Usual cliche, the ‘Mk3 is the least desirable, worst handling etc’. Only the press seemed to not like it. Well, Evo that is, everyone else seemed quite happy. Good to see you have made your own mind up and driven another great example.
Love this James! I'll always have a soft spot for BBR... showing my age here, but I was lucky enough to work there back in '96 for a few months before starting uni (my mate's dad is the middle B in the company name) and loved every minute. Although never been so scared in my life as when Dave Brodie took me for a drive! :-)
I am fortunate to have a BBR Stage 2 Turbo as a weekend car and it was great to see your opinion on it. I agree, the pops and bangs are too much though they are great when you take your mates out. Nothing beats having the country roads to yourself driving this. The only good negative, being so cheap for what you get and easy to maintain is that it is hard to upgrade from. Honestly, what do I replace it with? I like change but for the handling and performance, nothing will come close to this unless I spend 10x what I spent on this car... Guess I am stuck with it forever?
a mere 2-4x what you spent on it will get you an elise... that is a lot less practical as a daily driver, but faster on a track you will probably spend next to no time on. I'm not making much of a case here am I lol
Thanks Jay for brining a review of the NC BBR turbo. So little recognition or hands-on reviews on UA-cam regarding this. I think the NC is at the age/ price point where this kind of tuning ( with brakes and suspension) makes sense before they get tatty and you can still enjoy your investment. For under £15k to buy a good car and mod it to 270hp it takes some beating.
Excellent video Jason. As an MX5 NC BBR Super 200 owner myself I always look forward to seeing you review these cars - in fact I don't subscribe to the fact they're as bad as people say, and I used to own the ultimate Mk1 - the RS Limited. The NC is a great car I reckon. In fact your original Super 200 review was what got me into one ultimately. I remember you saying that you thought a Turbo would ruin it, however, I always had a feeling you would like it, as I know BBR put a lot of effort into making the car as drivable and OEM+ as possible. However, the point that BBR actually buy cars fitted with their kit for good money was a bit of a revelation. I have an early NC which I do like, but ultimately, I might get a later one eventually, either a later NC or an ND2 RF, and get BBR to work their magic on that too. I would love to see you do a video on the Super 225 if you ever get the chance. Keep up the good work sir!
Stop it… I went for an NC after your original review. Added the BBR200 and coilover etc. Fantastic car and I love diving it. Also felt secure in the knowledge that this was probably about as much as should do to it without “ruining” it. Now this, now I’m thinking I need to revisit BBR. Time to do some more saving. As always another great honest review, thanks (not thanks🤣).
I had one set up by Roddisons, on standard shocks and tires it was transformed, it loved curves, corners, roundabouts, it was like a rat up a drain pipe. Wow, that car handled.
Love it. Sounds great and BBR are top notch. I do hate run flats though. I had a BMW with them. It ruined the ride and if you hit a pothole hard it destroys the rims. I wouldnt have them ever.
Very nice! I was just thinking that this would be great with a supercharger instead. It might be down a little on outright power but would surely drive better. Just like taking the engine out from 1.6ltr to 2.3ltr (roughly speaking at least) with lots more low down torque. You should offer Jay a go as it'd be great to see the 2 forms of tuning compared on the same car.
@@davekennedy6315 yeah i did have a turbo on it for a while but didnt like it, the SC is much better for most driving conditions and how i drive, and yes the torque is the best part and i'd love to give james a go but im in New Zealand...be a bit of a drive lol...cheers Dave.
It might be a good car, but it's without question the worst-looking of the four generations. And that's what people really care about, the other stuff is usually just something they come up with to make themselves feel rational.
@@nottheengineer4957 can't agree on that bud. The ND looks awful, it's like 2 different cars, grafted together. NA is prettiest, but the NC looks better than the NB.
Great review, not the outcome I was expecting, not that it was a bad outcome. They have a supercharger kit for this generation too. I think its was originally by a company called Corten Miller, would be interested to see a review of that as a compare and contrast should the opportunity come your way.
Well that all depends, I'm 6'5" and have driven plenty of MK1 quite some distance. My brother is a similar height and has owned a MK1 for a long time. I suppose it comes down to determination. Sure i could fit better and be more comfortable but i (damn well) fit!
@@stu0508 Thanks for info, I'd imagine body type & seat type make a big difference. I'm 6ft 3", couldn't fit in an ND, head hits roof, but could fit in the NC.
A friends 300whp NC2 Club is parked in my shop at the moment. FAB 9 Borgwarner @ 15psi. It’s controllable… but it will scare you with how hard it pulls. The chassis copes far better than it has any right to.
Fun little car. Thanks for showcasing so many different versions of this car, always interesting to see what people can do with a car platform. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
I daily drive a 2016 ND in New Hampshire USA. It's getting on time to be thinking of a new generation, the ideal for me would be an all aluminum 2,000 pound car with around 220hp NA. The only modification on my car is Flyin' Miata's Wilwood brakes front and rear, lighter and easier to replace brake pads. The front calipers are lighter than Brembos, the rears are much lighter than the iron units they replaced. Cost was around $1,100, less expensive than the Brembo option.
