generic hid projectors

[Matts96HB]

I picked up a set of OEM EM1 (99-00) Si headlights for my hatch.
I'm wanting to do it right this time, and do a projector retrofit so i dont blind others (went back to halogens in the current setup), my question is this, has anyone ever tried the generic projectors found on ebay?
here's a link:
2 x Bi Xenon HID Headlight Bulb Projector Lens H4 6000K: eBay Motors (item 250645278964 end time Jun-07-10 21:37:32 PDT)

im not sure if i trust these to be true hid projectors, and i dont want to get halogen projectors because i know those exist too.

opinions, thoughts, criticisms, etc welcome.

 

[Matts96HB]

or should i just pick up something like this?
02-05 BMW E46 3" BI XENON HID PROJECTORS HEADLIGHT PAIR: eBay Motors (item 160429504629 end time Jun-29-10 13:11:52 PDT)

 

[K2e2vin]

I'd be worried about the quality of the ebay projectors. The housing looks plastic while OE ones are usually metal. Also, who knows the cutoff of the ebay projectors.

 

[Matts96HB]

thats kind of what i was figuring, how exactly is a cutoff determined anyway?

 

[K2e2vin]

Usually, the sharper the cut-off, the better. Also, the cutoff on the driver's side is usually lower than passenger side; I'm not sure if the ebay's take this into account.

Here's a picture of a proper cutoff line:

 

[Matts96HB]

wow, that actually looks really good. it seems like hid's are useless without the projectors.
ive had a set of hids on stock headlights and none were ever even close to that bright.

think im better off with those stock BMW projectors then?

 

[K2e2vin]

I guess so. There are HID's for reflective lens but it's a different bulb(cut-off plate is actually built into the bulb IIRC) and requires a specific reflector design and len.

 

[Matts96HB]

yeah i think id rather just do a retrofit on the headlights i have.

anyone have any better recommendations for the projectors other than the bmw stuff? seems like that might be kind of a PITA to wire up..?

 

[K2e2vin]

TSX? Murano?

Wiring shouldn't be an issue; wire the projectors to the ballast and the ballast get power from your old light bulb wires.

 

[Matts96HB]

I found a set from the Murano on there. $100 plus shipping.
I'm trying to stay right in that price range so that might be an option.

I see a lot of different sizes on ebay, ranging from 2.5" to 3". is this going to make much of a difference in sight on the road? what exactly does the size affect?

 

[K2e2vin]

Looks, maybe? Most of the OE HID units looks like it's already pretty wide and no hot spots.

Don't forget the ballasts!

 

[Matts96HB]

OE ballasts? or can i use an aftermarket "kit"? i would like to try something as close to pure white as possible, since that is going to give me the best sight..

 

[K2e2vin]

You can use aftermarket but generally OE is of course, higher quality(starts up faster, etc.)

 

[Matts96HB]

right on, thanks man. +rep for your massive amounts of help