[Pauliolio]

Hi All

Can I pick your brains please?

I really would like to get an MX5, having wanted one for years & years, but now that I'm starting to seriously look at it I've discovered a bit of a problem.
My legs are too long. Not by a huge amount, I think another click or two further back with the seat & I'd be OK, but as things stand, with the seat right back my knee wedges under the steering wheel before the clutch is all the way up.

Are there standard solutions to this problem?
Particular seats? A particular steering wheel?

Many thanks,
Pauliolio

 

[Roddy]

There are many of us that are in excess of 6ft tall, and we have no problems. The only way that you would get the seat further back is to find seats with a thinner back. A smaller wheel will give a bit more knee room.

 

[Slushbox]

Depends a lot on which model.

People 6'2" + manage Mk1s OK...Mk2.5's are bad..but you can remove foam.

My lad is 6' 1" and much prefers travelling in our Mk1 as opposed to my wife's Mk2.5.

You can modify runners..but then you are compromised with seat rake.

You can also ( Mk1s mostly) fit squared off steering wheels.

And, get fancy seats eg Bride which would let you tuck your spine nearer the rear bulkhead.

I cannot get comfortable in Mk3/Mk3.5 at 6' tall...ok..5' 11.5".

 

[Pauliolio]

I'm only 6', but long in the leg.

That's what I was wondering, whether there's a known replacement seat that sits you a little further back. Or a wheel that holds the rim a bit further away from the steering column (would rather not go smaller diameter).

 

[Pauliolio]

It's pretty much definitely got to be a 2.5(?) (about 2002) Slushbox

 

[Slushbox]

Got to maintain Mk2.5 steering wheel airbag for MOT/insurance/type approval regulations...unless it's a track attack car.

As for seats, plenty online about cutting foam out of the stuffed (heated) Mk2.5 seats.

Not a lot you can do about rake level in a Mk2.5..they are non-tilt.

Either seat swap-out, or foam removal is about it really.

And....if you are getting a Mk2.5, I'd read up thoroughly if you have not already regarding chassis rail rot, rear sill & arch rot, bottom of front wings rot....rear wishbone rot..inner boot lid rot. And, rot in general.

I'm the Grim Reaper of Mk2.5 Rot...with good reason!

Mid 2003, they fitted LSD's made of cheese...2002 are bullet proof.

Any other queries, don't be shy. :beer:

 

[Roddy]

I have a 2002 2.5 and am a 6 footer. I don't like a huge slope to the seatback, so the more upright seat suits me. The first few longish drives in it, I got a stiff left knee, but I suppose I have adjusted my own position and it has never happened again. I think I also sit with my knees wide apart to miss the wheel. The foamectomy that Slushy refers to, is the removal of some of the padding from the seat back.

 

[Kev5]

I used to be 6ft (1.83m) tall, but I have shrunk a couple of inches over the years due to osteoarthritis and general, evolutionary body degradation. This is only one good thing about this, of course...I can fit into any MX-5 more easily! :thumbsup:

Some say that I also have short arms and deep pockets, bless 'em...

Seriously though, it is worth noting that the Mk3 derivatives have about 2" less legroom on the passenger (nearside in the UK) than the driver's side, due to a large plastic toe-board fitted under the carpet - I have never been certain why it is there but many believe it is an integral component of the crash protection equipment. It doesn't cover any electrical items so what do others think about this?

 

[Pauliolio]

Thanks for the info everyone.

Lotus seats look like an interesting swap. Seems you can get a little extra space. Expensive though.
Swapping wheels seems to be a fairly popular solution, but that's one of the perils of the internet I suppose - Not knowing where in the world it was done.

I have seen a couple of discussions on getting a little more knee room by putting a spacer behind the standard wheel. Apparently you can get an extra inch or so as there's a reasonable (although variable) amount of slack in the wiring to the airbag.
Anyone have experience there?

You're scaring me a bit there Slushbox - I knew the rear seals were a bit of a weak spot, but not the rest of the car as well.
Sounds as bad as an 80s Datsun!

 

[Roddy]

Slushy is our little ray of sunshine on the rust issue. It's true that there are some horrors to avoid, but there are a lot of sound ones too. Just be warned and be careful.

 

[Slushbox]

Thanks for the info everyone.

You're scaring me a bit there Slushbox - I knew the rear seals were a bit of a weak spot, but not the rest of the car as well.
Sounds as bad as an 80s Datsun!

I'd rather I did that than you accidentally end up with one that's more Daily Record & No More Nails then steel.

I've got salvage in my lock up from a "pristine" 2003 which turned out to be write off/basket case stem to stern, my replacement leccy ariel is from another, and our hardtop from yet another.

As Roddy correctly points out, there are good solid ones out there too. :thumbsup:

It's just as time goes on, they become more difficult to find.

Try and buy a "provenance" example from a known Mx5 Club/source.

Beware... "Specialist Importers" proclaiming " fresh import"...so no issue.

Utter rollocks.

Some deliver, some don't. :nod:

 

[Slushbox]

Slushy is our little ray of sunshine on the rust issue. It's true that there are some horrors to avoid, but there are a lot of sound ones too. Just be warned and be careful.

One tries...one tries.....

 

[badman]

Slushy is our little ray of sunshine on the rust issue. It's true that there are some horrors to avoid, but there are a lot of sound ones too. Just be warned and be careful.

One tries...one tries.....

You are certainly trying.

 

[Slushbox]

I knew one of you would not resist.