2012+ mazda5 HID

[90210]

Had our mazda5 touring since new

Would like to update the headlights

Would like to go HID

Any recommendations ? Appreciate

 

[Secondtyme]

I would suggest getting the best quality kit you can find (TRS) a relay harness to power it (TRS) and see how you like the results of HID lamps in halogen projectors. I have been very happy with mine and I NEVER get high beamed by oncoming drivers. There are many, many people who will tell you that the only way to HID is a full retrofit, but I respectfully disagree. The headlights on the 5 seem to take to HID quite well. I do sometimes wish for a bit better beam spread and a sharper cut-off, but I'm not willing to go to the trouble of a full retrofit for those (relatively) small complaints. If you do decide to go full retro, I can't recommend TRS highly enough, they are the best in the business and they have the best customer service out there, up to and including walking you through your first retro over the phone. No I don't have a sponsorship LOL.... Be aware, if your 5 has DRLs they will have to be euthanized to allow the ballasts to survive, a small sacrifice for infinitely better lighting IMHO

 

[90210]

Thank you for the info

All or othe cars have factory hid and xenon

All I want is higher light output for very dark nights out in the desert
I have lived with oem headlight for 5 years and need to make a change

My car has no DRL

 

[silver sixcess]

How desolate are these desert roads? Maybe you could just mount an led light bar to your roof rack.

+1 on TRS and I also don't know if I think opening your headlights to do a retrofit is worth it.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[90210]

I don't run roof rack all year

Trs it is

 

[Secondtyme]

I went with 5000K temp and 55watt ballasts when I did mine. A few small points. I'm not really sure the extra money for the 55w ballast was needed. Make sure you replace your halogen high beam bulbs with something close to the HID in temperature because if the 2012 is anything like my 2006 the lows stay on when you activate the high beams and the difference in color between the two is a little jarring. Also reconcile yourself to the fact that the factory fog lights are really anemic/useless. I put LED bulbs in mine and use them as marker lights. My headlight housings show no ill affects from the HID (ie melting, fading, brown spots, etc) and they have been in there for nearly four years now. HTH and good luck!

 

[90210]

I will go with the 5000 and 35 then.

I think on all cars, low stays on, at night, when you use the high beam.

Agree fox lamps are useless.


Best place to buy from?
How difficult is install?

 

[Vasy]

I bought a mid-range eBay bulbs and had them for 3 years now with out issues.
I made sure I got the AC kit instead of the lower end DC crap. So far very happy with the light output and spread from the stock headlight.
In the how to section you can find links to the two wright-ups, it is an easy install.
1) http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123830419-How-To-install-HIDs-in-a-2012-Mazda5
2) http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...and-comparison-to-stock&p=6330345#post6330345
For even cleaner look you can probably remove the headlights and mount the balast to the bottom of the light, but I could not have been bothered.

 

[avidballer]

HID Xenon Kits are highly recommended.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Ah, when this place was full of hands on folks.

Retrofit a pair of OSRAM (German made ones) H9s in place of the H11 for budget (but still substantial) improvements or Morimoto HIDs and re-aim it a tad lower or as necessary.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...wall-amp-lux-comparison-LED-H11-LL-H11-100-H9

while you are at it, retro fit some more OSRAM H9 bulbs into the fogs. These Japanese made fog light reflectors suck (but they are not intended to light up the road) but if you squeeze in more candela, you get more candela. Its not the perfect solution but every little bit helps. No blinding but please use fogs responsibly.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123838609-Fog-Light-Output

 

[90210]

Thank you kindly sir !!!