Best MX-5 Coilovers: Top 10 for NA, NB, NC and ND (2026)

Why Coilovers Are the Best Upgrade You Can Make to an MX-5

Ask any MX-5 owner what the single best modification they've ever made is, and the answer is almost always the same: coilovers. Not because they make the car dramatically faster in a straight line — they don't — but because they transform what the MX-5 already does brilliantly. The handling, the balance, the feel through your hands and seat — all of it sharpens up in a way that no other single modification can match.

The MX-5 — sold as the Miata in the US and the Roadster in Japan — is already one of the finest handling cars ever built. But the factory suspension is a compromise. It's tuned to be comfortable enough for daily driving, compliant enough for poor road surfaces, and quiet enough that it doesn't upset non-enthusiast buyers. For those of us who want more, there's a massive world of coilover options across every generation of MX-5.

Whether you're building a dedicated track weapon, a low and aggressive street car, or simply want better handling without sacrificing daily comfort, this guide covers the best coilover options for every MX-5 generation — the NA (1989-1997), NB (1998-2005), NC (2006-2015), and ND (2016-present) — across every budget level.

As we've covered extensively in our complete MX-5 modification guide, the suspension setup is the foundation every other modification is built on. Get this right first, and everything else follows.

What You'll Learn:

• Top 10 coilover kits across all MX-5 generations
• How to choose between street, track, and budget options
• What to look for in a quality coilover
• Installation tips and setup advice
• Alignment recommendations after fitting

What to Look for in MX-5 Coilovers

Before we get into specific recommendations, it's worth understanding what separates a great coilover from a cheap one — because the MX-5 market is absolutely flooded with budget options that look the part but deliver disappointing results.

Damper Quality

The damper (shock absorber) is the heart of any coilover. Quality dampers use precision-machined internals, quality seals, and carefully developed valving that controls how quickly the damper responds to suspension movement. Cheap dampers use coarse valving, poor seals that leak after a year, and internals that wear rapidly.

What to look for: Monotube or twin-tube construction (both work well when properly designed), adjustable damping, and a manufacturer with a proven track record in motorsport or performance applications.

Spring Rate

Spring rate determines how stiff the suspension feels and how much body roll you experience. For the MX-5, you're typically looking at:

• Street use: 4-6 kg/mm front, 3-5 kg/mm rear
• Track/fast road: 6-10 kg/mm front, 5-8 kg/mm rear
• Full track/race: 10+ kg/mm front, 8+ kg/mm rear

Higher isn't always better. An overly stiff spring on a lightweight MX-5 on bumpy UK roads will make the car dart and skip, reducing both comfort and grip.

Ride Height Adjustment

A good coilover should offer at least 30-50mm of ride height adjustment. Be wary of kits that only adjust spring perch height without moving the damper body — these can put dampers into bind at low ride heights, killing handling and longevity.

Camber Adjustment

Many quality coilovers offer camber adjustment at the top mount. For track use especially, this is invaluable — negative camber improves cornering grip significantly. For street use, standard top mounts are usually fine, but aftermarket adjustable top mounts are a worthwhile addition.

As we detail in our wheel alignment guide, getting alignment right after fitting coilovers is absolutely essential — the best suspension in the world is wasted with incorrect geometry.

Top 10 MX-5 Coilovers: Our Recommendations

1. Ohlins Road & Track — Best Overall (All Generations)

Price: £1,800-2,400
Best for: Serious street and occasional track use
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

If money is no object and you want the absolute best road-going coilover available for the MX-5, Ohlins Road & Track is the answer. Swedish-engineered, motorsport-proven, and hand-built to a standard that makes every other coilover feel like a compromise.

The Road & Track uses Ohlins' DFV (Dual Flow Valve) technology, which provides separate compression and rebound circuits within a single monotube design. The result is a suspension that can be soft enough for comfortable daily driving on rough roads while remaining composed and controlled on track. It's genuinely the best of both worlds — and it's the only coilover that truly delivers on that promise.

Adjustability is excellent: 40 clicks of damping adjustment from full soft to full firm, with a ride height range that suits everything from mild street use to aggressive track setups. The build quality is extraordinary — these are the same dampers Ohlins builds for World Rally Championship and Formula 3 teams, adapted for road use.

