S2IM

How have you gotten on with the hot start issues these are reported to have? I really like the RX8 and it would tick a lot of the boxes for me as a next car potentially (apart from the MPG! But that can be counteracted by letting the missus use it for work most of the time - small mileage) I guess if its been rebuilt any of the niggly RX8 issues would have been sorted then? How many litres does it take to fill the tank and whats the rough mileage per tank you see?

Yep same garage Rich, very honest. Use those chaps for servicing and WIM for tyres/wheels/brakes etc. Looks like the hood will need replacing but first it needs a new exhaust. Old one is blowing a bit and the backbox is rattling between 2300-3000rpms. When we had it up on the ramp (when the gear/diff oils were being done) the rearbox to midpipe flange is so rotten I don't think I'll be able to get the backbox off. So looks like I will need a new midpipe and rearbox now. The annoying thing on the car is that midpipe contains the cat! I think that part is ok so looking to order a replacement midpipe that can be sleeved onto the original cat (cutting the midpipe after cat) and mating that up to the new backbox. Don't think I can do that all myself so I'll be paying a visit to Joe again! Looking at the same exhaust as Steve-O's but its 4" instead of 3.5" - why I don't know but the Cobalt for the MK2 is bigger. Sound is perfect but not sure if 4" is too big for an MX5

Cambelt done 30k ago (4yrs ago) and the fuel filter looks new as well. To be fair we are talking less than £100 for a service and I've asked for it to be gone over with a fine tooth comb. I think the alternator or power steering belt needs changing as makes a noise from cold start ups. Disappears after 20 mins. My clutch and gearbox worries have all been put to bed now and the fluid change really has sorted the gear changes out. Even pipped a second gear chirp earlier

So little update. Had a few issues with the car so deified to tackle a couple on my own and the others were sorted by my local garage in kings Langley. Cleaned the MAF out as the car felt it was bogging down from low revs. Used some contact cleaner and seems to have helped with the 3000rpm stutter. Still there a little but not as pronounced when cold. Car always had a bit of a notchy gear change so had the diff and gearbox oils done today. Added some moly slip whilst at it. Changes are now silky smooth! No crunching and it's easier to flick into the gears when pressing on. Whilst it was on the ramp I took the chance to find the exhaust rattle. Looks like the standard system is still on it. Lasted fairly well but the back box is rattling and so is the Cat which is annoying. I don't hear the cat rattle when driving but giving it a whack something is loose in there too. Only issue is the exhaust is a 3 piece system. Manifold, cat and mid pipe as one and then the back box. So buying a new cat means a new mid pipe as well. Think I may as well go custom from the down pipe back and get a new backbox. Found a cat replacement so would need a flange on the replacement mid pipe to fit. Just trying to find the ideal backbox now! Other than that. It's due it's service in 3000 miles but it's been brill so far. It's gets driven fairly hard and I am quite impressed with the ease of DIY on these and actually enjoying working on it!

I am sure! Last time I had this it was a loose camber bolt and on my old car it was a drop link causing the sound. If there was space on Sat it would be good to get an eye cast over it

Joe - any chance you guys can have a quick look at mine on a ramp Saturday? Mentioned Friday when the puncture was getting sorted about the clicking/popping sound I am getting from the front when braking/accelerating. If not and your all busy - ill book it in for another day

Can you take an old one off and go to somewhere like the motor spares shop in St Albans road or Apsley? I did that on the MX5 Ariel when I needed a rubber grommet to make it seal properly. The chap was really helpful for 20p and spent 10 minutes outside trying them all out!

Blimey... you and brakes don't have much luck

Good work that! Bit like Honda wanting £300 for a new wiper motor on the wife's car when all that was needed was a clean up of the contacts!

How many mx5's can you get on a bouncy castle?

