The handbook shows how to replace the main headlamp bulbs - taking apart the wheelarch liners! - and for the HID dipped bulbs its “Go to your Mazda dealer”!
Neither option is of much use if you’ve just been pulled-over by a French traffic cop (I haven’t yet, but there’s always a first time)!
So, 2 questions in one (if I may)
Is there a trick to replacing headlamp bulbs from under the bonnet?
Does anyone have any instructions for replacing the HID bulbs (never seen’em before)
I don’t believe the UK MKIII has HID bulbs as standard, I would possibly check your handbook and make sure it’s the correct variant you’re considering. 
Â
Â
Handbook not too helpful - it lists 2 options, normal or HID!
From the front the lamp is one of those spherical lens things (think glasses as worn by Howard or Shaun the Sheeps farmer), so am assuming HID. Quite different to the normal reflector with a bulb in the middle. Can’t see any labels on the back of it that would give a clue.
The headlamp shows on this picture
 Your (dip) light is a projector lamp and comes with an H7 bulb. The main beam has a H9 bulb. You can change the bulbs from above, but only if you are as flexable as Reed Richards, aka Mr Fantastic of the Fantastic 4. I did manage to swop the sidelight bulbs (I fitted LED ones) from above, but it wasn’t easy. I also have now fitted a set of 6000k HID lights to my dip beams and went in via the wheel arch. Yes, it’s a bit of a faff to have to take the wheel off and pull umpteen fastners out to gain access, but you won’t end up with your hand stuck in the engine bay wondering if amputation is the best option !
Don’t want to start a new topic but will ressurect this one instead:
Is it definitly an H7 in the dipped beam, as some sites say it’s an H1 rather than an H7?
And ref. getting your hands down there to change the bulbs, the gap is absolutely spacious compared to my last car- a vauxhall vectra/signum. I changed the sidelights today and it was much easier, I’m counting myself lucky I can go in through the wheel arch, I had to take the front bumper off the vectra and take the light unit out to fit a HID kit.
Sorry for resurrecting this one but maybe someone has discovered the odd trick in the meantime.
Forget the HID bit - has anyone tried replacing the front bulbs by
On the nearside, removing the washer bottle?
On the offside, removing the battery
AND - having got thoroughly dirty by removing the wheel/wheelarch liner, do the fasteners go back in OK or do I need to carry a pile of spare ones?
AND - I’ve heard rumours that some MX5’s are now supplied without a jack - do these versions have different instructions for bulb replacement?
Â
(Phew!)
Personally it is easier to just remove the front portion of the wheel arch liner it far faster, wheel off or no wheel off. The clips if done properly should not break the trick is not force them but I still have spares personally speaking. Trick with them is a screw driver if it spins hold the older “collar” portion then do it. If difficult when replacing split the collar and screw piece but the collar in and then the screw. The collar bits that grab into the plastic snap if forced, better than some cars where you cannot remove them without breaking the clips.
Some have a jack some don’t mine does not sure about others, personally it seems pointless from my point of view but handy all the same.Â
I removed the O/S indicator bulbs by putting my hand down in the gap between the washer bottle and the light cluster. Â Not easy, and I got a bit scratched. Â Never tried to remove the headlight bulbs.
Â
I did the N/S via the wheel arch, with the wheel off. Â Much, much easier.
OK thanks guys, guess the screwdriver has to stay in the kit with the spare bulbs after all!
reserrecting an old tread here, but many thanks for the advice. I had to change the offside dipped bulb and removed the washer bottle.
The whole affair took 15 minutes, no scratched hands and no excessive swearing!