All:

Thought I'd post this one.

Okay, so I want to upgrade my H7 bulbs with the Nokya ones. I pop the hood, unplug the white connector, pull the dirt cover off, unhook the wire retainer, and take the bulb out. I go to put the new bulb in and the base unit isn't the same. I thought the base unit on the stock bulb was solid, so I put the new bulb in (without base unit and used some pliers to bend the retainer lower to hold the bulb in. I then tap the existing wires to the headlight connector to a set I got at Auto Zone. I then plug this new connector through the dirt cover and plug it into the bulb. I then put the dirt cover and test. I did this on both sides, no problem, looks great! I also did the H3's with no problem and fit-for-fit.

A few days later, the drivers side Nokya died. I took it out and the filliment looked fine and I tried various tests. Darn. I then went to put the stock bulb in, and the wire retainer needed to be adjusted. I used a pair of pliers and carefully and slowly bent it back. Well, when doing so - SNAP. I then tried the passengers side, same think - SNAP. I guess those wires don't like to be bent, not even 1/4". Darn again.

So, I'm stressing. I go to Auto Zone, Pep Boys, and no one has got it. I then called the Mazda dealer and they didn't even call me back for 4 hours (and even at that, no call).

I'm pissed. In the meantime I looked at the stock bulb and pulled it away from the brown connector (darn, they are seperate pieces). On the way to the Mazda dealer (I was gonna bitch) I stopped at the place I bought the H7 bulbs. Was nice to the guy and he handed me a new one - no charge, no issues. Cool.

I get to the Mazda dealer and two people, not on the phone are sitting on their butts. I then describe that I wanted to purchase/order two retainer clips. They brought pictures up of the headlight assembly, however, it wasn't on the picture, no part numbers as well. I told the dealer that my drivers headlight bulb died, went to Pep Boys to buy a new pair, and when I put the new one on the retainer snapped, as well as the second. The parts department ******** (yeah, now I cuss) told me to talk to service. I tell them the same story and they said that the light bulbs were under warranty. What! I didn't know that. That's besides the point, they would not order two headlight assemblies, take the retainers off and give them to me to fix my dilemma. Nor would they have any of their service staff to the same. They told me that I would have to buy two headlight assemblies, totalling $400 for a $3.00 (if that) piece of wire.

I then asked to talk to the manager (or whomever). He told me that I was inconvienenced replacing my own bulbs, when I told him that the last hour and a half, and off of work, and my drive their was. In addition, I asked him to show me where the bulb is under warranty. He could not. He basically told me to screw off. I talked to the sales guy and he understood and was really cool and all but no one would help me.

I about KO'd everyone there. I made a rucus (spelling?) and a few people walked out.

I decided to go to Home Depot. I only could find 12 gauge wire. Hell, I was going to bend my own. Hmmm, I tried and tried and it just wouldn't work.

I said screw this! I took the bumper off of my car (first time with this car and a Mazda - wasn't too bad, did a nice clean job). I took the headlights out. Took the little screws off of where the wire retainers would be held in place. I mounted the new Nokya's to the headlight connector. I then placed the bulbs and connector in place. Whipped out my hot glue gun and black glue (high temp strong glue for installers, etc) and lightly hot glued the damn thing in there. While I had the bumper off I took the MPV to Autozone and bought a 135db low note horn. I installed that in parallel to the stock horn. Damn it is loud now - very attention getting and with $14 including tax, not a bad deal. Put the bumper back on, and cleaned up.

The lights look great. I hope the bulbs last long. If not, I have to take the bumper off again (about a 20 minute ordeal). Hell, if I had $500 I would of done the same thing but put real HIDs in using the same methodology (yes, did this on my Type-R). If they burn out, I'm gonna somehow get the real HIDS. I like the Phillips kit, but the McCulloch's appear to be made a lot better without so much pain on mounting them.

Mazda dealers suck! No flames please.

- Brian