These really are a very nice looking car all round, the BBR kit seems to put the cheery on top. Also noticed the Clio Trophy at about 10 minutes out enjoying the good weather as well ;)
Hi I'm a happy owner of 2011 MX5 nc FI KRAFTWERKS SUPERCHARGED (about 10psi boost ) TOMEI camshafts Complete exhaust system (including 1.8 no cat header) Lightweight flywheel MOTO-EAST intek JOYFAST high spark ignition coils BC-RACING coilovers Tuned by MIKE from MOTO-EAST And more .... The best Toy ever !
I guess I’m a rare breed that actually liked the NC more than the ND. I have owned both - NC2 PHRT Club and ND1 GT. NC had a more linear power delivery, hydraulic steering, more space, better handling feel, and a great engine note. ND has far better interior, fuel economy, and was a significantly lighter. Going from the NC directly to the ND I never could entirely comfortable with the new car.
I'm calling it. You're on BBR commission. Or you should be. I got the Super 200 kit after your last review and now the want for the turbo kit is growing. See if you can get a hold of BBR press car that has just had the Corten Miller supercharger kits released and do a comparison. And while you are there, get their Super 225 ITB press car for a review. This would complete my desired NC car reviews from you.
As a die hard NA owner and driver, I have no objection at all to the NC -apart from the fact it doesn’t have pop up lights 🤣 Maybe one day I’ll fit a supercharger or a turbocharger to my 1.8iS, but frankly as my daily driver it’s 130hp for just 980kilos it’s good enough for me for now. Good one James. I’d definitely go to BBR if I was to turbo it. I’ve seen far too many UA-camrs wreck their engine trying to do it themselves. They’ve been working with Mazda since the first turbo NA’s, so they really know what they’re doing.
Another great vid thanks for taking the time and effort to share it. Maybe it’s the camera angles but it looks almost what looks like a breather pipe is touching the turbo? Keep the vids coming 👍
I currently have an Elise 111R but am thinking of going for something like this to use daily as its just so much more practical without losing the fun. Ideally id like to S/C it myself but when you weigh up the total cost including car purchase its probably going to be close to £15k. I see BBR sell cars too so maybe worth keeping an eye out there.
I have a thing for BBRs ever since driving the one in the Petrol Poodle video. As a Boxster 986 owner and fanboy, I have a lot of respect for the MX5 NC, especially a BBR200.
I had my NC for 3 years and loved it. The only problem is they are still the rust buckets that the mk1 and mk2 are. The only reason I couldn’t justify the value of the car again in the BBR 200 route or turboing it was because the shell wouldn’t last and had rust all over the sills.
@jgtemperton very lucky. I passed on 3 NC's before I got my own because they were all rusty. All were early 2006/2007's so were older but couldn't believe how bad they still were
All Miata need suspension improvement. I have had turbo and SC NCs and two turbo and a SC NA/NB. It does not ruin the car, it simply changes the off/on right pedal into something you can play with.
I bought a garage queen 54 plate nb 2.5 sport with the torsion LSD (solid platform) with 24,000 miles on it at the time (2019) and had it wax oiled then took it to BBR for a stage 1 turbo lifting it from 142b hp to 251 bhp. I opted for the 2.5” stainless BBR sports cat pipe and uprated clutch which you said was a stage 2, maybe your right. I can’t remember now, but without the 2.5” exhaust and heavy duty clutch the power would have been drilled down to 230 bhp, which is the one I test drove at BBR anyway and fell for. I personally just wanted the extra and safe power, and that sound came as a subtle burble. Classy I’d say. No bad boy image to be seen or heard ! I replaced the wheels, again as part of the job for bronze rota alloys and followed BBR’s advice and had the vented discs and yellow sport pads as well as braided lines. I also had the Koni dampers and BBR springs and set the alignment up for the b-road. I have to say it was an amazing car, it really was ! If I’m honest, the na was my initial choice, but they’re old now with a cheaper looking interior. The nc I agree is the less pretty child, although I can see why someone might fall for it including me. The nd is beautiful with all the reliability and rust free issues of the past 3 generations, so the nc or nd would be my next choice. I say this because I’m hankering after another. I only sold mine because I had ended up with a van instead of a company car, and I have kids . So the BBR M5-5 became a Mercedes E350. The only thing I’d say to counter your video is that selling your bespoke BBR MX-5 is really a buyers market rather than a sellers. They tend to hold the cards, unless you have all the time in the world to sell it. Also BBR were at least kind enough to say they wouldn’t insult me with an offer. That’s because they’re a business and naturally need to make a good marjin out of a car, and are aware they may be stuck with it until the rare but right buyer comes along. Don’t let it put you off though. It transforms the car into a beast with OEM driving charm i.e not a noisy dog of a car. They are evocative and involving, and you’ll be happy to argue with any critic regarding its credentials. BBR gave me a fantastic service too. I only wish I’d kept it.
I had a negative prejudice against turbo'd cars since the first one I test drove in the 80s But all that changed when shopping a new SUV for the wife and we test drove the CX-5 turbo...I can honestly say it is sheer delight and I would LOVE to have that power in my ND,,,and yes we bought her the '22 turbo ...Other than losing some precious fuel milage in that model over her 2016 na CX5 I wholeheartely recommend it! 250hp using premium and a bit less with regular but still way more peppy than the na versions
Yeah both of them have such an excellent feel in them that they feel like they can take more power - particularly the NB. I think that was my problem with my NB1 RS - driving it I always had the feeling it should have had about 40 more hp as standard. NA can feel a bit sketchy with lots of power though.
