Midlife Crisis - NOIRMX

[noirmx5]

Hi,
I've been looking at and benefiting from the information put here by members for the past year. So I thought it's about time to join in and show off my midlife crisis.

I'm the third owner of NOIRMX - a 1999 N8A in Brilliant Black.

Before I bought her from the dealership where I work a new Windscreen and some very fine upholstery work was done on the front seats to hide some wear and tear to the seats.

I've attached some of the photos which were used to advertise her on carsales.

1_600.jpg

2_600.jpg

3_600.jpg

7_600.jpg

8_600.jpg

Since then I've added:

K&N panel filter
Brushed Aluminum Air vent rings
Brushed Aluminum Gearshift
Beatrush Front and Rear sway bars
New leather gearshift boot
Updated the factory cassette player for a 2 Din OEM CD player
Chrome Grill insert.
New MX-5 logo floor mats

The next stage of pottering about is that I have purchased these Mazda accessories off ebay from the USA:
Side sills
Rear Mud Flaps
Bootlip rear spoiler

Landed for under $400 I'm hoping that these items will add something extra to the look of the car.

As soon as these arrive I'll look to install them and post some update pictures as we enter a new phase of modifying and personalizing my car.

Cheers
Andrew

[Hammer]

Welcome to the 5 family and topless motoring.

[taminga16]

I do like the number plate.
Greg.
P.S. Get down to the Garage Cafe and share the passion. (see the events page)

[hamx5ter]

Welcome to the mx5 Greg. You're going to have a great time with your little beast.

The car looks great and the number plate is very nice.

[noirmx5]

Thanks for the welcoming words.

I'll check out the events page and see what we can get to.
I was lucky that the number plate came with the car. Adds to the unique and individual personality of the car.

Some parts arrived from the USA off ebay. The side sills were bent to fit USPS maximum package length and are currently basking in the sun as they work out their kinks. The tail spoiler requires a touch of bravery before I drill the boot. I also want to read the instructions for both the sills and spoiler a couple more times before embarking on these projects. Maybe even dry run the steps before attempting them.

But the Mud flaps, with one page of instructions looked easy enough to tackle without needing a diploma in auto engineering.

So up she went on the jack. A screw driver had all the old fittings removed. Cut a perforated section of the inner wheel arch molding. Some Isopropel Alcohol rubbed over where the 3M tape was to be applied. And after a couple of turns of the screw driver to mount the new part and stick down the outer edge with the tape... job done.

Took before and after shots:

noirmx1.jpg

noirmx2.jpg

noirmx3.jpg

noirmx4.jpg

Hopefully can get another sunny day to get pics of the next addition.

Cheers
Andrew

[emexv]

Welcome to the mid life crisis club Andrew.

[noirmx5]

A rainy day and I'm on Holidays to spend time with the kids. So after taking them to the movies in the morning it became Spoiler instal day. Bought a centre punch and new drill bits. Reread the instructions and built up the courage to drill some holes in my pride and joy...

Step 1 - Measure up and install some templates. I made some 100mm templates to help as guides before laying down a masking tape guide across the boot. Checked all the measurements and found boot centre. Then cut out and taped the centre drill guide.

Spoilerinstall1.jpg

Used the centre punch and a hammer to deface... to create a guide point for drilling.

Spoilerinstall2.jpg

Step 2 - Drilled the first hole. First came a 3 mm centering hole and then 10 mm hole - no going back now.

Spoilerinstall3.jpg

Step 3 - I had to use more templates to set up the drill holes for the outer bolts. Out came the dremmel to grind off the burs and then cut out some of the sealant at the edge of the boot lid to allow the bolts to seat and sit flush.

Spoilerinstal4.jpg

Step 4 - Painted all the bare metal. Cleaned everything off - particularly the areas where the 3M tape would sit - used Isoprolel Alcohol. Then when everything was dry finished the instal by removing tape cover and tightening the bolts.

Phew... made it.

Next post will include the finished job.

[noirmx5]

The Results:

Spoilerinstal5.jpg

Spoilerinstal6.jpg

spoilerinstal7.jpg

Drilling holes in a perfectly good car boot is certainly something I hadn't done before. But I'm really Happy with the results.
The car is starting to look sportier.

Just have to get the time to finish this stage of the project and get the side sills installed. Might need a day or two to do that job justice.

Cheers
Andrew

[Lokiel]

:
Drilling holes in a perfectly good car boot is certainly something I hadn't done before. But I'm really Happy with the results.
:

I know what you mean. My first big mod was to upgrade my dinky little OEM intercooler which meant cutting the steel pipes either side of the intercooler. Once started, there's no backing out, you're committed to finishing the job.

After that drastic initiatiation though, I was happy with the results, I've lost all fear and am confident in my own abilities to do additional modz.

As the song goes, "The first cut is the deepest".

- keep on moddin' (you'll get more satisfaction DIYing and save yourself a lot of $$$ in the process)

[snshami]

Its looking good with the spoiler. Actually suits it quite well.

[de Bounce]

Welcome to the forum and a new lifestyle Andrew.

As mentioned prior, try and drop into the Garage Cafe on any Thursday night.
It's a great place to talk with like minded individuals and check out other MX5's.

Also consider joining the MX5 Club
Visitors are always welcome on Club Runs

[noirmx5]

A trolley jack and stands now sit in the boot of my work car. So if all goes well fitting the side sills will comence this week end. More measuring taping and drilling on perfectly good sheet metal.