Newbie question

[davekmoore]

The SE's main unique selling proposition was a little IHI turbo which gave it a hardly noticeable boost in power.

Modifying for more power means spending on a new ECU to overcome the horrible mid range bog, and ultimately replacing the IHI with a proper turbo because the IHI soon gets better at producing heat instead of power. So don't expect cheap extra thrills from an SE compared with a non turbo car.

A good NB8B/C will give you loads of cheap pleasure. The low kms one seems good value. It's worth more than a normal kms one even though the timing belt isn't done.

[93_Clubman]

LSD may also not be std on P2.

LSD not standard on ADM NB8B/C/D. SE of course had it standard.

think it was the first one with a 6 speed and perhaps even the first with ABS in AU?
The Heritage came out a bit later. Can't recall specifics.

Yep, 10AE first ADM to have ABS & 6 speed GB.
Yeah, ADM Heritage full mechanical specs are a bit elusive - it had the 6 speed GB, but question mark over LSD here in Aust.

[StanTheMan]

I think The heritage was just one of those models which were different in Trim colour & Body Colour.
althoiugh there was only 100?
if you compare them to the 10AE it was numbered, ABS, Torsen & 6 speed. Perhaps much more desirable in comparison for those who like limited editions.

Although personally, the above has very little meaning for me. I would put more emphasis on handling & driver experience and perhaps prefer a NB8C

[93_Clubman]

although there was only 100?

Yeah 100, & as you say like most/all of the LEs (depending on how one classifies an LE), it's just paint & trim colour. But the ADM Heritage did get the 6 speed GB & polished NB8A wheels of the 10AE, don't think it got ABS & Torsen, although some markets got the latter, & didn't get the 10AE Bilsteins as far I know.

[93_Clubman]

Just found this while looking for an old Drive.com Heritage article:
22 February 2000
Chris Gable
Mazda
Mazda will feature its just-launched limited edition MX-5 Heritage Series with special paint and trim and a six-speed manual gearbox.
Only 100 Heritage Series cars have been built for Australia.
The new car features deep metallic burgundy paint called 'Art Vin' and 15-inch polished alloy wheels.
The parchment colour of the leather seats and soft interior surfaces is also carried through to the folding roof.
The Nardi steering wheel, gearshift knob, centre console and handbrake all get a wood grain finish, and the white-faced instruments, inner door handles and park brake button are all chromed.
Apart from the six-speed gearbox, mechanical specification of the car is unchanged.
The Heritage Series cars cost $44,475, around $3,175 more than the standard five-speed MX-5.
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/new- ... 13gk7.html

[racingline]

thanks for all the info everyone.
Looking at the 10AE this weekend , along with the others - see what happens from there.
I just want to say the info provided here is just awesome - thanks again , it is making the process alot easier .
As they are a 1999 model - is there a crank problem with this one ?? Or was that with earlier models.

Just need to stay clam and pick the right one !
thanks again .

[JBT]

I don't think it affected the 10AE engines. Mostly a north American area problem I think anyway.

[pcmx5]

The main crank issue was with the short nose NA's and was fixed from about Sept 1991 on I think..However while there are very few failures after that as the design of the keyway was changed there is a very slight chance of failure in all 1600/1800 cc engines .I know of one Nb8b of around 2001 which wasn't running well and the exhaust was showing signs of extreme heat and it had the crank problem putting the timing out,hence the heat.Resulted in a very costly rebuild.

However this is extremely unlikely and you should be pretty confident in avoiding this issue in the cars you are looking at.

Good luck and enjoy!

Peter.

[JBT]

The 1999 issue was a bad batch of thrust bearings that eventually failed causing follow on damage to the engine. All B6 and BP engines are subject to crank nose/keyway failure - saw it happen to an SP. They're generally fine until someone changes the cam belt and then e-uses the original crank bolt and/or doesn't take care with the keyway and/or doesn't properly torque it all up with Loctite.

[wasp47]

PM sent

[93_Clubman]

Crank issue 2002 NB8 & NBSE - rare, but as indicated above can & does happen: https://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 29&t=41916

[racingline]

well it`s been a long day - have dríven the low Km car - just like a brand new car - ! , drove very well. Very nice. Thats all I got very nice .

Drove Ted`s car - sublime to say the least - effortless to drive but the Tein Coilovers with EDFC is awesome , the changes you get from compliant to firm and in between is just plain fantastic, sounds great - drives great regardless of the 215 k kms . Looks amazing, flawless presentation ! Love the wheels and colour .

The 10 AE - 135k kms has had an engine swap so not original, no service history that the guy had on the replacement , put in by reputable guys here in Bris. gearbox needs a bearing replaced, a little crashy in it`s ride, felt like it needs a wheel alignment, something didn`t feel right, couldn`t put my finger on it though. Wasn`t that smooth.

So i get what you guys say now about all cars are not equal and these were all NB cars. In saying that Ted`s car has a bucket load of work put into , and you can feel it.

Now that my head is about to explode ! time for a coldie and a lay down !!!

[93_Clubman]

10AE - 135k kms has had an engine swap so not original, no service history that the guy had on the replacement, put in by reputable guys here in Bris. gearbox needs a bearing replaced, a little crashy in it's ride, felt like it needs a wheel alignment, something didn't feel right, couldn't put my finger on it though. Wasn't that smooth.

Sounds like it's been a very hard 135k kms - it shouldn't have required an engine swap - there's forumites with well over 400k kms on original motors. The 6 speed GB can be a bit difficult first to second when cold, but again at 135k kms it shouldn't need a bearing replaced - perhaps one to avoid - plenty of others out there.

[racingline]

Yeah - Will sleep on it - but Ted`s car is the pick.
It a whole package - all of it was good !
Got a quote from Shannons this arvo for it - less than both our Meganes (individually) with NRMA - so we might be switching to them - got a quote for those as well , cheaper as well.
A bit smitten by the modded Classic!
thanks again to everyone for the advice.

[racingline]

It was a pleasure to drive cars that had no screens or app based anything!!
The most engaging things in them were the things that count - Steering wheel, 3 pedals and a gearstick !