What a long day! Up early and drive down to Maidstone to pick up a set of standard sport wheels which the seller said had "good tread". 2 did, one down to the limit and the other close to it. Wheels were in great condition however so bought them anyway. Must have been sat there for so long as the bridgestones had cracks in them. Tyres were effectively written off. Popped by to see Joe with the wheels and they have now been replaced with the Proxy T1R's. Rich helped fit them (well did it all whilst I stood and made sure it was being done right) and we went out for a blast. Result... No more pulling. No more wobbles from the steering and oodles more grip. Very happy. Got a pic but can't upload so will have to see if I can link it somehow. Just need to get the body roll under control next and lower it then I'll be happy with it for a whilst!

Argh... I just had all the Geo etc done so guess it would all need doing again Joe? What do they lower it by? Feel free to PM me a cost and ill have a think

The car has done 74k so not sure if asking for trouble just putting springs on

Last time we went I was in the s2000 and that was pretty hairy on the limit compared to yours which was chuckable yet controllable so looking forward to that. My off at nearly 100mph onto the pit straight still makes me cringe after it gave way with no warning. I reckon the tyres were cooked. It also had brake fade on the day from that long straight!

If there is going to be camera's involved I need to get the wheel gap situation sorted first!

They should last well on an MX5 as it doesn't have the same weight as your Mondeo over the front

She told me this morning it felt "slidey" on the way to work and the steering was all over the shop on the motorway. But only told me this morning after I asked. Indeed Tony - I bet a lot of people have had spent $$$ on trying to look at suspension, brakes etc when it could be something simple like this and hats off to the chaps for being thorough and very honest Ill PM Joe and get a price for the Proxies fitted worst case if the Bridgestones are too worn. Steve - I like the tread pattern on the Federals but this is my daily hack so I need it to be able to go through standing water without any bum clinching moments! Proxies seem like a good compromise v £.

I popped up to see Joe on Saturday to try and sort out the problem with the car pulling to the left after a full geo. The car settings haven't moved so we had a look at the tyres. Decided to move the fronts to the back and see if the problem was still apparent. Took the car out for a little drive round Chesham and it wasn't pulling to the left any more on coasting etc so I though perfect! Drove it to work this morning, first time since Saturday... danger will robinson!! The good news is its defo the tyres, since moving them to the rear the car now "crabs" along the motorway. The rear when you accelerate pushes you to the right so you have to steer to the left to counteract it. Made for a hair rising journey this morning down the A41 and probably confused the hell out of the Mini behind me. Picking up a set of Sport alloys Saturday with worn bridgestones on so will see what tread is left on those. If they are naff all Ill be replacing them with Toyo Proxies. Why do people put such crap tyres on these cars I will never know. Its totally ruining what the car is all about

Where is it?!

One of my all time favourite cars. That looking rather dam good. So shiny!

It is rather good isn't it Not the fastest but an all round good package. The great thing is now, since joe moved the super cheap tyres to the back (and the slightly less cheap tyres to the front) to sort out the pulling it makes hilarious noises round round a bouts now! <screeeeeeech> New wheels have been sorted and picking up next weekend off the owners club which have bridgestones fitted. Hopefully they will last a couple of months before I can get them replaced with new boots. Will be going for Toyo T1Rs. Keeping the old rims and tyres for some comedy track action Steveo....we need to get something booked! Rich.... Come along for some sideways fun if you fancy it!

I've posted this up on the MX5OC. Hopefully we will get some attendance from there too

I'll defo be up for this!

Forgot to mention... also fixed my water leak into the boot last night. Water was leaking in from the ariel mast. New grommet and sealant added and now sorted. Next steps this weekend are to fit the sun visors and get new plates made up for the original mountings

Was back at WIM this morning with some parts. New lower wishbone, camber bolts and another ft long bolt fitted. Joe showed me the old long bolt against a ruler which was bent so that appears to be what was causing the car to not calibrate properly. Also had all the wheels re-balanced and all needed weights adding so god knows what the old tyre fitter was up to when he put the tyres on! Car has been set up with a semi-fast road setup and that's as good as its going to get due to the height of the car. It really needs to be lowered or have some coilovers fitted. So the drive to work.... Completely different! I wasn't hanging on for dear life and all cabin vibrations have gone! Grip is as good as its going to get with the tyres I have on and it was an absolute hoot to drive back so very happy! Cheers WIM Chaps!