Too soon to give a full run down, but so far I am happy with my new toy.
It's an 'Arctic', one of 400 produced, based on the mid-spec SE-L Nav with added leather heated seats, park sensors, auto wipers and lights and its own colour scheme - a blue/grey mica paint, silver mirrors and windscreen surround. 6 months old this week, and now 4,400 miles.
It's a good spec and the only material omissions from the 1.5 Sport Nav are the Bose sound system and lane departure warning (which was turned off on the car I tested because it is a "damn nuisance").
The performance is perfect for me. It spins away like a turbine to 7000 rpm (6500 is enough), sticks like glue, makes a pleasant noise and is a joy to drive.
At first refill it has returned 45.6mpg, only 1.5mpg off the official combined figure and 1mpg better than its computer claimed. And that includes 'having fun' and periods of sitting with the engine running figuring out the sat nav, radio, iPod, USB etc. It turns out it is the most economical car we have ever owned. It does make me wonder whether the small turbo petrols are really a waste of time in the real world
The cost of this perfection? Other than some money, the cabin is just big enough. No glove box, a small oddments tray, a tiny centre box (my phone is too big to fit properly), and I think losing a bit of weight will make entry and egress easier! There is a cubby on the back wall between the seats but it isn't handy on the move. And frankly it's a bit noisy on anything but the smooth kind of tarmac with the hood up - but then it would be.
We got into the spirit of the thing and went to the National Rally of the owners' club at Gaydon on Sunday. I took my shopping list and got discounts on a few bits including a boot liner and half cover. A grand day out. We are already looking at road trips for next year.
|
>> It does make me wonder whether the small turbo petrols are really a waste of time in the real world
>>
All sounds good Manatee!
The point about small turbo petrols is torque, a 1.5 turbo for instance can produce more torque than a 2.0 and be more economical, likewise engines like Ford's 1.0 3cyl turbo is quite adequate lugging a Focus around. A 1.0 ltr n/a petrol engine can produce 200bhp (as in modern superbikes) though would not be much good in a 1.5 tonne car.
|
|
Glad you're enjoying it! Sounds like fun.
|
|
Mrs RP's picking hers up on Thursday
|
Has she got one of those "Kojak" lights so she can get home quick? Although I suppose it'd be tough to get it to stick on a soft top...
;-)
|
|
Like a good boot, it will be run in gently.
|
>> Like a good boot, it will be run in gently.
>>
Aren't modern cars supposed to be given the beans during the break in period now? You may not actually need that flat cap...
|
|
I won't be driving :-) I'll be in the chase car...
|
No need telling me....running mine in going up to the Aviemore/Grantown area for a weeks walking mid October
I'd better watch out for speed cameras on the A9, although I need to look at alternative routes, should they exist, from Settle
|
Interesting points raised there HC. I think there might be a glaring case with the rise of tiny turbos of unintended consequences, in which tests and targets set for economy and emissions have been internalised by the manufacturers who now make cars to achieve the best scores in the very specific circumstances of the test, at the expense of genuine improvements.
>> The point about small turbo petrols is torque, a 1.5 turbo for instance can produce
>> more torque than a 2.0 and be more economical,
but not at the same time, or if the driver who previously had the 2 litre car and now has more torque to play with now accelerates faster than he did before. The available low-revs torque of small petrol turbos is what ruins their economy in practice with numb-footed drivers. Rapid acceleration tends to hurt economy.
>>likewise engines like Ford's 1.0 3cyl
>> turbo is quite adequate lugging a Focus around.
You can see the trends here in the tendency for real world efficiency/economy to deviate from test results.
Looking at HJ's Real MPG, and the Focus of 2004, 2008, 2011 and 2014, the reported mpg as a %age of the combined figure is respectively 87%, 85%, 76%, 72%. The little turbos do not fully deliver.
>>A 1.0 ltr n/a petrol engine can
>> produce 200bhp (as in modern superbikes) though would not be much good in a 1.5
>> tonne car.
That sounds a bit extreme, presumably a racer - but I don't see why a very high revving engine with a commensurate high specific output wouldn't work with the right gearing, and possibly a heavier flywheel - although there wouldn't be much point.
