I've been looking to do a projector retrofit and I've checked out theretrofitsource.com to see what they have. I noticed that most of their projectors seem to be one solid piece such as this: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/ima...ector%201l.jpg

Today I found some BMW projectors for pretty cheap ($35!!) and thought they would be a good steal. Then when I was looking at the pictures the lens is held off the bulb housing like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-M3-B...item5d2f5cb6c0

I was just curious if projectors that are made this way with the space between the lens and the housing are any good or worth buying. It seems like the light wouldn't focus properly but I don't know. Figured I'd ask you guys for your input. Thanks!

 

you didn't look at all their projectors because i found three with the spaces, and TRS wouldn't sell something that won't function exceptionally well. the bmw projectors you found are a good price but be careful, they are $35 for just one, and you'll need two(obvisously). the three inch projector would help fill out the big 04-08 reflector a little better, just make sure you can get a decently big shroud for the the three inch lens

example 1

example 2

example 3

 

yeah that's what I was thinking since the headlight is so damn huge. thanks for the help!

 

I cannot speak for the other brands of reflectors, but the FX-Rs from TRS are spectacular.

A Nissan Titan with Silverstar has better low beams (and high beams) than my stock '09. Here is what the Titan's low beams look like:

Compared to the TRS FX-R 5000K, 50W projectors I put in my '09:

Both pictures were taken with the same film speed, aperture, and shutter speed.

For completeness, here is the Titan's high beams (four bulbs lit on the Nissan, unlike the F150:
and my FX-Rs on high:

 

Those E46s are great bi-xenon projectors. You'll need to get a shroud for them (TRS has them) plus the lens isn't going to be perfectly sharp. Also, I noticed the exact eBay listing you posted is for ONE projector, not a pair.