Why The BBR Super 200 Kit Makes Mazda's NC MX5 A Genuine S2000 Killer 

Jay! You know if I'm being perfectly honest the first few videos I saw of yours years back I wasn't a fan, I disagreed with some of what you where saying at the time. But I kept watching and now I've realized you've become not only my favorite automotive RU-vidr but favorite RU-vidr period. There's something special about your style of videos and I eagerly await now every upload 😁 so thank you for the countless hours of entertainment and all your hard work!

"Whats the point in going faster if it doesnt FEEL like you're going faster?" A fantastic point missed on a lot of people.

British company invents quintessential affordable sports car. Japanese company revives the formula with even greater success. British company perfects the reinvention. Most pleasing.

I owned this car last year. Never should have sold it. Simply amazing

We helped our 16yr old daughter buy a gorgeous NC MX5 in red, this year. Amazing how much better than my former NA it is.

I have an NC1 that I’ve had for over 9 years. I have the Eibach lowering springs, ARB’s, full Goodwin Racing tubular manifold and exhaust, the BBR cams and remap. It flies and is great to drive. I’ll be fitting coilovers next spring. It’s been totally reliable all the time I’ve had it.

It does sound good , reminiscent of a Alfa twin cam . I’ve started looking at these on autotrader , back to basics fun driving , not too fast ,rear wheel drive Perfect 👍🏻

Never regretted for a second the upgrade after 6 years of NC ownership and joy to an ND Sport. It is for sure more cramped than its predecessor both interior and boot, but so much better in all other aspects.

As an NC owner, this makes me feel happy. Plus that upgrade is great value for the power gained 😊

Always loved the MX-5 I owned. One of those cars that people who don't know about cars mock, but those who do know appreciate how good they are.

Great video but don't get sucked into BBR's non-VAT prices, the 200 kit is £2.5k plus, and the 225 is even worse, it's effectively £5k but you only get the header, so to make the most of it you need a mid section and end box exhaust sections, which is another £1k on top, so it's basically £6k, still a good deal for non-forced induction bhp bump, but it is not for the prices you state

Great video Jay! After tons of research, I had the BBR Super 200 pack installed on NC 3.5 last year and it really has transformed the character of the engine - for me it feels like the car has gained a real heart, relishing in a good thrashing to the redline where as stock the engine was rather flat. It might feel expensive, but this conversion is totally worth it, fixing the only real weak point of the NC - it massively elevates the driving experience. If you're considering it, just go for it! Very excited for my next track day.....

I drove a 2007 mx5 a few times this year. It belongs to my neighbour. Probably the most fun car I drove all year!

Porsche 911 GT3 finally just got double wishbone front suspension. This car had it 15 years ago. A Koenigsegg test driver set a 7:32 nurburgring time (faster than a Pagani Zonda F) with a mostly stock NC miata. This chassis is incredible.

If you look around your local track day you'll probably see more and more NC Miata's as their value is finally becoming recognized. Incredibly robust chassis that can handle 0 treadwear slicks easily. The Ford 2.5 swap is very affordable and with some weight reduction and aero you have a track weapon that punches well above its stature. Great review

Love your channel, love the fact you open the episode with what we are coming for, cars making cool sounds.

10:31 "What's the point in going faster if it doesn't feel like you're going faster?" Exactly. That's why I love my MR2 Roadster, and the same obviously applies here.

I adore my little NC3 so much that I’ve accepted the fact that grandma won’t let me, grandpa, upgrade my ponies to horses. I believe it’s because when I first got it, believing it to be my final car, I blurred out, Grandpa’s Casket… joyfully!

Brilliant, thank you! At last a RU-vidr who doesn't just review new cars over £50k. It's so nice to see Jay, a true petrol head, clearly loves engaging cars, that have got the balance for UK roads perfectly. Great video!

I got an NC 3.5 and budgetted for the BBR Super 200 kit off the back off your review. Love the amount of info and experience you bring in to each review. Couldn't be happier for the money! I must have watched this video a good 10 times and only just realised I hadn't clicked like yet. Thanks Jay

Live watching Jays videos, he is so transparent about everything always keeps his honesty even if a company or a sponsor doesn’t like it. This is pure gild for people who actually want to know about cars which most of us will never drive and he always delivers. Keep it up

Thanks J, always good to hear/find out about BBR Kit!