Although the primary reason for buying the MX-5 is not economy, it's easy to see how it happens. A car with an engine designed to produce 130bhp at 7000rpm, driven using up to 3500rpm, is more or less a 70bhp car and performs accordingly. If that car is actually pleasant and tractable in that range, then when rapid acceleration is not needed that is how it will be used and economy will follow.
It's a completely different sort of car, but the Mazda reminded me of my 1979 Polo, with its maximum output of 45bhp or so. Despite having what seemed like negligible torque (61Nm, I looked it up) it would happily accelerate (very slowly) at full throttle from 20mph in top.
Mazda's 'Skyactive' theme is not limited to the MX-5 and it is about efficiency - Mazda has eschewed the turbo approach (possibly because the meat of its total sales is outside the EU and its testing regime) and gone with increasingly refined and developed NA engines of higher capacity.
Just googled this theme and found this:
www.motormag.com.au/features/1605/why-mazda-shuns-turbos
There's no magic to torque. Petrol engines, all else equal, produce power in proportion to torque, rpm and capacity. Less torque is fine if you have more of the others, and you can avoid losing too much efficiency in the trade-off.
I'll be interested in RP's, and Mrs RP's, feeling on this when they have had their new car a few days.
|
Sounds like a great car Manatee. Congratulations.
I wondered if there was something MX-5'y going on up in that neck of the woods as we were stayi ng at the Premier Inn at Warwick on the Friday night and there were 9 or 10 MX-5's in the carpark (including a new hard-top one in that lovely candy apple red metallic - nice colour but not convinced on the looks of the hard top version, but I could only see it from the rear).
As we were leaving on the Saturday morning (t go to an open day at Warwick Uni) another one pulled into the front of the hotel with an MX-5 type number plate with 'GAV' as the other letters (I am a Gavin for my sins, so it caught my eye) and a huge teddy bear was sat in the passenger seat.
Clearly the driver was going somewhere fun!
Hope you had a good day and you missed the drizzle earlier that day.
|
>> Sounds like a great car Manatee. Congratulations.
Thank you sfd.
I think there were a few convoys assembled. About 2,500 cars turned up. Weather was warm and sunny, and there was enough going on.
Gaydon was worth a visit anyway, especially as I had never been. Not many surprises in the museum proper for me, apart from a few interesting propotypes. The separate Jaguar collection was interesting.
A few spots of rain on the way back, but as long as the car's moving at a reasonable rate, the occupants stay dry with the roof down!
|
>> The available low-revs torque of small petrol turbos is what ruins their economy in practice with numb-footed drivers. Rapid acceleration tends to hurt economy. >>
Typically the small turbo will be more economical in any given situation, though it's economy will suffer its performance is used to the full. That being said using turbo torque for a quick overtake is likely to be more efficient that using double the revs in an n/a car.
>> The little turbos do not fully deliver.
>>
They may not quite live up to the promise their official figures suggest though they are still more economical in actual terms.
>> >>A 1.0 ltr n/a petrol engine can produce 200bhp (as in modern superbikes) though would not be much good in a 1.5 tonne car.
>>
>> That sounds a bit extreme, presumably a racer >>
No, the Yamaha R1, BMW S1000RR and other equivalents produce IRO 200bhp and rev to 14000 ish and in the case of the Yamaha don't need a valve service until 24,000 miles. Amazing engineering.
www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles/supersport/yzf-r1.aspx?view=featurestechspecs
>>
>> There's no magic to torque. Petrol engines, all else equal, produce power in proportion to
>> torque, rpm and capacity. >>
Power is a factor of torque and RPM, capacity influences the figures as does turbocharging etc though the maths only involves torque and RPM.
Of course the MX5 is small and light so characteristically suits a responsive n/a engine.
Last edited by: Hard Cheese on Wed 27 Sep 17 at 16:29
|
|
Should be ideal on the roads around here !
|
>> Power is a factor of torque and RPM, capacity influences the figures as does turbocharging
>> etc though the maths only involves torque and RPM.
You're right of course, capacity is a possible proxy for torque or rpm in that argument not an additional factor of output. My mistake.
I can see why the little turbos should be more efficient, and they do indeed do better on the test - low-friction smaller diameter and narrower bearings, active coolant pumps and multiple cooling circuits, direct multijet injection of course, swirl ports, fewer cylinders etc.
