MS3 OEM HIDs - New ballast or just bulb replacement?

[Blueimpact]

Just here to post my weekly retard question.

2012 mazdaspeed 3 - bi-xenon hids come stock. If I want to upgrade to 6000k, will I need a new ballast or just do a bulb replacement. Thanks! (looking to keep it at the stock 35w)

[FLIPDADY]

Just upgrade to 6000K.

Bulb is D2S but D2R is okay to use as well.

[zzz3]

Theretrofitsource has what you are looking for (Oem level option and inexpensive alternative).

[Booter22]

i have seen a 2010 speed that the bulbs were changed.. they flickered alot. i dont know the make, or where they came from but i believe shortly after they were installed they were removed from the vehicle.

[Blueimpact]

Gotcha. Also curious as to how i access the bulbs. Lovely owners manual directs me to the dealership =/

[Booter22]

Gotcha. Also curious as to how i access the bulbs. Lovely owners manual directs me to the dealership =/

you have to remove the bumper and lamps out is the easiest way.

[Ozil]

you have to remove the bumper and lamps out is the easiest way.

+1, I had to do the same

[Wes08M3]

Just an FYI, changing the bulbs to 6000k is not an "upgrade". You're actually reducing the light output. It looks better (subjectively) yes, but you're decreasing performance.

Just thought I'd mention it in case you didn't know.

[TriniFyah7]

Just an FYI, changing the bulbs to 6000k is not an "upgrade". You're actually reducing the light output. It looks better (subjectively) yes, but you're decreasing performance.

Just thought I'd mention it in case you didn't know.

exactly! the higher the colour temperature, the less light output you get as a result.

[Jackal]

you have to remove the bumper and lamps out is the easiest way.

Here's a great link on how to remove the 2010+ front bumper:
http://www.novustechnic.com/mazda3/horn_install/

[Kiyomi]

just go for the 8k, ull like it alot better :D., and you do not have to remove the bumper etc, long story short, i needed help changing a bulb which was bought from nextmod, a mazda mechanic was there, and changed it in 2 minutes with a small wrench. :D quite awesome.

[peterm15]

just go for the 8k, ull like it alot better :D.,

I don't know if your joking or not but my suggestion.
City sure why not 8k, If it weren't for dumb pedestrians you wouldn't need lights anyways.
Any out of town runs. 5300k MAX. I have 6 k and am just waiting for extra money to get 5300. Can't see shit.

[zzz3]

just go for the 8k, ull like it alot better :D., and you do not have to remove the bumper etc, long story short, i needed help changing a bulb which was bought from nextmod, a mazda mechanic was there, and changed it in 2 minutes with a small wrench. :D quite awesome.

If you've never 'out driven' a 8k beam then you need a tune! lol :P

I wouldn't go higher than 5k.

[Wes08M3]

just go for the 8k, ull like it alot better :D., and you do not have to remove the bumper etc, long story short, i needed help changing a bulb which was bought from nextmod, a mazda mechanic was there, and changed it in 2 minutes with a small wrench. :D quite awesome.

How did you change the D2S bulb with just a small wrench exactly? Doesn't really seem possible to me.

[stevenma188]

I can confirm that you need to remove the housing to change a D2S bulb. There's no way you have enough space to do it without having the housing out.

[Kiyomi]

I can confirm that you need to remove the housing to change a D2S bulb. There's no way you have enough space to do it without having the housing out.

ive seen it done in person on a gen 2... what he did was loosen and move aside the coolant reservoir, and popped out the bulb with a small screwdriver/wrench/ and fingers. just like magic :D

also at zuhair, If you cant see without driving with atleast 5k or lower, then maybe you shouldnt drive at night :o.

[McGoldie]

Sorry, just my semi-unrelated input but I would have preferred if the op titled this based on his actual question!

[loki]

Sorry, just my semi-unrelated input but I would have preferred if the op titled this based on his actual question!

Valid point



Waiting for retarded question #2

[The Wolf]

I don't know if your joking or not but my suggestion.
City sure why not 8k, If it weren't for dumb pedestrians you wouldn't need lights anyways.
Any out of town runs. 5300k MAX. I have 6 k and am just waiting for extra money to get 5300. Can't see shit.

For real? even 8k is like 3x better than stock halogen :S I think everyone over inflates the high colour temp issues

[Jackal]

Valid point



Waiting for retarded question #2
I wish we had a Retard Question of the day thread! Keep things interesting.

[cwp_sedan]

Thread renamed

[kenghk]

Get OSRAM's Cool Blue Intense, 5000k and as bright as 4k. they are the best bulbs on the market for anyone that wants bright white/blue light. I have them and make tons of blue at the cutoff and can see in any condition. The bulb comes stock in MB Class and E Class....they're amazing. go to the retrofit source online and get some.

[SKYMP3]

The first owner of my Speed3 ut 6000k on it, it looks more blue, but one of the bulbs flick a lot, then burnt.
I had to remove the bumper and replace the bulbs. I just put back the OEM bulbs in it and still working as of 5 years after.
Just because of the bumper removal hassle, I refuse to use other aftermarket bulbs.

[Wes08M3]

Get OSRAM's Cool Blue Intense, 5000k and as bright as 4k. they are the best bulbs on the market for anyone that wants bright white/blue light. I have them and make tons of blue at the cutoff and can see in any condition. The bulb comes stock in MB Class and E Class....they're amazing. go to the retrofit source online and get some.

+1

Really want them but they are $200 for the pair plus shipping :(

[kenghk]

+1

Really want them but they are $200 for the pair plus shipping :(

Save up until you can afford them. There is a reason they're $200, they're focal point is OEM perfect, OEM quality and OEM performance......steer clear of chinese bulbs but if you need to buy anything other than Osram, Sylvania or Philips, buy Morimoto.

[Wes08M3]

Save up until you can afford them. There is a reason they're $200, they're focal point is OEM perfect, OEM quality and OEM performance......steer clear of chinese bulbs but if you need to buy anything other than Osram, Sylvania or Philips, buy Morimoto.

I have the OEM HID's right now. I might get them if I start doing a lot of night driving or if the OEM's go out.

[kenghk]

the OEM bulbs are great, they're the brightest bulb on the market next to the SVS and CBI, but they're yellow and don't colorshift like other bulbs. The bulbs that come stock are the Philips 85122+ and they're more yellow than every other OEM bulb, that's why i switched them out.

[Booter22]

hopefully you dont have the problem another member had when changing his bulbs to an aftermarket pair that would flicker on and off.