I went for a later 3.75 earlier this year based pretty well 100% on your last review (and a brief chat we had) and then added the BBR200 on your suggestion at the time. I’ve gone for a full coilover replacement (not got upgraded ARB’s), which is imo pure magic as the handling is greatly improved, looks better and is more comfortable, magic. All I can say is i agree fully your review and thank you. In fact now I’ve watch this “where are my keys?”

The NC hardtop-convertible was always my favourite of the series - I've never understood the hate for the NC actually. What does this kit do to fuel consumption BTW? I'm curious to know if it impacts this negatively.

Back in the early 90s I was working for a hi-fi sales company. I had to go on a trip to a manufacturers factory a good few miles away (in Glasgow... small clue). The boss said "Oh, take the little Mazda". I was expecting a little hatchback, but I got the NA MX5. Had it for about a week. Loved it. That gearshift. Pop-ups! I've not yet driven an NC but to my eyes it's the best looking MX5 since the NA.

The 3.5 NC Mx5 is just such a fantastic all rounder, I love mine. It is a very complete package but I can imagine this package would enhance it without breaking the bank.

Great review I was only looking at this kit yesterday what a treat ty jayemm 👍

Perfectly timed review. You must have known I was looking at BBR's website yesterday.

Thanks Jay - these are really growing on me. Funny thing is, I already own 1.5 Miatas - one of which took a really similar route as this car. I recently put a 1.8L from a 2005 Miata into a 1991 - all kept naturally aspirated. The 0.5 Miata is an Exomotive Exocet. You really should seek out an Exocet to drive - or make your way to California and take mine for a day.

I don't normally like after market exhausts but this one sings on this car

I'm always intrigued by the turbo vs NA tuning discussion. I have a BBR Stage 1 Turbo MX5 ND and I love it: it doesn't feel too different to the stock car in terms of linearity (from between 2,500 and 3,000RPM up to the heightened redline) except for the fact that it has far more power to accelerate (around 50% more than stock). As a caveat, my experience of faster cars has always been in turbos where it felt more obvious that they were forced induction (2017 Fiesta ST and 2015 Mini Cooper S). Happy to let you drive it (I'm in South London) and walk you through how the BBR experience was for me. I'm sure BBR themselves would be willing to show you around their workshop and talk through the history which could be a cool two-pronged video!

Keep doing what you do mate, simply the best content for the everyman. This is infinitely more interesting to me (and im sure many others) than the usual social media car influencers 'reviewing' the latest Mclaren or Lamborghini that none of us normal people will ever get near

Absolutely love this car - it sounds amazing and I know from experience what fun an MX5 is. This is on the bucketlist definitely!

Pre pandemic an ND with a trip to BBR was my top of my list. Prices have since jumped 5k so I've bought a kitchen instead while I wait to see if prices come back in 2-3 years.

NC owner here and I love my NC, I converted my NC1 to NC3 club

Later cars (2009 on) had forged engine internals, which the original NC's lacked. The 3.5's are superb cars, just need what this one has to wake the engine up a bit

Today I booked in my 3.5 Sport Tech with BBR for the 200 conversion. Very excited...

I've got the 2.0 Kendo NC & had the BBR200 fitted a couple of years ago, well worth the money. The urge to 'floor it' at all available opportunities is constant & hasn't waned at all. I use it every day and still get that little thrill inside each time I turn on the ignition. If at some point I get an ND model, this upgrade will be factored into the cost. p.s. Good honest video.

I am getting to like your videos very much and adjusting well to your attitude and opinions!

Have a real soft spot for the NC. Particularly the 3.5. I came very very close to going for the NA 225 kit, but I just unfortunately needed a bit more practicality.

Yes! Finally a vid about the bbr. I want to buy this and so im very curious! Tnx.

Great review. Loved exhaust sound. How was the mpg? MX5, with BBR mods, is a definite consideration purchase wise.