*One of my fondest young memories is driving the first UK BBR turbo MX5 back in 88/89 around the lanes of Kent near Staplehurst. Bear in mind that modified cars weren’t as common as they are today. It was an epic little car and not much could stay with it when driven hard.
The chassis is not a limiting factor in the Mk3 Mx5, your comment about the tyres is much more likely to be the root cause of any fidgety handling here
I'm so glad you've tested a couple of BBRs options as I'm wanting to get more out of my NC and off the back of your reviews I think I'll eye up the Super 200 kit. If I was to add more power what chassis upgrades would you suggest?
You won't regret it! I have had the 185 kit on mine for 5 years now and it's been spot on. Feels like it could take a tad more without being too powerful to enjoy, so the 200 kit would be perfect. You won't regret it!
2:19 a ghost voice appeared from the void…just before the transition at 2:22. this makes me realize what a editing wizard you are…I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single fault that wasn’t either caused by equipment problems/mic failures early on/or something you pointed out yourself because of lost footage etc.
*TOP TIP...* buy a full size matching spare wheel/tyre and keep it in the boot/trunk at all times. It'll sit in the boot's recess quite nicely and save you the headache of potentially being stranded when you get a flat. Plus, that extra bit of weight over the rear axle really helps with handling and putting the power down. Particularly with tuned/turbo'd/supercharged versions of the NC Roadster. Admittedly it'll eat boot space, but not all that much. You'll _(I can)_ still fit a week's food shop in there with space to spare!
You're always up in that lovely bit of Angus, ha ha. I'm going to have to check out them roads. If you want a shot of a Clio 197 on them roads, give me a shout, ha ha.
I've had the Stage 1 on my nc1 1.8 since late 2013. Would I do it again? no. Do I love it? yes but I would probably go Super 200 or 220 if I did it again. My OH had that on her 2.0 nc2 and I really liked the way the power was developed. I will probably run this car until she falls apart so ... meh! sounds beautiful and the mechanics are superb. 👍🏼
@@dimitrisalexandrosspyridak9675 because I already had a 1.8 I wanted more oomph and the Chips didn't give enough at the time. She sounds amazing and although the power is progressive I'd now prefer non FI progression which makes for less tail-twitching. I'm not accomplished enough to deal with such things lol
There are 2 reasons turbo charging a car like this would ruin it: 1) when it comes to a front-mid engine car, you can never really exceed a 1:10 ratio (meaning if you have 3000 lbs, you can't have much more than 300hp) reason being is it causes wheelspin, especially if the car doesn't weigh much like in the case of the Miata or s2000. When it's heavier and have way fatter tires this can be done but there's still a limit. Like in the case of the corvette or Aston Martin line (or even Maserati). It's the main reason why they weigh so much, for traction. Unlike a 911 where all the weight is made over the wheels delivering the power because of the engine displacement being over those wheels, so no extra weight is needed. 2) when it comes to any good front-mid engine car, especially the ones mentioned, you'll notice they all have a 50/50 weight distribution or a weight distribution of the front end being lighter. The reason for this is because the less weight over the front end, the less you have to brake before entering a corner. 50/50 is the minimum you'd need to not have to brake at all when entering a corner, much like a rear or mid-rear engine car where its more beneficial to accelerate when you want to brake. adding a turbo to this car would change it from 50/50 to probably more like 51 or 52/48 weight distribution, ruining its original design for handling. point being, if you were to turbo charge this car, best to rear mount it. You might get turbo lag, but since you don't have to brake who says you'll be in the lag zone anyways?
@@Biochemechanic I own a g37, basically the same as this Miata (wishbone front suspension, multilink rear, front-mid engine) once I fixed the weight distribution it handled amazing. I guess even while I have 2 percent front biased it was still pretty great. Are you saying it's just too slow?
These special editions have held their value very well despite being branded as the least popular mx5. You can buy an ND for less than the later editions, especially the £15,000 anniversary edition. How is the rust on NC2 - NC3.75?
Sway bars and and tires would help a lot with grip and give a stiffer feel to the handling without being any less complaint over bumps .... RR crossings
Hiya mate. As a man who's driven both the bbr 200 and a the turbo, what would you say is the better car for back road blasts? I've currently got the option of a stage 2 turbo car at 300bhp or a standard car that I would have bbr add the 200 kit. Any things to consider or your thoughts on a good weekend blaster? Cheers.
Excellent review as always, JayEmm. We have had a 25th Anniversary for the last 6 years and think it's peak-usability MX-5 as well. BY the way, I think the LSD can give it slightly odd movements coming off the power in a turn; perhaps the same with the car you reviewed?
I drove my E82 125i for a couple of years and last week, I purchased a 25th-anniversary. because the feedback of eps from 125 is not good enough on track day.🤣
If we are talking modified, then my ideal MX5 would be a K20a swapped NB facelift. I do like the NC's, but they have a bit of an 'estate agent' vibe to them. IMO the ND's are just strange looking.
