Headlights Improvements

[ElZoom]

Hello, I recently bought a 2011 M2.....Ive added a shorty antenna, Corksport rear torsion bar and Corksport front struts cross-brace bar.....The Corksport products as well as the people I spoke with are outstanding and I highly recommend them.....The question I have is if anyone has swapped out the stock headlight bulbs with any after market bulbs....I bought some Silverstar Ultras and am having some trouble finding an easy way to get to the stock ones.....Ive used some Silverstars in another car for 5 years now with zero issues or replacements.......Thank you for your time and hopefully some suggestions......

 

[Racebrewer]

Hi,

Contrary to the owners manual the headlight bulbs can be easily pulled from under the hood. Just follow the wires to the back of the bulbs. Its been a few months since I changed mine out, IIRC, there is a rubber boot and a wire bail that has to be moved out of place after the plug is pulled out.

I've also used Silverstars. There are brighter bulbs out there for the same or less money. The Silverstars rely upon a blue tint to make them appear brighter while they actually put out less light.

Take a look at: http://store.candlepower.com/64205.html

Those are a nice upgrade for not much $$$$$

John

 

[ElZoom]

Hi,

Contrary to the owners manual the headlight bulbs can be easily pulled from under the hood. Just follow the wires to the back of the bulbs. Its been a few months since I changed mine out, IIRC, there is a rubber boot and a wire bail that has to be moved out of place after the plug is pulled out.

I've also used Silverstars. There are brighter bulbs out there for the same or less money. The Silverstars rely upon a blue tint to make them appear brighter while they actually put out less light.

Take a look at: http://store.candlepower.com/64205.html

Those are a nice upgrade for not much $$$$$

John

......John, what bulbs do you recommend & how do I remove that wire bail ?

 

[Racebrewer]

Cut & Paste is my friend:

"Osram's 70/65W ultra high efficacy +50 H4 bulb, for motorcycles and special-service use, produces more light than any 60/55w bulb: 2000/1350 lumens, high/low beam. It is compatible with most stock wiring harnesses."

Wattage = Brightness

Filament placement accuracy (quality) controls the placement of the light produced.

Higher wattages (may) require heavier wire and added relays to get the most zip out of the bulbs.

Let me go check how the 'bail' works. Been a while since I changed the bulbs out.

John

 

[skullsroad]

The bulbs he recommended are great. Higher wattage means better output. The wattage isn't too aggressive and won't melt the wiring or housing but is brighter than stock. Don't waste your money on anything that can be bought at the local parts store or Wal-Mart.

Pull the rubber ring off the back of the assembly by pulling on the tab. Then pull the plug off the back. Try and push down on the bulb flange with your other hand so you don't yank the spring out. The only hard part is the side with the battery. I was able to fit my hand in there but people with sausage fingers will have to remove all the stuff on the drivers side.

 

[mazda2matt]

ill take some night pics iv upgraded to 10,000k H.I.Ds

 

[fam]

Did you change to a projector lens before going HID?

 

[mazda2matt]

no i just did the conversion but it is so much better in my opinion

 

[DarkSideMazda2]

aim it lower to reduce glare onto oncoming traffic...

10k huh? good luck seeing anything in the rain haha

 

[mazda2matt]

i see fine in the rain ha ha

 

[Chris_uk]

i installed 8,000 k hid conversion in both my old M2 ts2 and my current M2 sport, much better than the standard halogen in my opnion i found that for the passenger side (with battery and fuse box) removing the heatsheld ftom the bulb and getting it clipped in and then placing the rubber lug back on and then connecting the cable to the bulb and gently manouvering the bulb back into the heat sheild and locking it in place was far easier than trying to squeeze the whole bulb in 1 go

 

[skullsroad]

no i just did the conversion but it is so much better in my opinion

Ugh. Headlights are designed to be used a specific way. When you put HIDs in a halogen housing it creates way too much glare, so you're forced to aim them down, which defeats the purpose of upgrading headlights.

 

[DarkSideMazda2]

has anyone tried retrofitting the headlights? I know the JDM and UKDM versions come with projector headlights, but they're so freakin expensive..... maybe retrofit the projectors from a 3 or 6?

 

[astrob0y]

You can pop the Mini D2S Projectors in there from TRS, they are pretty much plug and play for The H4 headlights.

 

[ElZoom]

Based on great forum suggestions I bought some Osram Ralleys and they are Outstanding !

 

[x808x]

I run Osram Night Breaker Plus in all my rally cars.. I love them. They'll be going in the 2 very soon.