I have a 2007 NC Grand Touring with the premium package that I picked up 3 months ago for $9500 with 49k original miles on it. Super fun car so far. The previous owner put a set of Enkei RPF1 wheels on it with Continental 245 wide summer tires. I have more fun with that car than I ever had with my Charger 392 Scat Pack. Proof that straight line performance and power isn't everything.

Awesome video! Is there any chance that you will review an MK3 MX-5 with the BBR 225 ITB kit?

I got an NC3 a few months ago for a decent price. Such a great car. Its a great all-rounder. Comfy, yet sporty. And passengers can actually fit in it and be comfortable for longer trips unlike the ND. I actually bought the car to have something to drive around the hills and to take the dog out bush walking instead of making a mess in my 987.2 Cayman or sweating to death in my NA MX5 that doesn't have aircon.

nice to see a different slant on the NC esp as mine is absolutely the most standardestest 2006 NC you could imagine - smile still as broad tho' Be good out there!

The notes sound a lot like my little old stock 1990 Miata, oh how I miss that car.. Have a 2003 now, still love it!

What a beautiful car review, mate!

Brilliant upload. Thanks

You need to try my early 1.8 NC on eibach lowering springs, standard 16” wheels with fast road geo settings. Not fast but genuinely such a great car to drive with amazing steering feel. Liked it so much I bought a 2.0 folding hardtop 3.5 to replace it and just couldn’t get on with it compared to the simple early 1.8 NC. The NC generation is massively underrated and in my experience the early base car is the purest drive.

Great info Nice video 👍

Really enjoyed that Not a car I’d ever thought I’d want to own but they videos made me want one

The later cars after 2009 (mk3.5 or NC2) had a number of improvements over the earlier cars. Most notable were the retuned suspension, ride height drop, additional underbody cross bracing and the engine received forged crank and rods. Mazda apparently did this for NVH reasons with the upside on tunability and higher redline. The cars subframes are largely shared with the rx8 with smaller gauge on some parts due to the reduced weight. The gearbox is from the rx8. This was all down to the ford influence in the mazda ownership at the time as they couldn't justify two completely different rear wheel drive sports car chassis in the line up. Made sense financially for the platforms to share a lot of parts. Excellent review btw.

Quality automotive content. Cheers mate.

The NC Miata is actually my favorite. I’m a big guy and I’m more comfortable sitting in it and it’s very nimble and fun to drive.

A friend recently picked up 2013 with a FAB9 Borg Warner turbo set. 300whp… 3rd gear feels like the car is on the edge of traction with 245’s. Incredibly smooth and linear.

I have owned 5 mx5s and it's these videos that keep tempting me back. Although I do fancy a Westfield. So my head goes mx5 no westfield again and again 🤣

That's me at 6:03 in the red Saab. It's funny how Iive on Wethersfield Road abd this is the only time I've spotted you!

Just watched this after having also replaced my beloved M2 with a BBR tuned NC MX5 funnily enough… Albeit mines a very late NC1 (cast crank, the NC2 and NC3 had forged cranks which is why they can Rev higher) with the Super 180 conversion, so just manifold and software, no cams… It’s still a great B road blaster, especially with uprated anti toll bars and coilovers on too. It’s also as you state, a lot of fun a lot of the time on British B roads, at more sensible speeds than you would be doing in many other cars… I’m totally won over by it, and don’t regret selling the M2 and pocketing £20k+ even after buying the MX5 (with the BBR conversion and all suspension work already done) either… 👍🏻

Nice review did the 200 justice I love mine but it has a full ILM exhaust over the bbr

Great Video. Is this the GT back box? Or super sport back box?

Picked up my 2014 MX5 GT, zeal red, PRHT, with 9,700 miles this past May. Excellent condition and I love it. I really don't miss my Goldwing now.😁 Though it's not a rocket, it's quick enough for me, and man it's sure fun to drive especially in the Twisties. 👍

My car looks IDENTICAL to this. Think I might be ordering that BBR Super 200 kit! 👍

I have had over a hundred cars in my life and now that I turned 70, I bought the best car out there. I now own a 2008 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT in Highland Green. To make it even more perfect I got the automatic transmission! I mean who wants to be shifting and clutching all the time? Compliments every day! I picked this car because it is perfect! Mike drop!