After spending a few years driving an NC I basically gave away my 'keeper' NB to a friend. The stronger chassis, better plastics, improved ergonomics, and improved safety (like a trunk tall enough that an inattentive SUV driver won't hit the back of my skull first) just make it a much more enjoyable car to drive.
I went from a MK3 Clio RS (normal aspirated) to MK4 Clio RS Trophy (turbo) and tbh I enjoy way more. At least on the road due to the turbo, just like you said, you feel the torque way more so you don't have to rev it to max. And let's face it, in today's world unless you are talking about V8's a turbo is a good option to most L4/V6 engines.
Haven't watched the video yet, here's my prediction. The lack of an LSD will really suck Just finished. Not a single mention of LSD... maybe the car had one standard? Either way looks like a great bit of kit
Some versions of the NC had LSDs and others didn't. In the UK at least, 2.0 Sport all had an LSD from the factory as well as Bilstein dampers and 6 speed box. The 1.8 had a 5 speed box and no LSD.
Turbo charging or supercharging? Which is better or more reliable? Apparently the superchargers enable power from lower down the range and there’s turbo lag on turbo’d models.
Modern turbos have far less lag than they did a few years back, but yes a supercharger will be a little more responsive. A supercharger almost makes the engine feel like it's a bigger engine, whereas a turbo tends to push you back in your seat more as it picks up. At least that's my experience in mk1 MX-5's.
I do like the way these look especially from the rear, definitely ageing gracefully
Especially that madzda red
The NC2 is gonna be veeeery coveted in a few years...
@@tricia154 As an NC1 owner I hope mine will be too lol.
Got a modified nc1 ,it looks so much better with a front badge deleted and jdm style number plate. It completely transformed the looks of it.
I miss my NC. Damn ex wife made me sell it.
Usual cliche, the ‘Mk3 is the least desirable, worst handling etc’. Only the press seemed to not like it. Well, Evo that is, everyone else seemed quite happy. Good to see you have made your own mind up and driven another great example.
Currently running a stock 25th Anniversary as a daily. Absolutely fantastic car, heaps of fun. And even more stunning to look at in the flesh.
For me the Fiata is a better looking car....but I still love the MX-5...
Love this James! I'll always have a soft spot for BBR... showing my age here, but I was lucky enough to work there back in '96 for a few months before starting uni (my mate's dad is the middle B in the company name) and loved every minute. Although never been so scared in my life as when Dave Brodie took me for a drive! :-)
I am fortunate to have a BBR Stage 2 Turbo as a weekend car and it was great to see your opinion on it. I agree, the pops and bangs are too much though they are great when you take your mates out. Nothing beats having the country roads to yourself driving this. The only good negative, being so cheap for what you get and easy to maintain is that it is hard to upgrade from. Honestly, what do I replace it with? I like change but for the handling and performance, nothing will come close to this unless I spend 10x what I spent on this car... Guess I am stuck with it forever?
This. I'm the owner of the car in the review and can't figure out what I'd replace it with. As you say, the bang:buck ratio is hard to beat.
a mere 2-4x what you spent on it will get you an elise... that is a lot less practical as a daily driver, but faster on a track you will probably spend next to no time on. I'm not making much of a case here am I lol
Just curious, do you get it serviced by Mazda or an independent?
@@iainbagnall4825 I had an Elise R before moving to this. The Elise was amazing but a constant worry and absolutely no practicality.
@@jeffwood9032 Up here it's Arnold Clark that are the Mazda dealer so I go independent.
Thanks Jay for brining a review of the NC BBR turbo. So little recognition or hands-on reviews on UA-cam regarding this. I think the NC is at the age/ price point where this kind of tuning ( with brakes and suspension) makes sense before they get tatty and you can still enjoy your investment. For under £15k to buy a good car and mod it to 270hp it takes some beating.
Excellent video Jason. As an MX5 NC BBR Super 200 owner myself I always look forward to seeing you review these cars - in fact I don't subscribe to the fact they're as bad as people say, and I used to own the ultimate Mk1 - the RS Limited. The NC is a great car I reckon. In fact your original Super 200 review was what got me into one ultimately. I remember you saying that you thought a Turbo would ruin it, however, I always had a feeling you would like it, as I know BBR put a lot of effort into making the car as drivable and OEM+ as possible.
However, the point that BBR actually buy cars fitted with their kit for good money was a bit of a revelation. I have an early NC which I do like, but ultimately, I might get a later one eventually, either a later NC or an ND2 RF, and get BBR to work their magic on that too. I would love to see you do a video on the Super 225 if you ever get the chance. Keep up the good work sir!
Best car reviewer on UA-cam. Really enjoy even watching your reviews on cars that I’m not interested in atal.
Greetings from New Zealand, I’ve just discovered your channel and I’m gobsmacked how well your reviews and dialogue flow. Keep up the great work!
Stop it… I went for an NC after your original review. Added the BBR200 and coilover etc. Fantastic car and I love diving it. Also felt secure in the knowledge that this was probably about as much as should do to it without “ruining” it.
Now this, now I’m thinking I need to revisit BBR. Time to do some more saving.
As always another great honest review, thanks (not thanks🤣).
😆😆😆 I feel your pain, as a fellow ND BBR200 owner. These cars are money pits, because there's just so much scope with them!
