Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 Lighting Upgrade Review — Cost & Results
Service Price
$under $40
Estimated price · Actual price may vary by shop
Before
After
Process photos
Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 Billsconti taillight upgrade: approx. $250. Results in a sharper, personalized rear-end appearance.
Transforming the Rear of Your Hyundai Santa Fe MX5
Looking to give your Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 a more distinctive rear-end appearance? This guide details a popular modification: swapping the stock taillights for the Billsconti clear type, combined with a blacked-out emblem and lettering treatment. This upgrade offers a significant aesthetic shift, enhancing the vehicle's sporty and premium feel. The process, while requiring professional attention, results in a unique look that stands out.
Blacking Out Emblems and Lettering
The first step in this customization is to change the rear emblems and lettering from their standard silver to a sleek black finish. While the factory silver is clean, black offers a more sophisticated and aggressive profile. To ensure a flawless finish and protect the paintwork, meticulous taping is applied before the old emblems and lettering are carefully removed. Attaching the new black components requires precision to achieve a perfectly aligned and seamless look. This initial step alone provides a noticeable enhancement to the Santa Fe MX5's rear aesthetics.
Introducing the Billsconti Clear Type Taillights
A key feature of this upgrade is the installation of Billsconti clear type taillights. These are a popular choice among Santa Fe MX5 owners seeking a personalized look. Importantly, this modification is a legal structural change and passes vehicle inspections without issue. The design of the stock taillights can be polarizing, making the Billsconti option an attractive alternative for owners who want to express their individuality. The installation involves carefully removing interior trunk trim panels to access the taillight assemblies, a task handled with expertise to ensure a perfect finish.
Billsconti taillights are available in both clear and red variants. The clear type, as featured here, offers a more pronounced custom appearance, while the red type provides a subtler alteration while retaining a more factory-like feel. For an even more integrated look, the clear type taillights often have the adjacent reflector sections wrapped to match, creating a cohesive visual element.
The Result: A Sharper, More Personalized Santa Fe MX5
The combination of the Billsconti clear type taillights and the blacked-out emblems and lettering creates a significantly more refined and personalized rear end for the Hyundai Santa Fe MX5. This upgrade provides a noticeable yet tasteful enhancement to the vehicle's overall styling. It’s a highly recommended modification for owners who desire a unique look through legal and safe means. It's crucial to remember that taillights are vital safety components. Always ensure any replacement parts are legal and installed by a professional shop with proven experience, like the one that performed this work in South Korea.
Installation Process:
- Careful removal of interior trunk trim panels to access the taillight mounting hardware.
- Disconnecting the factory taillight electrical connectors.
- Removing the stock taillight assemblies.
- Installing the new Billsconti clear type taillights, ensuring a secure fit.
- Reconnecting electrical connectors and reassembling interior trim panels.
- (Optional) Wrapping reflector sections for a seamless look.
The cost for this specific upgrade in South Korea, including the Billsconti taillights and black emblem/lettering, was approximately ₩350,000 (around $250 USD at the time of the original article). This price reflects the quality of the parts and the professional installation required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does a lighting upgrade cost for a Hyundai Santa Fe MX5?
The Billsconti clear taillight upgrade featured in this review cost approximately ₩350,000 (around $250 USD) in South Korea. Typical LED headlight or taillight upgrade costs in the US can range from $100 to $500 depending on the vehicle and components chosen.
Q. How long do aftermarket LED lights last on a Hyundai Santa Fe MX5?
High-quality aftermarket LED lighting components are generally designed to last between 10,000 to 25,000 hours, often outlasting the vehicle itself. To maximize longevity, ensure they are properly installed to prevent moisture intrusion and overheating.
Q. Is a lighting upgrade worth it for a Hyundai Santa Fe MX5?
A lighting upgrade is most beneficial for Santa Fe MX5 owners seeking a distinct aesthetic enhancement or improved visibility. The value lies in achieving a personalized look and potentially safer driving conditions, especially if upgrading from older halogen technology.
Q. How is a lighting upgrade installed on a Hyundai Santa Fe MX5?
Installation typically involves removing interior trim panels to access the existing lights, disconnecting wiring, removing the old units, and installing the new LED or aftermarket assemblies. Electrical connections are then re-established, and trim panels are reassembled to complete the process.
Q. What is the difference between HID and LED headlights for a Hyundai Santa Fe MX5?
LED headlights offer instant illumination, greater energy efficiency, and a longer lifespan compared to HID (High-Intensity Discharge) systems, which require a warm-up period. For most modern vehicles like the Santa Fe MX5, LEDs are generally the preferred choice for upgrades due to their performance and reliability.
OhCar Partner Shop