Whatever the explanation, their real world economy is far worse than their test performances. A leading example of this is the Fiat 900cc turbo twin air which nobody can get anywhere near its outstanding test figures. I think it is because the test is less representative of typical use and at least partly because 'normal' drivers tend to 'waste' power when it is so accessible in the bottom half of the rev range.
No matter. I am not bent on winning an argument, it was for the sake of discussion.
The 5 is feeling more and more capable and and responsive as I settle to it. Driving with a normal purpose is different to half hour test drives.
I have already booked one motoring holiday for next year - Lake Garda and environs, and a few alpine passes:)
|
|
Perfect for the Alps. Don't forget to load up some Matt Monro on your music ! Enjoy !
Last edited by: Runfer D'Hills on Wed 27 Sep 17 at 21:45
|
We crossed severalAlpine passes whilst walking S from Les Houches recently.... even stopped to watch some convoys of tasty motors on a few occasions. The D902 from Briancon to Bourg St Maurice over the Col De L'Iseran via Bonneval sur Arc & Val d'Isere was one such route.
The N91 heading westerly from Briancon towards Grenoble over the Col du Lauteret, south is the amazing Ecrins National Park lorded over by La Meije, north the Col du Galibier ( famous in TDF cycling) and Valloire.
Let me know if you need any map recommendations for such tours... we constantly met German & Austrian bikers staying in our accommodations when we came down from the mountains.
|
|
Drove to Garda, and made sure I went via the Stelvio Pass. Had a good half an hours amusement at the top watching some berk in an AMG Mercedes trying to get out of the snow covered car park, he just couldn't get any traction or direction down at all. Like Torvill and Dene it was.
|
Thanks LL. Haven't thought about maps - the tour organisers provide a "road book" and some route information for the trips there and back, two overnight stops each way. Our time is our own for 5 days or so at Garda.
>>Don't forget to load up some Matt Monro on your music ! Enjoy !
Definitely.
>>Drove to Garda, and made sure I went via the Stelvio Pass
Definitely that too.
|
I've never taken a driving tour within Europe, although years ago I had an annual trip to visit friends in Belgium over a long weekend. Something I should do at some point, and an MX5 would be the perfect vehicle!
I wasn't aware there were 'tour organisers' for such things, so presumably you have hotels pre booked for you? If not I'm happy to provide recommendations in the French Alps, should you be passing through en route to Lake Garda, the Italian Lakes being somewhere I have never been.
Sounds great
|
Yes, that's it - they book the ferries (Dover-Calais) and hotels, and provide route choices. It's not a convoy, but each date/tour could have a dozen or more cars booked on so no doubt some people link up for trips. It works out around £100 per person per day with breakfasts and dinners, which I think is good value. It can probably be done cheaper independently, but it's an easy way of having a plan.
We need to work on packing lighter. We have been known to fill the Outlander boot space for a four night break!
"Scenic Car Tours". There are other operators, for more money some will fly you there and hire you a classic or a 'supercar' to tour in.
|
|
To be fair, I think planning your own trip is half the fun, now its been made so much easier by google maps and the internet.
|
No disrespect Manatee, but I'm with Zeddo. It probably stems from my childhood affection for maps, starting in the Boy Sprouts.
I still spend hours, maps spread all over the floor, planning walking holidays, whether Coast 2 coast across Scotland, or linking 4/5 day trails in the Alps to give a 15 day route. Although a linear long distance path, such as the GR5, needs little planning, apart from booking popular huts in advance around honeypot areas, FWAs ( foul weather alternatives) and variants.. GR57, GR5E. On my recent 18 day trip I only booked the first 2 nights, and winged it the rest of the time...distances covered were dependent upon weather & how well the legs & lungs coordinated!
And my all up pack weight, including food & water, is 7Kg tops
Travelling light could be my moniker!
Last edited by: legacylad on Thu 28 Sep 17 at 08:36
|
|
I don't disagree. We intend to do some some personalised route planning and touring.
|
I too enjoy route planning, one of things about sailing is the planning, tides, access to harbours, weather etc.
Though a planned road trip with a lot of people on broadly the same route can be great, catching up in the evenings and sharing experiences.
|
I'm happy to have a framework for the Italian Job, and I am prepared to socialise short of forming a convoy.