Brilliant, I'm considering the bbr 200 kit for my 2011 kendo. Thanks for sharing. John
I had one set up by Roddisons, on standard shocks and tires it was transformed, it loved curves, corners, roundabouts, it was like a rat up a drain pipe. Wow, that car handled.
Love it. Sounds great and BBR are top notch. I do hate run flats though. I had a BMW with them. It ruined the ride and if you hit a pothole hard it destroys the rims. I wouldnt have them ever.
just supercharged my NA.... bliss....would love one of these too.
Very nice! I was just thinking that this would be great with a supercharger instead. It might be down a little on outright power but would surely drive better. Just like taking the engine out from 1.6ltr to 2.3ltr (roughly speaking at least) with lots more low down torque. You should offer Jay a go as it'd be great to see the 2 forms of tuning compared on the same car.
@@davekennedy6315 yeah i did have a turbo on it for a while but didnt like it, the SC is much better for most driving conditions and how i drive, and yes the torque is the best part and i'd love to give james a go but im in New Zealand...be a bit of a drive lol...cheers Dave.
@@danielthomas8507 yeah that might be a little outside Jay's usual travel time haha! Sounds like a great car though, enjoy it mate!
Love that you're showing the NC for the fantastic little car it is, it gets far too much hate from the purists.
Wrongly so, too. ua-cam.com/video/r6HFEaZi5mI/v-deo.html
By normal car standards it's not at all big or heavy in any way.
@@MadelnMachines it's actually narrower than a mates 208gti, and shorter in length than my mrs' 3rd gen fabia. And lighter than both by some margin.
It might be a good car, but it's without question the worst-looking of the four generations. And that's what people really care about, the other stuff is usually just something they come up with to make themselves feel rational.
@@nottheengineer4957 can't agree on that bud. The ND looks awful, it's like 2 different cars, grafted together. NA is prettiest, but the NC looks better than the NB.
Probably my favourite MX5 generation; great looks and the right size for normal sized people. Add a BBR turbo and all the sports car you ever need.
Great review, not the outcome I was expecting, not that it was a bad outcome.
They have a supercharger kit for this generation too.
I think its was originally by a company called Corten Miller, would be interested to see a review of that as a compare and contrast should the opportunity come your way.
Ill have to look for that; if it just runs a map on the stock ECU I could run that in california (not exhaust/emissions systems changes)
@@iainbagnall4825 move away from commiefornia
Enjoyed the video. A guy at my work has a 300bhp one of these by BBR. It's lovely and I am jealous.
All the BBR stuff is excellent. They've been nailing MX-5 tuning for years.
I'm 6'3" tall and the NC is the only version I fit in. I owned a 2007 and I really liked it.
Well that all depends, I'm 6'5" and have driven plenty of MK1 quite some distance. My brother is a similar height and has owned a MK1 for a long time. I suppose it comes down to determination. Sure i could fit better and be more comfortable but i (damn well) fit!
@@stu0508 When I sat in them my eyes were looking directly at the windshield header. For me that's a "NO GO".
@@stu0508 Thanks for info, I'd imagine body type & seat type make a big difference. I'm 6ft 3", couldn't fit in an ND, head hits roof, but could fit in the NC.
Yeah it’s not for tall guys, I’m 6.6 and hated riding in my friends Miata, no room for legs or head lol
@@TheSteinbitt I always replace 'tall' with 'Thor like'😂
A friends 300whp NC2 Club is parked in my shop at the moment. FAB 9 Borgwarner @ 15psi. It’s controllable… but it will scare you with how hard it pulls. The chassis copes far better than it has any right to.
Fun little car. Thanks for showcasing so many different versions of this car, always interesting to see what people can do with a car platform. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
I daily drive a 2016 ND in New Hampshire USA. It's getting on time to be thinking of a new generation, the ideal for me would be an all aluminum 2,000 pound car with around 220hp NA. The only modification on my car is Flyin' Miata's Wilwood brakes front and rear, lighter and easier to replace brake pads. The front calipers are lighter than Brembos, the rears are much lighter than the iron units they replaced. Cost was around $1,100, less expensive than the Brembo option.
Is bbr not exporting their kits in the u.s ? Your not miles away from 2000 pounds with a ND, are you ?
@@lollypop9580 About 2,300 pounds. Actually, for where I am and the way I drive my current car is perfectly adequate.
These really are a very nice looking car all round, the BBR kit seems to put the cheery on top.
Also noticed the Clio Trophy at about 10 minutes out enjoying the good weather as well ;)
Hi
I'm a happy owner of
2011 MX5 nc FI
KRAFTWERKS SUPERCHARGED (about 10psi boost )
TOMEI camshafts
Complete exhaust system (including 1.8 no cat header)
Lightweight flywheel
MOTO-EAST intek
JOYFAST high spark ignition coils
BC-RACING coilovers
Tuned by MIKE from MOTO-EAST
And more ....
The best Toy ever !
I guess I’m a rare breed that actually liked the NC more than the ND. I have owned both - NC2 PHRT Club and ND1 GT. NC had a more linear power delivery, hydraulic steering, more space, better handling feel, and a great engine note. ND has far better interior, fuel economy, and was a significantly lighter. Going from the NC directly to the ND I never could entirely comfortable with the new car.
Plenty potential buyers who just don't fit in the left hand drive ND.
