4 months with my NB8A

[Zanon]

Hi guys, long time lurker, first time poster here. (Sorry if in wrong section)
So I've had my mx5 for over 4 months now and loving every moment of it. I didn't believe how fun this small car would be until driving it and it still gives me the same feeling that I got driving it from the dealer, now.
Here's a few pictures of it,



I bought it with 115,000km on the odo so it was in an excellent condition.
So I have a few questions spanning a few different topics and was hoping some of yous may know the answers

1. I get this rattle behind the glove box but it's only sometimes, like one day it wont have it, another day it will. I believe it might be a wire/cable knocking against it?
2. Should I replace the shocks/springs as I believe the previous owner has not and they are on 115,000kms?
3. Is it necessary to service every 5,000km or would every 10,000km suffice?
4. Is it worth just getting the t&c muffler or getting a branded bolt on muffler since I slowly want to upgrade parts however I am on a uni student budget
5. What are a good set of light weight budget rims, <$1000 if possible.

Thanks guys and I can't wait to start modifying it as it is bone stock

[Mr Sexy]

Welcome to the forum! you might be better off starting your own thread in the garage section..

[Garry]

Not sure if this will make sense but the glove box sides are pretty flexible. If you squeeze the sides in you can push the little posts on the side that stop the glove box falling totally open in far enough to clear the rest of the dash, open it a bit further then pull the glove box a little to the rear of the car on the drivers side of the glove box to unclip the hinge clip then slide the other end out then remove the glove box. That will give you access to behind the dash on the passengers side.

Sorry that probably makes no sense at all, hopefully if you have a look around you can work out what I mean. I've had a really massive weekend this weekend and my brain doesn't work properly any more.

[taminga16]

Garry,
It makes perfect sense. To the OP as Garry says, just sit quietly and it will come together.
Greg.
P.S. Re; wheels, the stock rims are very light, Google is your friend.

[Trackphotos]

1 - Like Garry said, pull the glovebox door off and check out what's behind it.
2 - Shocks and springs should be fine with 115,000km on them. Not as-new of course, but there's no reason to assume that they're blown out. Push down on each corner of the car and see if it wallows or not. If it pushes down, springs up and stops, that corner is ok. If it bounces up and down for a couple of seconds, the shock is boned.
3 - Every 5,000km is excessive. 10,000 would suffice.
4 - Your long term plans are important when deciding what you want to mod. If there are plans for forced induction, you might want to hold off on a bolton muffler etc as you could find yourself replacing it with something of a larger diameter. Being a uni student, I would guess that isn't your plan, but still something to consider. Bits and pieces are fine if you don't have any particular goal for it.
5 - Check out BuddyClub P1 wheels. You can get a set of 4 for around $950, if you have the good fortune to find a group buy you can get a set delivered for under $750. 15x8 +32 so fits on without any flared arches etc. Also look at Konig Wide Opens, or Konig Dial Ins. Lastly, Advanti Storms are very light too.

[Zanon]

Not sure if this will make sense but the glove box sides are pretty flexible. If you squeeze the sides in you can push the little posts on the side that stop the glove box falling totally open in far enough to clear the rest of the dash, open it a bit further then pull the glove box a little to the rear of the car on the drivers side of the glove box to unclip the hinge clip then slide the other end out then remove the glove box. That will give you access to behind the dash on the passengers side.

Sorry that probably makes no sense at all, hopefully if you have a look around you can work out what I mean. I've had a really massive weekend this weekend and my brain doesn't work properly any more.

I'll have a look tomorrow and attempt to take it off, haha. Thanks a lot!

[Zanon]

1 - Like Garry said, pull the glovebox door off and check out what's behind it.
2 - Shocks and springs should be fine with 115,000km on them. Not as-new of course, but there's no reason to assume that they're blown out. Push down on each corner of the car and see if it wallows or not. If it pushes down, springs up and stops, that corner is ok. If it bounces up and down for a couple of seconds, the shock is boned.
3 - Every 5,000km is excessive. 10,000 would suffice.
4 - Your long term plans are important when deciding what you want to mod. If there are plans for forced induction, you might want to hold off on a bolton muffler etc as you could find yourself replacing it with something of a larger diameter. Being a uni student, I would guess that isn't your plan, but still something to consider. Bits and pieces are fine if you don't have any particular goal for it.
5 - Check out BuddyClub P1 wheels. You can get a set of 4 for around $950, if you have the good fortune to find a group buy you can get a set delivered for under $750. 15x8 +32 so fits on without any flared arches etc. Also look at Konig Wide Opens, or Konig Dial Ins. Lastly, Advanti Storms are very light too.

Yeah, not planning to go down the FI route since VIC regulations make it near impossible and insanely costly but thanks for the heads up. The BuddyClub P1's are actually ones that I was quite interested in and they're within my budget so I'll probably go with them.

[zero00]

You don't get sick of an MX5, the NB8A is a total fun car, had mine 5.5 years, got it with 110km now 188k and used as a daily drive and also for Club track days, I think now over 30 meets! Trackphotos sat in mine once, didn't drive it and had one himself within a week!

You will enjoy the car for years

[pcmx5]

My ex partners son has an NB8A that I got for him from a mate.It has the T&C rear muffler and sounds great.It is welded in but that isn't an issue for future developement.
I got him a KN Typhoon intake SH from this forum and with that fitted it sounds as good as any MX I have ever heard(and that is quite a few!!) With just the muffler it was really good,went from a "hatchback sound" to a sports car.

Peter.

[Zanon]

You don't get sick of an MX5, the NB8A is a total fun car, had mine 5.5 years, got it with 110km now 188k and used as a daily drive and also for Club track days, I think now over 30 meets! Trackphotos sat in mine once, didn't drive it and had one himself within a week!

You will enjoy the car for years

Hahaha, awesome stuff!

[Zanon]

My ex partners son has an NB8A that I got for him from a mate.It has the T&C rear muffler and sounds great.It is welded in but that isn't an issue for future developement.
I got him a KN Typhoon intake SH from this forum and with that fitted it sounds as good as any MX I have ever heard(and that is quite a few!!) With just the muffler it was really good,went from a "hatchback sound" to a sports car.

Peter.

Now I can't wait. I'll give them a call tomorrow and see if I can book something in soon!

[beavis]

5. What are a good set of light weight budget rims, <$1000 if possible.

Enkei RPF-1 in 15x7. Would be the lightest/best value wheel you can get for the NB8A

[Zanon]

5. What are a good set of light weight budget rims, <$1000 if possible.

Enkei RPF-1 in 15x7. Would be the lightest/best value wheel you can get for the NB8A

Where do you think the best place to get a set is?

[beavis]

Dunno, do a google?

Looks like they're not as cheap as they used to be: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ENKEI-RPF1-1 ... 20f906548d

[Lokiel]

5. What are a good set of light weight budget rims, <$1000 if possible.

Enkei RPF-1 in 15x7. Would be the lightest/best value wheel you can get for the NB8A

Cheaper than 949racing 6UL 15x7s? I doubt it.