M030 and ROW M030 - different???
 

I am looking to buy a used Boxster or Boxster S. havent' made that decision yet.

my dad is on the verge of selling his 2000 Base, which I have driven quite a few times. His car has 18"s and it came from the dealer with an upgraded suspension - M030 is what I believe it has. I helped my dad test drive his car and we drove several base boxsters, and I remember vividly being able to tell that the one he bought - wtih the M030 suspenion was much stiffer/better handling than the others that did NOT have it.

I've seen posts here about guys who do NOT have the M030 setup buying it and having it installed. I have seen it referred to as ROW (rest of world) or something like that.

I understand that in other countries, the M030 was standard on some boxsters..

my question is THIS - if I can find a used boxster or boxster S that came standard with the M030 suspension setup - is this the exact samet hing that I would buy if I ordered it from a dealer, and is the ROW M030 something different, or are they all the same?

M030 = ROW M030??

ROW is different. It's a littlwe stiffer and a little lower. Different PN #s than domestic market m030.

true. the sway bars are the same. the struts and springs are designed to run the car 20mm lower up front and 10mm lower in back. you can run the RoW springs on your regular struts.

so if I can find a used boxster that already has the M030 suspension upgrade from the factory - is it really worth it to upgrade to ROW M030???

or is the difference so subtle that you woudln't really notice it???

I have driven a base boxster with "regular" suspension and the M030 suspension and I *could* tell the difference between that. not sure if the ROW M030 would change stuff enough to notice? maybe just the ride height woudl be visibly noticeable???

the ride between the US and RoW M030 packages is nearly identical. the only difference is that the RoW version has a lower center of gravity. i also think the lower ride height looks better. it's up to you whether you think it's worth it, but all you'd really need to do to make the US car RoW spec would be to swap the springs. they're only about $250, but the labor may be expensive. if you're handy, you can do it yourself.

The M030 and RoW M030 is basically the same suspension, just different height.
The DOT requires US cars to have a minimum height, hence Porsche had to comply.
My '98 car was ordered with M030 and I eventually replace the springs with much lower and progressive springs, leaving in place the OEM M030 struts, although they have a little longer travel than I now need.
The anti-sawybars and other suspension pieces are the same between M030 and RoW M030.

Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Thank You!

I've got a lead on the swaybars only. Do you think this would make an improvement on my 03 Boxster S or should I only consider the whole kit at once?

Also, if I have the sways, can I buy the rest of the kit or is it all or nothing?

the sway bars are responsible for 80% of the performance increase from the M030. you can always buy the struts / springs later. they don't have to be M030. eibach springs w/ bilstein struts are similar.

Check the options label on the frunk lid. If you see '030', then it has a factory installed M030 suspension.