reflectors!? What do u have...

[madboy]

interesting topic really, reading legislation, the cars should have amber reflectors front and back if they have them, but are optional.

MX5's come standard with amber front, red rear. so there is obviously a fairly relaxed attitude towards side reflectors on cars if they can roll off boat not have a problem.

I guess this also leaves open the option to "shave" the reflectors completely. If there was no visual evidence that there were reflectors at all...

[hks_kansei]

the legislation also had a clause that mentioned that if the reflectors meet approval of the USA or EU legislation that it is deemed to also pass the relevant ADR

so if the US, or EU allows red rear reflectors to save costs for the manufacturer I think they just let it slide.

but basically, it is optional to have reflectors on the side, however if you choose to have them they must be within the correct guidelines (colour, size, etc)

so basically (for VIC):

stock reflectors = Legal
removed reflectors with mesh = Legal
painted reflectors = Legal
clear reflectors = Illegal (incorrect colour)

[Mr Morlock]

Call me a pedant but removing the OE fitted reflector may not be legal- sometimes RWC inspections expect that OE items when originally fitted are expected to work. A painted reflector is not a reflector because it would be rendered non functional. Front and rear turn signals and side repeaters must flash amber and these lenses do not have reflectors in them- ie the amber lamp on the front and rear relies on a bulb to transmit light - a reflector has no bulb and reflects light only. Red rear lamps often have a reflector incorporated in the lense to reflect light when the vehicle is parked. If a vehicle has no reflector on the rear then it may not be seen at all when parked. The comment about "shaving' still seems odd to me- as HKS alluded to - lamps usually have standards such as the E number engraved into the lense to id the standard and it might even have the logo of the maker.

[TieNN89]

I got clear ones and put lit them up like indicators.

+1

10 indicators ftw!

+1 here too

[PUR157]

The comment about "shaving' still seems odd to me- as HKS alluded to - lamps usually have standards such as the E number engraved into the lense to id the standard and it might even have the logo of the maker.

Pedant...
You know he's made a good point when you start questioning yourself... but let the babies have their bottles...!
If one of our non OE reflectored MX5s gets run into at night while parked we'll remember to ask whether or not it had anything to do with the reflectors OK?

[hks_kansei]

I know it's slow, but here's mine now!

[grazza]

I am constantly amazed how much "bling" is a higher priority than safety.
While the regulations may be questionable in your minds, they were created with safety in mind and not, hard to believe, to just piss off those who want to turn their car into a fashion item.

Suck it up - you are driving something that can kill. The regulations are there for a reason.

</rant>

[hks_kansei]

While the regulations may be questionable in your minds, they were created with safety in mind and not, hard to believe, to just piss off those who want to turn their car into a fashion item.

correct indeed.

however to quote the Victorian legislation again regarding SIDE reflectors,

Mandatory
On all motor vehicles the length of which exceeds 6m except passenger cars (MA), forward-control passenger vehicles (MB) and off-road passenger vehicles (MC)

on all trailers.

Optional
On passenger cars (MA), forward-control passenger vehicles (MB) and off-road passenger vehicles (MC)

On all motor vehicles other than those in category (MA), (MB) and (MC) the length of which does not excees 6m

since the MX5 is an MA class vehicle, being a passenger car, and is also under 6m in length, the legislation does NOT require side reflectors to be fitted.

[grazza]

Fair enough, but I still think having them is safer than not having them, especially when parked in dark areas.
And if you are going to do it (in Vic) carry around a printed copy of the regulations because a cop may think differently.

[Lokiel]

I've got the clear reflectors which are wired to the indicators.

IMO, the clear reflectors look a bit cheap and "plasticky" on my Titanium SE (I prefer them over the OEM orange reflectors though).

Has anyone got these: http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product1376.htm on their car?

They're pretty expensive, $305, so I'd like some opinions before getting them.

[Mr Morlock]

I would have to agree with Grazza- bling seems far more important to complying with regs. The side reflex reflectors are required under regulation to be amber- a clear side reflector is not legal. A side repeater ie a replacement for the amber reflector is also unlikely to be legal as no one would have gone to the trouble of getting them approved to the relavant ADR. Co's like Hella and Narva when selling aftermarket lights will have the products tested to ADR's which means cost and testing.
OE lights are all approved to local regs.
Lokiel- the price is pretty crazy. You also need more info- like what is the function of the lamp that they are supplying. If they flash as a repeater lamp then they must be amber. Being LED's these are often not compatible with other signalling equipment.
It is interesting when you take a photo of the side of your MX5 with amber reflectors- they stand out and really are a safety feature- and they cost nothing to run and no light source to fail.

[broady]

I would have to agree with Grazza- bling seems far more important to complying with regs. The side reflex reflectors are required under regulation to be amber- a clear side reflector is not legal. A side repeater ie a replacement for the amber reflector is also unlikely to be legal as no one would have gone to the trouble of getting them approved to the relavant ADR. Co's like Hella and Narva when selling aftermarket lights will have the products tested to ADR's which means cost and testing.

[Lokiel]

I finally decided to switch the clear corner reflectors/indicators to chrome side reflectors/indicators now that the A$ is pretty strong against the US$. I purchased them from http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProd ... exID=77855 and they're currently about A$100 cheaper than here in Australia.

See the last 3 images on garage_vehicle.php?mode=view_vehicle&VID=212 for photos of the chrome reflectors/indicators. The garage photos also show the previous clear reflectors/indicators.

I prefer the chrome since the clear indicators looked a little cheap IMHO.

The chrome indicators/reflectors each have 3 amber LEDs which are quite effective.