Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Chrome Shift Plate and Ring adds chrome to plastic interior console in cockpit area. For show only. This product provides no other function. Chrome seems pretty expensive so $100 cost not surprising. More chrome than chrome fuel lid ($95).
Product was complete with plate, ring, and 10 hex bolts, washers, and lock nuts. Instuction sheet was to change leather shift boot. Instruction sheet is incomplete for this product. It does hard part of partly removing console. Brainstorm tech did add clue to drill holes but true installation procedures is left to buyer. After installation, the product looks like on BSP web page.
(1) After following instructions, I completely removed console by disconnecting harness from pwr window module (2) plastic surround plate & shift boot bracket are not used. (3) Put ring on plate & slide the leatherboot from below. Punch 4 holes in boot. Now attach ring/plate/boot with bolts. (4) Slide combo on console and mark hole locations. (5) Drill up to 6 holes in console to fit the plate. These holes are not visible if shift bracket and plastic surround are used again. (6) Insert and tighten 6 hex bolts, washers, and nuts to secure plate/ring/boot combo to console. (7) To smoothe out leather boot all around I used some duct tape underneath to tape down the boot edges. (8) Replace console, pwr window harness at retaining pin location and pwr window module connection. Plate should appear flush forward. The plate fits the shift boot area nicely. Test pwr windows prior to the final console install procedure. (9) Finish replacing console with the 5 scr! ews.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Chrome surround for manual shifter with allen screws
Good idea to install this while you're replacing your OEM cheesy vinyl shifter boot. You must remove the center console (explicit directions included with boot) to complete the job. 5 screws do the trick (1 on each side of the front of the console, 1 under the power window switch and 2 in the console compartment). Remove the shifter boot retainer (black plastic). I also suggest removing the black surround after you drill your holes to enable easier tightening of the screws.
Nice finishing touch, albiet a bit expensive ($95 + shipping)
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
chrome air vent rings
The fit and finish are top notch i wish i could say the same about Brainstorms customer service. Very easy to install. They look great.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
[8/2/2002] Reviewed by: Mark Jones (Miata GT) - mndjones@earthlink.net
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
This is the plate that just surrounds the shifter opening and has allen head screws anound the perimeter.
I was hoping to install it by using only an adhesive so that it could be removed later if needed. Although the plate itself is flat the console area it covers is corved and the plate acts like a spring rather than bending to conform to the shape of the console. It looks to me as if installed with the screws it would put constant stress on the console, so I sent it back.
Nice chrome but not enough engineering to justify nearly $100.00 for it.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
These are OEM quality chromed plastic door handles sold by "Brain Storm Products" ($55) to replace the standard black plastic door habdles. These appear to be a Mazda OEM product as they are almost an exact match to the black handles.
Parts arrived on time and well packaged. Unfortunately no instructions were provided. I took the instructions off Miata.net's garage tech section under "installing power door locks". A little trickey to do the first time but worth the effort. First door took me one hour - 2nd door 15 minutes. Parts fit and work 100% perfectly.
Take your time and this is a fun project. You must print out the instructions and follow them or it won't be fun. These look great and I recommend the upgrade without reservation.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 +
Machined aluminum ring that fits in/around the climate control dials.
At first I thought these were a little dull compared to other shinier chrome interior dress-up items. After having them installed for about two weeks I came up with the brainstorm to take a little aluminum polish to them...WHAT A DIFFERENCE! These really shine now and compliment the other chrome accessories in the interior that I have added.
TIP: Polish the exposed surfaces of these rings before installing them. You will be pleased!
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Stainless steel vent rings that cover up stock black vent rings. $49 for a set of 4 rings which includes adhesive putty.
I am fortunate enough to live near Brainstorm in Venice, CA, so I looked up the rings on various web sites, called Branstorm for availability, and drove over to pick them up. Following their instructions, I cleaned the existing dash vent rings with rubbing alcohol and then applied the putty on the first ring. The putty was very tricky - it's like playing with well-chewed bubble gum - but after I got the first ring installed, I was immediately pleased at how the 4 rings brightened up my otherwise stark/dark interior. The rings are quality pieces (I've read here about plastic stick-ons) that are concave to fit "into" each vent ring. They are plain and elegant, echoing the rings around the dash gauges.
Good service. Nice product.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Brainstorm Aluminum Rings for AC Controls
These rings are machined aluminum and are not quite as shiny as some of the chromed accessories, but the look is very nice. Install took about 10 seconds. BSP shipped the rings with some black goop to secure them in the dash, but the press fit was very tight and the goop was not needed. They look great. Install was easy. I would recommend this product for a simple, not gaudy, interior dress-up item.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Chrome trim ring to go around the power window buttons. Got it from Brain Storm Products. Cost $45
The trim ring looked more aluminum than chrome, which was scuffed and is very thin and flimsy. It came with one piece of doubled sided tape. Which I had to cut in half. In my opinion was not enough for the installation. This product is greatly over priced. Maybe worth about $20.
Under 5 minutes to remove
This kit includes 2 chrome door lever cups that replace the existing black door lever cups.
Installation is simple. Just unscrew (1 screw) the door lever cup, remove it, and replace it with the chrome version included in the kit. Repeat this proceedure for both doors. Installation is as simple as that!
I am extremely happy with the appearance of the finished product. It matches quite nicely with the polished vent rings, Voodoo knob, and Voodoo brake handle. The interior looks much more exotic now!
My only complaint about the product was its simplicity. I may sound like I am being picky, but when I spent over $100 Cdn on this product I expected them to be metal. They are simply the original plastic parts that have been coated with chrome. The original parts are probably what raises the price a fair bit. I am sure you can bring you can bring your original door lever cups in and have them chromed for a reasonable fee.
Overall the product was exactly what they stated and I would be happy to deal with Brain Storm Products in the future.
Under 5 minutes to remove
| Back to Product Reviews | 15 September, 2002 |