The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata (or Eunos in Asia). Has been a beloved roadster for over 30 years. Known for its tight handling, precise steering, and fun-to-drive nature, the MX-5 has earned a reputation as a true driver's car. From winding mountain roads to racetracks, this iconic two-seater has been the preferred choice for enthusiasts looking for an affordable and engaging driving experience.
Unfortunately the light output from the OEM headlights is not really ideal for spirited driving in dark conditions. It makes (sporty) driving in the dark quite uncomfortable or even dangerous.
In this post, we will give you the best options to improve/upgrade/repair your headlights light output for the 2nd ND and 3rd NC generation MX-5’s. You don’t need new headlights, you can just upgrade the ones you already have.
With the DIY Bi-LED and Bi-xenon HID retrofit kits, the headlight upgrade is very affordable and easy to install yourself. And they will give a guaranteed improvement!
Plug and play LED/xenon bulbs versus Projector retrofit
We have plug and play LED bulbs in our assortment and in some applications they are really great. For example for high beam or for low-beam in some models.
But based on light output and pattern they just can't match a complete projector retrofit. In reflector headlights they usually cause a lot more glare for oncoming traffic.
And in projectors, because of the design of LED bulbs versus Xenon HID bulbs and the difference in light emittance. The output and pattern are usually disappointing, there is no hot-spot and dark spots are visible in the pattern. Simply because the projectors are designed to work with halogen or Xenon bulbs as a lightsource.
Also a lot of times the projectors are burned on the inside and the reflective layer is not reflective anymore. Because of this, new bulbs don't make much or any difference, so putting a LED bulb in such a projector is a waste of money.
Investing in a projector retrofit costs more time and money, but in our opinion worth it. Because the light output is not only repaired, but also upgraded, and for years to come.
Bi-LED and Bi-xenon HID projector upgrade options differences
For the MX-5 Miata NB/NC models we offer Bi-LED and Bi-Xenon headlight upgrade kits. In general these are the biggest differences between the HID bi-xenon and Bi-LED projectors.
Bi-xenon HID kit in comparison with Bi-LED kit.
- Generally a higher light output in compared to a same size bi-LED projector.
- Different bulb color options, some prefer the 4300k color for example which is not available for LED projectors.
- More period correct, for example for youngtimer restorations.
- When something fails separate parts can be replaced. With bi-LED projectors the LED chips are parts of the projector and the whole projector needs to be replaced.
Bi-LED projector n comparison with bi-xenon HID.
- No start-up time, HID xenon has a start-up time of around 5 seconds LED is instant on full power.
- Fewer parts, no seperate ballast/bulbs
- Easier installation,no large ballast to mount.
- Modern technology.
In general, when you want an upgarde, a bit easier installation, and more modern technology, we advise the Bi-led kit.
For the best light output we advise the Bi-xenon kits, with some premium quality Osram XNN or CBN bulbs.
MX-5 Miata NB 2nd generation headlight upgrades
MX-5 NB halogen and xenon headlight options
Originally the MX-5 Miata NB1 – pre-facelift (1998-2000) came with H4 halogen reflector headlights.
The MX-5 NB2 Facelift was available with 9006 halogen projectors, H7 halogen projectors or single xenon HID D2S projector headlights.
Pre-facelift H4 halogen headlights.
The MX-5 H4 halogen headlights are not spectacular based on looks and light output. With the upgrade kit, you can convert the headlights to Bi-LED headlights! You will have low- and highbeam from the projector. The kit will improve and upgrade the looks and light output of the MX-5, guaranteed. The original height adjustement will keep working. You will also not blind oncoming traffic, contrary to plug and play LED bulbs, because a projector with a cut-off shield is used.
The headlights need to be opened, but this is an easy job because it is sealed with butyl, this softens up when it is heated.
The new projector is mounted to the original reflector though the H4 bulb opening. You can buy or find more info about the H4 halogen to Bi-led projector upgrade kit here;
MX-5 Halogen to Bi-LED upgrade kit
Facelift 9006 and H7 halogen projector headlights
Projector headlights are known to ‘burn’ on the inside where the reflective layer of the projector bowl deteriorates because of heat and UV radiation.
This is an example of the OEM Koito projector bowl from the headlight we used to design the MX-5 upgrade kit. The reflective layer around the bulb in de center is completely gone.
You don’t have to be an expert to see that light is not reflected anymore and the light output is severely affected, leading to a bad light output. Putting new Halogen bulbs, H7 xenon HID or H7 LED bulbs won’t improve the output (much), because of this.
Fortunately you can repair and (significantly) improve the light output by replacing the H7 halogen projectors for new Bi-LED projectors or Bi-xenon HID projectors.
The OEM 9006 low-beam headlights use a different projector than the H7 version. It uses a projector that is integrated to the inner frame. We are busy designing and upgrade kit for the headlight. Below you can find the upgrade kits for the H7 version.
Bi-LED upgrade kit for the MX-5 Miata NB2 H7 halogen headlights
The light output from the worn out H7 halogen projector versus the Aharon Bi-LED projector.
Installation of the kit is quite easy because the headlights are sealed with a sealing that is not too hard to open. We have developed a mounting bracket / plate to mount the new projector to the original mounting points.
Here you can find more info and buy they upgrade kit.
