One other thing I’m not sure about and maybe you guys know,
dipped beam adjustment - do we still need converters or blanking, or
does the lowering device now fitted to many newer cars meet the
requirement not to dazzle?
depends on the car…
I believe its, NA yes, NB yes, NB facelift no due to type of lights (projector headlamps) see the Mazda guidance in this link…
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/files/folders/fitting_instructions/entry329227.aspx
NC, yes.
If you buy a pack of them they all come with detailed instructions.
The rule is don’t dazzle, fitting the deflectors is your choice to acheive that.
Thanks Martin, probably that facelift NB instruction will cover MK3 and Mazda 6 which are also both projector lamps and have lowering switches. I take it that pdf is a USA one and wonder if there’s one for Mk3?
“The facelift model has projector headlamps, and the dipped beam pattern cannot be altered by masking. To avoid dazzling oncoming drivers in a LHD country, the headlamps should be adjusted 2° downwards. This adjustment should be carried out with the headlamp levelling switch in position 0, so that the headlamp beams can be lowered further if a heavy load is carried in the boot.
Note 1: The main beam alignment will also be lowered by 2° when this adjustment is carried out, and headlamp illumination performance will therefore be reduced.
Note 2: If no heavy loads are to be carried in the boot, the headlamp beams can be lowered approximately 2° by simply turning the headlamp levelling switch to position 3.”
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My NC non-facelift has the projector lamps, and the fitting instructions for the masks do cover these. There’s a tiny circle in the front cover of the headlamp that they align with. I always carry a spare set - I did lose one in a rainstorm in Belgium once, which explains why I got lots of flashing!
This link might help http://www.motoring-into-europe.co.uk/download/travel-spot-latest-vehicle-listing.pdf which lists the later version of the MX5
I do it the pikey way…
Find the fitting instructions for headlamp masks online and then make an approximation in black insulating tape, never been stopped, never been flashed, only ever ripped off for £10 mask kit once 
I got my proper masks from ebay, super cheap, and so far lasted for two trips of about 3000 miles, as not actually bothered to stick them on yet, they live in the glovebox! 
Back again after a hot and enjoyable weeks camping. We took the bikes and saw one of the Tour stages. Before going I checked the height of dipped beam, with the car fully loaded pointing at a wall, and the levelling switch on the dash still managed to take the beam very low. So we went without any converters but a roll of tape in the glove locker just in case. In the ferry queues there were only 2 cars with anything on the lights and they were the Halfords type cut into a disc. I saw none with masks or black tape at all so probably most folk these days just lower the lights.
On the Golf, Astra etc. I used to carry a set of clip-on plastic headlamp protectors with black tapeon the back in the appropriate position. The ones from Vauxhall had the markings for the headlamp masks moulded in (for the continental driving conversion). These were fitted once on the train within a few seconds, they just clipped on.
Shame there’s nothing similar on the market for the MX5.
Glad you were able to see a bit of the tour - great atmosphere at these events, but don’t blink or you’ll miss it!
Yes they would be good. We used to mask the old glass lenses on the Cavalier etc, but noticed how hot these plastic lenses got so didn’t want to go sticking tape on them in case it marked the plastic permanently or caused the bulbs to blow from overheating. Not a big risk perhaps but easier to wind them down with the switch on the dash in the end and no problems or flashing from other cars.
Yes you don’t get to see the riders for long do you 
. For that reason we went to Dinan on route, nice place, spent the day there having lunch and looking around, then watched them up the hill from the roundabouts in the town centre. There was a 2 minute breakaway up the road from the bunch which added a bit to it and crikey those guys go faster uphill than me down!
We once went up a steep climb in Germany (by car). It was a narrow road and a second gear climb. For about a mile or so we followed a cyclist up the hill - he was sitting nice and relaxed in the saddle, as if he was cruising along the flat on his way to the shops. At 20mph! I stop pedalling on the flat/downhills at that speed to have a rest! (Oops goneofftopicagain
) Nice place Dinan.
Sorry to reopen this old thread but I am looking at taking my NBFL to France, Belgium and Germany in a couple of weeks and Martins link in the 2nd post now only takes you to a general forum page, any chance some one can point me in the direction of the Mazda Guidance Martin aludes to ?
TIA