Introducing myself- new member. Problem with the new Mx5

Spaghetti · Postby **Spaghetti** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:40 am

Hello, im hoping to get to some input on the handling of the AUS spec Mx5. My SO has just bought a new one, and IMHO, it handles like a three legged cow in a bog.

Delivered in Nov07, now has 4000km on it.

Its vague, it wanders, it is nervous on turn in and has far too much body roll. The traction control system is intrusive, seeming happy to halve the meagre torques that are available at the drop of a hat. I cant tell if this is a ridiculsously set up TEC program, or if the TEC isnt calibrated properly to whatever theyve done to the suspension.

I had a discussion with dealer on delivery about the ride height. Its very high. \"as it should be\", he said.

Its been back to dealer about the handling and to get the alignement checked. Again the SO has been assured that \"the car is as it should be\".

Well, thats just bullsh1t, there is clearly a geomtery and alignment issue with this car. Weve owned two earlier MX5 and we are enourmous fans. This car isnt anything like an MX5 present.

So, what Id like to know. Are others experiencing similar issues with new Mx5s? Has Mazda AU fiddled the suspension to meet local laws (ie, I cant beleive Mazda designed the MX5 to corner like an ElDorado)? Anyone had any success in getting Mazda to address the matter?

Just for clarity- yes I know where the TEC off button is. Yes, Ive been experimenting with tyre pressures. Yes I know I can mod springs, shcokers and have the alignment properly sorted. But this is the Mrs's car- I dont want to modify it- I have this expectation that an Mx5 should be a great little roadster out the box.

Before I go to Mazda, Id really like to hear from some MX5 owners who understand a little about chassis dynamics and have dríven the new MX5 in AUS specification. Because our car, in its current set up, is simply a dog. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Spaghetti

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:43 pm

imho, i've had a drive of the nc roadster coupe, and they're not as sharp as the NB's.. a lot of body roll as you described before.. wouldn't ever think of upgrading my NB to an NC

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:31 pm

before we start the NAvNBvNC wars, lets see if we can help here. Yes The NC does have a little more body roll than a modded NA & even a standard NB. But in standard form generally it is a fair amount quicker.

A few NC have suspension mods & allignment mods......thats where i'd be starting to look. Just wait for the apropriate peeps to tune in they'll have answers for you.

mazlot · Postby **mazlot** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:41 pm

When we bought our NC, the tyre pressures were all over the shop, and the alignment was out.

Do not take it to Mazda to check the alignment, have it done by some-one who knows what they are doing, ie not P*dd*rs or KM*rt.

Depending on where you are, some-one will recommend a good aligner.

The standard NC will clearly out handle a well sorted NB.

Ours does not have TEC, so can't comment on that.

adamjp · Postby **adamjp** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:55 pm

The standard NC will clearly out handle a well sorted NB.

That is a very big claim. One I didn't feel was backed up by my test drive.

The newer the MX5 gets, the more comfortable it becomes. But IMHO any model with decent aftermarket springs, sways and shocks will outpoint a stock variant any day.

But it won't be as comfortable.

AJ · Postby AJ » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:57 pm

i'd bother helping answer if the poster wasn't so f*cking negative & snotty, better off to flog it off mate & buy something else, you're never going to be happy with it with an attitude like that.

Spaghetti · Postby **Spaghetti** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:30 pm

AJ wrote:i'd bother helping answer if the poster wasn't so f*cking negative & snotty, better off to flog it off mate & buy something else, you're never going to be happy with it with an attitude like that.

Thanks mate. Ive tried to state the issue concisley.

Ive pointed out this is our third MX5, and that I love them. Im just trying to get a sense of whether this is just our car or whether all new ones are being delivered with this geometry issue.

In the UK, there are all sorts of stories about the car being raised 30mm to meet local pedestrian crash standards, and geometry not being recalibrated to suit. Are you aware of anything like here in AUS? The car looks awful high to me.

Im not being anti MX5, sorry that youve taken it that way. Im not setting to insult your car, your choice of car or loyalty to the brand.

If youve something to say about the problem Ive put forward, I would certainly appreciate your thoughts. If you are just interested in trolling, please look elsewhere.

Thanks Spag

AJ · Postby AJ » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:58 pm

forgive me, BUT, you've blasted onto a board & bagged out a car that a large section of this community have been owning, driving & enjoying for the past 2 1/2 years.....i'd merely suggest you head out with whatever MX5 club you happen to be near & talk to the guys who've been driving & tracking the NC since they came out, before you decide a new version is a \"dog\" as you put it, the height issue is a personal thing IMO, i don't have a problem with where ours sits, & even though it is standard ride height, it still manages to scrape the tailpipes or the front skirt on some driveways.

as Mazlot said, get your tyre pressures right (i run 34 all round in ours) get the wheel alignment checked, & TALK to those who've had them since they came out.

