Just ordered sideskirts...
 

... I'm close to a decision on wheels, but now I'm worried that the car will look funny without a front bumper upgrade.

Any suggestions on something that will be daily-driveable (not fg) and not crazy expensive?

If I get the 996 bumper, will it drop the line of the front bumper down a little bit or is it the same size, just different vents?

the 996 bumper will drop the lines a bit. i highly recommend the GT3 nose; it's really the one that looks right with the skirts. if you're patient, a good deal will pop up. i got mine (polyurethane) for $760 by just looking & waiting.

Before getting anymore bodywork stuff I'd suggest dropping your ride.

I think a ride that has the Aerokit stuff but still has the stock 4x4 ride height looks kinda funny.

I wanted to go with polyurethane for the front bumper too, just so that I would have something more durable up front. I got an MK1 GT3 OEM bumper for $400 with a brand new lower lip, no shipping either, a local pick-up. With the lower lip and a lowered car it is something you have to drive a bit carefully, but it looks great. Fortunately the lower lips are easily replaceable and not too expensive. IMHO this is the way to go in the front, plus you've got a couple different OEM options to choose from.

^ you got a steal...I paid $1000 for the GT3 bumper.
With the skirting I don't think you need to lower the car. It fills up the area under the doors nicely, kinda give the impression of the car being wider and lower.
Also, if you're roads are rough I would skip lowering the car. That really wears down a car and things start to come loose and the rattling gets annoying.

Yes lowering is not an option, I drive on very bad roads everyday, downtown atlanta. I agree completely though, in a perfect world with perfect streets I think the bigger the wheels and the lower the car the better...

Now that I know that the 996 bumper sits at least a little lower, I think that's what I'll go for. My skirts would match the gt3 bumper perfectly, but I can't count on finding one for that great of deal.

I doubt the car will look too bad with the 996 front bumper because it's a factory bumper, most people probably won't be able to tell it's been changed. Maybe if I get lucky I'll find one in seal gray.

BTW if anyone sees a stock 996 bumper for sale let me know. All I can find on 6 speed are 996t bumpers....

do a google search on the part numbers. i found my GT3 bumper that way; it turned up in a warehouse of surplus parts. i called the company & made them an offer on it; obviously they took it.

IMHO, if you want to do this right, since you got the aerokit side skirts, I think you should touch it off by getting the aerokit GT3 OEM front bumper that was made to match the skirts. As you can see, it looks absolutely great in seal grey:

http://www.avogl.com/images/Boxster/...020816-009.jpg

ggggggorgeous

i shudder to imagine the cost of the front bumper and side skirts... but that would make my car look wowzah...

is there a rear bumper for the aerokit that swaps to the 986 also?

No there isnt....Thats why I opted for the 2003-2004 bumper with no bumperettes. This really really finishes off the Aero Kit without adding that wing on the rear trunk lid.

The rear treatment of the GT3 aerokit consists of a spoiler on the rear deck lid.

http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/acatalog/5316_large.jpg

Here's a sideview with the rear spoiler. Keep in mind, part of the reason his car looks so good is because of the Techart wheels too. :)


http://www.avogl.com/images/Boxster/...021002-018.jpg

I remember this car. He wrecked it awhile back in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

http://www.avogl.com/images/Boxster/...030606-010.jpg

http://www.avogl.com/images/Boxster/...s/102_0235.jpg

Yeah- I thought it looked better in the pics I posted though. :)

Mere flesh wound...will be better in no time at all!

It does. He's since fixed it and changed out the rear bumper cover for a '03 + version. Good as new.

I would say get the side skirts and wheels first and see how the car looks then.

I've got Aerokit I side skirts on my 986S with Carrera Classics and I don't think there is a need to change the front bumper

Thanks, I got wheels that will probably not get approval from a lot of people, but I like them. (not chrome lol)

I'll post pics when the skirts and wheels are on.

I wish someone made an affordable urethane lip for our front bumpers...

Anyone think I will need spacers for:

19x8 et57mm and 19x9.5 et46mm

235/35/WR19 and 275/30/WR19

My car is a 2002 2.7L, everything stock

Hey guys speaking of side skirts would a 996's skirts fit on our 986's?

I'm also looking at a 99-01 GT3/Aerokit Front Bumper on 6speed and was wondering if it would fit my 97 box since I can pick it up locally.

Thanks and I hope this isn't considered a jack on the thread as i love the pics pf that GT3 kit on the box in the bushes.