right now.

I have read that the Teins can be pretty uncompromising for road use, but the MeisterR stuff always gets good reviews.

[WarnieV6GT]

Stevil said:

I've just got hold of a 92 Roadster myself and fitted some 14" Enkeis on it which look a little lost in the arches now, so have a set of Ohlins on order as I know from the bike world just how good they are. Unfortunately Brexit means there's a six week wait for them right now.

I have read that the Teins can be pretty uncompromising for road use, but the MeisterR stuff always gets good reviews.

I would have loved ohlins. I too have them on my bike but couldn't justify the cost for the mazda as it will need some work underneath at some point.

[Stevil]

WarnieV6GT said:

I would have loved ohlins. I too have them on my bike but couldn't justify the cost for the mazda as it will need some work underneath at some point.

I did um and ah about it for quite some time as they are near enough half the price of the car, but it's nice and clean underneath as I took a while sourcing it and intend for it to be a keeper, so I thought you only live once. Plus if I went for something else I'd constantly be wondering what the Ohlins were like. Hopefully I don't end up wondering what all the fuss is about...

[miniman]

WarnieV6GT said:

miniman said:

Snap



Mine was lowered and then properly set up by Neil Garner.

I bet that handles lovely

Don't see many NA's let alone the final berkeley editions. What number is yours? Mine is 94/400. You've just reminded me re-fit my wing badges..

I had 170 and 277.

[Adam91_]

Couple of pics of the rear suspension, bit crusty and the rubbers look a bit perished, so worth replacing whilst I'm there I think.

[griffdude]

If the suspension looks like that, what are the sills/wings like? A liberal dose of anti rust coating would really help out on the suspension arms (ACF50 is a good place to start) & chuck some WD40 or suchlike on the nuts+bolts a day or so before disassembly as they are bound to be a bit stubborn.

You can lower too much which can make them a right PITA as then you ground on everything. As a rule of thumb, my front bottom wishbones are parallel to the ground & then the rear ride height is +10mm. As others have said MeisterR are popular, I use BC Racing DS just because they were on a deal & got them valved to suit.

[Sad Weevil]

Stevil said:

I did um and ah about it for quite some time as they are near enough half the price of the car, but it's nice and clean underneath as I took a while sourcing it and intend for it to be a keeper, so I thought you only live once. Plus if I went for something else I'd constantly be wondering what the Ohlins were like. Hopefully I don't end up wondering what all the fuss is about...

I have the Ohlins on my mk1. You won't be disappointed.

Edited by Sad Weevil on Wednesday 7th April 09:38