Rafi's MK 2.5 VVT green Montana

[Mazda Mender]

Rafi came to me early in the year for some advice on a MK 2.5 he had not long become the owner of, and after a good inspection i recommend what i felt needed sorting or looking at in the future, now the way I personally do this is to look at the roadster and its mine , I have just bought it and what i would sort to be right to use before the add ons.
So that said i left this in Rafi's head to chew over and attack as and when with a wish list and a to do list as these are far different lists ,plus what needs to be prioritized over minor things, and so on to take where ever he see fit to do so.
One of the main areas i really felt was the service side of her, there is no mention of a cam belt change or pump anywhere in the pile of paper work, now i see this a lot, owners think that just because its low miles " its ok " It does not need it yet" well it does regardless there is something we and everything else can never stop and get away from and that is " ageing" and " deterioration" , the seals suffer badly from lack of use as do the belts etc etc .
So after a lot of his humming and harring the time came to drop her off , which personally for me was a crap time in that my dad was on end of life and following onto his cremation , the weather did not help and she decided she preferred it here and dropped a fault on me to find also, she tested me, but more on that later.
She is a roadster that i will not forget in a hurry, and all credit to Rafi he was very Patient with my situation considering this is his only transport.

This thread is being done for Rafi so he as a online history of whats been carried out etc while in his ownership, so i will post everything up i have personally done while she as been her and future calls , Rafi will also update as and when ...
Pics and list to follow....

[Mazda Mender]

Rafi she is all ready buddy, fault found also, alignment bolts removed ,cleaned ,greased and re fitted, under bonnet courtesy lights fitted, centre trim cup holder lid fixed, roof seals and latches adjusted, window mechs sorted, service done, water pump ,belt and seals etc done , full coolant flush and back flush done and engine bay clean, newer back bumper and mud guards fitted.....

[Mazda Mender]

Recommendations.....

Front impact rails will need doing in the very near future.
Bottom of front wings are showing signs of rust as is the front sill and wheel arches.
front lip is in need of paint.
Rear sills and arches are showing signs of rust and need doing sooner than later before it gets worse.
Rear wing needs repair from fighting with a post.
Rear bumper needs paint.
Brakes needs servicing and hand brake lever is sticking.
Alignment.
Upper and lower gear shifter boots.
Gearbox and diff oil needs changing.
Wiper arms need painting.
Protection.

[Mazda Mender]

Extra pics.....

[blackyb]

This post has just made me regret all over again of deciding to sell our 2003 svt.

Loved it to bits but finances had to be considered at the time along with the amount of available space on our drive.

[Busbybabe]

I was going to thank Wayne for all of his time, help and most of all patience with me since we first met as soon as I got back home from collecting her. But I waited, and this is why.

Having had my car back for 24 hours I am now in a position to really appreciate what has been done to this brilliant little car. When I have driven other cars after services etc there is a psychological aspect that makes you think this is much better than it was, whereas, in actuality you don't really have a clue what you like better or what has truly improved. Not this time. The car is transformed and pulls with a different feel altogether. It is smooth, poised and reassuring in its drive.
The new rear bumper and sportier mudguards are great and the curtesy lights are awesome. I have been showing my shiny and bright engine bay to anyone who will look

So Wayne thank you! Thank you for taking her on at a difficult time for yourself and for taking whatever weather and faults were thrown at you. Without you I would be another owner p*ss money away in the wrong areas and blindly listening to whatever ( probably sketchy) mechanic I would have gone to. I'll be sure to heed your advice going forward and I look forward to the next step towards my goal of having a sorted MX-5 to enjoy for a long time to come.

Rafi

[blackyb]

Well said and I couldn't agree more, Wayne gave ours a Menders servicea few months back for the very same reason.

[Mazda Mender]

This the way I look at it....
I look at who evers roadster is dropped here has one I have just bought myself ,so I look at the basics of what needs sorting for them to be right ,to get the best out of them in every way , I will guide and advice of the correct way forward so you do not waste many to get her right to last and be enjoyed to the fullest ,which is before any aftermarket bits or stick on shiny sh*t of personal preference can be added to fix your own stamp.
I am into form and how they look ,but I am centred about how they must function correct and better than when they left the factory, you see when one of these is set up correctly,you will now when the slightest thing is out because it is all about the feel, you don't just get behind the wheel and drive her , you put her on and wear her truly Ballanced and at one with her.
If that makes sense.
I treat everyone's as if they are my own that I personally would be happy to use..
Glad you are both happy and can feel the difference.
Rafi you need to take this on and up date as and when now buddy the next one is here to cast the magic wand over, watch the profile page or his thread on here.
M-m

[MarkieMark]

[Busbybabe]

Hi guys,

To cut a long story short since 2021 I have gotten married, lived abroad until October this past year and come back with a baby girl who is precious.
I had sincere intention to have my car as a running project but without getting in to the nitty gritty my financial situation is a very different picture then it was as a single carefree boy. I have had to buy a more sensible family car and I am just not in a position where I can give this car the attention it so desperately needs and deserves. It has been sat in a dry garage in hibernation and I have had to admit that if I have been back in Manchester for 5 months and unable to afford a second car at the moment it is probably best she is rehomed so someone can enjoy her this coming summer.
Wayne, I am slightly scared of what you will say because I remember our conversations well and this was not the plan!

[Busbybabe]

I took her out yesterday and with a jump pack she turned over first time. Gave her a quick run and she started on her own after that and held that power until this morning even with it being fairly cold out.
Two bad bits to address.
1. The rust on the rear arches has worsened and they are not a pretty site.
2. The ABS light is illuminated on the dash. This was never there previously, could it be a dirty/dusty sensor from this period which she has sat?

Rafi

[Mazda Mender]

Rust is rust ,and if you cN see it on the outside ,then it is worse on the inside, the only way to sort it is cutting it out and repair where necessary, it will cost ,there is no getting away from it, as for the ABS light ,it will be either a sensor or the hub castle section pick ups full of crud...
Good to have you back bud now you are a daddy to.
M-m

[Busbybabe]

Thank you!
Where would you recommend taking for repairs? I live in Salford M7
Do you have any how to's for cleaning the hub castle section? Worth a try surely.
I also have a driver side wing mirror which needs replacing, the person who I asked to start it once every month or so whilst I was away broke it reversing back in to the garage. I have the replacement part.

I still have some hope I can hang on to her, but unfortunately I am probably losing the garage it is in as it belonged to my late grandmother and her flat (which includes the garage) is being sold. Regardless, the rust needs addressing urgently before it gets any worse. Then I will worry about getting her back in to my parents garage. Currently has a spot occupied by a XJS which is going up for sale.

[Mazda Mender]

Oooooooo i like the xjs, the rotation sensors are on the hubs , so wheels off and have a look at the sensors and castle sections for any foreign items, mirror is easy enough to change , but leave it with me on the body welder and i'll see what i can find.

[Busbybabe]

Asking for £12k but you can have it for £10k