ES Instrument Cluster - When Changed?

[gar777]

Does anyone know when Mazda changed the coloring of the white-faced part of the gauge face on the P5/ES? I'm asking b/c I have an 03 ES with a broken fuel gauge needle. i bought an 02 P5 cluster and the white-faced part doesn't match. The 02 is a flat-ish white while the 03 is more silver-ish and sparkly. I want my gauges to match and to be correct for the 03 car so I'm looking for the 03 silver-ish sparkly one. I have a few sources but I'll probably end up ordering it over the phone so I want to be sure to get the right one this time.

does anyone know the date when Mazda changed to the silver-ish sparkly one? Was it for all 03 models or a mid year change? If mid-year, was it 03.5 or sometime in 02? Please help!

Thanks

[tonkabui]

just change all three out?

[MarkSpark]

I think 2002.5. I have the silverish gauges. They came on the MP3 first, though. :)

[gar777]

just change all three out?
I thought of that but want the gauges to match the car. otherwise, the next buyer will think I've messed with the gauges and they may not trust the mileage. Also, I prefer the sparkly, silver-ish gauges.

[gar777]

I think 2002.5. I have the silverish gauges. They came on the MP3 first, though. :)
oooooh I hope you're right. 02 gauges are MUCH easier to find than 03 and, presumably, about half or so of the 02s are 02.5s.

Any idea how to tell if a car is an 02.5 or an 02? I know how to tell the wheels apart but was there a build date cutoff or something else I could easily relay to a guy at a distant junkyard?

[MarkSpark]

oooooh I hope you're right. 02 gauges are MUCH easier to find than 03 and, presumably, about half or so of the 02s are 02.5s.

Any idea how to tell if a car is an 02.5 or an 02? I know how to tell the wheels apart but was there a build date cutoff or something else I could easily relay to a guy at a distant junkyard?

02.5's have clear side markers. 2002s don't.

[hi-perf]

1999 - ES came with black gauges, normal lettering (green)

2000 - ES came with black gauges, italicized lettering (green)

2001+ - ES came with white gauges, italicized lettering (red)

2001 MP3 - came with white gauges (red)

2002+ - P5 came with silver gauges (red)

03/03.5 MSP - came with silver gauges, silver needle bases (03.5), and MS logo on tach (red)

be aware of the P5s with the triptronic (sport automatic) transmission, it has holes in the side of the gas and thermostat meter, for telling you with an LED which gear you are in.

[gar777]

Based on all of this, it looks like I'm looking for the cluster from an 02.5+ P5/ES manual. Thanks alot guys!

[hi-perf]

you can also use the 02 one, i have one from an 02 and it has sparkly silver. i think the regular auto tranny model also was the same as the one with the manual (no LED's for telling which gear you are in)

[gar777]

you can also use the 02 one, i have one from an 02 and it has sparkly silver. i think the regular auto tranny model also was the same as the one with the manual (no LED's for telling which gear you are in)
actually, the replacement I bought is an 02 but it's white, not sparkly silver, so it doesn't match the one from my 03 car. It's from an auto but luckily no LEDs but I want a sparkly silver one to match what came in my car. Thanks.

[ZoomFive]

Based on all of this, it looks like I'm looking for the cluster from an 02.5+ P5/ES manual. Thanks alot guys!

I concur. My 2002 has the white faces and as recall the 2002.5 and on have the titanium finish. Just go for the most recent year and it should match yours. Good luck.

BTW the side markers on my car that you may have noticed were my own additions.

- ZoomFive

[hi-perf]

/threadjack

how hard was it to install the side markers on a car without one?

like how hard was the wiring etc?