My dad used to own a special edition NC, purple on BBS
I'm calling it. You're on BBR commission. Or you should be. I got the Super 200 kit after your last review and now the want for the turbo kit is growing. See if you can get a hold of BBR press car that has just had the Corten Miller supercharger kits released and do a comparison. And while you are there, get their Super 225 ITB press car for a review. This would complete my desired NC car reviews from you.
I love the audio in your videos, truly awesome, thank you.
Thanks Paul!
As a die hard NA owner and driver, I have no objection at all to the NC -apart from the fact it doesn’t have pop up lights 🤣
Maybe one day I’ll fit a supercharger or a turbocharger to my 1.8iS, but frankly as my daily driver it’s 130hp for just 980kilos it’s good enough for me for now.
Good one James. I’d definitely go to BBR if I was to turbo it. I’ve seen far too many UA-camrs wreck their engine trying to do it themselves. They’ve been working with Mazda since the first turbo NA’s, so they really know what they’re doing.
Another great vid thanks for taking the time and effort to share it. Maybe it’s the camera angles but it looks almost what looks like a breather pipe is touching the turbo? Keep the vids coming 👍
Superb review. Very enjoyable.
Would be awesome if you could get the opportunity to do a review on a supercharged one
Australia built an MX5 with a Ford 5.0, it was called the Bullet.
There were heaps of chassis changes from the standard car.
I currently have an Elise 111R but am thinking of going for something like this to use daily as its just so much more practical without losing the fun.
Ideally id like to S/C it myself but when you weigh up the total cost including car purchase its probably going to be close to £15k.
I see BBR sell cars too so maybe worth keeping an eye out there.
I have a thing for BBRs ever since driving the one in the Petrol Poodle video. As a Boxster 986 owner and fanboy, I have a lot of respect for the MX5 NC, especially a BBR200.
They were the best looking MX5, including the latest.
I had my NC for 3 years and loved it. The only problem is they are still the rust buckets that the mk1 and mk2 are. The only reason I couldn’t justify the value of the car again in the BBR 200 route or turboing it was because the shell wouldn’t last and had rust all over the sills.
@jgtemperton very lucky. I passed on 3 NC's before I got my own because they were all rusty. All were early 2006/2007's so were older but couldn't believe how bad they still were
What a great review!
Don't they have a supercharged kit now?
Now that combined with the super 220 ITB tune would be epic.
All Miata need suspension improvement. I have had turbo and SC NCs and two turbo and a SC NA/NB. It does not ruin the car, it simply changes the off/on right pedal into something you can play with.
What a lovely noise it makes!
Nice car.
I bought a garage queen 54 plate nb 2.5 sport with the torsion LSD (solid platform) with 24,000 miles on it at the time (2019) and had it wax oiled then took it to BBR for a stage 1 turbo lifting it from 142b hp to 251 bhp. I opted for the 2.5” stainless BBR sports cat pipe and uprated clutch which you said was a stage 2, maybe your right. I can’t remember now, but without the 2.5” exhaust and heavy duty clutch the power would have been drilled down to 230 bhp, which is the one I test drove at BBR anyway and fell for. I personally just wanted the extra and safe power, and that sound came as a subtle burble. Classy I’d say. No bad boy image to be seen or heard ! I replaced the wheels, again as part of the job for bronze rota alloys and followed BBR’s advice and had the vented discs and yellow sport pads as well as braided lines. I also had the Koni dampers and BBR springs and set the alignment up for the b-road. I have to say it was an amazing car, it really was ! If I’m honest, the na was my initial choice, but they’re old now with a cheaper looking interior. The nc I agree is the less pretty child, although I can see why someone might fall for it including me. The nd is beautiful with all the reliability and rust free issues of the past 3 generations, so the nc or nd would be my next choice. I say this because I’m hankering after another. I only sold mine because I had ended up with a van instead of a company car, and I have kids . So the BBR M5-5 became a Mercedes E350. The only thing I’d say to counter your video is that selling your bespoke BBR MX-5 is really a buyers market rather than a sellers. They tend to hold the cards, unless you have all the time in the world to sell it. Also BBR were at least kind enough to say they wouldn’t insult me with an offer. That’s because they’re a business and naturally need to make a good marjin out of a car, and are aware they may be stuck with it until the rare but right buyer comes along.
Don’t let it put you off though. It transforms the car into a beast with OEM driving charm i.e not a noisy dog of a car. They are evocative and involving, and you’ll be happy to argue with any critic regarding its credentials. BBR gave me a fantastic service too. I only wish I’d kept it.
I had a negative prejudice against turbo'd cars since the first one I test drove in the 80s But all that changed when shopping a new SUV for the wife and we test drove the CX-5 turbo...I can honestly say it is sheer delight and I would LOVE to have that power in my ND,,,and yes we bought her the '22 turbo ...Other than losing some precious fuel milage in that model over her 2016 na CX5 I wholeheartely recommend it! 250hp using premium and a bit less with regular but still way more peppy than the na versions
Makes me want to buy an MX5 and do this modification!
Buy a Fiat 124 Spider. Sharper styling, and so much fun you won't be bothered by the racket this car makes...
My NC may be for sale soon!
