MX5/Miata Uprated Springs Reviewed - Do They Really Transform The Car?

How does the MK4 (ND) MX5/Miata respond to uprated springs? Lets hit the open road to find out...

[@midlifemotors5050]

Been umming and ahhing about this for ages, finally got round to getting on with it!!

[@KunziDoesStuff]

I think you've convinced me to get those springs fitted to my RF 😄. I agree with you on the tyres, I think the Bridgestone ones are perfect, but I still think spacers will just set the car perfectly especially on the rear but each to their own. Nice to get info on prices too 👍🏼

[@midlifemotors5050]

Good stuff, glad it helped. Agree r.e. the rear, might try fitting some slightly wider rubber at some stage in the future. Deffo your turn next, will keep my eyes peeled for the results😉

[@youdidntbuildthat47]

I like how you say “garage.”

[@expert_procrastinator]

Good to hear that it's worth it! I'll hopefully be getting this later in the year. Makes me wonder why this isn't factory standard on the 2.0 litre cars 🤔

[@midlifemotors5050]

Believe these were/are a dealer fit option. But much cheaper to do yourself + you can get a better geo set-up after. Deffo worth it, you won't be disappointed 👍

[@MajorAddiction]

What a cute doggie in the window

[@midlifemotors5050]

My shadow and best pal👍

[@peterlewis3540]

Anything that reduces the body role of the MD, can only be a good thing, and combine a set of Bilstein B8s, and its a recipe made in heaven.

[@midlifemotors5050]

The car is really nice to drive atm, yes a touch firmer but not bouncy, which is good. Need a bit more noise now 🤔

[@kenl0d536]

Hello, I'm interested by this mod and you mentioned that the braking is now more stable. My question is if the springs got rid of the squatting when accelerating and braking like it did for the body roll? I don't like the body roll but I hate the squatting when accelerating and braking with the stock setup, it's fun but just too much for my liking. Thank you!

[@bscgarage]

from my research, the Eibach spings are the same for RF and soft top. Compared to the OEM rear ones on the RF, that are stiffer then the ones on soft top, the Eibach have the same spring rate. At the front OEM spring rate is the same for RF and soft top, and Eibach are stiffer. I would like to try Progress Spring for RF, that are stiffer both in front and in rear compared to the OEM, but Goowwin Racing do not sell in Europe, and Racing Beat price for them are INSANE.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Good knowledge 👍 The eibach's aren't perfect but they do reduce the bodyroll considerably and that used to spoil the drive a little for me. Add the lower looks and for the price I think they're worth it. Only thing I would possibly change is the geometry settings. I went flyin miata, which is fine when pushing on, but think the factory setup might actually be better the rest of the time.

[@scottmackenzie318]

Were the springs sufficient to completely stop the body roll? I see Eibach do an Anti-Roll kit as well? My 2016 2.0 GT Convertible has 33,000 Miles - Q1. Should I do the shocks and the Springs - Springs look like they may solve all the body roll issues? Q2. Would the anti-roll be worth the effort and cost? - Love this car - I drive it to work, look forward to going to work in it and driving it home every day - not to mention a quick blast on back roads on a weekend. Quick comment on Tyres - I swapped out the factory Bridgestone S001's for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 - big step up in comfort, wet and dry handling - no comparison - Keep up the great work on the videos!

[@midlifemotors5050]

Thanks Scott 👍 I’d say the springs removed the body roll yes but now I think you feel the pitch and yaw more noticeably. Guess they were there before just more obvious now. I’m sure the arb kit would help but I quite like the way the car handles now. It still moves about underneath you but in a nice way. I don’t want a car which is on rails but the body roll was just too much. Yup, definitely want a set of ps4s when the Bridgestones are done, good shout 👌

[@scottmackenzie318]

@@midlifemotors5050 Ok Neil - I'm gonna do the springs - your reponse much appreciated. That body roll just removes some of shine from what is a great handling car. Look forward to your video when you get your new Set of Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Just an FYI - I heard the Pilot Sport 5 have better longevity but not quite as sticky as the Pilot Sport 4. They are definately worth the extra $'s - cheers!

[@musicinside5122]

Like your review. Can you please provide the source of the 'mx-5 RF' logo on your glove box? Thank you!

[@stevemortimore1366]

It's standard on the Launch Edition

[@mx-5driver406]

Hehe, interesting. Getting the same Eibach springs installed at my local Mazda shop in two weeks. Mainly because it really improves the look of the car, but also a bit for the improved handling. As my stock Potenzas are pretty much worn out I'm also getting a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tires. Really looking forward to trying that combo out. Did you use Mazda recommended wheel alignment or did you change some parameter?

