Improving headlights

[monkeybrain1234]

Find the headlights not so bright on the Mr2 compared to my 350z lights.

Can you recommend better bulbs?

Or even better a HID conversion kit?  I know there a legal issues involved, but put one on my Alfa a few years back and it worked brilliantly with no mot issues or flashing from oncoming motorists.

Open to suggestions.   s:D s:D

[StuC]

Some nightbreakers made all the difference for me.  s:-D :-D s:-D  

Are you PFL or FL?

[monkeybrain1234]

Some nightbreakers made all the difference for me.  s:-D :-D s:-D  

Are you PFL or FL?

2005 so I believe FL.

[theredone]

perhaps they need a polish. plenty info on forum re that.
as stu said - osram nightbreakers ultra should make a difference.

[monkeybrain1234]

perhaps they need a polish. plenty info on forum re that.
as stu said - osram nightbreakers ultra should make a difference.

Cheers. Polished them up a few weeks ago and lens is nice and clear for sure. Just after more light output and distance!

May need to give the night breakers ago.

Any thoughts on HID kits for the MR2?

[martin_b]

Any thoughts on HID kits for the MR2?

Ive got an HID kit in my FL and its passed 3 MOT's with no issues.

[shnazzle]

Ah the oncoming traffic dazzlers. Love that club.

Edit: I think I could pass an MOT these days with my 5 year old daughter's electric Barbie car.
So many misaligned headlights, so many oversights, tyres worn, brakes shot, rust everywhere. Let's not forget the mighty clause of "can't remove plastics". MOTs have absolutely sweet bugger all to do with Road safety for the driver and other road users.

[Bernie]

perhaps they need a polish. plenty info on forum re that.
as stu said - osram nightbreakers ultra should make a difference.

Cheers. Polished them up a few weeks ago and lens is nice and clear for sure. Just after more light output and distance!

May need to give the night breakers ago.

Any thoughts on HID kits for the MR2?

Thoughts on HIDs

They are not road legal if your MOT tester hasn't picked them up doesn't escape the fact and as a Club we can't condone their use

[Jock]

The legal issue should be a lesser concern than ROAD SAFETY.

The thread is "improving headlights".  How that can be done by knowingly blinding other road users beggars belief.

Be involved or cause an accident with illegal lights and/or not told your insurance company and the consequences are not worth it   s:oops: :oops: s:oops:  .

All those "I've not been caught brigade" need to look in the mirror.  Bathroom mirror   s:evil: :evil: s:evil:  !

[theredone]

could try specsavers   s:mrgreen: :mrgreen: s:mrgreen:

[Bernie]

could try specsavers   s:mrgreen: :mrgreen: s:mrgreen:

Now that's funny !

[monkeybrain1234]

 s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  

Whoops, seem like I have opened a can of worms here!  (Didn't mean to)

Was merely after the best light output from the MR2's lights as currently they don't seem too bright and would say that is a Road Safety issue in itself.

I do not intend to blind any oncoming traffic, I would like to think no one would purposely do this, just weighing up the different options.   s:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: s:crazyeyes:

[Jrichards20]

:shock:

Whoops, seem like I have opened a can of worms here!  (Didn't mean to)

Was merely after the best light output from the MR2's lights as currently they don't seem too bright and would say that is a Road Safety issue in itself.

I do not intend to blind any oncoming traffic, I would like to think no one would purposely do this, just weighing up the different options.   s:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: s:crazyeyes:

I would say, as you have now cleaned the lenses. Try some powerful headlights. The nightbreakers and the x-tremes both get good ratings on here. Hopefully that should solve your issue at not too much of an expense.

[shnazzle]

You've been the victim of being the latest person to mention the frowned upon HIDs  s:) s:)  There were many before you haha.

I'm particularly sensitive to contrast so incorrectly adjusted lights, badly designed xenons and aftermarket HIDs really make my night driving dangerous for me.
To be fair, aftermarket HIDs make up about 20% at best of the above. I'd happy accommodate the occasional HID kitter if all the other issues were resolved.

But to your point; the light output on the 2 is rather pitiful. Best you can do is (as suggested) put in some very well-rated brighter bulbs.
Also mentioned was headlight clarity. Particularly if you have a 2003+ car with projectors, the lens clarity is of paramount importance in ensuring that light goes where it should go and isn't lost in refraction or diffusion caused by foggy or chipped lenses.

Polish them up good and proper until crystal clear, add some good bulbs, and the difference will be there.

Bear in mind that HID kits often do not increase visibility at all as people have a fancy for putting 8000+k bulbs in, which are far too blue/purple and actually means you can see LESS far.

Good luck

[MisterK]

I must be lucky as the lights on my 04 roadster are some of the best I've come across, even as standard - far better than the standard lights fitted to my Auris Hybrid.  I fitted some Osram Nightbreakers years ago when one of the OEM bulbs blew & it did make the world of difference - I replaced both dip and main beam bulbs, as well as fitting LED sidelights.  The light output and spread is more than adequate for very spirited motoring at night down remote unlit country lanes in my humble opinion.   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[stewart@boro]

I've got the same set up as Mark and no complaints.

[monkeybrain1234]

Great thanks for all your inputs.

Will order a set of Nightbreakers and go from there.  Are the bulbs H4 or H7 on 2005 Model. sorry for stupid question.   s:o s:o

[Jrichards20]

hopefully this helps. Quick little search  s:) s:)  

(copied from thread)

The are different codes for the same lamps, the ones that I can remember are:

Front side lights W5W, 501
Front indicators W21W, 580

Side indicator repeater (amber if you do not have amber lens) W5W, 501

Rear side light/brake light WY21W, 582 (side and brake in one lamp)
Rear high level brake light W5W, 501
Rear reversing light W21W, 580
Rear fog light W21W, 580
Rear indicator (amber) W21W, 580
Rear number plate W5W, 501

Interior light 30mm festoon, 269
Dash back lights 286

PFL headlights H4 (dip and full in one lamp)
or
FL headlights H7 (dip) HB3/9005 (full)





So if yours is FL H7 for dip  s:) s:)

[monkeybrain1234]

hopefully this helps. Quick little search  s:) s:)  

(copied from thread)

So if yours is FL H7 for dip  s:) s:)

Thanks Mate.  Will order now.    s:D s:D

[Jrichards20]

No problem. It might be worth taking a picture of how far your current lights extend to in the dark, and then a picture once you've installed the new ones. That way you can post up a comparison  s:) s:)

[1979scotte]

No issues with my headlights.
Dont think the 2 is worse than any other car ive had.
Excet maybe my mondeo which had xenon.
Being so low to the ground cant help.

[shnazzle]

On a side note, the main beams on the 2 are epic! They're actually much better than the mains on our Audi bi-xenons.

I also have the setup as above, osrams. They do make a huge difference over crappy bulbs.

[tomaky]

The fl are a definite improvement over pre fl, the projector should have been in all models.

[monkeybrain1234]

Have ordered the night breakers ultimate H7 bulbs. Good idea of before and after. Will get some pictures up for sure.

Thanks for all the advice, this forum is proving to be just as friendly and useful as the 350z one.   s:D s:D

[StuC]

Thanks for all the advice, this forum is proving to be just as friendly and useful as the 350z one.   s:D s:D

Certainly something we try for.  :-) :-) :-)