Night vision...

[Don Phil]

... is shocking with these rubbish lights!!!

I'd love some brighter bulbs in the headlights, but whats all this business about sealed units and messing about, is there no way of just replacing the bulb!? Whats the best, most cost effective (from yorkshire... ) and overall easiest solution?

Cheers

[dylan0451]

eunos import cars have sealed units which you have to chuck when the bulb goes - you can buy headlights with replaceable bulbs fairy cheap. there are some 'high output' headlights+ bulbs available from mx5parts. also piaa do some super duper 200% more light, light bulbs but they're about £50 a pair, and i assume don't last as long as standard ones

[DennisTheMenace]

If you have sealed beams on an import you will need new lights . free form reflectors are best (clear lense and shaped reflector bowl) and a decent set of bulbs , or if you want a bi xennon hid kit , 4300k for best lighting.

[dylan0451]

i thought they're not road legal though?

[Don Phil]

something like this : http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

and maybe push the boat out and get some nice bright xenons: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-MX5-89-99-XENON-FOG-HI...

Thoughts?

[hornetrider]

I used to have Raybrigs on mine - night into day!

[Oldandslow]

Sealed units can be replaced with any std 7" Lucas type light. Raybrigs are considered the Mutts nuts but any of them with a set of halogens will be way, way, way better than the piss poor yellow glow from the sealed units.

[bluetone]

This old chestnut!

Yes I think Raybrigs are the way to go; you can do a HID conversion but you run the risk of getting pulled and possibly failing a MOT as the light units are inappropriate/illegal. HIDs need the correct (projector?) type lenses and self-levelling to be legal

[bluetone]

Don Phil said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-MX5-89-99-XENON-FOG-HI...

Thoughts?

That link made me laugh - they're just 'bright' (honest guv) bulbs "with a distinctive tint to give your car that modern HID look without any of the cost". LOL.

Proper HIDs have ballasts etc and cost quite a bit more than these 'Xenons'.

I converted the headlights on my old 4.2 A6 Quattro to HIDs - they were a factory option on the car so at least the lamps were the correct projector design. The A6s lights were like having candles in jamjars nailed to the bumper = even worse than the '5!

[tuttle]

Just my 2p worth. I did a budget headlight upgrade in Oct, it might not be quite up to the Raybriggs level but it certainly has improved night driving vision significantly.

I used mx5 parts 7" wipac units, £24.00 each but currently on sale IIRC at £15.00 each & a pair of Osram night breakers £17.00 from ebay. Swap over was simple took 30 mins. Very happy with results.

Edited by tuttle on Tuesday 19th January 09:28

[Munter]

I've done a budget upgrade every few weeks. Give them a good clean. Even folded down they get road dust and crud all over them. In this weather it's far worse.

Though mine are the UK H4 bulb version not sealed units. But when they are dirty they are rubbish.

[snotrag]

Munter said:

Give them a good clean.

This!

The main reason peoples Mk1 headlights are rubbish, is because they dissapear when your not sat in the driving seat, and people never clean them!

I often forget, and then find myself pulling over to a layby, quick wipe with a rag and its like having twice the wattage!

[bluetone]

^^^^

The amount of filth they covered with when the roads (esp. motorway) are gritted is unbelievable. Not helped by the lenses being vertical of course..

[dylan0451]

i hear that the problem with these raybrigs is that production ceased some years back. so the only ones available will be either second hand or old stock, and i assume getting a replacement will be nigh on impossible - you'll have to buy another pair, if you can ever find them

Glad of the thread Don, i was looking at getting these:

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

a while back, and just checked back and they're now 40% off special offer till friday

twinned with:

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

i think they sound like the best lighting investment ever!

[tuttle]

dylan0451 said:

Glad of the thread Don, i was looking at getting these:

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

a while back, and just checked back and they're now 40% off special offer till friday

Those are the ones I now have, & twinned with some decent bulbs make for greatly improved lighting, the bulbs that come with these units are not good btw.

[dylan0451]

i'm hoping mx5parts will do me a deal re. replacing the standard H4's for the bulbs i listed. not holding my breath though

[MX-5 Lazza]

Not sure but I believe they are the same size & fitment as those fitted to the classic mini. That must open up a whole load of options assuming companies are still making aftermarket headlights for minis...

[snotrag]

They are a bog standard 7" lamp.

Pretty much anything old and British with round headlights will use the same style!

[J-Tuner]

I recently fitted some awesome Osram nightbreakers (+90%) in mine from these guys for £17 odd:

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk

I got some free 501 sidelights that look a lot more whiter than usual and a free led light thats got a sensor on it which might be useful in a garage... bit of a bargain if you ask me!

Edited by J-Tuner on Tuesday 19th January 17:12

[MX-5 Lazza]

J-Tuner said:

I recently fitted some awesome Osram nightbreakers (+90%) in mine from these guys for £17 odd: http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk

Me too but you can only fit them if you don't have sealed beam headlights