The verdict: The benchmark. If you're building a serious MX-5 and you can stretch to the price, there's nothing better. We've seen countless MX-5 builds featured on Stance Auto Magazine running Ohlins, and every single owner reports the same thing: worth every penny.

2. Bilstein PSS10 — Best Street/Track Balance

Price: £1,200-1,600
Best for: Fast road and occasional track
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

Bilstein's PSS10 is the coilover we recommend most often for MX-5 owners who want excellent performance without Ohlins pricing. Built around Bilstein's legendary monotube damper technology — the same fundamental design used in their OEM applications for Porsche and BMW — the PSS10 delivers exceptional damping consistency and longevity.

Ten-way damping adjustment gives you a useful range from comfortable daily driving to properly firm track setups. Ride height adjustment is smooth and predictable. And crucially, Bilstein's valving is specifically developed for each car application rather than being a universal compromise — the MX-5 PSS10 is tuned for MX-5 characteristics.

The PSS10 is particularly impressive on the NA and NB generations, transforming the already excellent handling into something genuinely special. On the ND, which already has sophisticated factory suspension, the improvement is more subtle but still worthwhile — sharper turn-in, less body roll, and better composure at the limit.

The verdict: The sensible enthusiast's choice. Outstanding performance, proven reliability, and a price that doesn't require a second mortgage.

3. Tein Flex Z — Best Mid-Range Option

Price: £600-900
Best for: Street use with occasional track days
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

Tein's Flex Z is the coilover that genuinely punches above its price point. Japanese-engineered and manufactured to a quality standard significantly above what you'd expect at this price, the Flex Z offers 16-way damping adjustment, EDFC (Electronic Damping Force Controller) compatibility, and a build quality that gives budget-conscious MX-5 owners no reason to compromise.

The damping range is genuinely useful — soft enough for comfortable daily driving, firm enough for decent track performance. Spring rates are appropriate for road use and light track work, though dedicated track drivers will likely want stiffer springs eventually.

Where the Flex Z excels is longevity. Many owners are still running their original Flex Z kits after 50,000+ miles with no issues. The seals hold, the adjustment doesn't seize, and the performance doesn't dramatically drop off. This is rare at this price point.

For more suspension setup tips and how coilovers interact with other modifications, check out our track day preparation guide — it covers everything from suspension setup to brake preparation.

The verdict: The smart mid-range choice. Excellent build quality, useful adjustability, and a price that leaves budget for other modifications.

4. BC Racing BR Series — Best Budget Performance

Price: £450-650
Best for: Street use, stance, budget track work
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

BC Racing has become the go-to recommendation for budget-conscious MX-5 builders, and for good reason. At under £500, the BR Series offers 30-way damping adjustment, ride height adjustment, and build quality that's genuinely acceptable for street use and occasional track days.

Be clear about what BC Racing is and isn't. It isn't Ohlins or Bilstein — the damping isn't as refined, the valving isn't as carefully developed, and longevity on track is limited. But for an MX-5 that's primarily street-driven and occasionally taken to a track day, the BC Racing delivers real improvements at a price that makes sense.

The huge range of compatibility and the wide adjustment range make BC Racing particularly popular for stance builds — the ride height adjustment is generous, and the low pricing means you're not worrying about damaging expensive components when you're running aggressive angles.

The verdict: The best option if budget is the primary concern. Expect to rebuild or replace after heavy track use, but for street driving, the value is excellent.

5. Stance XA — Best for Stance Builds

Price: £500-700
Best for: Stance and street use
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

If your priority is stance — maximum visual impact, aggressive ride height, and the right look at shows and meets — Stance Suspension's XA series is built specifically for you. Excellent ride height adjustment range (more than most competitors), decent build quality, and a price that won't hurt when you inevitably scrape a speed bump.

The XA isn't a track coilover and doesn't pretend to be. At very low ride heights, handling is compromised. But on the street, where the visual impact matters most, the XA delivers exactly what stance builders need.

The verdict: Purpose-built for stance. Don't track it hard, but for street presence, it's excellent value.

6. Meister R Clubsport — Best Track-Focused Option

Price: £1,400-1,800
Best for: Regular track use
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

Meister R isn't a household name like Ohlins or Bilstein, but among serious MX-5 track drivers, these Japanese-built coilovers have developed an outstanding reputation. The Clubsport uses high-quality monotube construction, offers both rebound and compression adjustment separately, and is built to withstand regular track abuse that would destroy budget options quickly.

