small things to customize our P5's - any ideas?

[gene in cincinnati]

adragonfly,

Here is a list of simple things I have done to the car:

1. New bulbs - while I would love to get Xenons (I have them on my BMW), I love the Philips VisionPlus bulbs I bought. They are euro-spec and not available in the U.S. They are brighter than most bulbs without the fake blue hue and use the same wattage as the stock bulbs. Here is a link to a discussion thread: http://forum.protegemp3.com/vbb222/...971&perpage=15&highlight=philips&pagenumber=2

2. K&N air filter - I just installed it tonight. The filters last for 25 cleanings and is supposed to increase HP and gas mileage...we'll have to see about that.

3. Windshield wipers - I just purchased Bosch Micro Edge Excels (http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/WiperBlades/MicroEdgeExcel/). They perform MUCH better than the stock wipers - but then again, it's doesn't rain too much where you are located in California...

4. New speakers - the stock speakers are HORRIBLE. You can spend $150 and get better speakers that make a difference when used with the stock unit.

5. Rear bumper guard - yeah this is kinda silly, but it's a simple accessory that is functional for loading and unloading stuff in the trunk (http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=1048).

Since this is my wife's car, I have to slowly add things to the car so she doesn't notice a huge difference in her daily driver. I would love to install a cold air intake and a new exhaust someday - we'll see if I can sneak the mods past her.

 

[MidnightP5]

does anyone have any pics of what the tinted orange lights look like? i have heard a few people here and in person talk about it but never seen what it looks like. e-mail me some pics if you have it.

 

[smithers_0990]

TO: xoom xoom

Is it legal where you live to put the hyper whites in your turn signal? I wanted to but its not legal here.

 

[Onatrum]

I think it is legal here in Lima, Ohio. I remember that I put in some AIC 'super white' bulbs, and that same night, I was in the North-bound turning lane at a stop light. A state trooper was in the West-bound turning lane at the same stop light. Well his side turned green first, and he turned left in front of me and I watched him in my rear-view mirror drive away. But he only drove maybe 50 feet, busted a U-turn, and pulled in behind me. Well my light turned green, I turned left at the intersection, he followed and pulled me over. He gets out and strolls up to my window and said he had pulled me over because of my lights, and I said "Which lights?", not trying to be cocky or anything 'cause I really didn't know, and he said the red lights under my car. I guess from where he was sitting at the intersection, he could see the bulbs underneith....plus it was one o'clock in the morning so he probably didn't have anything better to do.

But he made me turn my red lights off, and let me go with a warning to have them "tucked in" a little better. He never mentioned the bright white turning signals.

 

[IKnowURespectIt]

Re: quick two cents before I fall asleep

Well I did a few minor things that may have been mentioned. I have a red P5, so I got red underbodies. As for the interior lights, I found AIC or APC or something like that, little red bulbs for the two little lights that are next to the actual dome light. Yeah it's around midnight and I'm tired so I'm probably not making sense. I also put a 15" red neon light under each of the front seats. It's not visible from outside the car, but when you're inside, it makes the floor glow red, pretty nifty. I found some red Racing-X floor mats that are rubber, so not only do they look nice, but their easy to clean. You can find any number of pedal covers for you gas/brake pedal. And ya might be able to find some cheap seat covers that match your car, I borrowed some from a friend while his car got worked on, just to see if I liked them, and obviously for me they were black/red. Looked good. I guess it's all a matter of opinion, but that's just some things I could think about. I'm gonna quit rambling now and go to bed.......ZZZzzzz

What type of neons did you use ex. street glow. Has anyone heard of cold catho tubes. someone told me about them but i was wondering if anyone has used them.

 

[Onatrum]

I never heard of those, but yes, I did use Street Glow Gold Series. I ordered them through JC Whitney to save some money. Really gives the car a great look at night. I'm looking forward to lowing my P5 and buying some chrome 18" rims. I think it will all pull together at night with the red lights and shiny chrome wheels....hopefully...

 

[adragonfly]

Wow, thanks for all the replies! You can see my list of what I've done so far (check my signature). The vacuum hoses and wire tubing cost about $30 for the whole engine bay, but it took about four hours to do. I'll post pics of my tinted bumper lights and the engine bay as soon as I get my next roll developed.