These facelift NC have more engine cooling. Mazda race series realised the first NC would heat soak on the track but not you’d notice on the road. Hence they can turn up the dial on later NC2. And they look better - shortened RX8 platform

I own a 2008 Special Edition NC PRHT and it is just perfect as it is as purchased from the showroom floor.

I had a ND & loved it. Great looking car in my eyes & nice interior but you are right it’s a bit cramped especially if your big. Everyone said I’m too tall for it my head was above the windscreen but I’d still like a MX5 so a NC with the Super 200 kit might be the answer

That thing sounds amazing, especially on the over run

I had a mk2.5 1.8 sport before i had kids. This video has made me miss it enormously.

I have previously owned a Mk7 golf R, Fiesta ST , Clio RS , bmw 130i, Leon cupra & the only car I miss was my NC mx5, that says it all really

Had one, loved it.

As I leave my 20s, I purchased one of these cars as I didn't want to purchase such a car later on in life, and if I'm honest, I'm unsure how much longer we will be able to drive them either. I quickly realised an NC1 could be had with 2.0 Sport spec with the LSD and average mileage for 4k or so. My ideal spec would have been an NC2 with power hard top but they were 8k. So I purchased the NC1. And I ask the question, would you rather pay 8k, and have a BBR Super 225 NC1 or 8k and have a stock NC2? I decided to save the change, and spend that extra money on goodies. I have owned 14 cars so far pre-30, this being the first RWD car. Don't listen to the nay sayers, the NC1 is a good car, certainly to someone who has never experienced RWD previously. Don't let the internet put you off these cars!

That sounds so good!

Basically my car - BBR Super 200, Eibach springs, I have the Roadstersport Super Q for some nice sounds instead of the additional suspension bits.

Great cars, such fun 👍🏁

I’m so glad you did this vid as I’d seen your earlier one and couldn’t agree more, I really like the looks and feel of the NC MX-5. And as it’s winter now I’ve been looking around for one for next spring Being a larger gentleman, like yourself, it’s nice to know we fit in without looking daft The haters of the NC forget it’s the largest one, so far, the ND is smaller But also it’s not that much heavier, only 10kg , if you believe Mazda and I do This was down to their save a gram design and ethos between generations And it was actually lighter than the NB, but then regulations changed and more safety gear had to be added before the global launch Keep up the good work 🚙

I own a 2006 NC. Sway bars, Eibach, H&R wheel spacer, max caster and a good alignment. Don't know if the former owner had it tuned (the needle easily travels into the red area). No understeer, perfect balance and yet pretty comfortable. You don't need the extra BBR HP in my flat country. Costs in 11 years of ownership: ehhh... costs? But I have to say... I own an UP GTI too, with B14 coil overs, 205 tires, tuned to 145HP. Really can't say which car I prefer to drive.

Great video. How does the BBR compare to the rocketeer NB?

Something like this would be very tempting as a weekend car.

This is perfect, and it will always be so. In 10 or 15 yrs we will go gooey eyed over cars like this.

Great little cars. Same colour the wife had back in 2009 🙂👍 car always needed a few extra pony's but was awesome all the same

There’s an easy fix to the complaints of the S2000 engine. It’s pre-vtec cam lobe is extremely modest with about 225 degrees of duration and about 6.5mm lit on the intake side which is nearly half of what it is on the vtec cam lobe. A cam change with a tune fixes the lack of oomph between 3K-6K rpm. 21-22 years since the debut of the car and most people overlook the obvious. Fortunately all of the Japanese tuning houses had the F series figured out within a year or two. I say this because I do love the BBR kit for the NC Miata but one look at the cams they chose and the reason Miatas always had good mid range grunt is obvious. I think most import tuners lost their way compared to the older generation of engine builders which understood all aspects of making power without using a turbo as a band-aid and BBR is exactly that company. Even better they improved on the old Cosworth supercharger that was available for the NC some years ago. All of their kits are very affordable and mix that with the lower prices on NC Miatas and it’s one hell of a bargain.

Haven't heard of Brodie Britain Racing in years...... still remember the legendary BBR Sierra Cosworth!

