MX5 ND RF @ 6 Years Old - Costs, Complaint + Best Bits

[@kevinmcg6747]

I’ve had my 30th Anniversary soft top for just over a year and what I’ve found is that if you don’t drive it for a bit you question its size, lack of power etc and then you get it out for a drive put the roof down and all is great. Wonderful car! I’m planning a machine polish and ceramic coating over the winter as the paint marks too easily. I might go for the lowered springs like you have but you’re always worried it spoils the ride quality. Right time to find the next patch of dry weather to head out in it again! Forgot to say, I’m with you on the servicing, it’s ‘feels’ a little pricey for what it is and I’m sure an oil change on my previous M2 Comp was less, or similar, to the MX5? Cheers, Kevin.

[@midlifemotors5050]

The 30th ae is a lovely spec, best of everything 👌 The springs do improve the car, no doubt. If I was doing it again though I’d stick with the standard geometry set up tbh. Don’t worry about the ride. DIY servicing now, it’s at that age, so hopefully that’ll save a few pennies, and create some videos 😉 Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@KunziDoesStuff]

Mine has just passed 50k miles! Had it's 5th year service and I can say prices have definitely increased. I got mine rust protected earlier in the year by Anand Vaid and had to get the rear hub bushings replaced. Mazda quoted 2k to replace the entire hub and bushings but Roddisons in Sheffield replaced the bushings for just £600 as the hub itself is still fine. If you hear any knocking sounds in the rear then that's most likely the rear hub bushings that need replacing.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Impressive mileage 👍 Going to lanoguard over the winter whilst it’s parked up. Thanks for the rear bushes heads-up, good info. Have been speaking to Paul R about his manifold and remap. Gets good feedback.

[@stevenhill6214]

I like your style, straightforward and no bulls**t. I have 2021 RF GT (Crystal Blue) and it's a brilliant car! still under warranty so no DIY servicing just yet. I have been looking into the Lanoguard stuff and according to other MX owners it does seem like it's a necessary job. I am considering doing it myself and i would appreciate your thoughts on the practicality.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Many thanks 👍 Yes, lanoguard is on the todo list for over the winter. Car gets parked up for Dec, Jan & Feb. Keep your eyes peeled for the video. Going to practice on our old RAV4 first.

[@adamhowardwilliams]

Hey, new subscriber here! Thanks for the great content, and enjoying the style. Curious, a crisp (dry!) summer Sunday morning, a couple hours free time to tackle a mixture of B roads / country roads...do you pick up the keys to the MX5 or the SLK55?

[@midlifemotors5050]

Many thanks for the kind words, much appreciated 👍 Easy answer, Mazda every time. And tbh the older I get the more I enjoy the simpler cars, lightweight, sensible speeds, changing gear, etc…if that makes sense 🤔 The SLK does feel like a much more special car than the MX5 though. It’s the one I’d never sell…if that makes sense??🤣

[@1ABY]

Great review I've had my launch edition now for two year's and i couldn't decide which to go for the ND2 with the updated gearbox and power or the recaro interior with full alcantara interior with bbs alloys. The only thing i believe you should keep an eye on is the under body because if you don't protect the rust will destroy your car

[@midlifemotors5050]

Many thanks 👍 Yes, agree 100% and when the car comes off the road at the end of the month I’ll be doing a lanoguard treatment, video to follow 😉

[@1ABY]

@@midlifemotors5050 I use bilt hamber dynax s50 & dynax UC did it when I first bought the car and just done it again couple of weeks ago

[@layslekker]

What about my favorite car, Toyota MR2 MK3 1ZZ?

[@midlifemotors5050]

Still going strong. Nothing really done to that car this year, just driving it 👍 End of year update coming soon 😉

[@walkersmaxpaprika]

What model year is yours? If it’s the ND1, do you ever feel like the 6800rpm red line is not enough? I have a mazda3 that the ND1 engine is based off and I don’t know how similar it is

[@midlifemotors5050]

The ND1 engine is a little lazy compared to the later 180bhp, but nothing like the fuss the owners of later cars will pretend. The nd1 is more torque biased and I prefer that tbh, not one for revving the nuts off a car, shift early, ride the torque curve, keep the car balanced and let it flow rather than hard on the accelerator then hard on the brakes. I’ve friends with the later engined cars and I don’t feel short changed. Will admit the gear change in the latest nd3 does feel nicer though. With these cars it’s still down to the driver 😎

[@baccy81]

Mine has just about 1000 km on the clock and shifting in low gears is an absolute nightmare. I am in no way an incompetent driver, but I often find myself stopping up traffic because it just won't shift up to second, or first gear simply would refuse to select

[@TheVVumpus]

You should only try to select 1st gear when you’ve stopped or very nearly stopped. 1st is just to get you going. Use 2nd with clutch control for continuing to move at even very low speeds. Also make sure you always push the clutch quickly all the way in for every shift. That may help.

[@baccy81]

@@TheVVumpus yep, I've realised both of the things you said

[@midlifemotors5050]

@@baccy81 Ours nearly always needs to be double clutched from cold. Particularly if it hasn't been used for a while. Once up to temp its fine, but, as mentioned, don't be lazy with the pedal. Definitely gets better as the miles go on too.

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

My 2017 with just 9000 miles on the clock is fine when it comes to selecting a gear, but I'm a bit disappointed that it whines a little (not much, but you can hear it) in 3rd when you lift off the throttle. The gearshift action is a joy, one of the best I've ever experienced in nearly 40 years of driving. But yeah.....close but no cigar when it comes to that gearbox, Mazda

[@aerotus888]

How often do rf owners replace their batteries? Just bought an rf 2017. Didn't drive it for 1.5 days and the battery was completely dead. Hopefully just bad luck!

[@midlifemotors5050]

Sounds like bad luck tbh. I’d usually put the ctech charger on if leaving the car for more than a couple of weeks, otherwise it’s fine.

[@CarBore]

I’m not jealous, nope not at all 😂 great vid as per!

[@midlifemotors5050]

Thanks fella 👍 Looking forward to your next update

[@goodlifebdg]

Insurance is 180 per year ? Super cheap

[@midlifemotors5050]

Being 50 isn’t all bad 😄

[@martinarscott3524]

@@midlifemotors5050 just approaching 56 here and with full NCD, no accidents, points or convictions and in a pretty cheap/quiet area, best I could find is £250, which is a big increase over 2yrs ago when I had my soft top ND....