Mazda MX‑5 NB.
The coilover guide.
Shop the coiloversFind out what is fitted to your NB before choosing its replacement. Match the engine and original market, then plan the height around your wheels and the roads you use.
The fixed-headlamp MX-5.
An NB may still have its original spring seats and mounts, or a complete kit fitted by an earlier owner. Read the part markings and measure its present height before deciding what to buy. A replacement should give the fitter a known starting point, with enough clearance and travel for your intended use.
The early Mk2 and facelift Mk2.5 belong to this generation, but a broad NB label does not settle every application. The UK TEIN entries here name the 1.6, BC's N-04 identifies NB8C, and the SPAX Roadster kits exclude ABS. Include those details when narrowing the range.
Mazda introduced the second-generation MX-5 in Japan in January 1998, following its 1997 Tokyo show debut. North America called it a 1999 model. The fixed headlights distinguish the NB from the earlier pop-up-light NA, while the compact two-seat roadster shape remained.
A facelift followed in Japan in July 2000, with body changes and a revised 1.8-litre engine. Mk2.5 is the UK name for the facelift NB. Give the supplier the build date and engine as well as that name when checking a part.
The 10th Anniversary model arrived internationally in 1999. Other markets later had an NR-A version, a small-series Roadster Coupe and a turbocharged model. Their names and equipment need their own checks; a badge or a shared chassis code cannot identify the suspension now fitted.
The NC replaced the NB in 2005. Include wheel changes and previous suspension work when planning an NB installation today. Keep a record of the existing springs and mounts, then check their condition before buying replacement hardware.
Model history: Mazda MX-5 chronologyMazda USA model historyMazda 2005 replacement announcementMazda 2005 original US specification deckMazda dealer UK Mk2 and Mk2.5 naming.
Start with your MX‑5 NB.
Match the model year, engine and body style before comparing brands.
Mk2 and Mk2.5 roadsters
Start with the engine, build date and original market. Bilstein and AST have NB entries; BC N-04 names NB8C. Check the selected kit's mounts and conditions, including the engine limit on the UK TEIN examples.
Explore NB roadster kits
UK 1.6 and NB6C
The UK FLEX Z VSM40-C1SA1 and MONO SPORT GSM40-71SS1 entries specify NB6C, 1600 cc. Their spring rates differ. Both carry a front-camber and suspension-arm clearance condition. Have a UK 1.8 checked separately before choosing either part.
See the UK 1.6 examples
Cars without ABS
SPAX RSX569 and double-adjustable RSX3-1138 list the 1998 to 2005 Roadster and explicitly exclude ABS. Both quote 10 to 45 mm reductions at each end. Confirm the actual car's equipment before selecting one; the older Eunos references cover a different generation.
See non-ABS SPAX kits
Imports, turbo and prepared cars
Send the chassis details and original market for an import or factory turbo. For a converted or circuit-prepared car, add its tyres, rollover equipment and weight changes. Agree the spring package and mounts for that build before using a general NB listing.
Discuss my NBWhat do you want
from the car?
Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.
A twin-tube package for the listed UK 1.6.
Read the buying advice
TEIN FLEX Z VSM40-C1SA1 is the road example for the listed UK NB6C 1600 cc application. It has 7 kgf/mm front and 6 kgf/mm rear springs, pillowball upper mounts and 16 combined compression/rebound positions. Check the front suspension-arm clearance condition and use the exact NB recommended height range. The UK listing does not include the 1.8.
- Twin-tube dampers
- 7 / 6 kgf/mm springs
- UK NB6C application
Nine combined damping positions on the listed B16 kit.
Read the buying advice
Bilstein B16 PSS9 48-086097 has monotube dampers and nine positions that change compression and rebound together. Match its NB application and 655 kg front, 665 kg rear axle limits to the car. Confirm the mounting parts, set a permitted height and record the alignment before assessing changes at a track day.
- Monotube dampers
- Nine combined positions
- 655 / 665 kg axle limits
Separate damping controls for a specified NB build.
Read the buying advice
AST 5300 RAC-M1206S is listed for both NA and NB. It separates rebound adjustment from high- and low-speed compression on remote reservoirs. Agree the NB springs and mounts, plus secure reservoir positions, for the car's tyres and operating weight. High and low speed refer to damper movement; they do not select a setting for road speed.
- Three-way damping adjustment
- Remote compression reservoirs
- NB-specific spring and mount check
The rear spring surrounds the damper.
