fdb

Hi.

1) I'm picking up a 2003 Protege ES (Laser Blue) on the weekend and I'm wondering if the P5 headlights will fit on the reg ES? The overall shape looks exactly the same, so they should fit, but are the mounting points the same and does the wiring need to be changed at all??

2) Will the lower front facia of the P5 fit on the ES? I'd imagine it would, since the the top half looks the same, but again, any issues with mounting,fit etc...

Thanks.

hihoslva

I cannot comment with 100% certainly on the headlight fit, however, there is extra wiring involved.

The P5 lights have dual bulbs (highs and lows are separate bulbs) while the sedans use a single dual filament bulb (highs and lows in one bulb). So you would need the correct wiring harness installed to properly complete this.

However, a cheapo route *might* be to just put in the lights, and continue using the single bulb (leaving the other light housing empty). I can't be sure this will fit, or give the proper light pattern for good visibility, but it might work (for a ghetto setup ).

The "lower fascia" is not a fascia at all - it is an entire new bumper, and yes, it will fit. The whole bumper however is different, including the grilles. You would also need to use the inner plastic wheel wells from a P5, and I also believe there is a bumper support that needs to be installed. You'd also need to purchase foglights, or leave the holes empty - plus, they'd need to be wired. If you have the stock fogs on your car, at least the wiring is already in place.

Also consider that the bumper looks a bit out of place without the side skirts to keep the flow of the car's lines looking correct. And then we get to the rear bumper, too.....you may wind up "needing" all the MP3/MazdaSpeed exterior parts just to make it all look good.

Overall, these are not "easy" mods (at least, not as easy as you probably thought they'd be ), but they are 100% do-able, and have been done by at least a few forum members - hopefully one of them will chime in a give you the full detail.

~HH

fdb

Thanks hihoslva :wink:

Yeah, the dual bulb setup on the P5 was what I was really wondering about. The dual filament setup on the sedan: Is there a seperate connection wire to the second filament, or does it not work this way...?

Yeah, I would leave the foglights out if I did the P5 bumper.

The bumper support and plastic wheel wells...Would these be hard to install on the sedan?? Is the P5 front bumper a lot lower to the ground than the standard one?

hihoslva

None of it should really be that difficult - it's just a matter of getting the parts ($$) and putting them on. The wheel wells and bumper itself should be a piece of cake. I wouldn't imagine the support would be that hard either.

As far as I know (not much!) there must be a separate wire for the second filament in the dual filament bulb. The real issue it that the connector for the sedan will be different than that of the P5, and there will only be 1 per side.

I'm not sure how you'd go about getting the proper wiring harness for everything - but I know for a fact that it can be done.

I was just commenting that there may be more to the swap than you originally thought - you can't just buy the headlights and "lower fascia" and slap 'em on - there's more involved. But in no way was I trying to say that it's a really hard task - it shouldn't be.

~HH

MisterT

I asked the dealership about this and they told me it would void out my warranty so I would check in to it first. I too like the front of the P5s

MisterT

2.0GT

I also was looking at doing the P5 front bumper, but the $$$ was more than i could afford at the time. When i talked to my dealership, they did not say anything about voiding the warranty. It doesn't sound like its true! Try checking with other dealerships.

hihoslva

Void the warranty? Bullshit.

Dealers love to say that crap, but the fact is, only a failure directly caused by the mod is void.

If your engine blows, Mazda can't void your warranty because of your swapped out headlights.

Only something directly related to the headlight swap can be denied.

~HH

fdb

2.0GT, how much was the bumper? Did you ask the dealer for the price, or did you go to a junkyard?

hihoslva, I put down my deposit for a 2003 White ES (hope they can find one!) and while at the dealer, I took a look under the Protege's hood. Yep, 3 connections to the headlights. So, the wiring is probably the same on the 5, except there is a split inside the light for the seperate h-beams. There wasn't enough time to look under the P5's hood (if I'd known, I'd of checked it first, but my buddy has a 5) However, I'd do the front end first anyway. Lights I'm not 100% on. They'll be pricey.

BTW, the P5 and sedan have the same ground clearance.

Maxx Mazda

The P5 headlights are $388 CDN apiece at dealer cost...

2.0GT

I was checking the costs last fall and i think it was close to $3000!
BTW, i didnt know the wheel well plastic things needed to be changed as well. they would be extra. I also checked using a remanufactured bumper cover, and it was more expensive by $75.
The bumper from the P5 is more expensive than the sedan bumper, and a was also told that the supports under the bumper are also different and they need to be changed as well.
i was dissapointed that the parts were not more inter-changable

Maxx Mazda

$3000? Buddy, you're getting dicked in the ***. All you need for a front end conversion is the bumper, which is $375 CAD, the rebar, splash guards, foglights and grills. Since I've replaced all that on my car since my accident, even with a Wings West bumper the cost for the front end including headlights at $400 apiece was only like 2 grand Canadian.

fdb

Maxx Mazda, what's the final cost of the bumper with all the related pieces?

Is the install hard? Is it basically a "take off, put on affair?"

Maxx Mazda

I went through insurance, but it was something like $1400 plus shipping for the 3 pieces. (Front and side skirts.) The bumper is only about $800 CAD.

fdb

Nah, I only want the front bumper, not the whole skirt package.

So, it's $800 for the front bumper, including the wheel wells and bumper support, foglights, grills? $375 was just the cost of the front bumper itself, without all the extra ****?

Maxx Mazda

Ok, FACTORY PROTEGE 5 OR MP3 BUMPER is $375.

Foglights are $188 each, the grills are about $200 for the set, the headlights are $388 each, the wheelwells are like $50 for both, and the rebar and styrofoam should be about $200.

All these prices are Canadian, so do the conversion to USD and see if it's worth it.