Mazda MX-5 Mk3

[jimbo]

Tony

Just sold MX-5 Mk1 (set up by yourself) to buy Mk3.

At speed the steering seems very quick and twitchy. the tyres are Mitchelin and the suspension set up is standard, being quite a high ride height.

The questions are :- does this sound normal handling and should I ask Mazda (Milcars) to check it?

Do you have the standard geometry figures for this model so I could compare them to what Mazda may have to say.

I know that the Mk1 had several set up adjustments, is it similar to Mk3 ?

 

Any other comments welcome

 

jimbo

[Tony]

Tony

Just sold MX-5 Mk1 (set up by yourself) to buy Mk3.

At speed the steering seems very quick and twitchy. the tyres are Mitchelin and the suspension set up is standard, being quite a high ride height.

The questions are :- does this sound normal handling and should I ask Mazda (Milcars) to check it?

Do you have the standard geometry figures for this model so I could compare them to what Mazda may have to say.

I know that the Mk1 had several set up adjustments, is it similar to Mk3 ?

 

Any other comments welcome

 

jimbo

The MK3 has EPS (Electronic Power Steering) with centre weighting so it takes some getting used to. It has the same trim height variant for the Geometry positions including different positions for the 16" and 17" wheels. Also of the 30 or so MK3's i have measured ALL! of them were wrong. On a plus note the MK3 has the most stable chassis i have every seen in 25yrs of setting Geometry, a truly glorious construction. On down note i had one car with 450 miles on the clock and that included the 250 miles he traveled to me :graduated:

[jimbo]

Thanks for the info Tony, perhaps no surprise that even new cars are not set up right. I will check to see what facility Milcars have for Geomety set up under guarantee and ask them to check it first. Then we can see if they are any good. Hope I dont have to resort to paying for it, but will do if needs be. My Mk1 that you did was perfect after your "set up" even though I never had the chance to bring it in for the free check. Dont forget you said after my praise on a post last year that you owed me a tenner !!! :graduated:

 

Best wishes to all

jimbo

[Tony]

Thanks for the info Tony, perhaps no surprise that even new cars are not set up right. I will check to see what facility Milcars have for Geomety set up under guarantee and ask them to check it first. Then we can see if they are any good. Hope I dont have to resort to paying for it, but will do if needs be. My Mk1 that you did was perfect after your "set up" even though I never had the chance to bring it in for the free check. Dont forget you said after my praise on a post last year that you owed me a tenner !!!

 

Best wishes to all

jimbo

Sent the "tenner honest" Maybe if you are willing we could work together and discoverer what the hell is going on with the MK3. If we collaborate there maybe an opportunity to confront the dealers and open the doors for many owners displaying the MK3 is or is not correctly set. I am more than willing to volunteer my support technically.

[jimbo]

Thanks for the info Tony, perhaps no surprise that even new cars are not set up right. I will check to see what facility Milcars have for Geomety set up under guarantee and ask them to check it first. Then we can see if they are any good. Hope I dont have to resort to paying for it, but will do if needs be. My Mk1 that you did was perfect after your "set up" even though I never had the chance to bring it in for the free check. Dont forget you said after my praise on a post last year that you owed me a tenner !!!

 

Best wishes to all

jimbo

Sent the "tenner honest" Maybe if you are willing we could work together and discoverer what the hell is going on with the MK3. If we collaborate there maybe an opportunity to confront the dealers and open the doors for many owners displaying the MK3 is or is not correctly set. I am more than willing to volunteer my support technically.

[jimbo]

Thanks for the set up yesterday the car is now terrific, a creamy ride, dead straight line with excellent turn into corners, bump steer also seems much better.

 

So in conclusion it is apparent that the geometry came much nearer to the correct settings by initially fitting the correct ride height springs (Eibach Pro) and then your final geometry adjustments.

 

What a shame that a very well designed car comes unstuck when the manufacturer fits "the wrong springs"

 

As we all know these Eibachs are specified by Mazda themselves, as their own approved accessory.

 

Guess their overseas sales dept put their oar in to fit higher springs to suit Euro import regs???

 

Thanks again Tony

 

Jimbo

[Tony]

Thanks for the set up yesterday the car is now terrific, a creamy ride, dead straight line with excellent turn into corners, bump steer also seems much better.

 

So in conclusion it is apparent that the geometry came much nearer to the correct settings by initially fitting the correct ride height springs (Eibach Pro) and then your final geometry adjustments.

 

What a shame that a very well designed car comes unstuck when the manufacturer fits "the wrong springs"

 

As we all know these Eibachs are specified by Mazda themselves, as their own approved accessory.

 

Guess their overseas sales dept put their oar in to fit higher springs to suit Euro import regs???

 

Thanks again Tony

 

Jimbo

Oh wow... Good for you that everything is ok now... Since you have experienced this "invisible" flaw from Mazda yourself.... tell the world... To add to the conspiracy theory how come Mazda have not released the Geometry positions "anywhere" in the UK could it be that once visible this whole chapter with NC could come to light?