mx5parts have these on offer and they seem to be popular but with only 1 review so far I was wondering if anyone else has used these? Currently running the original spec bulbs on a mk1 '96 but it’s all a bit yellow and dark…
Any other suggestions appreciated!!
Thanks!
This was a 7 day offer that appears to have ended now (the offers usually start on a Friday). They appear to be back up at £25 for a set now.
I fitted a set of these along with the Wipac freeform lamps that were also on offer at the time. This new combination is a great improvement over my previous lamps with standard H4 bulbs. I suspect that this is more to do with the bulbs rather than the freeform lamps. I need to buy/fit some new rubber boots on the back of the lamps so I may pop the old standard bulbs back in for comparison.
The Xenon Max bulbs are noticeably whiter than the standard bulbs (my sidelights look very yellow in comparison now).
Philips X-treme +80% bulbs have favourable reviews, also consider the Osram NightBreaker +90% bulbs. Google is your friend.
If your current lamp lenses and/or reflectors are a bit dirty/tarnished now, then consider these Cibie lamps pointed out on here recently by SAZ9961. The Wipac freeform lamps look neat, but if I had known about these Cibie lamps earlier then there would be a pair on my car now.
Cheers niggle - those Cibie’s look good. Think I might plump for a pair of those with a set of the Xenon or Osram bulbs.
Google is you friend - but can you always trust your friends? :o)
From what I can tell, we shouldn’t read too much into the +80% / +90% / +100% labels/claims.
The Philips X-treme +80% bulbs appear to be the pick of the bunch, although they are also the most expensive of the three.
Me think MX5Parts are a little too expensive.
But those are only “+90%”. The MX5 Parts bulbs are “+100%”. The extra 10% has got to be worth an additional £12, surely … 
These then
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RING-XENON-MAX---H4-HEADLIGHT-BULB---100%-MORE-LIGHT!!_W0QQitemZ320445082039QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=&rvr_id=&cguid=8ab2c1471240a0aad1f7ead7ffe4c79d
I used to run higher wattage bulb on my motor bike, Halfords used to sell something similar ‘not for road use’. These are higher wattage though and may frazzle wiring if its in a poor state…
Thank you all! Based on the feedback (and price!) I have plumped for the Xenon +100% at 12.99GBP a pair! I’ll have them in by Friday so will let you know how they go. Will be fitting with the exisitng glass for now - may opt for the cybie lamps afterwards!
I have sealed beams, and to go to France you need a spare bulb kit!! Ill need a boot rack for them.
Lucky You.
steve
I’ve been thinking of upgrading the headlight bulbs on my NB too as the standard ones are a bit like two poor glow worms! Presumably these bulbs are all ‘legal’ and do not have the blue hue favoured by the Saxo / 106 brigade?
These are 60/55 watt E-marked bulbs and are 100% legal. The tip of the bulb has a small ring of blue filtering around it that is barely discernible in the reflector from some angles on my freeform lamps, but the beam itself is white rather than the blue tint that you get from real HIDs or the fakes favoured by the PSA Yoof Brigade.
I have some photos (still on my memory card at the moment). I will upload to PhotoBucket when I get chance.
Cheers Niggle that sounds exactly what I’m looking for. The back lanes around here are a little tricky at this time of the year and my current lights are struggling to keep up with my poor driving! 
Are they an easy fit or a total b*gger like some modern headlight bulbs are? Sorry to ask but I havent yet investigated access to the rear of the headlamp. I couldnt believe how bad it was on my OH’s Fiesta (V regd) - the only way to access the headlamp was either to remove the airfilter assembly or try and fit the bulb from underneath the car.
Thanks for the info
Dead easy on a Mk1. Can’t comment on a Mk2 or Mk3.
Took a look under the bonnet at the weekend and it looks straightforward to change on a MK2 as well so i’ve ordered some Xenon +50% from mx5parts and will fit them next weekend. I’ll report back soon!
I just put Xenon bulbs in my MK2, it made a big difference. Easy to fit, I had to use a screwdriver to ease the electrical plug off, as it was tight, pull off the rubber cover, unclip the spring and your there.
Hi All, I thought I would drop in and let you know about my experiences with headlamps and upgrades. I have a late UK MK I so have the H4 headlamps anyway. However, with standard bulbs the throw of light was very poor indeed. When I got the car, I took it to a reputable MOT station and asked them to refocus the beams. When your car is put through the MOT they just check that it is in tolerence and leave it at that but there is still possible work to do for improvement. Raising the headlamp adjuster by only one half a degree (whilst still remaining within permitted tolerences) will have a big difference out on the road. When setting headlamps I always make sure that my tyre pressures are correct (manufacturers settings not your guess), a full tank of fuel is on board and someone is sat in the drivers seat. Without fuel and driver the car is sitting artificially high and not reflecting how the car will be weighted out on the road, so if the beams are set without the weight they are being set too low straight away. When have you ever seen the MOT centre do this? Also the focus of the beam left and right being spot on will also give you extra light concentration on the road. It might all seem a bit anal but it makes big differences on unlit dark country roads.
And so to bulbs. I have for many years used the Osram Silver Stars 30%+ these have always offered the best trade off in light throw and longevity. With standard bulbs in the H4 original lamps on the Mx5 even when set properly, the dipped beams were not great (Age of refector & 80’s design technology). I thought I would try one of the so called wonder bulbs, after all the boundarys of technology has marched on since the Silver Stars came out. I read the Auto Express review on the 30 bulbs they tried out. They too reccomended the Phillips Extreme but as I know the Osrams have been very good I thought I would try the Osram Nightbreakers 90%+ (Alledged). I think most of these claims as to the percentage increase is a bit spurious but I am open to trying. I payed £17.98 for mine and ordered two pairs in case they are of the short lifespan type. I have learnt that when one bulb goes to change both as they usually go very close together.
On the road last night I took them out for a trial run. The weather conditions were ideal, misty drizzle rain, lots of spray and all on back country roads, offering mixed driving environments. On a NSL with wide carrigeway, with long straights where I would usually had to move up to main beam to maintain good progress I remained on the dipped beams as a test, the throw was excellent (I would always reccomend using Main Beam on these type of roads when ever it is Safe, Legal and Convienent to do so). Even the approach to ascending inclines, where prudent use of Main Beam is often required I remained on dipped much further than normal. I met lots of on coming traffic whilst out over an hour and not one vehicle, flashed me or swerved off the road through a hedge row to avoid my dipped beams, so they aren’t too bright for other drivers. The one place where I noticed the perfomance the most was exiting from minor roads onto larger carriageways. The standard bulbs yellow glow often gets lost at junctions making it harder for traffic to see you, especially in poor visability conditions. The intensity of the light across the road was much better. I don’t know about the technical claims but I could definately see a lot further with the nightbreaker bulb, especially with my tired old eyes. I will come back and repost once I know how long they last, especially after being thumped up and down the the headlamp pods.
I would like to state you should always drive so that you can stop safely within the distance you can see. At night this is the area lit by your headlights unless there is full street lighting.