MX-5 OC Forum

Firstly may I apologise if I'm preaching to the converted...

I was alerted by an irate bus driver that my right headlamp was out - so dutifully I called MX5parts for advice before purchasing and having it replaced...was advised I needed to replace both headlamps, at a cost of £24.95 each, plus the postage and a day's wait at least. So rang my mechanic [who conveniently was leaving the country for week], who gave me far better advice which I now feel I must pass on to all Mk 1 MX5 owners - don't waste your cash guys!

Simply pootle on down to your nearest Halfords, and ask for the "Sealed Beam Unit with Pilot Aperture R7014", for which they charge the princely sum of £6.99, and with a 10 minute wait while they fitted it at a measly £4.99 - bargain! No time wasted, and 40 smackers richer...

And they appear to have loads in stock too, as particular minis take the same headlights.

 Ah but, ah but......

Those replacements will be the sealed beam units as originally fitted to some MX5s.  The ones suggested by MX5parts were almost certainly the ones with H4 halogen bulbs - generally considered to be way superior.

 Pete

When I couldn't get the sealed beam units anywhere locally Whoopee motor factors suggested units where you could put old fashioned (ie any) bulbs in including the fancy 'blue' hi power things - cost about 30 quid IIRC. I just used H4s  - no need to blind anyone

Preeti Virdee:

Firstly may I apologise if I'm preaching to the converted...

I was alerted by an irate bus driver that my right headlamp was out - so dutifully I called MX5parts for advice before purchasing and having it replaced...was advised I needed to replace both headlamps, at a cost of £24.95 each, plus the postage and a day's wait at least. So rang my mechanic [who conveniently was leaving the country for week], who gave me far better advice which I now feel I must pass on to all Mk 1 MX5 owners - don't waste your cash guys!

Simply pootle on down to your nearest Halfords, and ask for the "Sealed Beam Unit with Pilot Aperture R7014", for which they charge the princely sum of £6.99, and with a 10 minute wait while they fitted it at a measly £4.99 - bargain! No time wasted, and 40 smackers richer...

And they appear to have loads in stock too, as particular minis take the same headlights.

Good info for people who want to replace like for like, or are on a tight budget. However, the sealed beams will be far, far less powerful.

My original sealed beams were like candles compared to the Wipac Quadoptics I fitted as an upgrade. They only cost about £25 the pair off eBay and they take replacement H4 bulbs.