SE - CAN THE RIDE BE CHANGED FOR SOME COMFORT ???

[D50]

I suffer from a permanent spinal condition.I have never encountered any problems with the hard ride of the SE in the past.However, I went for a longer than normal drive on the weekend, and now I am in agony from the drive.

My question is. Will changing the springs, shocks, and 15\" wheels/tyres from the 'standard' non turbo '5' rectify the problem. Or, would it be more cost affective to sell the SE, and replace it with a 98-99 model, as I have owned a 98 in the past, and it presented no problems at all.

[Matty]

I'm sure you could get someone to take the SE's suspension off your hands (in trade for standard NB suspension) at no cost (or even a profit) to you...

[Garry]

It would make much more sense financially to modify the suspension on the SE rather than down trade to an earlier model NB.

You may be better looking for the stock suspension from the later NB's (2001 and newer) if you want used supension. It is a little more plush than the earlier NB's and most will have lower km. It will also have the bracketry on the shocks for the ABS wiring.

Even changing from 17\" wheels back to 16\" would help you out and there's always a market for used stock wheels. Thats where Craig made his first million.

[PT]

My race tyres are 215/45/17 on the rear to give more grip and to raise the gearing slightly... They made a great deal of difference to ride comfort, but it did throw the speedo out considerably.

I'd look at downgrading the wheel size, it won't look as bling, but it will ride and probably handle better too.

[Alf]

My race tyres are 215/45/17 on the rear to give more grip and to raise the gearing slightly... They made a great deal of difference to ride comfort, but it did throw the speedo out considerably.

I'd look at downgrading the wheel size, it won't look as bling, but it will ride and probably handle better too.

I put some NB8B 16's on mine, not for comfort, but because the 17's were just too fragile. It did make a difference to the ride, though. Give it a try. I'm sure some forumite will be willing to swap temporarily or permanently. The Racing Harts are a nice looking wheel.

Cheers,
Alf

[rvlovell]

I just put teins on my 99' and the ride is definitly better even on the harder settings. No more crashing over potholes and road corogations.

[D50]

Thanks for all the responses.I think I will change the wheels first ( because it's easier! ).

According to the Miata.net tyre calculator, the equivalent tyre size in a 15\", is a 195/55-15.

What dry grippy 15\" tyre is recommended to suit the SE's performance?

Where is the best place to start looking for a set of 15\" OEM MX5 wheels?

Or,would anybody be interested in swapping wheels only?

[rvlovell]

Will 15\" fit on your SE. Check before you buy

[Boags]

Will 15" fit on your SE. Check before you buy

Yes they will. All NB8Bs can fit 15" but not 14". (The SPs track rims are 15")

Boags

[THE REAL BORIS]

I injured my back 30 years ago and was scared stiff at the time that I would have to buy a Volvo (really). My back is still bad, but I have managed it most of the time, not always.

Perhaps you can find a good trimmer to add more comfort into the seat (that's how I avoided the Volvo). The SE does wear me out too after 300k's.

[Charlie Brown]

I think I would put the wheel you have in the corner of your garage and buy another set, 15” or 16”. Have a look what Mania want for the SE rims.

Then you need to look at a full adjustable suspension setup with electronic damping control adjustment back in the cabin. That way if you’re doing a long drive you can soften the suspension up and on arrival or during some twisties, stiffen it up to suit your requirements.

I’d steer well clear of going back to an NB8A. The seats in the SE offer far better support. If you have leather you may consider taking of the covers and putting on a set made from material. You can pick these up from any motor trimmer that does work for car yards converting standard seats to leather for nothing as they generally throw them away.

You could also buy a second hand NC. By the time you paid for the wheels, suspension etc there wouldn't be a lot of difference. I have a friend with chronic back pain who though buying an MX5 was out of the question until she tried the NC. They bought it 3 months ago and say it rides better than their Callis.

[rvlovell]

Will 15" fit on your SE. Check before you buy

Yes they will. All NB8Bs can fit 15" but not 14". (The SPs track rims are 15")

Boags

Does this mean SPs and SEs have the same size brakes.

[Garry]

Does this mean SPs and SEs have the same size brakes.

Yes. But the brakes on the SE dont have to work as hard as the SP brakes. There were rumours of a different pad compound for the SP but I think they ran out of money before they sorted that bit out.

[SPy vs. SPy]

Does this mean SPs and SEs have the same size brakes.

Yes. But the brakes on the SE dont have to work as hard as the SP brakes. There were rumours of a different pad compound for the SP but I think they ran out of money before they sorted that bit out.

pends who's SE your in, yes shutup Derek

As I understand it: Aussie NB8B/C's ran a bigger brake than NB8A's hence 16" vs 15" rims, exception to rule is NB8B/C Autos. In the US the bigger rims came as part of the "bigger brake" package, Mazda Aus gave us no such option we got bigger rims and the brakes came free.

I'd also look at how you have the seating position set up, I've made a major change to how I sit in the car, which has made a huge impact to how I feel after a 1000km drive.

[Okibi]

If you're in W.A. I have some low km NB8B shocks to swap for your SE ones.