MX-5 Miata NB facelift halogen to Bi-LED
Bi-xenon upgrade kit for the MX-5 Miata NB2 H7 halogen headlights
We also offer a H7 halogen to bi-xenon kit. With this kit the light output is higher in comparison with the Bi-led kit. Also you have some more options to choose from regarding the color temperature of the light. In comparison with the bi-xenon kit, the bi-led kit uses more modern technology and has no start-up time for example.
MX-5 Miata NB facelift halogen to Bi-xenon
Output OEM halogen versus Aharon Optimus TR bi-xenon projector
Facelift D2S HID xenon projector headlights
The original projectors made by Koito used in these are not too bad, but can also suffer from deterioration of the reflector bowl. The HID projector is also only a single xenon version, so you don’t have high beam from the projector.
With the Mazda MX-5 DIY retrofit kit you will see a guaranteed upgrade in both low and high beam performance. With the kit high beam splitters are included, so you will have high beam from the new projector and from the original high beam bulb. We have chosen to only offer a bi-xenon upgrade kit, because you can re-use the bulbs and ballasts. Also you don't need to rewire the OEM wiring to the bi-led projector. When you are interested in a Bi-LED kit for the xenon headlights, please contact us.
Installation of this kit is like the halogen version also quite easy because the headlights are sealed with a sealing that is not too hard to open. We have developed a mounting bracket / plate to mount the new projector to the original mounting points.
You can find the HID xenon repair kit for the MX-5 NB xenon headlights here;
Mazda MX-5 Miata NB2 Bi-xenon light upgrade retrofit kit for xenon projector headlights
Although the output from the original HID xenon projector is much better than the OEM halogen projector, the new Aharon Bi-xenon projector is way brighter (same bulb and ballast is used in both projectors).
For example a Koito D2S projector used in MX-5 models versus Aharon Optimus TR mini
MX-5 NC 3rd generation headlight upgrades
The third generation Mazda MX-5 Miata was delivered with Halogen and D2S xenon HID projector headlights. Besides from the light source (Halogen/Xenon HID) the basics of the projectors used in the different types of headlights used in the NC models seem to be the same. So the same upgrade kit can be used for pre-facelift (MK3), facelift (MK3,5) and facelift update (MK3,75) models. The NC headlights are also easy to open because the sealent that is used is not too hard and softens up when heated. We have kits for the H7 halogen projector headlitghs and the D2S HID xenon projector headlights.
H7 halogen projector headlights (NC3, NC3,5 and NC3,75)
This is the same as for the NB halogen projector headlights. The original halogen projectors have a nice pattern and look, but the output from halogen is low. We have a bi-xenon HID and Bi-led upgrade kit for the halogen headlights which you can choose from to suit your needs. Because of the high beam function and included wiring you will also have high beam from the new projectors, so you will definitely see an increase in light output for low beam and for high beam.
- Bi-LED light upgrade retrofit kit for NC H7 halogen projector headlights
Mazda MX-5 Miata NC Bi-LED light upgrade retrofit kit for for halogen projector headlights
- Bi-xenon light upgrade retrofit kit for NC H7 halogen projector headlights
Mazda MX-5 Miata NC Bi-xenon HID light upgrade retrofit kit for for halogen projector headlights
D2S HID xenon projector headlights (MK3, MK3,5 and MK3,75)
Like with the NB model, the original projectors made by Koito used in these are not too bad, but can also suffer from deterioration of the reflector bowl. The HID projector is also only a single xenon version, so you don’t have high beam from the projector.
With the Mazda MX-5 NC DIY retrofit kit you will see a guaranteed upgrade in both low and high beam performance. High beam splitters are included, so you will have high beam from the new projector and from the original high beam bulb*. We have chosen to only offer a bi-xenon upgrade kit, because you can re-use the bulbs and ballasts. Also you don't need to re-wire the OEM wiring to the bi-led projector. When you are interested in a Bi-LED kit for the xenon headlights, please contact us.
Installation of this kit is like the other versions also quite easy because the headlights are sealed with a sealing that is not too hard to open. We have developed a mounting bracket / plate to mount the new projector to the original mounting points.
You can find the HID xenon repair kit for the MX-5 NC xenon headlights here;
Mazda MX-5 Miata NC Bi-xenon light upgrade retrofit kit for xenon projector headlights
Although the output from the original HID xenon projector is much better than the OEM halogen projector, the new Aharon Bi-xenon projector is way brighter (same bulb and ballast is used in both projectors).
The Koito D2S xenon HID projector used in MX-5 models versus Aharon Optimus TR mini
*For high beam, these headlights were made with H9 high beam bulbs and HB3 (9005) bulbs. Based on our info the earlier models till 2008/9 use H9 bulbs the later models from 2008/10 use HB3 (9005) bulbs.
Additional light upgrades
Visibility and looks, can even be improved more by upgrades other parts of the headlights.
Turn signal
LED turn signal bulbs are brighter than halogen ones and give a real modern look because they don’t have a fade in the on/off like halogen bulbs have.
NB = PY21W / BAU15S LED turn signal bulbs
NC = WY21W / T20
Parking/position ligths
For matching the color of the HID xenon or LED light we advise to replace the original 'yellow' parking/postion lights with LED ones. You can find them in the add-ons in the kits, and also here; T10 / W5W LED bulbs
A cool addition to the headlights are Halo’s or Angel eye’s.
LED halo
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