Two large heavy duty black canvas bags with carry handles. These are lined with a heavy
duty blue plastic waterproof liner and have waterproof double zips. Also included are
eight straps and a large rectangular mat which is canvas on one side and imitation chamois
leather on the other.
The pad sits on the boot [trunk] to protect the paintwork, the bags, which clip
together, are held down securely by eight straps. Each strap is about 12" long with a
metal bracket and clips to the bags and over the edge of the boot [trunk] lid. The lower
two straps touch the rear edge of the boot [trunk] lid and so are faced with the imitation
chamois leather. The security cable is a long plastic covered steel cable which is looped
around the spare tyre or similar, fed through under the boot [trunk] lip and padlocked
(padlocks not supplied) to the zippers preventing casual theft.
When it rains the contents stay dry but the bags get wet, which can be awkward on
arrival at a hotel.
I ordered these while in the states, the person taking my order was knowledgeable about
MX-5s (rather than Miatae) and the bags arrived the following day.
Door Sill Protectors (black Plastic)
Supplier: MM Marketing
Address:235 Old Street, Suite 302, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone:USA (910) 323-8773, Fax: USA (910) 323-4272, in USA 1-800 666-4892
Cost: $34.92 (approx £23)
Reviewed June 1996
The wide sills of the MX-5 and the low seating position means that they are easily
scratched which is unsightly and can lead to rust. The MAZDA supplied sill plates are
expensive and have only recently been re-introduced after being withdrawn because of a
rust problem. These sill plates from MM Marketing are a simple solution and, being made of
plastic, they cannot cause rust. They appear to be made of a similar plastic to the sill
edge carpet trip and so match perfectly, they have raised lines running along them and the
Miata logo in the centre.
Installation is a five-minute job, just loosen four screws, slide in the sill protector
and re-tighten.
Verdict: Recommended.
Semi-Automatic Antenna
Supplier: MM Marketing
Address:235 Old Street, Suite 302, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone:USA (910) 323-8773, Fax: USA (910) 323-4272, in USA 1-800 666-4892
Cost: $89.95 (approx £60)
Reviewed June 1996
None of the electric aerials I've been able to find in the UK will fit the MX-5 because
of the low clearance under the rear wing so I was pleased to find this electric antenna
from MM Marketing. The package comprises the electric aerial itself which has a black
15-inch shaft, an AM/FM booster, a switch which is mounted on the console, and cabling.
Installation was fairly simple, the existing wiring for the MAZDA aerial is NOT used.
The switch, installation of which involves drilling the console - suggested place is by
the electric windows switches, is not too pleasing but at least it is black. It is NOT
possible to control this aerial from the radio. The only awkward connection was for power,
which is taken from the cigar-lighter feed.
I am very disappointed with the performance of this aerial, despite the AM/FM booster
the reception is terrible, I am unable to get a clear signal on any of the national BBC
radio stations (I'm in Bracknell in the South East and have a new SONY head unit).I also
get interference from the ignition system. I had no such problems with the stock (fixed) a
erial.
Verdict: I cannot recommend this product. I'll try it in some other areas but if
reception does not improve I'll replace the stock aerial.
Update: After several trips up and down the country and to europe I can confirm
that the reception is not as good as the stock fixed aerial. Reception often breaks-up
where it used to be clear. I have replaced the stock whip antenna, and reception is, if
anything, too good. My RDS radio picks up traffic reports from BBC Radio Leeds when I'm in
Cheshire!
Electric Remote Trunk Release
Supplier: MM Marketing
Address:235 Old Street, Suite 302, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone:USA (910) 323-8773, Fax: USA (910) 323-4272, in USA 1-800 666-4892
Cost: $29.95(approx £20)
Reviewed June 1996
This consists of a rather large solenoid which pulls on a thin cable, some wiring,
mounting hardware and an ugly yellow push-button switch. This is not an item designed
specifically for the Miata/MX-5. The photocopied instructions have photos which are too
dark to be seen. Installation is fairly simple but the push-button requires a rather large
hole drilling inside the locking armrest. Be careful where you mount it otherwise it may
easily be triggered by something carried in the armrest while you are driving.
Verdict: Does the job. Some idea of where to mount the solenoid would be helpful
as this is sold by a Miata specific company.
Update: This has stopped working, a few weeks after it was installed. I havent
tried to find out why yet.
Lights-on Reminder
Supplier: Home-Free catalogue (part of Innovations empire)
AddressEuroway Business Park, Swindon SN5 8SN
Phone:01793 480000 (24-hours) Fax: 01793 487002
Cost: £4.95 P&P is free
Reviewed June 1996
If you've ever left your lights on, and it doesn't take long to flatten the MX-5
battery, or if you have removed the dim-dip function from your MX-5, then you need one of
these.
