02 vs 03 Boxster S Clear head lamps.

[chan_paul2003]

Hi,

I live in Australia and am seriously considering purchasing a Boxster S. I recently inspected a 2002 S from a private seller.

It had clear front head lamps. I thought these were only introduced in 2003 (ie. with the engine upgrade). Can some one please clarify this?

Thanks.

[jamesatfish]

chan_paul2003,

To the best of my knowledge, the MY02 Australian spec Boxster (and I assume the RoW) still had the amber/yellow light clusters.**** My MY02 S certainly has them.

MY03 seems to have introduced the clear clusters along with the glass rear screen and other bits & pieces, though they're certainly a fantastic update to the earlier cars and I'd suggest unless you're a stickler for originality they would only add to the value (cosmetically, if not financially) of the earlier car.

Hope that helps,

James

[chan_paul2003]

Thats what I thought too.

The car I saw, had clear headlights, with plastic rear window. Was definately 02 model (according to VIN).

It has very low kms... less than 15K, but has had 3 owners already, which rings a few alarm bells. The owner is adament that the car has had no modifications, so i'm struggling to understand how it could have clear headlights.

Anyone else, have any other thoughts?

[Marc Gelefsky]

Are they Litronic? my 01 S has factory Litronics and they are clear.

[chan_paul2003]

Not that I know of.

The owner says the Boxster S is standard.

Litronics I assume, are an option?

[Perfectlap]

I have had Three types of headlights:

Halogen (with amber on most pre-2003 Boxsters and pre-2001 911's). $100 U.S. used. No difference in functionality between clear and amber headlight assemblies.

Halogen (clear, 2003-2004 Boxsters) $400-$600 U.S. used.
Ebay, swapped out the ambers right away and sold the clears for nearly what I paid six months later.

Litronics aka HID (clear no amber) approx. $1100-1200 U.S.
group buy from Brandywine in Pennsylvania.

[Wintermute]

Porsche introduced clear headlamps and clear/red taillights in the 2002 Boxster S about halfway through the production run. Mine is from the first half of the 2002 year so I have the old style lights. This one is from the latter run so it has the updated lights.

[Tool Pants]

You need to determine if they are litronics, which are clear.

If they are halogen then someone changed from amber to clear. You said there had been 3 owners.

I have a 1997 Box with clears from a 1999 996. Clear taillights and side markers. 3 spoke steering wheel from a 2000 S. And other stuff that did not originally come with the car when it was new.

It is common for owners to change things and the car you are looking at has had 2 prior owners.