Best spec for BBR conversion

[Venisonpie]

I test drove an MX5 2.0 ND this morning and was impressed with the exception a lack of go (was a 2018 car so maybe the lower power engine?).

If ordering new (or buying nearly new) is there a preferred spec that suits a n/a BBR conversion? With regards spec is there anything desirable that enhances driving experience? I'm not interested in tech.

Also thoughts on the full convertible vs the electric roof version?

Tia.

[Johnnybee]

2018 could have been either engine, didn’t you think to ask?

As for hard top versus soft, in my opinion the hard top is the better looking car with the roof up and the soft top with it down. I bought the hard top.

[Venisonpie]

Bit daft I know, I wasn't interested in that particular car, it was the only 2 litre car they had for demo purposes. Didn't occur to me it might be the previous engine until afterwards and the lack of top end fizz.

[roddo]

The earlier car has more torque, the later one has less as this is how Mazda addressed the gearbox issue along with a DMF

The early car with a manifold & re map is a very nice car.... I have one making over 200 bhp

[Venisonpie]

roddo said:

The earlier car has more torque, the later one has less as this is how Mazda addressed the gearbox issue along with a DMF

The early car with a manifold & re map is a very nice car.... I have one making over 200 bhp

Yikes, what's the gearbox issue?

[Glug69]

Early cars (mostly in America but not exclusively) could lunch the gearbox, mainly on track driven cars but also some road driven, pretty much been addressed by the revisions Mazda has made to the gearbox, it's on rev5 now I think, I think there were a few guys that had 2/3 gearboxes replaced which says to me it was the way they drive rather than the gearbox, I'm not saying there wasn't a problem as there clearly was, but the vast majority are fine, if you want to read about it check out Miata.net as there are many threads discussing it. I'm pretty sure Roddison has a fix in the form of stronger gearsets, and I know he recommends regular gearbox and diff oil changes.