The FD center console is a wibbly wobbly sad bit of crap. Yes I know Mazda saved weight and money, and old plastic is brittle and soft at the same time. But every time I put weight on it I feel the cheapness. I feel the crappiness. My passengers put an arm on it, and then look at me, and I feel sadness, regret, a slight tinge of depression. As these cars move up in value, this is the kind of thing we need a fix for. Singer Porsche would fix this ASAP.

Who makes a nice firm replacement?

I know Bubble Tech makes a foam support, how much does that help?

Evo R has a carbon replacement. Anyone have experience with it? How much firmer is it? Does it will rely on the crappy clips to keep the shifter surround in place?

I would pay good money for a FIRM full replacement, with screws to fix it all together. Does anything like this exist? Does anyone feel like producing one?

 

My arm is always on the armrest and I don't have any issue, how much weight are you putting on the console and are all the clips intact? My FD console feel solid, probably more sturdy than the MX-6 console that I daily for 16 years, that thing is so lose even without any broken clips, but it is a piece that wasn't meant to have too much weight put on it for extended period of time.

 

But that's the issue. It's a crap part even in great condition. Modern cars have sturdy parts, I don't want "good enough". I want 2x as good, this is 2021. Tons of parts are twice as good now, why not this one?

 

I was referring to the MX-6 one, my FD one is solid, unless you sit on it then it’s a different story…

 

Perhaps we have a different definition of solid?

I do have a short center console, meant to be used with rear seats. Perhaps that's why it isn't as solid as yours, less mounting points

 

Possible, not sure how much support the short one has. I compare to the MX-6 console because that one shifts a little if I hit it with my elbow, or put my weight on it to try to reach something in the back seat. It basically sits on the floor and only hold down by 2 Philips screws, so maybe similar to the FD console with back seat?

 

you can get a pad that goes under that supports quite a bit of weight put on it. think its bubbletech that makes it

 

I've seen the bubble tech pad, it's on my list, also need to get a side pocket cover. But, I would ideally like a stronger full replacement. Putting pads and bandaids on things is OK but not what I'm after.

Looks like EVO-R makes a full carbon replacement, has anyone tried it?

 

I don't think the issue is at the console structure, it's fine for it is made for, which is to rest your arms and hold up a few switches. If you are using it for other purposes like to support a person's weight to get in and out of the vehicle, then you'll have to reinforce the support points. I wouldn't call it a band-aids, as that is not what it was intended to do.

You actually got me curious on this, so I went to look at the car, I can shake the console with both hands and it barely budge.

 

If you have th e shorter RHD lower portion, the LHD top portion will not fit properly on it.

it will rock...a lot.

Unfortunately a new LHD longer lower bit costs a fortune and any used ones will likely need some substantial repair with fibreglase or JB weld.

The shorter RHD lower portion gives room for you to put your hand on the exposed tunnel section behind it.....if you dive into you car like I do.

I.e. never put weight on the center counsel when climbing in.

Get antisqueak tape, foam pipe insulation tape and go to town on your entire interior. Much of the noise suppression measures wear out or get removed over time. Redoing all these soundproofing measures will help make the car more like showroom.

The metal hangers for the door card are very big culprets for rattling. The insulation foam for those is likely dust by now.

For enjoyment of the car, reserving funds for a serious refurbishment of the interior should be a priority.

My car cruises as nicely as my G6 GT.

(softer suspension option, OEM muffler, 16 inch - light weight- wheels and 225/16 x 50 tires, underinflated slightly)

[Hint: if you are missing the wedge clips underneath, perhaps look lower down on the carpet, where they may have fallen.]

[Hint #2 you can get high density foam from a foam shop and build up support under the arm rest. I suspect the bubbletech foam is designed for LHD.]

 

I have a RHD car, all RHD parts, I live in Thailand. The center console is the short version, with buckets in the back added by a previous owner at some point. Maybe I need to hold out and find a full-length console. The buckets and console are rather rare in Asia, vast majority of cars came with rear seats.

Perhaps the plastic is just lighter and weaker, it is a '97 I've heard there's a difference in quality when Mazda cut costs.

