What is a MX-5 SE anyway?

 

The Mazda MX5 has won multiple awards the most coveted being the best selling convertible two seater sports car in the world with over one million units produced. The MX-5 SE represents an extremely small percentage of that total so it is obviously rare and that figure is magnified in Australia where only 474 units total were sold.

So what makes a MX5 SE different from a regular MX5 ?
 
All MX-5 SEs came with the following features that a regular MX-5 did not:

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Mechanicl Features

IHI single-scroll turbocharger
Denso air-to-air intercooler
Larger Oil Cooler
Modified combustion chambers, reshaped pistons
6-speed manual overdrive transmission with short throw shifter and gear shot-peened shaft and gears
Stronger pressure plate & disc for clutch 
Bosch torque sensing limited slip rear differential
Optimized steering rack stroke (reduced from 60.5mm to 53.2mm)
Suspension was dropped 7mm in ride height through the use of red painted, shorter springs with higher spring rates
Gas filled Bilstein® shock absorbers with revised valving (painted silver)
Larger front and rear stabilizer bars (painted red)
Front suspension tower brace (painted silver)
Larger radiator with increased core volume  (increased from 6.0 l to 6.2 l)
Antilock Brake System silver painted brake calipers
Toyo Proxes R28 205/40R17 80W rated tires
Lightweight oil dipstick

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Exterior Features (click for pics)

• Red wrinkle finish on the engine valve cover

• 17 inch Racing Hart aluminium alloy wheels

• Smoked headlamps

• Front under spoiler with recessed fog lamps

• Rear diffuser

• Rear deck spoiler

• Exhaust tip with MAZDASPEED logo

 

Interior Features (click for pics)

• Black cloth-trimmed upholstery with red centre inserts, red door inserts (2004 models only)

• Leather wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle with red stitching

• Centre panel and shift plate bezel with unique curlfit finish

• Silver instrument panel meter gauges with a 6500 RPM Redline tachometer

• Alloy foot pedals and driver's alloy foot rest 

• Stainless steel scuff plates with MX5 logo

• Carpeted floor mats with MX5 logo

 

Options:

Black leather-trimmed upholstery with red stitching (deleted red door inserts) was the primary factory option available known as the GT Package in the USA.

Likewise Air Conditioning and Cruise Control were factory options in the USA but not available in Australia. However, buyers could have these options installed by the Dealer and several did.

 

There were other lesser known options listed below:

Black soft tonneau cockpit cover

Door edge guards

Chrome-plated fuel door

Windshield sunshield

Cargo net

Antitheft perimeter alarm

Some Dealer installed accessories were also available

 

Colours Available were:

• Sunlight Silver

• Titanium Grey Metallic

• Velocity Red Mica 

 

2005 MX-5 SE Variations:

• 17 inch Racing Hart aluminum alloy wheels (slightly different than 2004 model)

• Switchblade style keyfob

 

Colours Available were:

• Black Pearl

• Sunlight Silver

• Titanium Grey Metallic

• Velocity Red Mica 

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Variances in New Zealand vehicles:

​Although referred to as the MX-5 Turbo in New Zealand there were no emblems used.

There was no SE badge on rear of car.

There was no Leather option offered for the interior

 

Colours Available were:

• Sunlight Silver

• Titanium Grey Metallic

• Velocity Red Mica 

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