Folding Bikes - Will a Brompton fit into the boot of a Mazda MX5/Miata?

As some may know I have two 20” wheel folders which fit into my Toyota Hilux 4x4 without any problem. But I also own a 1991 limited edition Mazda MX5 (or Miata as it is known in the USA) a MK1 car with the pop up headlamps. I have searched the web but can’t find the answer to the question “will a Brompton fit into the boot (trunk) of this little sports car?

I know my 20” Dahon will not fit in the boot so I have to put the bike in the passenger seat if I need to drop the car off at the MX5 specialist for a service etc. and ride the 5 miles to the railway station. It would be so much better if I could fit a Brompton in the boot.... so does anyone know?

This is the car BTW:

the Brompton folds down to a package that measures 22" x 22" x 10".

Check that figure out. I believe it is published on the Brompton website.

If you can accommodate a package that size in your boot / trunk then it will fit.

no problem fitting my dahon in a mx 5 ( 99 10th ani edit lookalike)
thor

I'm pretty sure you can. It fits in my uncle's Z3.

I have a 1990 Miata and a Brompton. It's too much trouble to try to shoehorn it into the trunk. Since I usually drive alone, I just put it on the passenger seat and use the seatbelt to secure it.

I have a 1990 Miata and a Brompton. It's too much trouble to try to shoehorn it into the trunk. Since I usually drive alone, I just put it on the passenger seat and use the seatbelt to secure it.

Thanks for that, can I just clarify though. Are you saying that your Brompton will fit into the Miata trunk (and the lid will close) but it is just easier to put the bike into the passenger seat? Did you try with the space saver spare wheel still in the trunk or did you take it out first?
Regards,
Paul

Thanks Thor, I tried putting my MU SL in the trunk... no way, well not without removing the bike wheels first.

I know i used to have a picture .... let me try to find it .... lol

Thanks for that, can I just clarify though. Are you saying that your Brompton will fit into the Miata trunk (and the lid will close) but it is just easier to put the bike into the passenger seat? Did you try with the space saver spare wheel still in the trunk or did you take it out first?
Regards,
Paul

I spent some time trying to maneuver my Brompton into the trunk of my Miata. No way, not without taking out the mini-spare. Possibly (w/o removing the spare) if you deflate the tires and remove the saddle, but that pretty much defeats the convenience of having the Brompton. I'm not about to undertake that exercise.

Thanks Dorkypants,

That is exactly the info I need. I will take out the skinny spare and see if it will fit inside the car on the rear shelf. Another option would be to carry one of those cans of puncture repair and leave the spare tire at home when I need to drop the car at the garage. I know it is tempting fate (not having a spare) but I’ve not had a puncture in over eight years so it is a reasonable risk to take, plus I’m in the RAC if the worst happens.

I’ll be aiming towards a stripped-down Brompton without racks, guards or lighting etc so it should be as compact as possible. I’m really inspired by Littlepixels Mercton.:love:


Now I know that a Brompton will fit it gives me a good excuse to buy one. Just waiting for January to see the new releases from Brompton.

Thanks Dorkypants,

I know it is tempting fate (not having a spare) but I’ve not had a puncture in over eight years so it is a reasonable risk to take, plus I’m in the RAC if the worst happens.



Check of the RAC conditions of recovery. I've seen clauses saying that the driver must carry a serviceable spare wheel in the conditions of car recovery insurance. I'm with Direct Line and I have a feeling they say that along with insisting the car is serviced and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions.

Do you really want to have an object as heavy as a spare wheel in the passenger cabin with you?

No-one plans to have an accident (at least I hope not - there's certainly plenty out there looking for one) and something that heavy will wreak a lot of damage to soft squishy things inside the cabin including humans.

You may want to consider relocating the spare from the trunk to under the car. I know there are folks who have done this. When I used to own a Miata, before I got my Brompton, it was on my list of things to do. I sold the car before I got that far down the list.