The rear spring surrounds the damper on a standard Mazda MX‑5 NB.
Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.Mazda's original NB rear assembly has a coil spring around the shock absorber. The spring seats, upper mount, boot and bump stop belong to that assembly, with double-wishbone suspension guiding the wheel.
Check which original parts the replacement retains. A kit shared with the NA can still have mounting conditions: Bilstein's instructions specify NB or NBD support bearings when fitting its package to an NA. Follow the selected kit's assembly and height instructions for the actual car.
Understand height and preload
Check the car before setting the height.
Show the fitter the wheel width, offset, tyre size and any spacers. Clearance needs checking against the body and suspension through steering and wheel movement at the intended height. TEIN specifically flags front suspension-arm clearance on the NB applications discussed here.
Inspect the suspension joints, bushes and adjustment hardware while planning the work. Agree the height and running load before the alignment, then keep the measurements with the spring and damper settings. If the car already has a kit, include its part markings in that record.
Wheel position and tyre clearance
A wider wheel, a different offset or a spacer changes the space beside the damper and under the arch. Give the fitter the actual measurements. Check the tyre through steering and suspension movement before settling on the running height.
Mounts and existing spring seats
Record what is fitted before ordering. The NB kit may supply its own mounts or reuse original parts, and a reference shared with the NA can have additional mounting conditions. Check the complete parts list, including bushes, boots and bump stops.
ABS equipment
The two SPAX Roadster references here exclude ABS. Identify the equipment on the car itself, particularly on an import or modified example. Have sensor wiring and brackets checked against the selected installation instructions.
Rollover protection and circuit preparation
Tell the suspension supplier about a roll bar, cage or substantial weight removal. Choose springs around the tyres and operating load, and plan access to the adjusters and reservoirs. Check the organiser's separate preparation requirements before a circuit event.
The current MX‑5 NB range.
Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.
The listed UK FLEX Z and MONO SPORT kits specify NB6C 1600 cc. FLEX Z uses twin-tube dampers with 7/6 springs; MONO SPORT uses monotube dampers with 10/8 springs. Compare their actual application and mounting conditions before choosing. Overseas NB8C rows require a separate market check.
View TEIN MX‑5 NB kits
N-04 names NA8C/NB8C and has BR RS, ER and ZX configurations in the current listing. Choose the actual configuration to check its mounts, adjustment arrangement and price. The broad 1989 to 2005 title does not replace the chassis check.
View BC Racing MX‑5 NB kitsBilstein
B16 PSS9 48-086097 combines height adjustment with nine combined damping positions. Its NB listing has defined lowering ranges and axle limits. Check the existing suspension and the exact instruction sheet when agreeing the mounting parts.
View Bilstein MX‑5 NB kits
The NB Street, Street Performance and Clubracing references use the M1206S/1 suffix; the NA entries have different suffixes. The 5200 and 5300 Motorsport references are shared across both generations. Agree NB-specific springs and mounting hardware for the chosen package.
View AST MX‑5 NB kits
RSX569 is the single-adjustable Roadster reference; RSX3-1138 provides separate bump and rebound adjustment. Both list 1998 to 2005 cars without ABS. The Eunos 1989 to 1997 references belong with the earlier NA.
View SPAX MX‑5 NB kitsFind your MX‑5 NB coilovers.
Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.
11 listings
Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.
