To mod or not to mod
 

My apologies if this already has been hashed to death.

I see a lot of threads here with mods and upgrades. Seems the Boxter community really loves to do this.

For my part, I am torn. I love the looks of my Boxter S as they are, but on the other side, modding is fun. I also own a 1941 Dodge Luxury Liner, all original, including paint and upholstery and couldn't dream of changing anything.

So am I all alone? Or is there a "silent min/maj-ority" that feel its sacrilege to mod a classic?

Anker

Allot can be done unseen for the most part. Some actually make the car look better. I really love the look of a mostly stock Boxster lowered reasonably.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/...psbgbd0l2j.jpg

Anker

Ok, first, how about some pictures of that '41 Dodge! And any story that goes along with it!

As far as modding your Boxster S, I say do what makes you happy. I've kept mine pretty much bone stock except for the IMS Solution and some other minor upgrades that Flat-6 did when they rebuilt my engine.

But that's just me. I certainly wouldn't hold it against anyone who gets some pleasure out of modding their Boxster. Others may feel differently, but that's where I stand.

I have one rule though - you have to provide pictures!

I like what Bird Dog said. I have always "modded" my cars in one way form or fashion and before I actually drove my Boxster, I had a list of mods that I knew I wanted to complete. However, once I drove the car the 1st, 2nd, then 3rd time, I realized that for myself, the car is perfect. I have the Base model so of course I could use that extra 50hp+, however the car really is perfect. The only "mods" I have done so far is change out the Head Unit, installed a Infinity BassLink SM behind passenger seat and in the process of acquiring a set of 18" Turbo Twist wheels. That's it for me. Once I get above 4K rpm, I can't think of anything at that point.
So Mod to your like, to your taste and what will overall make YOU happy.

I think it depends on what you consider "modifications." For some people that means big aftermarket bumpers and huge spoilers.
For me, I like to be in keeping with the spirit of the original design.

All of my modifications (except for splicing in an air horn) are 100% reversible back to stock, however most of my modifications are not flashy exterior modifications, but what I would consider tasteful upgrades. For example, de-ambering my lights, upgrading to a set a 996 rims, or filling up all of my blank dash switches with useable buttons/features. Almost all of the modifications I have done, that you can see, are just 996 parts that I prefer the look of, and most of the modifications or hacks are practical updates you cannot see (clutch switch, iPod adapter, air horn).

:cheers:

Modifying your Boxster is such a personal thing. In the end, do what makes you happy.

My list;

'03 18" Light Alloy Carrera Wheels
’03 Top with Glass Window
Porsche Sport Exhaust (PSE)
Secondary Cat Bypass Pipes
996 Aluminum (White) Face Gauge Cluster (X71)
996 Leather Instrument Surround
Leather Door Panels
Red Seat Belts
Red Rear Console
Aluminum E-Brake & Shift Knob
Bird Arm Rest
Steering Wheel Modified by CarDreams
Leather Air Bag
Garage & Gate Switch Hack using 996 Targa Roof Switches
Spoiler Dash Indicator Light & Switch
Rennline Dead Pedal
Foot Well Lights
Side Light Blinker Mod
De-Ambered Litronic Headlights
Silver Hood Crest
Sun Visors Delete
Numeric Shift Console
Numeric Cables
LN Spin-on Oil Filter
Fog lights converted to LED DRL
BlackVue Dash Camera
Front License Plate Holes Filled & Painted
One Touch Top Relay
Ultimate Cup Holde

Agree with most, that whatever floats your boat (and that Luxury Liner sort of sounds like a boat [emoji6]) is the way to go.

Me, I like the stock look, but have done quite a few of what I call tasteful mods that are keeping with the original look and design. Also agree that you should stick with easily reversable mods should you change your mind on anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your car, your money, your choice.

There are some pretty much universally accepted mods. Things like a glass window top, Smart Top, AGM battery, Litronic headlights, clear side lights, later year tail lights, de-ambering, third radiator and S bumper cover, body color bumperettes, wheels, DasShild hood and trunk protectors, interior mats, etc. Few of those would put off most potential buyers. And your '04S already has the right top and radiators and some of the lights.

My first choice would be a great PPI-type review by a Porsche specialist and get things like radiator cleaning, fluids update, brakes update, alignment, axle boots, AOS, water pump, etc done first. Maybe the IMS. Then worry about the mods after the reliability items are taken care of.

