not using full-beam?

 

I was using both dip and full beam and i think dip was actually better!.....i am spoiled by my other car which is a bmw and lights are very good even for non xenon but even so the light on mazda are dangerously bad....maybe i need some 100w bulbs popping in an dhope things dont melt!

Ian

 

I've got 100W bulbs, and my headlamps set up to beam pretty far up the road (Further than the MOT guidelines.. When the car is as low as the MX5 if you go by their guidelines you'll be lighting the road a few metres infront of the car.. Useless) - Never been flashed/pulled etc.

 

Interesting might try some 100's see how it changes, ive played around with adjustment to try and get it better but still pretty weak especially on full beam.

Ian

 

I swapped bulbs for Nightbreaker+ a few weeks ago, and noticed a marked improvement over the Philips bulbs that were in there before. I know that you say you already have Nightbreakers, so not much help there I know.
TBH I've never had any complaints about the light capabilities on the Mk2, but maybe I'm in the minority.

 

There must of been something wrong with what came out lol....seriously i noticed little if any difference between stock bulbs and nightbreakers, i guess they are both rated at same wattage so i didnt expect much difference and i was right.

Depends where and how you use your car if headlights are upto job i guess and also what you get used to, mostly mine doesnt go out at night and if it does its usually main roads for mapping etc and thenn lights are ok, but get on some twisty back road and lack of visibilty at night slows you right down!

Ian

 

So i suppose if you lower the car then you need to adjust the beam pattern to compensate?

 

What I find really weird about the Mk2 lights, (and I've been meaning to make a topic for a while) is that on dipped beam, you get nice coverage of the road directly in front of you, whereas full-beam that immediate coverage goes and it shifts much further up the road.

However, (on mine at least) if you pull the lever gently and get it in the position between dipped and full you seem to get both High beam and low beam at the same time (I don't know how that works as it's only 1 bulb?) and the light coverage is SO much better and usable. Where you have the increased light output of full beam however the low beam coverage of the road directly in front of you is also covered. But obviously the lever won't stay there - you have to hold it.

Has anyone else experienced this!? When it's in this position the light output is really good and usable.

EDIT: I'll get a picture tonight from inside the car.

 

I don't know what that would do to the bulb lighting both filaments at once, may overheat or shorten their life considerably?

The Mk2.5 headlights are an improvement in the sense that they have a dedicated bulb for high/low rather than one for both.

They also look much more modern.

 

The Mk2.5 use a projector lense for dipped beam rather than a reflector in the MK2. This does result in a much more concentrated beam pattern, similar to that of an OEM HID pattern.

I understand the issue you have as I had a VAG car with factory HIDs prior to my Mk1, and jesus was that difficult to adapt to, was like holding a candle compared.

The MK2.5 conversion isn't cheap either. Let alone more complex than most make it out to be (connectors etc for the mk2.5 lights are different)

 

do your mk2 lenes need polishing?

 

The were a little dull but its not long since i polished them up so decent enough now, i did find one of high beams wasnt working correctly which wasnt helping

still even with both working again now they are not great, will try some 100w bulbs when i get chance and have a play with alignment again see if i can improve it.

Ian

 

I was thinking about this the other day and wondered if you have some old rusty connections or something which meant your bulbs were not getting full voltage

 

the earth mounting points under the lights favorite but getting over looked

 

To be honest I don't know what bulbs are in mine at present, but my dipped beam is one of the brightest I've ever experienced. The main beam is useless to the point I never use it. I drive down unlit country lanes every night and see bang on just on dipped beam. My 330ci I use main and with my mondeo. Sounds like something's wrong with yours mate : (

 

Be interesting to know what bulbs you have in there ? get one wipped out see if they are stock 55w or have been uprated

Ian

 

Ok just to update this as ive been trying to sort it before the next sprint on saturday which we run at night!!.....polished up the lenses with solvol and got rid of cloudyness, not 100% perfect but pretty good, also fitted some 100/80w bulbs and checked all voltages and earths on bulb socket which were good, results........lights are better but still shit imo for high speed use!....will play around with adjustment some more now they are brigther but they just dont seem to throw the beam very well, high beam is only slightly better than dip is on my bmw!...and dip on the mx is truly dangerous on unlit backroads around here!

Ian

 

I'm having similar issues. I haven't checked my bulbs yet and I know the left-hand lens needs polishing, but on dip or main the lights are awful. My daily commute takes me down single-track lanes with overhanging trees, and when it's raining or damp the visibility is zero.

What also doesn't help is that the windscreen fitted by Autoglass last month seems to smeer like my wipers are made of slugs, when in fact the wipers are 6-month-old PIAAs ??? Can't work out why a new screen will smeer when the old one wouldn't.

I'm considering fitting driving lights for winter commutes.