Road stirred

I wonder if you can help. I bought a 2006 MX-5 2.0 Mk3 Sport about 6 months ago. I'm very pleased with the car except for its tendency to 'bump steer' over anything other than perfectly smooth tarmac. As most of the roads here in NE Scotland have at least some minor imperfections (to put it mildly) I find myself constantly correcting the steering wheel to compensate for the slight changes in direction caused by small bumps/repairs in the road. I have read this is peculiar to the Sport version, caused by the Bilstein shocks and/or the wide wheels/low profile tyres. If you have any advice on where to start correcting this problem, I'd be extremely grateful.

Asked on 21 February 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

I've tested this car in North East Scotland (clear roads, no cops). Obviously the stiffer a sport scar is set up for track days, the less comfortable it is going to be on ordinary roads with potholes and ruts. How unacceptable you find this might depend on what you are used to. But a Caterham or an Audi TT on 19" wheels and ‘Sports’ rather than ‘magnetic’ suspension is far worse.

Tags: wheels and tyres technical issues owning

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