Wonderful cars. The '04 is the last and best but it is aging along with all of us. Pay attention to the reliability items.

I'm usually one to mod my cars but I haven't done much to my 04 S. Not a lot of aftermarket support compared to what I'm used to and the stuff that is available tends to be pretty pricey, to the point where the value for your money just isn't there, IMO. Though if you have a pre facelift then you have a bunch of things you can do to make it look like the facelift if that's your goal. A couple of simple cost effective mods I've done that I would recommend on any boxster:

-euro side markers (to get rid of the ugly orange ones)
-secondary cat bypass pipes (topspeed/circuitwerks/ebay brand)
-997 shifter (can be found for ~$100 used on ebay)

+1 on doing what you want. My motto is unless you paid or are paying for my car, your opinions will be politely dismissed. My 986 is fairly stock. I'm not much for aftermarket bumpers or spoilers. I have seem some very nice dice and deer whistles, but other than that...

All that aside, I have done LED interior lighting as it is brighter and more useful than stock to my less than optimized eyes. On the same note, I have added BT and better speakers

Oh yeah, my cigarette lighter now holds a dual USB charger. Maybe Santa will bring me a matching smoker delete cubby for my console.

I purchased a 2003 Boxster S that had the aftermarket PSS2. The car looked and felt amazing but at the end of the day, I don't drive my cars that hard so the net was that I found the car just a little tougher to get in and out of (4 knee surgeries will do that).

The $59 short throw shifter has been a very nice mod. I would look in the DYI section at Ben006's ball bearing shifter if I had it to do over again (wasn't available when I did mine).

Enjoy your car. You'll figure out what's important to you!

I have chosen to modify my 99. nothing to extreme, 996 front bumper, S center radiator, 03-04 rear bumper and side vents. Aftermarket exhaust 996 gauges, drilled rotors with speed bleeders, DD radio and speaker upgrades I put 6 speakers in the rear shelf and changed the amp to a 6 channel out of a 996 cabrio.

I'm looking to mod the appearance. I just am not sure what is right for a cabriolet. I would like a stripe (s) running down the middle but not sure any go with arctic silver. I have not been able to find any pictures for ideas. Anyone know of any, please post.

Thanks for all the feedback!

The car came with the IMS oil feed solution, so I can sleep at night. It also came with Lintronics, so the lights are great. There's arattle from the rear trailing arms that I will take care of when it comes out of winter hibernation.

I think I will take it really easy and only do mods and upgrades that have a lot of value for me, and primarily do ones that are reversible.

On the immediate list is:

I really want to have DRLs for safety and I read that the fog lights are so hot they will fog the plastic light covers, so maybe I'll get a pair of LED bulbs for them and see if I can wire them to a lead that's hot when the ignition is on and also wire them through a spare dash switch.

I have also looked at the spoiler on the picture to replace the stock spoiler. At $100 plus painting it seems a good value to improve the looks.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9yEAAO...G6q/s-l500.jpg

Finally, I couldn't resist ordering the $10 decal that goes over the trunk brake light so it shines PORSCHE when I hit the brakes. It has always irked me that there's no Porsche badge on the back of the car.

At some point I'll also want to be able to play music from my phone through the Bose system.

Thanks again!

Anker

Have fun with it and tinker away! I don't think these cars will ever be worth more than they are now.

I bought my 2000S because of its driving experience and its amazing design, referencing the iconic early race cars. I'm fine with it stock and that's the way it will remain unless something needs replacing for reliability but I enjoy seeing what those who enjoy something different come up with.

Larry (the Bald Eagle)

+1 on your choice whatever makes you smile. I pretty much have my entire car stock with the addition of the 1 touch button for the roof installed and replaced the side markers to have clear ones. Other than that, all stock.... I like the classic look myself but if something breaks it will get replaced with new tech.

Mod for yourself. It is money gone.
 

Always remember you will never get your money back on the sale for mods and limits your resale audience. Bottom line: Do it for yourself with the idea that you will get the enjoyment out of the money spent. It isn't a good idea if you think you might sell the car in a year or two.

There is a great hack for this where the fogs come on when you start the car. And, you are absolutely right, put some LEDs in there so you don't ruin the lens cover.

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/20838-drl-fog-light-hack.html

Great! I have already ordered the LEDs from eBay and the rest will be a piece of cake!

Thanks/Anker

Kind of obvious - I vote for mod's. :)

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...psymnmi4vo.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...pszwdmni0f.jpg