Consists of a small buzzer, about 1cm x 1.5cm, which is connected using only two wires.
I simply pushed the wires into the fuse holder and then secured it by replacing the fuse.
The buzzer itseld is attached to anywhere using a sticky pad. If you turn the ignition off
with the lights on, it buzzes.
Verdict: Simple and cheap. Recommended.
WARNING: If you get on Home-Free's mailing list they will regularly send you
catalogues and they will trade their mailing list to other junk-mail senders!
NGK Ignition Leads
Supplier: MM Marketing and others
Address:235 Old Street, Suite 302, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone:USA (910) 323-8773, Fax: USA (910) 323-4272, in USA 1-800 666-4892
Cost: $45.95 (approx £31)
Reviewed by: Chris Lewis June 1996
Having just come up to 23,000 miles I decided to replace my ignition leads with these NGK
wires which boast a lifetime warranty and platinum coating. Engine now sounds smoother and
they are a nice blue colour that matches my paintwork ;-).
Verdict: Recommended
Ashtray Cup Holder
Supplier: MM Marketing
Address:235 Old Street, Suite 302, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone:USA (910) 323-8773, Fax: USA (910) 323-4272, in USA 1-800 666-4892
Cost: $29.95 (approx £20)
Reviewed June 1996
This is not, as I had assumed, a replacement for the ash-tray, merely a replacement for
the ashtray lid. The base of the ashtray is re-fitted to a new plastic lid using four
screws. The new lid has two holes, caps with Miata logo are supplied for these holes.
Verdict: Looks good, useful (not while driving) but expensive.
Team Voodoo Shift Knob
Supplier: Brainstorm Products Inc.
Address:689B Main Street, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
Phone: Customer Service USA (770) 498-7283, Fax: USA (770) 498-9640 In USA 1-800 779-3223
(24Hours)
Cost: $29.95 (approx £20)
Reviewed June 1996
Early on I replaced my stock black gear shift knob with a wooden version. It looked good
but just didn't feel right. The stock gear knob is weighted just right and the wooden
replacement was too light. The Team Voodoo shift-knob was created by a Miata owner Bob
Kreuger (Voodoo Bob to his friends) and is a simple spherical polished aluminium gear knob
which just screws on to replace the stock knob. Weight is comparable to the stock version
but being a little shorter it allows for even snappier gear changes.
Verdict: Looks good, feels right, Team Voodoo here I am.
Low Profile Headlights
Supplier: Brainstorm Products Inc.
Address:689B Main Street, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
Phone: Customer Service USA (770) 498-7283, Fax: USA (770) 498-9640 In USA 1-800 779-3223
(24Hours)
Cost: $349.95 (approx £234), spare sealed beasm units $10
Reviewed by:June 1996
These are brainstorms N0.1 seller.
Thye kit consists of a pair of computer cut headlight assemblies, dipped and full-beam
sealed units and wiring. Some components from the original headlights are used, these
being the body coloured headlight covers, the brass bushes used in the original hinges and
a actuator rod which raises the headlights.
Installation instructions are comprehensive, slightly disappointing is the final
instruction that that the lights are not street legal!
Installation was at first fairly simple taking a couple of hours. The new headlights
raise only five inches instead of the ususal nine. This is accomplished by replacing the
main actuator rod with a shorted one. The headlamp motors still travel through their full
range. There were two main difficulties.
Firstly it is difficult to get the headlight covers aligned with the bonnet when the
lights are down. They have to be raised and lowered several times and the alighnment still
wasn't right. The instructions mention adjustments which can be made using the bolts which
hold the motor assembly to the engine compartment. These are very tight, painted over and
almost impossible to adjust. In the end a small amount of brute force was applied to bend
the lugs which hold the covers to the light assembly.
Secondly it is not possible to align the beams correctly. Both sealed beams are mounted
on a floater plate which is held in-front of the main assembly by three sprung bolts.
Adjusting these fully would not bring the dipped beams into correct alignment. Nor can the
main beam be adjusted independantly of the dipped beam. So although the light pattern is
entirely sufficient for night driving they may not comply with regulations.
Despite the problems with alignment I am very pleased with these new headlights. I
think they look great and are greatly admired. I'm glad to be rid of the old 'barn-doors'.
They may not pass the MOT test but I've got two years before then. The old lights can be
replaced at that time.
Thre was one problem I haven't mentioned. Each headlight has a relay to switch on the
dipped beam when the main beam is on. I could not get this to work, every time the main
beam was flashed or turned on, it stayed on until the lights were turned off. After
several test I found that a diode was short-circuit.I disconnected the diode and the
current path through the other headlight and wiring made it work properly again.
I've been told that the sealed-beams are Harley Davidson but I recommend buying spares
when you purchase the lights. Brainstorm will only supply them to people who have bought
the kit.
