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Sticky brake calipers rob your MX-5 of the sharp, progressive feel it's known for, dragging brakes, uneven pad wear, and a weak handbrake are all signs something's wrong. This guide covers the symptoms, common causes (corroded guide pins, degraded seals, seized handbrake mechanisms), and how to decide between a clean, a rebuild, or a full replacement.

Ask what separates a great-handling MX-5 from a merely good one, and experienced owners will often point to something that gets far less attention than springs, dampers, or tyres: ride height, bump stops, and corner balance. Get these right and the car feels cohesive, planted, and alive. Get them wrong and even a freshly rebuilt suspension can feel unpredictable or vague, sometimes without any obvious reason why. This guide covers the fundamentals of each area, why they matter specifically on the MX-5,

It's done. After clutch upgrades, bodywork battles, turbo refreshes, new doors, wings, and more late nights than anyone should admit to, the MX5 Restorer's Mk1 turbo build has finally crossed the finish line, and what a finish it is. Watch the final episode right here

Ask any MX-5 owner what makes their car special and you’ll hear the same things: the balance, the feedback, the connection between driver and road. That connection doesn’t just come from the engine and gearbox, it runs through every bush in the suspension. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what bushings do, how rubber and poly compare, what you’ll notice in real-world driving, and which option makes sense for your MX-5.

One of the defining traits of the Mazda MX‑5 is its gearbox. Across every generation, from Mk1 to Mk4, the MX‑5 is known for its short, mechanical, confidence‑inspiring gear change. But if your shift has started to feel notchy, vague or reluctant, especially when cold, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most commonly forgotten service items that affect shift quality, how they wear, and how to restore that crisp, factory‑fresh feel.

The Mazda MX‑5 is renowned for its precise, engaging manual gearbox, but like any hydraulic system, the clutch relies on a small network of components that wear out over time. If your pedal feels soft, your gear changes are notchy, or you’re struggling to select gears cleanly, there’s a good chance your clutch hydraulics need attention.

Owning a Mazda MX-5 in the UK means embracing top-down driving whenever the weather allows, and making sure your convertible hood is ready for everything the British climate throws at it. Whether your MX-5 runs a vinyl (PVC) hood or a mohair (canvas) hood, understanding the differences, and how to care for each will keep it looking smart, watertight and long-lasting.

In Part 5 of our Project Mk1 Turbo series, the build moves into its final bodywork phase with new doors, a replacement boot lid and a switch back to OEM-style front wings. With panel alignment underway and corrosion treated, the car is now firmly on the home straight towards paint.

Most MX 5 leaks come from a handful of well known areas, and many are straightforward to diagnose and fix at home with the right parts. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common leak points on each MX 5 generation (Mk1–Mk4/RF), explain what causes them, and link to proven replacement seals and fixes available on our website.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a professional car nut builds a daily-driver MX-5 for his daughter… welcome back to Cowland on Cars. A lot of people have been asking what happened to the Project Mazda Paul was working on, and the answer is delightfully simple: it’s now his daughter Amber’s daily driver. Yep, Paul’s number one daughter is behind the wheel every day, working at a Mazda dealership, commuting in a lowered, corner-loving Mk3 MX-5 she’s slowly turning into her own.