I like planning routes, although they don't always work out however carefully I do it. Coming home through France about 35 years ago, an exasperated gendarme insisted I turn right at a crossroads where I really wanted to go straight on.
There was an awful lot of noise going on somewhere when I opened the window. It then dawned that we had planned a route down (or up?) the Mulsanne straight on Le Mans weekend. I could see the force of his argument.
|
"I like planning routes,........."
I see the new car is a 'nav' model which I assume, as on wife's new B-max nav, came with a built-in satnav. I would never pay a premium for a car simply because it had an on-board satnav - I much prefer to use a Tomtom with 'free maps for life' updates.
A couple of weeks ago, the B-max satnav gave us the wrong instructions at the A14/M1 (Catthorpe) junction, whereas the Tomtom is absolutely up-to-date with the changes that have happened at that location. I asked our local Ford dealer to check it out for us and they found that it was indeed equipped with the latest Ford mapping ......... which appears to be at least a year out of date.
Unlike our Tomtom, however, the B-max is able to receive traffic updates; maybe we should use both on-board satnav and Tomtom and listen to them arguing with one another.
And, btw, I never go anywhere without a set of proper maps!
|
>>> A14/M1 (Catthorpe) junction, whereas the Tomtom is absolutely up-to-date with the changes.... latest Ford mapping ......... which appears to be at least a year out of date.
This raised its head recently when looking at used Mercedes/BMW for Mrs F. Certain elements of the one make forums were very much of the opinion you were nothing without the model that came with integral satnav. Looking into map updates it soon became obvious the need for iffy Ebay software (to keep costs down)... or a trip to the dealer for already outdated over priced updates... made the Garmin/Tomtom option a far better bet.
I wonder if really new cars like the one Zero has on order download their own updates??
|
>>
>> I wonder if really new cars like the one Zero has on order download their
>> own updates??
>>
My 2 year old BMW can download it's own updates or they can be installed from a USB stick.
I have founds two roads that don't exist on the current mapping, the South Bristol Link Road and the Eastern Bay Link Road in Cardiff, both opened this year. I am currently in discussion with the dealer regarding the cost of updating, there is some suggestion that it should be free in the first three years, I haven't tried simply downloading updates yet though will certainly try that before paying anything.
|
|
My BMW downloads updates to the NAV via the cars SIM. That’s included for three years I think. It seems to do it once a quarter. The Audi NAV includes updates from the main dealer for three years, but can also be updated using updates from the Audi portal transferred to the car by memory stick or SD card. I’ve never bothered...once a year is fine :)
|
Yes it does have navigation. My experience of manufacturer ones has been poor too. I am assured that the MX-5 one is the latest, and I get 'free' updates for 3 years. Nevertheless the new roads at Gaydon we used on Sunday aren't on it.
I have a Garmin that does RDS traffic, but that is usually hours stale. The best I have found is using google maps on a phone. Crowd sourced traffic is bang up to date as a rule.
One aspect of the MX-5's navigation I like is that it is easy to load in waypoints, to force a route of one's choice. I haven't found out how many it will accept yet.
A sign of the times on the MX-5 perhaps is that the 12V accessory socket is right under the dash on the passenger side out of sight and reach. It would be no use as a fag lighter. It has 2 USB sockets easily at hand. I can see some buyers might be annoyed about this if they hadn't known about it when they bought the car.
|
>> A sign of the times on the MX-5 perhaps is that the 12V accessory socket
>> is right under the dash on the passenger side out of sight and reach. It
>> would be no use as a fag lighter. It has 2 USB sockets easily at
>> hand. I can see some buyers might be annoyed about this if they hadn't known
>> about it when they bought the car.
>>
IMO 12v sockets are USB sockets are better out of sight or ideally in a glove box or armrest as one can leave iPods etc plugged in and ready to go when parking the car.
I have a iPod permanently plugged in in the M135i which I can immediately access through the "media" iDrive short cut, I can also access music on my phone via Bluetooth and I will often have a CD in the player giving countless hours of available music at a touch.
|
Car collected and brought home. Nottingham isn't a bad city to drive in. Dealer was non-descript. Maybe down to the fact this was a DTD motor. Looks night. Yet to get in it, BMW proved an admirable long distance car. Sat-Nav worked well apart from one tiny flaw on the way there. It had altered the home route (I think because of traffic on the M6). 2.5 hours to cover a 115 miles. Three hours back - much busier.
