I have just found out that it is legal to illuminate the side running lamps on a car in the UK. However one thing to note is that they must be amber, which means that you can use the original and the clear (assuming an amber bulb) but am not sure if you could get the red replacements to glow amber, might be something to look into. This should be quite a simple thing to do as the running lamp bulbs would be a very low wattage or as some of the ones that Hella supply (possibly to Volvo) are actually LED's - virtually no current drain at all and last for aeons. Hope this is of use to someone, I will look into this closely at the weekend and see if I can find suitable parts / numbers etc for an install (maybe put together a kit - who knows) (2/00)
Illuminated reds on the back drew no comments from the MOT'er last time. Ideally, you need to get hold of the front side lamp bulb holders, and drill out the blank on the side marker (Dremel worked great at shaping it). Fronts are simply wired into the sidelights, backs are wired via a connector found behind the boot trim (thin wired). Instead of Mazda connectors, some have suggested using the side-wing indicator holders off, say, a Metro, which cost pennies. Another alternative is to hunt down low voltage bulb holders at Tandy/Maplins/etc. Fronts seem more prone to getting wet and slimey behind. (2/00)
No comments from MOT but then these are probably not on their checklist so they dont care ? Anyway from what I was told by the chap at Hella, to be legal they must be amber. (2/00)

I now have front running lights, it took about 2 hours from getting to the scrapyard, selecting Seat Ibiza (£3 each) repeater lights and fitting them!

The Ibiza ones are ideal as that have a push fit bulb holder with rubber boot and cabling as a one piece component. All you have to do is sink a hole in the running light, fit the tube from the repeater, push the bulb holder into place and connect to the sidelights - Job done, even the cable is the right length! (2/00)
I have noticed on some MK1 5's that their side lights are iluminated... is this possible with the MK2? (3/00)
By side lights do you mean running lights, those down the side of the bumpers ? If so there should be no reason why you cannot illuminate them just wire them to your real side lights. Note that to be legal they have to be Amber. I suggest a low wattage bulb (2.2 watts has been suggested) (3/00)
Just had some information from Hella about the legal Wattage requirements for the installation of running lights. I have 4W bulbs which are "bright", usually running lights are 5W and can go to 12W legally ! If you have to low a wattage bulbs you "may" fail the MOT test, interestingly you can still fail the MOT if you just disconnect the lamps temporarily. (5/00)
Can anyone who has illuminated the orange running lights on their '5 please remind me where to pick up the 12V for the rear two. In the boot I think but where ?? (6/00)
When I did mine, I removed the boot trim, and found two connectors behind. The smaller one is the one you want. (6/00)
I took my feed from the rear number plate lights feed using scotch locks, not the most professional way I grant you but it works well, and is easily reversible. I am using 4W bulbs at the moment and have had no fuse problems :) (6/00)