Clive
'05 NC LE

ducktape69 · Postby **ducktape69** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:59 pm

well.... does the car have a shimmy? any unusual noises? tyre pressure? alignment?

what you have described doesnt sound like a well sorted mx5(may it be na, nb, nc). all are great handlers in stock form....start with checking tyre pressure and alignment and go from there...

good luck mate

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:33 pm

Spag you might be surprised at what a good alignment can do for you... Having one isn't a \"mod\" as such, and a decent alignment isn't going to make it tricky or anything for the mrs to drive. I would be very surprised if any new MX5 has a decent alignment off the showroom floor.

The dealer won't know his arse from his elbow when it comes to doing a decent alignment - there is proof enough on parts of this forum to back that up. And most wheel alignment places won't be much better.

Where are you?? If you're in Brisbane I can recommend a couple of places, if you're in Sydney or Melbourne there will be people here who can also recommend a good aligner. If you're anywhere else, there might be someone who can still point you in the right direction. Worst case, there have been threads on here quoting actual alignment specs which you could take to a competent aligner.

Spaghetti · Postby **Spaghetti** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:09 pm

Thanks- I will have it aligned, geometry is clearly the issue. Weâ€™ve spent long time on the geometry an RX7 tarmac rally car, and i have access to an expert to get this one sorted out. But- and this is my gripe- I shouldnâ€™t have to. It should point properly. Itâ€™s an MX5, and while the dealers certainly are hopeless with things like alignment, they should be setting up to a Mazda factory spec. But that said- first thing any serious Porsche owner does on delivery is limp the poor thing to a proper shop for an alignment.

My reason for posting here is that Iâ€™m interested to know if others have experienced similar issues with new Mx5s, if there is a dealer fix, if there has been any acknowledgement of such as issue by Mazda AU. I donâ€™t want this to be a competition rocket, its the wifes car, and while she drives like demon and (high) heel/toes, she wouldnâ€™t appreciate 4deg of neg, and every tooth in her head rattling out. But I do want her to be able to do the odd track day which she always enjoyed in her previous MX5s, and the car is not up to it in its present form.

AJ, settle down son. I havenâ€™t bagged anything out. You donâ€™t have to defend the Mx5 to me, Ive had three. My comments and criticisms were restricted to MY example and ITS current condition. You understand the difference? I am not saying \"MX5s handle like dogs\", I said \"my MX5 handles like a dog- what was yours like from new?\" And I am posting here to achieve exactly what you suggest, and that is to access the collective wisdom of the Mx5 community. Please feel free to ignore this thread, im after informed opinion regarding the mx5 chassis.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:08 pm

Get a proper alignment to start with. We're on our second NC and both had absolutely atrocious alignment out of the box/factory.

Ride height - yes it's high but it works.

Roll - I'm sure the late 2007 build cars roll less than the earlier cars but I do a faster time at QR in a standard NC than I could ever imagine in the (supension) tweaked NA8.

I had a pretty well sorted NA8 and, as far as I'm concerned, the current NC would out handle it any day of the week.

Our NC has TC and DSC. It is far from intrusive - love it :mrgreen:

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:12 pm

What the others have said re alignment. The factory alignment on my NB was all over the place when I got it. It's possible to run a slightly agressive every day driver alignment spec, you dont need to get a full on track spec alignment. Guaranteed you WILL notice an improvement over what you have now. I wouldn't go near a dealer for an alignment. NC's do tend to roll a fair bit. If you have the powered hardtop version then you might notice it more as Mazda softened up the spring rate on that model. I have read road tests complaining that the traction control cuts in to early. They also seem to sit about 25mm to high to me, though I've noticed a few of the older ones starting to sag back to normal height. Some beefed up sway bars will help with the body roll without making much of a negative impact on ride quality.

But didn't you test drive one before you bought one? Surely the issues you have raised would have been apparent in a test drive? If your test drive car didn't exhibit the same issues you have with your car then you may have a dud.

BTW, I wouldn't assume an MX5 would be well sorted out of the box. Mine wasn't. It was a rolly polly barge with a heap of understeer as delivered from Mazda. A couple of minor suspension tweeks have transformed it.

Spaghetti · Postby **Spaghetti** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:22 pm

Garry wrote:But didn't you test drive one before you bought one? Surely the issues you have raised would have been apparent in a test drive? If your test drive car didn't exhibit the same issues you have with your car then you may have a dud.

BTW, I wouldn't assume an MX5 would be well sorted out of the box. Mine wasn't. It was a rolly polly barge with a heap of understeer as delivered from Mazda. A couple of minor suspension tweeks have transformed it.

Thanks guys.

No, the SO bought it, i wasnt concerened - its an MX5, after all.

Well sorted. Well, everything is relative. I dont expect to pick up an MX5 and enter it in Targa Tasmania next week- but i do expect to be able to keep it iin ts lane on the freeeway, and to drive around a roundabout without the TEC cutting in and power being pulled.

Thanks for all your input, much appreciated.

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:33 pm

Dont worry about AJ, to him the NC is Gods gift to the MX5 fraternity! :lol:

For reference I have had one lady mention her 2005 LE seemed to too high in the rear end compared to the 3 new showroom cars, and that it errr handled like a dog!

Just throw some aftermarket Tein coliovers in there and enjoy!