The route was planned before going along with Street View's on my nephew's house and dealer - worked a treat when we got there, along with Sat Nav.
Last edited by: R.P. on Thu 28 Sep 17 at 19:25
|
|
I hope you (and Mrs RP) get on with it.
|
Must be 10+ years since I last had a map / atlas in my car.
Used to take them out from under the boot carpet and put them into the new car, under the boot carpet.
Finally I just ditched it!
|
|
Drove it for the first time yesterday. Still being easy on the revs, superb gear-change and charming exhaust note. Roof down most of the way home from Ellesmere Port (popped there to the nearest Mazda dealer to get some mats) - Started raining on the way home on the A55 - enough forward speed to prevent rain coming in ! Biggish grin factor.
|
|
Following it home the other day - noted the skinny tyres...208s according to the script on the tyre wall...not really that narrow ! Set the car off well from the rear.
|
|
There was a lovely grey/black RF at the Chester dealer we called at (to get some mats) - Lovely BBS branded wheels and Recaro seats. Really looked the business.
|
195/50R16 on the 1.5, 205/45R17 on the 2.0.
The tyre width and profile on the 1.5 are the same as for the 1999 1.8. The wheels have gone from 15 to 16 presumably because they look 'better'.
|
|
Neighbours got a new 2.0 with removable roof (RF?), delivered today, grey with black wheels, they do look quite skinny.
|
|
This was the colour scheme of the RF at Chester Mazda, really pretty. Lovely seats as I mentioned. They are stunning little motors.
|
|
Question arisen with the Mx5. The dash has three vents, the offside ones - designed (no doubt) to warm hands - trouble is the inside one (so to speak) doesn't dish out warm air...are they all the same ?
|
Surprised for symmetry purposes there aren't 4 vents. Sounds like it is designed for fresh air only.
We have at least one other member with an MX5 so we'll find out a second opinion soon I guess.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Thu 30 Nov 17 at 19:48
|
|
How do tell a 1.5 from a 2.0? Neighbour's has four bolt wheels, does the 2.0 have five bolt wheels?
|
Are you such a prat in real life? I assume you are,
Back to the post I was responding to... all cars I've ever driven had an air vent next to each window and usually at least two in the centre of the car. I think the MX5 has only one vent in the centre for the driver.
We have a couple of members with a current MX-5 so someone with actually knowledge will respond.
|
>>Are you such a prat in real life? I assume you are,
Now, I am not saying that someone was or was not being a prat, and if someone was being a prat then I certainly have no issue with them being called one.
But I have read this thread a number of times and I don't get it. I can't see anybody being a prat about anything. Am I just being thick or was something deleted?
|
>>
>> But I have read this thread a number of times and I don't get it.
>> I can't see anybody being a prat about anything. Am I just being thick or
>> was something deleted?
>>
Agreed, I can only think that my question about wheel bolts was misinterpreted as taking the michael of the air vents conversation.
for once and for all, STOP trying to bypass the swear filter.
Last edited by: VxFan on Fri 1 Dec 17 at 16:53
|
|
Not by me HC. There are four on the 2.0 litre version as well.
|
I did interpret as a stupid follow on question to the three air vents conversation.
As for wheel bolts... I'd assume there'd be a common number across all models because different sized tyres are no doubt an option.
EDIT: I just checked and it seems 16" wheels only for the 1.5 and 17" for the 2.0.... so no options on wheels. In this day and age I find that surprising but then it's a Mazda and they are not as configurable as German marques.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 1 Dec 17 at 16:59
|
I think they are studs and nuts (they were on the Mk2) but I haven't taken a wheel off yet.
The rolling radius is about 2.5% bigger on the 2.0. Otherwise the gearing is identical. So the overall gearing is a bit taller on the 2.0 which revs lower and has more power.
It seems to be moot as to whether the 17" wheels are approved for the 1.5. They are listed as an accessory, rather than an option, in the brochure without qualification I think. Not that I want them.
|
>> I did interpret as a stupid follow on question to the three air vents conversation.
