How would you recondition a recently purchased NA MX5?

[Rolley]

For parts I use Arlington Rosenthal Mazda to dig up genuine part numbers or head into the dealer and grab a printed quote.
http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/categories/Miata-%7B47%7D-MX%252d5/1990%252d1997/

Then head over to http://www.amayama.com and key in the part numbers. Their pricing is fantastic and they source your parts genuine from Mazda Japan or out of the UAE, bundle them together in NSW somewhere and ship them to you. Quick as UK and from my experiences so far a lot cheaper in MOST cases.

A side note that I'm sure will ruffle feathers. I buy seals like cam, crank and rear main directly from bearing shops or similar. Genuine are still just Timkin or SKF seals and have about a 500% premium tacked on. You just need the internal diameter external diameter and depth to get the right part.

Example, last year when I replaced my timing belt I picked up all 3 front seals for under $15 from http://pineriversbearings.com.au/bearings/ and I got a bag with 15 CAS O-rings for under $2 plus a handful of water neck O-rings from http://www.ludowicisealsonline.com/ Always worth replacing the CAS O-ring when you do the rocker cover gasket too. Sneaky thing is always leaking...
Both of the above were less than a 10min drive and 5min on google to find.

Enjoy the little beast and take it easy for the first month or so. Remember it's been used to a little old lady driving it for the last 20 years!

Luke.

[Mr Morlock]

Be wary of your own look up on parts numbers. If one goes to a local Mazda dealer they ask for your VIN and then look it up and get the right part and they give you are price. Same with all the otters majors and its very easy to get wrong items if the model is not correctly defined- they do make running changes during model runs. Its not worth fiddling with low cost items or for that matter maintenance items available from many Trade and retail sources.

Usual deal however always look at landed price and the FX is now not going in favour of buying OS.

Buying from overseas can be excellent but returns are a hassle and sometimes post as well i.e. if no one is home and items returned to Post office etc.

Nothing wrong with seals and bearings being bought through the trade / retail sources- numbers are often on the product. . OEM and auto engineers also try and use standard parts rather than design a new bearing or seal- availability and cost is a factor for car cos .

[manga_blue]

The bit that you can't understand, Mr Morlock, is that for older cars dealers are no longer the source of good quality parts. If you want OEM quality parts for a 20 year old MX5 the only way is to do what I do and use global suppliers like MX5parts.co.uk and direct purchases from Mazda OEM parts suppliers or else what Rolley is talking about with US dealers and online supply chains. Your old truths about factory dealers supplying original quality parts are gone.

Likewise, someone who buys a 25 year old NA6 is pretty unlikely to ever want to take a 20-30 manhour list of maintenance items to a mechanic who'll buy SE Asian parts at 250% markup from Repco or Bursons or 500% from Mazda. Much better that he learn how to source parts himself and learn about caring for his car by starting with the simple items like oil and filter changes. Otherwise at $80 per hour the initial bill for baselining his car will be more than it cost to buy it, he has no real guarantee that the parts and materials used are up to scratch and he will have learnt nothing about running and maintaining a classic.

[llmoose]

I do understand your points not directly at me but fyi I've got access to a fully equipped workshop, trade prices and all the mechanics I could possibly need...free of course (or maybe a case of beer!)

I think I'll just ring my contact at Repco and give him a full list.