New 10AE owner just sayin hi

[JINBA ITTAI]

New MX5 owner and forum member here, just wanted to say hi

I got my 10AE a month ago and love the few drives I've had with it. Light, nimble, responsive, you can drive it in fun mode or relaxed mode, and a great community to boot. I've dríven vintage cars, Subarus and Audis and am looking forward to a more pure driving experience with the MX5.

I plan to keep my 10AE close to stock but will upgrade down the track to better tyres, a lightened flywheel, exhaust, and possibly Flyin Miata chassis rails.

I've trawled some of the older posts to get across the basic Q&As, but still have a few queries:

1) Can the chassis/sport bracing from from the NB8B be retrofitted to NB8A? If so, how easy and how much? Or is it better to just get the FM rails and butterfly?

2) What's the weight increase from NB Series 1 to 3, and where did it come from?

3) I've read on miata.net that NB8A coil packs were prone to failure. How much of an issue is this really?

4) I read again on miata.net that NB8As have a cast iron header with 2 cats, and upgrading to a stainless header with 1 cat will trigger a CEL. I wonder if this is just for US / California cars?

5) Did the 10AE come with a standard tonneau cover, and if yes, was it dark blue like the sotfop or just black?

Any input on the above or general advice on preventative maintenance would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Maurice aka Jinba Ittai

[93_Clubman]

2) What's the weight increase from NB Series 1 to 3, and where did it come from?
NB8B/C/D usually quoted as 1090kg kerb weight, whereas 10AE is said to be 1026kg kerb weight.

3) I've read on miata.net that NB8A coil packs were prone to failure. How much of an issue is this really?
NB8A coil failure is a significant issue - it's usually only one of the pair in the coilpack that fails.

4) I read again on miata.net that NB8As have a cast iron header with 2 cats, and upgrading to a stainless header with 1 cat will trigger a CEL. I wonder if this is just for US / California cars?
ADM NB8A had much better headers than the USDM NB8A. ADM NB8B headers were slightly better again.

5) Did the 10AE come with a standard tonneau cover, and if yes, was it dark blue like the sotfop or just black?
Came standard with a small blue tonneau to cover the soft top when down.

Any input on the above or general advice on preventative maintenance would be much appreciated.
The drains, the drains: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=35601

[JINBA ITTAI]

Thanks mate for all the useful info. Gotta keep an eye on those coil packs then. Are the factory coils defective just for the NB8A or is it just an age thing? Meaning, if I get a new set of factory NB8A coils am I good for another 10 years?

This is my first roadster so I never even thought about the drains! That's a good thread you posted, it's just too bad most of the pics have gone.

[rascal]

Thanks mate for all the useful info. Gotta keep an eye on those coil packs then. Are the factory coils defective just for the NB8A or is it just an age thing? Meaning, if I get a new set of factory NB8A coils am I good for another 10 years?

Sometimes it's a luck thing.
My original coil packs lasted 5 years of track use (on top of the 10years road use before I owned the car) before 1 pair died.
Second set lasted about 2mths. Third set were still good after 3 months when I replaced with Toyota COPs.
Track use probably accelerated wear/failure as engine bay gets hotter than normal driving, and heat is the killer.

[93_Clubman]

Are the factory coils defective just for the NB8A or is it just an age thing?
While it's been a common issue, it's not affected all NB8As. NA6 coils were also prone to failure, but not as frequently as NB8A. NA8 coils can have issues, but less frequently again. That said, coils can fail for various reasons that can be prompted by conditions & by something the driver does.
Meaning, if I get a new set of factory NB8A coils am I good for another 10 years?
As Rascal says it can be a bit of a lucky dip.

[greenMachine]

Thanks mate for all the useful info. Gotta keep an eye on those coil packs then. Are the factory coils defective just for the NB8A or is it just an age thing? Meaning, if I get a new set of factory NB8A coils am I good for another 10 years?

Sometimes it's a luck thing.
My original coil packs lasted 5 years of track use (on top of the 10years road use before I owned the car) before 1 pair died.
Second set lasted about 2mths. Third set were still good after 3 months when I replaced with Toyota COPs.
Track use probably accelerated wear/failure as engine bay gets hotter than normal driving, and heat is the killer.

Don't lose too much sleep over them. Mine did 330k kms, including LOTS of track work, until the car (not the engine) died of other causes.