As you mentioned the body roll, I took my 30th soft top on a trackday in December and was really put off by the body roll. Previous trackday cars were a mk5 GTI and a Cayman. I’ve since fitted the Mazda Eibach lowering springs. They have completely transformed the ride on the road and I’m looking forward to trying them on track in a couple of weeks. Ohlins are in my mind as a plan B if the springs don’t feel good enough on the circuit.
Motoring Nomad, So just back from a trackday this morning at Mondello Park. The Eibach springs were night and day better than the stock springs on the 30th AE. It was really enjoyable unlike the last time where I felt that the car was sloppy. If you’re messy with weight transfer they will lean a little bit but they are overall very composed and enjoyable. So while I’m sure that the Öhlins would be another level of flatness, the Eibach springs for their low cost are definitely worth a try.
@@shaftclub1 I also installed the eibach prokit springs on my 30AE. The car handling has improved so much! (bodyroll was almost sickening on the stock springs) I am still eager to know what an ohlin or a professional suspension would be like. This could turn out negatively for daily driving so would first want to test it or need more impressions of people who installed it. But i am really happy with the eibach springs for the moment. Also tracking the car from time to time.
Great to see some track content on your ND MX-5, looking forward to some more spirited driving videos 👍 I heard that BBR are a decent specialist for these MX-5s. They have some decent ohlins road&track suspension in stock, as well as Willwood brakes, and their Super 220 power upgrade which are very appealing. Although its really easy to fall into that rabbit hole of modifying these cars and forking out so much money!
Yeah, the BBR stuff looks very good. Having now been on track, I was impressed with the upgraded Brembo brakes which come with the 30th Anniversary Edition. I think I'd make my first upgrade some stiffer springs. There's a fair bit of body roll, which you can see in the pictures, but I guess it has to accommodate all conditions on the road (for all drivers). Personally, I prefer my suspension very firm.
Nice driving. I'm considering to get a 2019 Mazda MX-5 ND, but as I do want to take it to track day events, I really don't know if the soft top might be a better option over the RF that you have... I'm torn between the two because the soft top is lighter, and you have the option to put a roll-bar, because some tracks are pretty strict about convertibles. But I much prefer the look of the RF and when you're not on the track, I'm guessing it feels more refined?
Thanks! I haven't really tried a soft top, so I'm not best placed to say. One thing I can mention is that, with the roof up in both, you apparently have more headroom with the soft top. As I explained in the video I was pretty cramped with the roof up in mine while wearing a helmet.
The RF doesn't really have room for a roll bar in it, if you want to still be able to operate the roof. If you want to do more serious track day stuff, stick with the full convertible. (Sad to say this, because I, too, have a 30AE RF... :) )
The associated gallery can be found here: www.motoringnomad.com/2020/03/i-chose-4.html
As you mentioned the body roll, I took my 30th soft top on a trackday in December and was really put off by the body roll. Previous trackday cars were a mk5 GTI and a Cayman. I’ve since fitted the Mazda Eibach lowering springs. They have completely transformed the ride on the road and I’m looking forward to trying them on track in a couple of weeks. Ohlins are in my mind as a plan B if the springs don’t feel good enough on the circuit.
Interesting. I'd love to hear how you get on with them!
Motoring Nomad I’ll let you know after the 20th.
Motoring Nomad, So just back from a trackday this morning at Mondello Park. The Eibach springs were night and day better than the stock springs on the 30th AE. It was really enjoyable unlike the last time where I felt that the car was sloppy.
If you’re messy with weight transfer they will lean a little bit but they are overall very composed and enjoyable.
So while I’m sure that the Öhlins would be another level of flatness, the Eibach springs for their low cost are definitely worth a try.
@@shaftclub1 Thanks!
@@shaftclub1 I also installed the eibach prokit springs on my 30AE. The car handling has improved so much! (bodyroll was almost sickening on the stock springs) I am still eager to know what an ohlin or a professional suspension would be like. This could turn out negatively for daily driving so would first want to test it or need more impressions of people who installed it. But i am really happy with the eibach springs for the moment. Also tracking the car from time to time.
Great to see some track content on your ND MX-5, looking forward to some more spirited driving videos 👍 I heard that BBR are a decent specialist for these MX-5s. They have some decent ohlins road&track suspension in stock, as well as Willwood brakes, and their Super 220 power upgrade which are very appealing. Although its really easy to fall into that rabbit hole of modifying these cars and forking out so much money!
Yeah, the BBR stuff looks very good. Having now been on track, I was impressed with the upgraded Brembo brakes which come with the 30th Anniversary Edition. I think I'd make my first upgrade some stiffer springs. There's a fair bit of body roll, which you can see in the pictures, but I guess it has to accommodate all conditions on the road (for all drivers). Personally, I prefer my suspension very firm.
@@MotoringNomad after my first track session I went straight to Meister R's and a decent Geo. Huge improvement
Nice driving. I'm considering to get a 2019 Mazda MX-5 ND, but as I do want to take it to track day events, I really don't know if the soft top might be a better option over the RF that you have...
I'm torn between the two because the soft top is lighter, and you have the option to put a roll-bar, because some tracks are pretty strict about convertibles. But I much prefer the look of the RF and when you're not on the track, I'm guessing it feels more refined?
Thanks! I haven't really tried a soft top, so I'm not best placed to say. One thing I can mention is that, with the roof up in both, you apparently have more headroom with the soft top. As I explained in the video I was pretty cramped with the roof up in mine while wearing a helmet.
The RF doesn't really have room for a roll bar in it, if you want to still be able to operate the roof. If you want to do more serious track day stuff, stick with the full convertible. (Sad to say this, because I, too, have a 30AE RF... :) )
Bedford is a great track. Did you do any laps with TC off? Lower springs and precision alignment highly recommended.
I didn't, no. Maybe next time, when it's not so greasy. Lower springs are definitely on the shopping list!