Will a 2003-2005 Bumper fit on a 1997-2002 without modification?
 

Hi, looking at getting a new bumper and thinking about the 2002-2005 bumper.

Is this a plug-and-play on a 1997-2002 body or are modifications needed?

Has anyone ever done this?

It is a direct fit to the car. It will use different trim pieces than the earlier bumper covers, so make sure you source them with the bumper.

2005 is the 987, so that yr will not work.

Front: yes
Rear: no

I was thinking the same, the 987 looks very different around the lines of the headlight but then again it might be optical delusion and it fits as some would suggest..? I love to see a photo of an unmodded 987 bumper on a 986.. i think it will look odd around the lights for sure

Yes, the 2005 and rear bumpers are different and are not a direct fit. I made some assumptions when I posted and that was a mistake. -Cutting off the year with 2005 models made no sense to me so I assumed that through 2004 was intended. -I have replaced lots of front bumpers, so I didn't consider the rear.

Now as penance, I'll be more specific.

2005 (987) bumper covers will not fit at all without lots of modification. The top edge of the front bumper is entirely different due to the lighting and frunk changes for the 987. The top edge of the rear 987 bumper covers the sides of the tail light and the spoiler is shaped differently.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02/9871683635257.jpg

2003 - 2004 front bumpers are interchangeable to the 1997 - 2002 cars. The trim for the grills is different and not interchangeable.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1683636555.jpg

2003 - 2004 rear bumpers are different from the earlier models because of the change to the spoiler.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1683636763.jpg

...and now I leave you with this: http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/9114-official-986-996-front-end-conversion-thread.html

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this! Very helpful as I look for new bumper covers for my 2002 Boxster.