![BC Racing Coilovers - Mazda Miata / Mx5 (89-05) [NA8C/NB8C]](/images/09cf8cd191b679-480.webp)
BC Racing · BCR-N-04
BC Racing Coilovers - Mazda Miata / Mx5 (89-05) [NA8C/NB8C]
Mk2 and Mk2.5 roadsters
AST · ACT-M1206S/1
AST 5100 Street Performance Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NB - ACT-M1206S/1
Mk2 and Mk2.5 roadsters
SPAX · RSX569
SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Mazda MX 5 - Miata - Roadster (Excl. ABS) - RSX569
Cars without ABS
TEIN · VSM40-C1SA1
TEIN FLEX Z Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA 1.6/1.8 and NB 1.6 - VSM40-C1SA1
Mk2 and Mk2.5 roadsters / UK 1.6 and NB6C
Bilstein · 48-086097
Bilstein B16 PSS9 Coilover Kit - Mazda MX-5 II (NB) - 48-086097
Mk2 and Mk2.5 roadsters
AST · RIV-M1206S
AST 5200 2-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Mazda NB / NA - RIV-M1206S
Mk2 and Mk2.5 roadsters
All MX‑5 NB kit links and part numbers
- BC Racing · BCR-N-04: BC Racing Coilovers - Mazda Miata / Mx5 (89-05) [NA8C/NB8C]
- Bilstein · 48-086097: Bilstein B16 PSS9 Coilover Kit - Mazda MX-5 II (NB) - 48-086097
- TEIN · VSM40-C1SA1: TEIN FLEX Z Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA 1.6/1.8 and NB 1.6 - VSM40-C1SA1
- AST · ACC-M1206S/1: AST 5100 Clubracing Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NB - ACC-M1206S/1
- AST · ACT-M1206S/1: AST 5100 Street Performance Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NB - ACT-M1206S/1
- AST · RAC-M1206S: AST 5300 3-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Mazda NB / NA - RAC-M1206S
- AST · RIV-M1206S: AST 5200 2-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Mazda NB / NA - RIV-M1206S
- AST · RUV-M1206S/1: AST 5100 Street Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NB - RUV-M1206S/1
- TEIN · GSM40-71SS1: TEIN MONO SPORT Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA6CE, NA8C, NB6C - GSM40-71SS1
- SPAX · RSX3-1138: SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Mazda MX 5 - Miata - Roadster (Excl. ABS) - RSX3-1138
- SPAX · RSX569: SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Mazda MX 5 - Miata - Roadster (Excl. ABS) - RSX569
Before you order.
Identify your car
Identify the generation, engine, build date and original market.
Match the kit
Record the existing kit, upper mounts and whether the car has ABS.
Check what’s included
Match the exact part and configuration, including axle and market limits.
Check your modifications
Check wheel, tyre, body and suspension-arm clearance at the intended height.
Plan fitting
Agree the fitting parts, alignment and current supply timing before booking.
See what the adjustments do.
Choosing coilovers for road and track
Compare the kit against your roads, tyres and setup plans before counting adjusters.
Ride height and spring preload
Understand the two adjustments before choosing a lowering range.
What spring rate tells you
Compare force and movement, read the units and choose a spring with the damper in mind.
Spring rates and top mounts
Read the front/rear figures and check which mounts come with your kit.
Questions about Mazda MX‑5 NB coilovers.
Check the details before choosing your kit.
Does this guide cover the Mk2 and Mk2.5?
Yes. Both are part of the second-generation NB, with the Mk2.5 name commonly used in the UK for the facelift. Give us the engine, build date and original market when checking a kit. An edition name alone does not identify the suspension currently fitted.
Do the UK TEIN examples cover the 1.8 as well as the 1.6?
The current UK VSM40-C1SA1 FLEX Z and GSM40-71SS1 MONO SPORT listings specify NB6C 1600 cc. Other markets have their own NB or NB8C entries. Ask us to check a UK 1.8 or import separately before choosing either example.
Which SPAX kits exclude ABS?
RSX569 and RSX3-1138 list the 1998 to 2005 Roadster excluding ABS. Both quote 10 to 45 mm reductions at the front and rear. Match the car's actual equipment and the complete fitting conditions before ordering.
Are the NB's rear spring and damper separate?
The original NB rear spring sits around the damper in one assembly. Mazda's rear-suspension drawing shows its spring seats, upper mount, boot and bump stop. Check which pieces the chosen kit supplies or retains.
How much should I lower my NB?
Choose a working height within the selected kit's permitted range and check clearance on the actual car. The listed UK 1.6 TEIN examples recommend reductions of 10 to 30 mm front and 25 to 45 mm rear. Those figures do not transfer to every NB kit or market, and maximum mechanical adjustment is not a recommended running range.
What does the B16 PSS9 adjust?
The named 48-086097 kit has height adjustment and nine manual damping positions that change compression and rebound together. Its listed lowering range is 35 to 50 mm front and 35 to 45 mm rear, with maximum axle ratings of 655 and 665 kg respectively. Follow its exact instructions and check the vehicle plate.
What should I provide for a track or turbo build?
Include the exact car, original market, tyres and operating weight, plus engine and chassis modifications. Agree the springs, mounts, reservoir routing and adjuster access for that build. The supplier also needs to know about rollover equipment or substantial weight removal.
Let’s talk suspension.
Use the finder to identify your NB, then include the engine and original market. Tell us about ABS, the suspension already fitted and any wheel changes so we can check the selected part.