Spring rates are available in a wide range to suit everything from fast road to full race applications. The build quality is exceptional — these are hand-assembled in Japan to motorsport standards.

The verdict: The serious track driver's choice if Ohlins pricing is out of reach. Outstanding quality and longevity under track conditions.

7. KW Variant 3 — Best for Daily Driven NA/NB

Price: £1,500-2,000
Best for: Daily driving with weekend performance
Compatibility: NA, NB (primarily)

KW's Variant 3 is particularly well-suited to older MX-5 generations where ride quality matters alongside performance. The independent compression and rebound adjustment allows fine-tuning that cheaper coilovers simply can't offer — you can have a softer compression setting for road comfort while maintaining firm rebound control for body roll reduction.

German-engineered and manufactured, the Variant 3 is exceptionally well-built and reliable. Seals last, adjusters don't seize, and the performance remains consistent over thousands of miles.

The verdict: Outstanding for NA and NB owners who want the best daily driving experience alongside genuine performance capability.

8. Cusco Street Zero A — Best JDM Option

Price: £700-950
Best for: Street and light track
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

Cusco needs no introduction to the JDM tuning community — they've been building performance parts for Japanese cars since 1972 and have a genuine motorsport pedigree. The Street Zero A is their road-focused coilover for the MX-5, and it shows all the hallmarks of a company that understands how Japanese sports cars should feel.

The damping is Japanese in character — more compliant and forgiving than European alternatives at the same price point, but with excellent body roll control and sharp turn-in response. 16-way adjustment gives a useful range, and build quality is excellent throughout.

As covered in our JDM modification parts guide, Japanese brands like Cusco often offer better value than European equivalents when it comes to Japanese platforms. The engineers actually understand the cars.

The verdict: Excellent for fans of Japanese brands and JDM builds. Superb quality at a mid-range price.

9. Fortune Auto 500 Series — Best for Track Day Regulars

Price: £1,100-1,500
Best for: Regular track use
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

Fortune Auto is one of the best-kept secrets in the coilover world. American-made (actually manufactured in the US, not just assembled there), the 500 Series uses high-quality monotube construction with separate rebound adjustment and offers an exceptional range of spring rate options.

What sets Fortune Auto apart is their custom build service — you can specify spring rates, damping characteristics, and even valving preferences when ordering. For track-focused MX-5 builds, this level of customisation at this price point is unmatched.

The verdict: Outstanding value for track-focused builds. The custom options make these particularly compelling for those with specific setup requirements.

10. Godspeed MonoSS — Best Entry-Level Option

Price: £250-380
Best for: Budget builds, street use
Compatibility: NA, NB, NC, ND

We include the Godspeed MonoSS with a clear caveat: this is an entry-level product and performs like one. The build quality is adequate, the adjustment works, and you will feel an improvement over worn stock suspension. But compared to everything else on this list, the MonoSS is notably inferior in damping consistency, longevity, and feel.

However, if your budget is strictly limited and you're choosing between worn stock suspension and affordable coilovers, the Godspeed is worth considering for a street-only, non-tracked MX-5. Just don't expect it to last beyond 30,000 miles or survive regular track use.

The verdict: Only if budget absolutely demands it. Save up for BC Racing if at all possible.

1993 Supercharged Mazda Miata: Crafting a Dream Roadster

Generation-Specific Recommendations

NA MX-5 (1989-1997): Best Picks

The NA is the most raw and analog of the four generations. It responds most dramatically to suspension upgrades because the stock setup is the most dated.

• Best overall: Ohlins Road & Track or KW Variant 3
• Best value: Tein Flex Z
• Best budget: BC Racing BR

Key note: NA front hubs are smaller and require NA-specific kits. Always verify compatibility before ordering.

NB MX-5 (1998-2005): Best Picks

Very similar to NA mechanically, the NB benefits from the same coilover upgrades with slightly better factory geometry to build from.

• Best overall: Bilstein PSS10 or Ohlins Road & Track
• Best value: Tein Flex Z or Cusco Street Zero A
• Best budget: BC Racing BR

NC MX-5 (2006-2015): Best Picks

The NC is heavier and more softly sprung than its predecessors. Coilovers make a more dramatic improvement here because the factory suspension is particularly compromised for comfort.

