Bumper Suggestion?

[BeachBum]

Hi Everybody,

I am entertaining the idea of purchasing a new bumper for my 03 S and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I have been shopping around on nrauto and precisionporsche and it looks like the 997 gt3, gt2, and turbo looks are whats available. I am looking for something to update the boxster and make it look a tad more aggressive without departing too far away from the stock look. The 997 GT3 and GT2 bumpers are a bit too aggressive for my taste, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or websites I could turn to for other options. Also looking into sideskirts, so any suggestions there would also be appreciated. Anyone seen or know of anyone who purchased the CTR Turbo Style Bumper from Xtrememotorcars on ebay? I would include the link but am having a time doing it.
Thanks for your time,
Greg

[Wingnut2u]

I have the CTR bumper from xtreme, they were very easy to deal with and I was please with the quality and fit of my bumper

[BeachBum]

Wingnut2u,

Thanks for the reply and the pictures. That bumper looks awesome! Do you have any other pictures? Say, for instance, from the side? When I was looking at the pictures on ebay I thought I saw the front hood latch exposed even with the bumper installed. Do you find this to be the case?

Thanks,
Greg

[Wingnut2u]

here a couple more pics

[Rareair]

What about this bumper from GT Motorsports?
http://gtmotorsport.net/index.php?menu=Boxster+Street&page=Front+Bumper

[Ofishbein]

Don't forget the original aerokit II (GT3) bumper. It's an OEM part so there won't be any fitting issues.

[23109VC]

i like that aero kit one. if you add that along with those side skirts - it looks VERY nice and it still has an OEM look.

the other ones, further up in the thread - look more aggressive - maybe a bit "too" aggressive for my taste. some things look good on a 911 that (to me) don't look good on the Boxster.

but beauty is in the eye of the beholder - depends on what you want.

why are you changing the bumper - b/c it's full of rock chips, dents, is damaged, or is it fine and you just want a "new look"? if you want a new look - then you might WANT the more "aggressive' bumpers as they definitely look "modified". even car guys that don't knwo anythign about Porsches will probably know those GT3/etc style bumpers are NOT stock and you upgraded. the aero one looks stock - it's just different than what you have.

[angman]

I really like this CTR bumper. Does it actually say Caracter on the bottom left as this is a knock off right? Nice ride!

Originally Posted by Wingnut2u

here a couple more pics

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by Rareair

What about this bumper from GT Motorsports?
http://gtmotorsport.net/index.php?menu=Boxster+Street&page=Front+Bumper

I like that bumper look too, but look at the fit of it... not very clean. Has spaces on left and right side at the leading edge of the hood. Assuming that is because it is made of FRP, and not Polyeurethane.

[Wingnut2u]

Originally Posted by angman

I really like this CTR bumper. Does it actually say Caracter on the bottom left as this is a knock off right? Nice ride!

yes it does say Caractere and it is actually on the bottom right, it is identical to the original at a fraction of the cost

[Rareair]

How about the TechArt style from Precision Porsche

[RandallNeighbour]

Avoid GT Motorsports products. I've not been happy with the side skirts or the speedster humps. Fit, finish, and overall quality was sub-par.

I love that xtreme bumper. Is it poly or FRP?

[BeachBum]

I do like the Aerokit II look although I haven't found a place where I can get a pair of sideskirts and the GT3 bumper at a reasonable price. Any suggestions? BTW I do not mind getting a knock off so as to avoid spending for 4 G's for the OEM AeroKit.

Greg

[i_gemini2000]

Be cautious when buying copies of body kits. I have a friend who is an importer of auto parts, most of these copies are made in the same place(country)- they are often repackaged here in the USA(mostly in Ca.) and given different brands. Most of these copies are made in China/Taiwan and imported here in the USA in huge quantities , some of them have good quality and fit, BUT others are just simply sub par....These copies are often sold under different brands (with different price ranges), if you go online and search, you will notice that these bumpers, skirts are the same, and they use the same marketing pictures- buying these replicas are "hit and miss".......... IMO, If you find a good priced Original aftermarket, OEM kit, that is your best route. I bought a Used Original body (Techart) kit for my 996, the fit is just perfect! Original kit for a fraction of the price.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by i_gemini2000

Be cautious when buying copies of body kits. I have a friend who is an importer of auto parts, most of these copies are made in the same place(country)- they are often repackaged here in the USA(mostly in Ca.) and given different brands. Most of these copies are made in China/Taiwan and imported here in the USA in huge quantities , some of them have good quality and fit, BUT others are just simply sub par....These copies are often sold under different brands (with different price ranges), if you go online and search, you will notice that these bumpers, skirts are the same, and they use the same marketing pictures- buying these replicas are "hit and miss".......... IMO, If you find a good priced Original aftermarket, OEM kit, that is your best route. I bought a Used Original body (Techart) kit for my 996, the fit is just perfect! Original kit for a fraction of the price.

Or to sum it up in a sentence - Buy cheap buy twice.

[RandallNeighbour]

Those are words to live by for sure! And it pertains to most everything.

My dad told me I would rarely be disappointed with the best if I waited and saved up enough to get it instead of settling for lesser quality or an inferior or unknown brand.

[i_gemini2000]

Originally Posted by BeachBum

BTW I do not mind getting a knock off so as to avoid spending for 4 G's for the OEM AeroKit.

Greg

Why take the risk with aftermarket knock-offs when you can find clean used Original kits online. Try searching the For Sale Forum, i think there is a guy selling original Strosek body kit for a great price.
I got my used original Techart kit from a member of 6speedonline.

[Wingnut2u]

Aftermarket doesn't necessarily=cheap but I do agree that you have to be careful. My front bumper is aftermarket from xtreme, side skirts(techart) and rear apron (gemballa). They are all of good quality and fitment.

My motto is don't spend more than you "need" to. Sometimes it makes more sense to spend more for an original, sometimes it doesn't, you just need to be smart and informed. Most of all get exactly the look and style you want just don't buy a used body kit because it was a good deal. The look of my car might not be for everyone but I spent over a month looking at pictures and deciding on the exact look I wanted before I bought the parts. I couldn't be happier and that is what is important to me.

You have gotten advice here on 2 aftermarket companies
Xtreme Motorcars=good
GT Mottorsports=bad

Good luck and have fun!

[Cloudsurfer]

For what it's worth, I've seen the GT Motorsports side skirts, and the fit and finish is absolutely horrible. Friend of mine was going to install them on his Boxster, but after unboxing the skirts they needed so much finish bodywork that it would have been cheaper to go with the factory skirts that were paint ready.

Just looking at the pics of their GT3 MKII bumper they have in Boxster and pre-facelift 996 fitment looks equally bad.

[BeachBum]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Perhaps I will look into getting a used aerokit. I imagine they are pretty hard to come by. Anyone with any suggestions on where to look?

Greg