Need Nice Bulbs....

[jeffmsp]

hey guys,

the lights on my mazdaspeed suck. I cant see anything at night without the highbeams on and they just dont seem bright to me, really dull kinda. I am looking to spend around $50-$100 max on a new set of lightbulbs, what can you guys reccommend to look at? What has worked well for you? Links? There are tons and tons of different choices, I dont wanna waste anymore more on thing like this so I figured it would be better to ask first lol

Thanks for your time, Jeff

 

[mspdfreak]

Silvania Silverstars. Available at Walmart or Autozone for $37+tax. MUCH better than stock!

 

[jeffmsp]

do they match the stock msp fog lights?

 

[brianseto]

No, they don't match...the silverstars are much whiter/brighter than the stock fogs.

I ended up buying the Silverstar fogs and headlights. Cost $60 for all 4 at Autozone. As a matter of fact, one of my headlights went last week and I bought another pair of em. Autozone is running a buy one get one deal on the silverstars...so I got the pair for $30, and there's a $5 rebate (which I'm probably going to forget to send in).

The Headlights are H3's I believe, and the foglights are H7's.

Gotta say, the foglights were more difficult to change out than I thought they would be....but I'm mechanically disinclined, so what do I know? I eventually got them in, though.

Once all four lights are in, though, they look pretty damn nice. Especially since I have the black...with the bright white lights, it's a great contrast. For $60.00, you have increased visibility, and hey...they look sweet.

Brian

 

[boomergt]

I currently have the silverstar's. I bought them from Pepboys for $12 on an AD error.
I really like the bulbs, but one thing I noticed lately is that they are starting to flicker real bad. I have had the silverstar's for about a year now. Great bulbs overall.

I went to powerbulbs.com and purchased a set of Osram Silver Star for 27.95 shipped.
Just to see how they are!!

Here is a pic of the silverstars. Just to give you an idea!
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/632942/4

 

[t3ase]

Headlights are H4 (aka 9003), not H3.

 

[jeffmsp]

thanks for all the info guys, now Im gonna go get a set hehhe (cool)

 

[boomergt]

Well what luck on my way home tonight one of my Silverstar's burnt out... Good thing I have another set of bulbs on the way.

 

[Puckpimp71]

I've got Osrams on the MSP and Sylvanias on the SHO. I'd get the Osrams over the Sylvanias any day. They were about $10 cheaper from www.powerbulbs.com (free shipping) plus they threw in white side markers for free and 10% of my next purchase, good for a month. The only downside was 10 days to ship from the UK, but financially and performance wise, it was totally worth it.

 

[njaremka]

I suggest a good headlight alignment. I have never had a problem seeing at night with my lowly stock headlights. And dispite what the package says, those other bulbs are no brighter.

 

[Chewbacca]

I've always liked the MSP's stock lights... they light up the road really well. The whiter bulbs definitely look nicer from the outside, but for visibility, I think the MSP lights are great.

Despite this, though, I still want whiter bulbs... hehe... What can I say? I'm a sucker for looks. But for those of you guys who've changed the fog light bulbs (H3 bulbs, I think), did you have to take off the bumper to get to it?

I haven't really tried taking apart the fog light assembly yet, but I just jacked up the car and looked under the bumper to see how easy it'd be to replace the fog light bulbs... and it looks like there's this bulky metal housing around the back of the light that'd be a b*tch to take apart. Not sure if it'd be worth it to change if it'll take that much time... especially since these aftermarket bulbs don't seem to last as long as the stockers...

What you guys think? Easy? Hard? How did you gain access to it?

 

[Chewbacca]

BTW, sorry for thread-jacking... =/

 

[Protege52003]

I've got Osrams on the MSP and Sylvanias on the SHO. I'd get the Osrams over the Sylvanias any day. They were about $10 cheaper from www.powerbulbs.com (free shipping) plus they threw in white side markers for free and 10% of my next purchase, good for a month. The only downside was 10 days to ship from the UK, but financially and performance wise, it was totally worth it.

Astral and myself got the osrams. they are some nice bulbs and provide much better light than the stick bulbs. i have had them in since spring time.....believe we paid $37.50 for the set! i have used other bulbs and believe these are the best so far price-wise......

 

[Puckpimp71]

Without a doubt... The light is much "cleaner".

 

[Protege52003]

Without a doubt... The light is much "cleaner".

i believe you are talking about the osrams. astral enjoys comparing everything and picking out the best for price and performance. he has enough component speakers, amps, subs and boxes to go in 3 or 4 cars.

he is always getting new audio components for his car....."addiction!!"

i believe the osrams are great over the stock bulbs.

edit: he was anal when looking for his new tires, too!!!

 

[jersey_emt]

I like my PIAA's. (super plasma gt-x)

 

[roni]

I'm a big fan of silverstars, I also have silverstar turn signal lights as well.

Just make sure that when you change them you do not get any oil from your fingers on the bulb. They are delicate and will burn out easily if you get water in the headlight housing (which is rare, but it does happen).

The fog lights should be silverstars too, because they look real good when they match.
It's not too hard to change the fog lights. It's easier if you are up on ramps because then you can see the bolts you have to loosen. I don't remember off the top of my head, but 10, 12 or 14 mm wrenches will work fine. And a philips head screwdriver to open the fog light assembly. It takes <10 minutes to change the fog light bulbs.

Here's the Silverstar options for the Protege mp3/msp:

High & low beam headlamp
9003ST Silverstar High Performance Halogen Upgrade: The Look of HID: Whitest, Brightest

Parking light
1157AST Silverstar Signal Lighting: Complete the Look: Crisp, Clean, Style

Front turn signal
1157AST Silverstar Signal Lighting: Complete the Look: Crisp, Clean, Style

Rear turn signal
1156AST Silverstar Signal Lighting: Complete the Look: Crisp, Clean, Style

Fog/Driving light
H3ST Silverstar High Performance Halogen Upgrade: The Look of HID: Whitest, Brightest