>>
Apology accepted ...
|
|
I took it the right way !
|
>> Are you such a prat in real life? I assume you are,
What's that for rjt? I asked a reasonable question, neighbour has an MX5, I noticed it has four bolt wheel where as some, older perhaps or 2.0 perhaps, have five bolt wheels.
Anyone else have any sensible answers?
|
All models in the current range have 4 bolts HC
The Series 3 had five.
See - no abuse
|
|
Thanks CG and Manatee ....
|
>> How do tell a 1.5 from a 2.0? Neighbour's has four bolt wheels, does the
>> 2.0 have five bolt wheels?
All have 4 bolts.
The 1.5 has 195/50R16. The 2.0 205/45R17.
|
Picture of the dashboard:
images.car.bauercdn.com/upload/34063/images/mx-5_2015_interior_02.jpg
For the benefit of other interested parties, most cars have automatic air conditioning (e.g. mine and RP's).
Hood up, I set the fan and distribution dials to auto and adjust the temperature. Air flow through the dash vents is minimal and I haven't paid much attention to it. All the vents can be turned off at the outlet end but mine are left open.
Hood down, instead of air-conditioning Western Europe, I set the fan speed and the distribution manually. In the recent cold weather (e.g. on a recent return trip to Eastbourne (more anon) when it was bright and sunny but cold, The fan speed was about 3/4, the air was set to feet and face vents, and the temp dial was also high. The two right eyeball vents supplied hot air to the hands and face. The left eyeball also blows hot air.
I never checked the slatted vent. It's usually shut because I have a phone mount* attached to it, so next time I take it out I'll do the experiment.
*I've just bought, but not yet fitted, a Brodit
www.brodit.com/productList.html?lrhandDrive=rhd&brand=Mazda&model=MX-5&year=2017&pn=prod
|
|
That's the answer I was looking for. I use the car to commute the 9 miles to work - BMW used for dog carrying purposes. I have always defaulted to the "auto" settings on the climate, but a random conversation with Mrs RP confirmed my suspicions that no warm air was being delivered to the eyeball vent to the left of the steering wheel. We think that the vents are placed to deliver warm air to the hands. We need to check this further before going to Mazda. Thanks M.
|
Make sure it's not turned off at the outlet :)
Also I don't really know what it does when on auto - when I am taking notice, it's on manual with fan and temp turned up.
Last edited by: Manatee on Fri 1 Dec 17 at 09:37
|
RP - the trip to Eastbourne was to www.themx5restorer.co.uk/
I left the car from Monday to Friday for them to do some rust prevention treatment, something Mazda don't seem to see much need for.
Probably doesn't matter if you use it as a daily and change it after 2 or 3 years, but even then it might make it easier to sell on privately. Assuming the Mk4 follows the trend, whilst they don't rust like Alfa Suds or 1960s Vauxhalls, with low annual mileages cars like this can be around for 20 years and the rust gets a lot of them.
I had the cavities waxed and the underside, subframes and steel suspension parts done in 'clear' wax rather than black underseal, as it was pristine to start with. I used the people in question because they take enough time to do it properly if it needs drying off etc and they do a lot of rust repairs so they presumably know where to put the glop.
|
|
Thanks ! Ours sleep in what is effectively a car-port and mostly dries naturally. It is generally used everyday. Saw a lovely 124 Spyder the other day in a light blue, that does t for me ;-)
|
From Mrs RP:
Is the air from both vents delivered at the same temperature ?
|
>> From Mrs RP:
>>
>> Is the air from both vents delivered at the same temperature ?
Now you're asking. I'll have to check. Perhaps we'll have a dry sunny day over the weekend!
|
A 124 Spyder makes no sense at all while you can get an MX5 way cheaper.
But I agree with you, I'd really like one! I've still not scratched my Alfa itch and I do feel that is a box that ought to be ticked before mortal coils are shuffled etc.
|
I like the looks of the Fiata except for the 'spectacles' DRLs.
But I wouldn't want the 1.4 turbo engine. It isn't an alternative MX-5.
|
Probably not. But, y'know "The Graduate"
I've been itching ever since I first saw it...
;-)
|
|
The key is in the title, your graduation years have Looooooooooong gone
|
Aye true, what's more, my wife looks way more like Mrs Robinson than the Elaine character...
