1998 vs 2003 Boxster bodyparts

[arildso]

Hi
Have a Black 1998 Boxster and need a new rear bumper cover as well as a new "latch" (the panel that moves when the Cab goes up/down).
Got an offer for the parts comming from a 2003 model but not sure if the parts are "Bolt on" to my 1998, any who knows ?
Also, black color on Boxster in 1998 vs 2003, could there be a different color code or most likely the same Black color ?

Regards
Arild

[rick3000]

Any '97-'04 bumper cover will fit, but the '03 bumper may be cosmetically different. The '03 should have rear diffusers/slots on each side of the exhaust.

The center A-Pillar soft top latch will fit all '97-'04 Boxsters. Is that what you mean by "latch"?

There are not different shades of black soft tops, the only variation should be if the older top has faded compared to a newer top. There are different shades of black paint.

[steved0x]

The 2003-2004 rear bumper cover is different than the earlier models to match the differences in the rear spoiler on those models which has more of a "tail" hanging back toward the rear of the car for styling purposes.

I don't know if this would work, but maybe you can get the spoiler too and retrofit it to go along with your new bumper?

[78F350]

Woody has a note and picture near the end of this post about the different brackets from 97-02 and 03-04:
Woody's build thread

Is the "latch" that you are referring to what is also called the "clamshell"


Here's a chart that shows colors, model year, and paint codes. It looks like there are a couple black colors.
All Porsche Boxster Colors | GTCarLot.com

[arildso]

Hi
Yes, clamshell was the part i meant

Will check the color codes to make sure it will be the same, thanks for the link

Regards
Arild

[itsnotanova]

As far as I know there's only two blacks that came on the 986. I forget what Porsche calls the colors but it's basically regular black or metallic black

[lkchris]

Yes, the '03-'04 bumper really isn't feasible for the older models unless you modify the rear spoiler at the same time. And by modify, I mean install an '03-4 spoiler.

[itsnotanova]

The cayman spoiler looks good with the 03-04 rear bumper.

[vrauba]

The rear trunk lid and quarter panels are the same from 1997 thru 2004. In 2003-2004 Porsche added diffusers on bottom of the rear bumper and widened the lip on the spoiler. You can use 2003-2004 rear bumper on older Boxster's but you will need to replace a couple of heat shields and heat shield supports, the retainer plate, spoiler wing cover, spoiler wing bracket and wing side covers. The actual mechanical and most expensive part of the spoiler mechanism is the same. Total dealer retail cost for new parts is approx. $500 excluding the bumper cover itself. You can probably make many of the old parts work like support brackets and heat shields with a little ingenuity by trimming and drilling new mounting bolts. If you look at exploded views of parts on the web, it will become clear how minor the adjustments would be. You would not see your handiwork if you mess up a bit since it's all covered up by the rear bumper cover. It can be done....I've done it. Well worth it in my humble opinion.