High density foam is an option, so is coating the entire interior in carbon cloth. I actually have a bit left over from a previous project, this might be the best interim solution.

 

I have not seen a long version for RHD. LHD long version will not work.

LHD top will not match the HVAC panel.

As far as I have seen, even JDM cars with "bins" have the short RHD lower portion (i.e. Spirit R).

I have a Series 8. The plastics are similar. if not better. The big change came early when Mazda went from the smooth lacquer surface to the textured.
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If you are in Thailand, look out for a a set of 2001 Type R, Bathurst R, interior plastics to surface. These were factory CF replica pieces.

I am installing a set in my car at the moment, with good effect.

 

Very interesting, I had no idea there wasn't a RHD long version. I might have to look into making one, people here love USDM parts.

I'm not really a fan of the carbon interior look, and the car is plenty loud without more sound reflective surfaces. Aliexpress has all the carbon bits for ok prices and fitment has been decent on the Ducati carbon parts I've ordered. It's all the same stuff anyway without a manufacturers sticker.

The weakest part is the U connection that bolts to the trans tunnel. When I move the console with the shifter surround removed I can see it flex. Reinforce that, maybe add a spacer along the bottom as well so it seals against the tunnel. I see this parts as the weakest interior part with the most potential to gain from a redesign

 

My center console actually had a crack on the underside where the arm went. It wasn't visible from the top but you could feel it if you pushed on it. I bought some 2 part plastic epoxy and filled in all the webbing on the underside. It feels very solid now.

 

[QUOTE=mr2peak;12484500]

I'm not really a fan of the carbon interior look, and the car is plenty loud without more sound reflective surfaces. Aliexpress has all the carbon bits for ok prices and fitment has been decent on the Ducati carbon parts I've ordered. It's all the same stuff anyway without a manufacturers sticker.]

Haha! I just finished having my Bathurst R CF interior set put in and switched in the Mazdaspeed option muffler for my (beat up) OEM unit.

The car was exceedingly quiet and smooth cruising home on the back country roads.

(I also have the Bathurst R shocks and Tein S tech springs).

I have dynamac foam backed sound proofing pad and one OEM carpet and one "Girasak special" plush carpet in the hatch.

And Recaro SR series seats that are very plush.

Perhaps your car is missing some of the factory soundproofing.

Removing the back seats allows a lot of road noise to come in, for instance. As does removing he trunk plastic sidewalls.

I had the radio off so I could hear the motor whirring and surging under throttle , except at 120 kmph , the Mazdaspeed muffler went very quiet.

It really pays to hunt down and put to rest any and all rattles and squeaks.

The car will seem reborn.

 

It's missing pretty much all the sound deadening. It was completely stripped and repainted before the re-a kit was put on. Strategic sound deadening and heat shielding is already planned. 3" catless isn't quiet, but that's the nature of these cars

 

Wow! Fantastic!

 

Would anyone know where to find a new rhd center console? My old reliable Nengun and Rhd Japan do not have them. What’s worse is that Nengun says it’s discontinued so know I’m really screwed.

 

What pieces do you need exactly?

 

A rear rhd center console. The short one I guess. Plus the inner triangle trim on the door but I think those are discontinued

 

I would suggest just getting the bubbletech part. Before Benny started making those I reinforced the underside of mine with fiberglass and got a piece of stiff foam that does the same as his, and it's a night and day difference. I put my weight on that part when I'm getting into and out of the car, and that foam helps out tremendously. My old center was cracked there too, so I bought a good used center console and did the fiberglass and foam on that one. But Benny's piece of foam should work wonders. I have no qualms about putting my weight on it now.

 

I have that foam piece on my list too but its been out of stock forever...

 

For the time being you could get a piece of foam like I did. Crafts stores like Michael's or Hobby Lobby should have something.

 

Shotime on Ebay has restocked the inner door "sails" small and large. Including the elusive left side small sail.

They also sell the upper part of the RHD centre console.

 

This looks like somethin we are calling for;

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/f1016034216

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/v1010891006

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/1013231275?conversionType=search_suggest_history

This is not an endorsement of this seller or products. Just for reference.