MX5 general rambling

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:55 pm

Hi,

Just bought a nice silver MX5 and joined the club. Based in Ch-Ch.

I cannot understand how I missed out on owning one of these before this.

Which is the best Garage for MX5 work in Ch-Ch ?
(I am an old fart and prefer to get work done on cars nowadays)

Can one buy a dashmat for a 1996 MX5 in NZ ?

I bought a 100 mm floatee from Para Rubber $8.95) covered it in soft cloth and
placed a light pole in the middle for rigidity. Now I can put the soft top down
without having to unzip the plastic window.

I cleaned the soft top and used MacGuires product on it . Looks brand new. Going
to polish the plastic window with McGuires products too.

Having a problem shutting up the noise from the passenger seat (no it is not
while my wife is sitting it )

Apart from a few squeaks and rattles it is a fantastic performer.

Now for a hip operation so it doesn't hurt getting in and out of

Regards ,

Col

Susan Edmunds · Post by **Susan Edmunds** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:02 pm

how much does it cost to get a top replaced/patched up? yesterday's rain
made me realise mine has a couple of leaks.
also, my car has quite hard suspension, is that normal?

David Moughtin · Post by **David Moughtin** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:46 pm

Hello and welcome to the Group
My understanding is that the benefit of going to the trouble of unzipping
the plastic window before putting the soft-top down is that it then lies
flat. The alternative is that it folds horizontally, and, with the weight of
the top on it over time can crease and discolour. I have made the unzipping
process a little simpler by fitting a large keyring to the zip toggle - much
easier to grab hold of.

Best regards
David Moughtin

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:01 pm

On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 19:46:44 +1300, you wrote:

Hello and welcome to the Group
My understanding is that the benefit of going to the trouble of unzipping
the plastic window before putting the soft-top down is that it then lies
flat. The alternative is that it folds horizontally, and, with the weight of
the top on it over time can crease and discolour. I have made the unzipping
process a little simpler by fitting a large keyring to the zip toggle - much
easier to grab hold of.

Thanks for the welcome

The advantage of having a 100 mm tube is that the window wraps around it and
does not get a crease in it. Saves the unzipping/zipping scenario Try it
sometime. It works real good. Just hold the tube on the middle of the window
outside and fold the top ..

.Col

Hayden Jones · Post by **Hayden Jones** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:41 pm

Check out www.mx5mart.co.nz

Ross Campbell has great contacts with most things MX

nmr · Post by **nmr** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:11 pm

also, my car has
quite hard suspension, is that normal?

errr - I kimda thought that was the whole point of owning one of the
best handling vehicules ever...

Geoff Watkins · Post by **Geoff Watkins** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:00 am

Hi Colin
Welcome to our Club
May see you on the next outing?
I always to Canterbury Mazda and get great Service there they have all the
gear
Kind Regards
Geoff
MX5 98

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:56 am

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 06:00:49 +1300, you wrote:

Hi Colin
Welcome to our Club
May see you on the next outing?
I always to Canterbury Mazda and get great Service there they have all the
gear
Kind Regards
Geoff
MX5 98

Thanks Geoff.
They seem OK at Cant Mazda. Been there. I have been recommended a guy in
Cranford St as well.
I have a sloppy eyeball on the driver's side and was commenting so to someone
who had a MX 5 in a car park in town . No problem she said "Just set it in the
right position and press on it " It is amazing how everyone has a tip or two

Regards

Col
MX5 96

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:19 am

Hi Susan

Try Ross Campbell @ www.mx5mart.co.nz he usually has good second hand
hoods.

The MX5 does ride fairly hard, but it smooths out in it's natural element,
which is "going fairly fast". You will learn to appreciate it as you start
to explore the limits of it's handling, If you actually find the limits let
us know, few of us are brave enough to go there! In other words, it is all
part of a fantastically well behaved little car.

If you really want to spend some money, ($1200 odd) you can fit Koni or
Bilstein shock absorbers and set them as hard or soft as you like and the
handling limits can then get really scary, but I love mine just as it is.

Eric

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:02 am

Great idea David, I'll add a ring to my new top when it arrives.

Regards
Bill

daca.robinson · Post by **daca.robinson** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:03 am

Hi everyone
For those in CH-CH. the Guys Name is Bruce 518 Cranford st.he has been very helpful and given me free advise(even checked the timing etc). his ph.(03)354-3222.
Can anyone tell me when the next outing is, Would so like to meet other owner's to get idea's and some advise on some funny rattles going on in the driver's door.
Cheers
Daca.
[...]

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:26 am

Welcome to the Club, Colin, and thanks for the comment about the hip
operation - had me laughing out loud. Wait till you've done a really long
trip and try to get out of the car in front of some packed pavement cafe
looking cool...

Simon
97 SR Ltd

Biff · Post by **Biff** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:37 pm

I can recommend the guy in Cranford St, its Top Down Rentals.
He went over mine with a fine tooth comb when I purchased it, did the cam
belt and oil change etc.
Good bloke
Biff
ZOOM1N

Keith Smith · Post by **Keith Smith** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:26 pm

Couldn't agree more Biff. Rented a red roadster from him a couple of
years ago before buying my own. Shame it rains so much in Auckland now
i'm up here. Much drier in the southern lands.
Keith Smith
Howick
Auckland
RJ6991 (NZ new)

On 23/01/2004, at 4:37 PM, Biff wrote:

[...]

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