• Best overall: Ohlins Road & Track
• Best value: Tein Flex Z or Fortune Auto 500
• Best budget: BC Racing BR

Key note: NC requires slightly higher spring rates than NA/NB due to increased weight.

ND MX-5 (2016-Present): Best Picks

The ND has the most sophisticated factory suspension of the four generations. Coilover improvements are more subtle, but still worthwhile for track and performance use.

• Best overall: Ohlins Road & Track or Meister R Clubsport
• Best value: Tein Flex Z or BC Racing BR
• Best budget: BC Racing BR

Key note: ND is particularly sensitive to alignment changes after coilover fitting. A four-wheel alignment is essential.

Mazda MX-5: The Ultimate Roadster

Installation Tips and Setup Advice

Setting Ride Height

Start conservatively — lower than standard is better for handling up to a point, after which you're compromising geometry and bottoming out on bumps. A good starting point:

• Street: 20-30mm lower than stock
• Fast road: 30-40mm lower than stock
• Track: 40-50mm lower, then adjust based on setup

Damping Settings

Start in the middle of the adjustment range and adjust from there. Add compression stiffness if the car feels too soft over bumps. Add rebound stiffness if the car bounces after bumps. Soften compression if the car feels harsh over road imperfections.

Alignment After Fitting

This is not optional. After fitting any coilover, a full four-wheel alignment is essential. Without correct alignment, even the best coilovers will make the car handle worse, not better, and will destroy your tires.

Target settings for street/fast road use:

• Front camber: -1.0° to -1.5°
• Rear camber: -1.0° to -1.5°
• Front toe: 0° to 0.1° toe-out
• Rear toe: 0.1° to 0.2° toe-in

For full track setup recommendations, our track day car setup guide covers alignment, spring rates, and corner weighting in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do coilovers void my MX-5's warranty?

On a new ND, fitting aftermarket suspension can void the suspension-related warranty. On older cars, warranties are generally not a concern. Check with your dealer before fitting on a car still under manufacturer warranty.

Q2: Can I fit coilovers myself?

Yes, with basic mechanical knowledge and tools. You'll need spring compressors (hire or buy), standard socket sets, and torque wrench. The MX-5's simple suspension design makes it more straightforward than most cars. Budget 4-6 hours for a first-time fitting.

Q3: How low should I go?

For street use, 25-35mm lower than stock is the sweet spot — low enough to look purposeful, high enough to maintain geometry and avoid constant bottoming. For track use, as low as geometry allows while maintaining full suspension travel.

Q4: Do I need new springs with coilovers?

No — coilovers include springs as part of the kit. However, many owners upgrade to different spring rates after initial setup, particularly for track use.

Q5: How long do coilovers last?

Quality coilovers (Ohlins, Bilstein, KW) last 50,000-100,000+ miles on the street. Budget options may need rebuilding or replacing after 30,000 miles. Track use significantly reduces lifespan regardless of brand.

Q6: What's the difference between coilovers and lowering springs?

Lowering springs replace only the spring, keeping stock dampers. Coilovers replace both the spring and damper as a complete unit. Coilovers offer far more adjustability and typically much better performance — lowering springs on worn stock dampers is a false economy for any performance-focused MX-5.

Q7: Should I buy used coilovers?

Quality used coilovers (Ohlins, Bilstein, KW) can be excellent value if they've been properly maintained. Budget used coilovers are usually not worth the risk — worn seals and damaged internals are common. Always ask about service history and inspect carefully before buying.

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Got a build on a budget? We want to see it. Submit your story to Stance Auto Magazine, and you could be the next featured owner showing the world how to do it right—without breaking the bank.

And hey, don’t forget to tag us on socials. Use #stanceautomag on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook so we can see (and maybe feature) your ride.

Test Your JDM Car Knowledge and Take Our No. 1 JDM Car Quiz

Order Your Stance Auto Car Magazines From Our Amazon Book Store

Test Your Automotive Knowledge and Take Our No. 1 Car Quiz

Get Noticed Use our Hashtags - #stanceauto #stanceautomag #stanceautomagazine #modifiedcarmagazine

UKTM no: UK00003572459