;-)
|
|
Hahahahha...Just run it now - the left hand vent blows cold in auto mode whilst the right hand vent blows warm. In manual mode both vents blow warm air. No need for gloves now. Thanks M.
|
Don’t you peeps have heated steering wheels?
Not particularly necessary with leather, or the alcantara option on the Barbiemobile, but when you’re a trendy old bloke and have an even trendier ‘Carbon Interior Package’ ( nowt to do with drug smuggling) then a Carbon heated multi function wheel is de rigeur....
What’s that about a fool and his money
|
|
Dash vents blast lots of toasty air at your hands, heated seats warm the nether regions and a hat looks after the heat escape via the head. Arranged properly the heating keeps you really snug even on the coldest days.
|
If Z had bought a V90 he would have had a heated steering wheel LL:)
Pat
|
Yes Pat, and doubtless a much cheaper option than mine.
At least I got a top quality tailored rubber boot mat at a fraction the price the dealer was asking...
|
We have to keep reminding him of the error of his ways LL:)
You deserve your, enjoy it!
Pat
|
|
He may well have it, a heated steering wheel is not too expensive an option on most BMWs, it's never something that has appealed to me though.
|
|
Not on my list of things either, but for the carbon steering wheel, which would match the interior trim, it had to be heated. I only switch it on for the first ten minutes of the journey when the car has been left outside..surprising how cold that carbon wheel is....the only leather on the wheel is around the ten to two position
|
It's so good for arthritic hands on icy mornings.
Heated seat and steering wheel almost makes me take my first coffee out to drink in the car:)
Pat
|
>> He may well have it, a heated steering wheel is not too expensive an option
>> on most BMWs, it's never something that has appealed to me though.
>>
Not needed, being petrol the car warms up in an instant. The engine heat management is impressive, went to Bath yesterday, left it in the park and ride for 4 hours (the one exposed on the top of the hill near the racecourse) where it was bitterly cold, came back jumped in and the temp gauge was almost at normal straight away
|
>> temp gauge was almost at normal straight away<<
Shame about the driver;)
Pat
|
Park and Rides are for the normos. You can't be leaving a halfway decent car in those sorts of places. ;-)
Actually, I used to live in central Bath, there are still some streets where you can park near the centre if you know where to find them.
|
Maybe a set up some sort of notification to tell him if the car had moved at all when he was away from it. I can do this on my Superb although I'm not sure what you can then do about it apart from ring the police. It emails/alerts you within seconds of leaving a defined area. I suppose quite clever really.
You can also check where the car is parked on the app/website and from the phone flash lights when nearby and even honk the horn.
But I know BMW connected services are much more advanced. You can even view the 360 degree camera footage remotely!
|
>> Actually, I used to live in central Bath, there are still some streets where you
>> can park near the centre if you know where to find them.
been to Bath lately? think you would struggle now. Specially during Xmas market weeks
|
>> Aye true, what's more, my wife looks way more like Mrs Robinson than the Elaine
>> character...
>> ;-)
>>
.......still, you would, wouldn't you?
|
|
Indeed I do, from time to time...
|
Whether this is the same for the ND (Mk 4), the centre two air vents in the NC (Mk 3) cannot be shut. The reason being apparently is to give a constant air flow through the cockpit in order to stop exhaust gasses being sucked forward when the roof is down.
|
|
I'll check that out next time I take it to work.
|
The two "hand" vents (because that must be their function - perfectly placed) can be closed. Drove to work with the roof down on Monday. The vents were spot on for that purpose. Great little car - we ended up having to use it for work over the snow - The MX5 had been left in the village on the eve of the storm and the Beemer taken home. We woke up to deep drifts - so the Mazda was collected and used for the commute despite its RWD and probably because of tyres designed for purpose rather than style it proved perfectly drivable in the snow..even had some drifting fun
Last edited by: R.P. on Fri 9 Mar 18 at 10:51
|
|
Update - nearly a year on, the little car has done nearly 5000 miles - no issues. Lots of fun. Roof's spent a lot of time down this summer ! Slight hitch with the servicing package from the original dealer, they're trying to sort it out as we speak. It will be resolved
|
2019 MX5 1.5 gets a 1 BHP power increase and a small increase in torque.
2019 MX5 2.0 gets 24 BHP power increase - now that should be worth waiting on should you be in the market for the 2 seater.