[@midlifemotors5050]

Going for a flyin miata geo set up, car booked in next week, fingers crossed it's as good as everyone says. My brother has the Eagle F1s on his Golf R, great tyre, nice choice, let us know how they suit the Mazda 👍

[@mx-5driver406]

@@midlifemotors5050 Will do, and please let us know what you think about the FM setup. I'm considering using the same.

[@midlifemotors5050]

@@mx-5driver406 Here good reports, and they do seem to know their stuff. Watch this space...😉

[@stevemortimore1366]

@@midlifemotors5050 So was the geo standard from factory in this video?

[@midlifemotors5050]

@@stevemortimore1366 It was yes. And it worked well. The FM set up definitely makes the car sharper but i'm not so sure better. For sure when pushing on hard(ish) but the rest of the time the stock setup is a bit less frantic. I'm umming and ahhing about whether or not to go back to stock geo. The eibach springs are miles better though 👌

[@schellingrs]

Great video man! Miata is always the answer! I love my ND2. With this setup AND spacers, will it rub? I appreciate the answer. Thanks mate!

[@midlifemotors5050]

Thanks 👍 Many folks do run spacers with this setup but I like the ride/looks the way it is, so going to leave it. Jealous of your ND2s better engine 😉 but your right, Miata is the way. Always.

[@lucianolucidi8624]

Good video . Thanks. I have an ND2 2.0. It has bilstein coil overs. Do you think so that if I change only the springs with some bit lower the car will roll less? Honestly the roll is not disturbing me so much but of course on a sport car i would have expect less roll than it has from stock. I am in doubt. Helppp

[@midlifemotors5050]

The springs definitly reduced the roll. The one thing i'd change though is the geo set up. I went Flyin Miata and I think the OEM settings are better for 95% of the time. The FM is great/better when you're really pushing on but too edgy the rest of the time. Oh, and as a bonus, the reduced ride height looks so much better 😎

[@Dr.IanPlect]

luciano Are you stating the OEM suspension? If so, they _are_ Bilsteins, but NOT coilovers, I own the same; 2.0 ND2!

[@lucianolucidi8624]

@@Dr.IanPlect yes. I have the OEM bilstein. I only installed wheel spacers and now thinking to install lower eibach springs. What have you done to yours?

[@Dr.IanPlect]

@@lucianolucidi8624 I have 2 aims; - reduce the silly looking ride height, particularly at the back which is even worse - eliminate or at least reduce the overly soft spring rates that cause excessive roll on turn-in I live in the UK, here, BBR GTI is the highly regarded MX-5 specialist, they collaborate with Flyin' Miata. 1. They offer not Eibach, but their own progressive lowering springs. From the website; "Although the ND model’s Bilstein shock absorbers are superior to those fitted to previous MX-5 models the standard spring rates are excessively soft and can produce excessive roll during spirited driving." To counter this BBR has carefully selected its own sports lowering springs, which combine a 30mm reduction in ride height with a progressive, rising rate design to deliver the optimal combination of ride comfort and dynamic excellence." 2. They offer the same springs as above but with Koni adjustable dampers. From the website; "A set of the very best quality Koni adjustable dampers re-valved and matched to specially-developed progressive wound BBR lowering springs. BBR's suspension package combines sharper turn-in, superior body control during committed driving and a compliant ride to ensure occupant comfort. The very best fast road setup for the Mazda ND whilst still remaining cheaper than poor quality coil over's with limited travel." ---------------- After a lot of thought and talking to BBR, I'm going for 2. Although BBR say the springs are well matched to the Bilsteins, I can't get out of my head that fitting a lower spring to an OEM damper MUST involve 'some' degree of compromise. Whereas changing both to a bespoke, well tested setup just has to be much less of a compromise and a better performing setup overall. ALSO; - they are ADJUSTABLE dampers, so I can at least soften them if the higher setting is too firm, which I don't want - AND, BBR REVALVE the Konis to better match the springs, that gave me confidence! It's booked in for 3 weeks time. ---------------- If you want to look at these options; 1. Go to BBR GTI 2. Select Mazda MX-5 ND 3. '19 on' means the model year 2019 onwards, ND2. Select from 'Components (19 on)'...Suspension

[@Dr.IanPlect]

@@lucianolucidi8624 WELL?!