18 discs

[charged_rs]

bren

the braided hoses are imo a waste of money unless you really need them.
I fitted them to my 1.6 mk1 when i first got it and quickly removed them....didnt like the feeling they gave, and like you i had the same problems , spongey brakes.

Before you do anything , get your calipers off and check the sliders, they should be almost mirror like and shiney , if not rub them with some emery paper until they are
.Lube them with red rubber grease and adjust the rear calipers / handbrake and i bet it will make a bit of a difference.

all you need is brake cleaner, emery paper and rubber grease and 30 mins a corner....start with the cheap stuff then look at the more expensive things.

[Steve]

good point... Bren, how did you adjust your rear calipers after refitting?

[franksm]

They just feel spongy and dont seem to stop the car quick enough. We have an 07 passat and you just have to touch the brakes to stop, I know its not like for like but I have owned many cars over the years and this MX5 just doesnt react quick enough. I'll upgrade to 1.8 and change hoses. The brake fluid is new and the pads about 6 mths old. Dont want any problems going round the ring

Maybe get a drive in another '5 (and vice versa) as maybe it's just perception. The '5s brake assistance is very light compared to that of, say, a Megane. Mazda did this on purpose to keep the sporty feel of the car. I think they also did it to hark back to 'cars of old' like the MG or Lotus.

The Lotus Elise is of the same idea, the brake assistance is even lighter than that of the '5

[Ivan]

bren

...start with the cheap stuff then look at the more expensive things.

Thats about the best advice.

I don't think 1.8 brakes etc will make all that much of a difference for the money.

Hang on till march the 7th let someone else have a go and maybe you go in there car. See what the difference is.

[franksm]

Did you feel a disturbance in the Force because I mentioned 'Megane' ?

[Ivan]

Did you feel a disturbance in the Force because I mentioned 'Megane' ?

no.

the megane is gone, got a honda now.

Opps i'm going off topic Ivan will be along now to give out to me

[bren]

Thanks for all the advise, will wait till the 7th and see what others think.

[Geese]

Spongy? Adjust the handbrake first it makes a difference.

jack up
wheel off
14mm bolt out
pull handbrake up 3 clicks
4mm allen key, screw in adjuster till it stops
check you cant sping the axle
put everything back together

repeat for other rear side.

Job done.