I've had two turbo Mx5's ' Mk1 and Mk2' They honestly become the car i wish they came from the factory. around 240 bhp ish.
Yeah both of them have such an excellent feel in them that they feel like they can take more power - particularly the NB. I think that was my problem with my NB1 RS - driving it I always had the feeling it should have had about 40 more hp as standard.
NA can feel a bit sketchy with lots of power though.
@@christopherjohnston6343 The NB definitely felt more stable and uniform with the extra power but pop ups yo.
I've seen a lot of these on Adam C's channel at events.
Really enjoy your reviews but is the glasses on top of the head a trade mark thing? Put them on or in a bloody case.
*One of my fondest young memories is driving the first UK BBR turbo MX5 back in 88/89 around the lanes of Kent near Staplehurst. Bear in mind that modified cars weren’t as common as they are today. It was an epic little car and not much could stay with it when driven hard.
I'm sure you would absolutely hate my 330whp NA, there is some lag but once you're hustling, you don't drop out of the power
The chassis is not a limiting factor in the Mk3 Mx5, your comment about the tyres is much more likely to be the root cause of any fidgety handling here
I suspect this is the case
Agree, change the tyres, throw a can off tyre foam in the boot for emergency fix...
I have an SLK230, But an MX5, I suspect, is more fun, especially this one
NC's are underrated for sure, even by the Miata faithful. Drive it and enjoy it on the right roads.
I’m starting to think the hate on NC might be something of the past. There’s alot to like about this series
I'm so glad you've tested a couple of BBRs options as I'm wanting to get more out of my NC and off the back of your reviews I think I'll eye up the Super 200 kit.
If I was to add more power what chassis upgrades would you suggest?
You won't regret it! I have had the 185 kit on mine for 5 years now and it's been spot on. Feels like it could take a tad more without being too powerful to enjoy, so the 200 kit would be perfect. You won't regret it!
Coilovers and Anti-Roll bars I suspect, perhaps a beefier strut tower brace as well
Suspension wise, youll need good coilovers. Chassis wise, youll want some bracing, namely a rear butterfly brace and rear ppf brace
I always thought that the NC was better looking than the NA and NB
Very tempting. So much fun for the money.
2:19 a ghost voice appeared from the void…just before the transition at 2:22. this makes me realize what a editing wizard you are…I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single fault that wasn’t either caused by equipment problems/mic failures early on/or something you pointed out yourself because of lost footage etc.
*TOP TIP...* buy a full size matching spare wheel/tyre and keep it in the boot/trunk at all times. It'll sit in the boot's recess quite nicely and save you the headache of potentially being stranded when you get a flat.
Plus, that extra bit of weight over the rear axle really helps with handling and putting the power down. Particularly with tuned/turbo'd/supercharged versions of the NC Roadster.
Admittedly it'll eat boot space, but not all that much. You'll _(I can)_ still fit a week's food shop in there with space to spare!
I have the sports black nc 2011 in red with a planned BBR 225
You're always up in that lovely bit of Angus, ha ha. I'm going to have to check out them roads. If you want a shot of a Clio 197 on them roads, give me a shout, ha ha.
Great review! The 2.5L conversion is also a great option for more power a lot more torque
Of course if you are into truck engines...
Great cars. All the stupid hate on the NC will soon fold.
With this engine and HP it should be loads of fun, as long as you don't have an accident in it, and you don't take it on long trips.
I've had the Stage 1 on my nc1 1.8 since late 2013. Would I do it again? no. Do I love it? yes but I would probably go Super 200 or 220 if I did it again.
My OH had that on her 2.0 nc2 and I really liked the way the power was developed.
I will probably run this car until she falls apart so ... meh! sounds beautiful and the mechanics are superb. 👍🏼
Why would you do again stage 1 on NC 1.8 ??? Can you please be more elaborate? Thank you in Advance. An NC 1.8 owner from Greece
@@dimitrisalexandrosspyridak9675 because I already had a 1.8
I wanted more oomph and the Chips didn't give enough at the time.
She sounds amazing and although the power is progressive I'd now prefer non FI progression which makes for less tail-twitching. I'm not accomplished enough to deal with such things lol
A Renesis engine swap would be my ultimate NC Mx5
Thanks. 👍Goods Audio.
I’m fortunate to have a 300 whp BBR Stage 2 Turbo ND1. Trust me, forced induction doesn’t ruin the car.
There are 2 reasons turbo charging a car like this would ruin it:
1) when it comes to a front-mid engine car, you can never really exceed a 1:10 ratio (meaning if you have 3000 lbs, you can't have much more than 300hp) reason being is it causes wheelspin, especially if the car doesn't weigh much like in the case of the Miata or s2000. When it's heavier and have way fatter tires this can be done but there's still a limit. Like in the case of the corvette or Aston Martin line (or even Maserati). It's the main reason why they weigh so much, for traction. Unlike a 911 where all the weight is made over the wheels delivering the power because of the engine displacement being over those wheels, so no extra weight is needed.