|
|
Just read this out loud to Mrs RP - she said "that's a lot !" (In a joyous sort of way)
|
|
Better not let Mrs RP wander too close to any Porsche garages....the new Boxster 2.5 GTS has 366 ponies and over 370 talkies. That’s serious get up and go in a civilised gorgeous looking two seater.
|
Both engines apparently have been revised (pistons, conrods, crank, cams?), possibly similarly. However the rpm limit on the 2 litre has increased from 6800 to 7500. The torque increase is small and it seems reasonable to think that the bhp increase comes mainly from the extra rpm.
I don't think you will feel a 2.5% increase in torque, and I won't be surprised if the 2019 car feels just the same as the 2018 up to 6000 rpm, which is where maximum output occurs on the 'old' engine..
The 1.5 has already has a rpm limit of 7500 or so, and maximum output is virtually unchanged.
I wouldn't rush out and buy a new one on the strength of the power increase.
|
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWcGJTd1fI4
Comparison of the new and old 2.0 MX5s
|
>>Roof's spent a lot of time down this summer !
In the winter, a bright and sunny, albeit possibly frosty, morning is a great time to have the roof down.
|
|
It got a trifle warm in the scorching weather...!!
|
|
Use the MX5 to commute to work of a morning (dark mornings)...the low temp. warning light is the same blue as the main beam light - annoying.
Last edited by: VxFan on Wed 29 Jan 20 at 10:22
|
|
Nothing a small square of gaffer tape can't obscure, Shirley?
|
|
Nah. A Quality Street wrapper and a bit of sellotape will change it's colour.
|
|
It's not on for long, on the 1.5 anyway. Soon warms up and has a belting heater, naturally.
|
|
If you can get to it, a little dab of nail varnish will solve your problem.
|
>> If you can get to it, a little dab of nail varnish will solve your
>> problem.
I think it's fairly common now to have a don't-thrash-it-yet light, and they are probably all blue, so we might as well get used to them.
|
>> I think it's fairly common now to have a don't-thrash-it-yet light, and they are probably
>> all blue, so we might as well get used to them.
Mine are yellow, (dont do it EVER are red) accompanied by the politest "ding dong" warning chime you have ever heard. BMW Lady is very very sonorous and polite in everything she says.
|
|
It's a minor, but nonetheless, annoying thing. There are worse things of course. As Zero says BMW are quite polite and subtle in their warnings.
|
|
It's actually quite difficult to say "nein!" in a polite and subtle way.........
|
>> It's actually quite difficult to say "nein!" in a polite and subtle way.........
I guess I was expecting ACHTUNG ACHTUNG RAUS RAUS
|
>> I think it's fairly common now to have a don't-thrash-it-yet light
I've had quite a few hire cars this past year or so to drive, and as yet not seen one of these lights. So I wouldn't say they're "fairly common". Not that being in a hire car anyone would take any notice of said light anyway ;)
btw, The last car I saw one in was an old Audi 80.
|
>> btw, The last car I saw one in was an old Audi 80.
>>
I've had two 80's, a G plate B3 and an L plate B4 and don't ever recall seeing those?
Brilliant cars, big mileages on them when acquired, nothing major failed, 30mpg (when fuel was lots cheaper).
Still, see the odd one driven by an old boy.
|
>> I've had two 80's, a G plate B3 and an L plate B4 and don't
>> ever recall seeing those?
It was a courtesy car, the coupe model, 1981 x reg. IIRC there was no temperature gauge, just a silly light that looked like a temperature symbol. Blue for cold. green normal, and red for overheating.
|
>>
>> It was a courtesy car, the coupe model, 1981 x reg. IIRC there was no
>> temperature gauge, just a silly light that looked like a temperature symbol. Blue for cold.
>> green normal, and red for overheating.
>>
Apologies :) Not been in an Audi pre mine.
|
> I think it's fairly common now to have a don't-thrash-it-yet light
My 2016 3 Series hasn't got one - it has an oil temperature gauge, but no associated warning lights. Guess (without looking) that it has an overheat light.
|
Mazda - MX-5 1.5 convertible second impressions - Hard Cheese