I've got an NC Miata with a Cosworth supercharger, plus a bunch of other mods like exhaust headers, midpipe and muffer, shocks and springs, enkei wheels, 235 wide tires, chassis braces, sway bars, and a roll bar. It's a total hoot! The supercharger is the California CARB-legal version (lame emissions regulations), which runs a bigger pulley and probably a less aggressive tune than the non-CARB version, but it puts out nice power, and very noticable torque increase especially in low RPMs. It also has a very nice supercharger whine at higher RPMs which is a nice benefit over the more common centrifugal superchargers.

I love turbos but n/a would proudly suit this car better

Love the video

The main difference between this and an S2000, is that you can`t help but to look back at an S2000 as your walking away from it.. Damn pretty car!

My brother's BBR 2.5 conversion lasted 3 track days (17 days) was being used as intended, spent ££££'s. He asked about a baffled sump while the build was ongoing, was told baffled sump was not required during a phone call to BBR. When he was told the damage was due to oil starvation and a baffled sump would have prevented it no proof of conversion on email so no warranty. Car is now sat on the drive as a non runner.

You make a very good point about the steering being better than on the latest model. It doesn't make much difference about style, or quality of interiors etc, or even power, if the steering feel isn't as good.

Okay, some MX-5 facts. The NC model is based on the RX-8 floorpan, that's why it's bigger inside than the A and B models, and the D model too. This change was made primarily for the American market and their more, how shall we say, generously-proportioned population. The ND model has all the stuff the NC was damned for having (extra weight) but has now had to be made smaller, no glovebox, etc, etc, to save weight. The NA, NB and NC models are the only MX-5s you can buy which are a genuine convertible; the ND turret-roof model is infernally noisy due to the wind being caught behind your head and having no-where to go. If you want to look like a Lotus Elan old-style convertible sports car, the NC model is the way to go, and the PRHT model by choice, you get a real roof, and with it up, it's just like being in a two-door sedan. I'm a keen sports motorcyclist, and my '08 NC is dead stock, and about as much fun as I can have on my bike, with a lot more comfort. I've had it for five years; I bought it with 150,000 kms on the clock, and apart from replacing the battery it hasn't cost a cent, now at 218,000kms. I've done three +3,000km trips in it with my wife, you have to be constructive with your packing, but it is about as much fun as you can have with any vehicle. Modifications are tempting, but I bought this one because it was dead-stock (effects your insurance here in Australia) and on the odd chance I might one day sell it (I'm 72 years old) I want it to stay that way for the same reason. If I sold it today, with the used car market the way it is (COVID-19) I'd get back what I paid for it!!

This 3rd gen is the one to get not just for the price, but also because the engine is still port injected. The newer ones carbon up the intakes way too fast due to the emphasis on emissions and the direct injection. It also means swapping out the injectors is easy, if you want to push the NA build further, or even boosting it is no problem.

Hey Jay. The chassis of the NC miata is the same used in the rx8 the aisin transmission from the 6 speed auto and manual I believe is the same.

Apparently you and some others have convinced the world the NC is not bad after all. I'm having trouble finding one here mid-east coast in the US

Cracking bit of kit 👌😎

That sounds amazing for a 4 banger!

I bought an mx5 because of this channel. If you keep it up I’ll be speaking to BBR before long.

Thanks for this vid mate. Easier revving with a stronger top end rush would be great IMO. BBR are no dills but I'd need to drive an NC with one before going that way. My MX5 mechanic in Brisbane will do anything you want but his general outlook is that if you want radically more power then buy a different car.

Back in the early 90s I had my Jetta GTI fettled by BBR, block convertion to 2.0, usual suspension, brakes, header, exhaust etc upgrades. Sold it 140k later, only failure was fuel pump, which was the original a d I should have changed.

I actually know the a guy that use to be the BBR mechanic installing those kits, its bit my ore involving than must people can think and if done in a new car i am almost sure it still keeps the factory warranty. The MX-5 still is one of the bests in his area :)

When Mazda released the nc2, they added forged components into the engine, to reduce Nvh. And give a higher redline as a bonus