2) when it comes to any good front-mid engine car, especially the ones mentioned, you'll notice they all have a 50/50 weight distribution or a weight distribution of the front end being lighter. The reason for this is because the less weight over the front end, the less you have to brake before entering a corner. 50/50 is the minimum you'd need to not have to brake at all when entering a corner, much like a rear or mid-rear engine car where its more beneficial to accelerate when you want to brake. adding a turbo to this car would change it from 50/50 to probably more like 51 or 52/48 weight distribution, ruining its original design for handling.
point being, if you were to turbo charge this car, best to rear mount it. You might get turbo lag, but since you don't have to brake who says you'll be in the lag zone anyways?
If you have ever owned one, you would know better.
@@Biochemechanic I own a g37, basically the same as this Miata (wishbone front suspension, multilink rear, front-mid engine) once I fixed the weight distribution it handled amazing. I guess even while I have 2 percent front biased it was still pretty great. Are you saying it's just too slow?
@@SymbolismDude Not too slow, but much more fun with throttle authority.
@@Biochemechanic Ah gotcha, that does make the fizz fizzle
Is it better than your s2000?
What wheels are these? Looks so good
These special editions have held their value very well despite being branded as the least popular mx5. You can buy an ND for less than the later editions, especially the £15,000 anniversary edition. How is the rust on NC2 - NC3.75?
Great review 👏
Enjoyed that! Often wondered what these were like in the real world.
Nice review... shame you did try the different maps and power settings that bbr program and replace the cruse control
Sway bars and and tires would help a lot with grip and give a stiffer feel to the handling without being any less complaint over bumps .... RR crossings
I always love the NC facelift 🇯🇵💕
Sounds so good.
Love it want it now! Probably not break the bank money either!
Hiya mate. As a man who's driven both the bbr 200 and a the turbo, what would you say is the better car for back road blasts? I've currently got the option of a stage 2 turbo car at 300bhp or a standard car that I would have bbr add the 200 kit. Any things to consider or your thoughts on a good weekend blaster? Cheers.
Excellent review as always, JayEmm. We have had a 25th Anniversary for the last 6 years and think it's peak-usability MX-5 as well. BY the way, I think the LSD can give it slightly odd movements coming off the power in a turn; perhaps the same with the car you reviewed?
Don't come off the power mid turn with rear wheel drive
Letting off the power sends weight to the front, kicking out the rear, LSD or not.
For me that's a great time, for most, maybe don't do that.
@@koolaidcrusade7776 don't come off power in any car mid turn tbf.
I just can't with these cars....Once you see that smiling face in the front, you can't ever unsee it.
Mighty car mods compared the turbo vs supercharged Mx5. Decided the turbo was more fun.
Interesting, do you have a link?
Loved this
I wonder if BBR would let you compare the new supercharged version against the turbo
Hello JayEmm, please do a Rover 600 turbo
I adore the 25th anniversary, I was very close to buying one
(But ended up with a 125i cabrio because back seats)
I drove my E82 125i for a couple of years and last week, I purchased a 25th-anniversary. because the feedback of eps from 125 is not good enough on track day.🤣
If we are talking modified, then my ideal MX5 would be a K20a swapped NB facelift. I do like the NC's, but they have a bit of an 'estate agent' vibe to them. IMO the ND's are just strange looking.
After spending a few years driving an NC I basically gave away my 'keeper' NB to a friend. The stronger chassis, better plastics, improved ergonomics, and improved safety (like a trunk tall enough that an inattentive SUV driver won't hit the back of my skull first) just make it a much more enjoyable car to drive.
its a nice setup, but i wouldn't turbo one. supercharger would give better low down performance which i feel these suffer like a civic does
Fascinating.
What wheels are those ?? Love them for the NC
I went from a MK3 Clio RS (normal aspirated) to MK4 Clio RS Trophy (turbo) and tbh I enjoy way more. At least on the road due to the turbo, just like you said, you feel the torque way more so you don't have to rev it to max. And let's face it, in today's world unless you are talking about V8's a turbo is a good option to most L4/V6 engines.
Haven't watched the video yet, here's my prediction. The lack of an LSD will really suck
Just finished. Not a single mention of LSD... maybe the car had one standard? Either way looks like a great bit of kit
Some versions of the NC had LSDs and others didn't. In the UK at least, 2.0 Sport all had an LSD from the factory as well as Bilstein dampers and 6 speed box. The 1.8 had a 5 speed box and no LSD.
All 2.0ltr NCs have an lsd.
Hi Jay, I'm seriously tempted to buy an nc mx5.. which did you prefer? BBR 200, supercharged or turbo?
BBR 200
@@JayEmmOnCarsthanks for the reply, I take it you've driven the supercharged?
Am I bad for liking pops and bangs?
The mx-5 for me is arguably the ideal car to tinker with in this regard. They are ubiquitous, and not precious.
Don’t think I need to watch the video to find out but I will anyway 😂
Can you buy BBR packages in the U.S?
Wouldn't a supercharger work better on this motor? Just asking...
Does it feel punchier than a 3.4 987?
Turbo charging or supercharging? Which is better or more reliable? Apparently the superchargers enable power from lower down the range and there’s turbo lag on turbo’d models.
Modern turbos have far less lag than they did a few years back, but yes a supercharger will be a little more responsive. A supercharger almost makes the engine feel like it's a bigger engine, whereas a turbo tends to push you back in your seat more as it picks up. At least that's my experience in mk1 MX-5's.
@@technicalscience thanks for your response. I was thinking more specifically about power from low down the range.