Applicable to: '99 + 1.6 liter
I did not have any problem with the shipment of the package. Everything arrived on time and it did not lack any piece. Without the ceiling note much the stability that provides when fixing the sides. The finished one is very good and what I more like is the touch retro of crystal windblocker, and the leather finished one. Difficult to remove without leaving damage.(minimun damage ) 3 hours to install it (do it yourself)
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
A study construct combined rollhoop and windbreak. Since the product is so solid it acts as a rear chassis brace...see previous review. If you want some pictures please feel free to email me.
The pros: 1. Really stiffens the car up. 2. Looks brilliant The cons: 1. You lose complete use of your rear parcel shelf 2. My Matt Developments mohair hood and folding glass just clears the bar with some persuasion (they were aware I had one at the time of taking the order). 3. You can't fold the windbreaks centre glass down with the hood up. 4. The bar although textured is black and ugly, looking like a piece of pig iron (he does leather trim panels for MGF's though!!) . Due to the amount of angle grinding they had to do the brackets to fit it to my 91 Roadster I will definitely say that a DIY install would be beyond the means of most people. Having said that it might just slot straight into yours without a problem. Not had the opportunity to drive top down (raining a lot in the UK at the moment) however the car feels so much more refined and stable. Can't wait to use it when the summer arrives :O)
I drove 180 miles to have this fitted (16th Mar) pre-booked in Dec 2001when I offered to pay a deposit/pay in full but was advised not necessary. Fitter arrived at 9 & work started:seatbelts removed,holes cut, at 12 they owned up that they were still waiting on the parts for my install. I had to cancel lunch with friends & things were made worse by Mike asking my wife (who is American) "What do you think of customer service over here?" Her reply "I think I'll wait outside". I rate Mike's products as being of the highest quality but his customer/organisational skills are terrible. I'm not concerned that he wasted 5 hours of my time but his attitude whilst friendly seemed wrong (e.g. he went to find details of products on two occasions & totally forgot what I'd asked him about!!). I've spent £5000 on cosmetic mods, this has been the best looking product also my worst experience. The fitter was professional/helpful and seemed embarrassed by the positio! n I had been put in.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
The roll hoop is really a rear sub frame, shock tower brace, with the roll hoops (beefy & about 2"dia. with a metal mesh covering the rear) bolting on from the bottom of the brace with two large bolts each. The wind blocker, part of the package, is made of tempered glass and pivots out of position when not in use. Mounting is with a friction pinch of the bolt and bracket on the brace. The OEM tonneau cover snaps to the rear of the brace.
A well thought out, designed, and executed product. It was a little more work than I had anticipated from their web site pictures and description. The finish was either powder coat or chrome plate, all done with skill. I had some problems with the attachment of the brace in that the mounting holes I drilled in the shock towers did not line up perfectly and the main bolts seemed to be short, or the brace was not long enough. The plastic shock tower covers needed to be cut for the spacers and drilled for the brace mounting bolts. There were missing bolts for the wind blocker which took a week to get. This could have been reduced to a day had they replied to my e-mails sooner and given me a list of needed parts. Instructions seemed good, but could use some updating around the wind blocker showing pictures. The OEM tonneau must be tucked into the corners as the lower fastener is now impossible to use. But now it doesn't flap in the wind either.
I didn't like having to cut the plastic covers, wait several days for an e-mail reply, or the missing parts. There is some package tray room loss with the brace inplace and the top is harder to put up and down due to the now cramped area near the window zipper. On the positive side, the car now drives flatter, firmer, is more solid, and generally feels better to drive, which is what it is all about! My Miata has become the car it has always longed to be with this addition. There are fewer squeaks and the look has changed for the better. The wind has been reduced and I can drive and talk with the windows in any position at speed. This is, quite possibly, the single best performance improvement I have made to my Miata. Despite the missing parts and some bumps with the installation, I would purchase this product again as the results have far out weighed the small problems.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
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