Boxster Special Editions or even Individual Factory Order ?

[keirangrogan]

I have a 2000 Boxster S, I already knew it was not quite standard as it has a rear spoiler more like a 930 (but somewhat smaller).

When I purchased the car, the dealer had disconnected the Third Brake Light (contained within the Spoiler) as presumably they couldn't work out what it was from and 90% of the bulbs had blown.

After 5 minutes of trawling Design911 I managed to work out that the Third Brake light is from a 996 GT3.

OK so not so different so far, its only a spoiler.

The rear bearings started rumbling last week, so booked in with my mechanic whom I have known for 30 odd years, to make life easier for him I pre ordered the bearings.

Whilst he was doing the work, the phone rang and my mechanic said, " Keiran, problem, those bearings you supplied are too small, but that's not really the issue, my parts supplier says you have the correct bearings for your car as listed according to both the model and the VIN".

I recontacted the Bearing Supplier, a Bearing Company, not a motor factor, they stated that according to the number printed on my Old Bearings I require the ones they have listed as "Porsche 911 Turbo".

They are 80mm X 42mm X 42mm, presumably to accommodate the larger Disks for the GT3 Alloys that are fitted to my car.

So my conundrum is, why when my car is a Boxster S, does it have parts listed for other models. Is it a special edition or is it possible to order a new car with a different configuration.

Any help or suggestions welcome.

[Escy]

A Boxster S has larger wheel bearings than the others. Maybe the confusion is because this isn't know on the database used to order the original bearings from?

[g7jhp]

Would be easier if you posted some pics of your car!

[keirangrogan]

Escy said:

A Boxster S has larger wheel bearings than the others.

Yes, I know that, mine are larger than standard S bearings.

[keirangrogan]

g7jhp said:

Would be easier if you posted some pics of your car!

[Spice_Weasel]

That looks to me like the Boxster Aerokit, which was a factory option (code XAA) on both the 986.1 (pre-facelift) like yours and 986.2 (facelift) cars. It comprised of a GT3-style bumper (more rounded and with larger air intakes), side skirts and the rear wing. The pop-up spoiler at the trailing edge of the boot lid is deactivated.

It was also a Tequipment option, so you could get it dealer-fitted or indie-fitted after purchase.

Check to see if the options code label under the bonnet has XAA listed. If it has, the kit was fitted at the factory. If not, it probably wasn't.

My suggestion would be to give Brian a call at Jasmine Motorsport or one of the other NW-region Porsche specialists (Sports & Classic, Tech 9) and ask them to inspect it and report on findings. If you're hoping for the dealer you purchased from to put things right, getting a baseline from a specialist is a good starting point.

Edited for typos by Spice_Weasel on Tuesday 13th October 13:26

Edited by Spice_Weasel on Tuesday 13th October 13:27

[edc]

I would hazard a guess that what you have are modifications or at worst repaired damage with alternative parts. The rear spoiler looks like an aftermarket fibreglass job. It's all over ebay.

[keirangrogan]

Spice_Weasel said:

That looks to me like the Boxster Aerokit, which was a factory option (code XAA) on both the 986.1 (pre-facelift) like yours and 986.2 (facelift) cars. It comprised of a GT3-style bumper (more rounded and with larger air intakes), side skirts and the rear wing. The pop-up spoiler at the trailing edge of the boot lid is deactivated.

It was also a Tequipment option, so you could get it dealer-fitted or indie-fitted after purchase.

Check to see if the options code label under the bonnet has XAA listed. If it has, the kit was fitted at the factory. If not, it probably wasn't.

My suggestion would be to give Brian a call at Jasmine Motorsport or one of the other NW-region Porsche specialists (Sports & Classic, Tech 9) and ask them to inspect it and report on findings. If you're hoping for the dealer you purchased from to put things right, getting a baseline from a specialist is a good starting point.

Edited for typos by Spice_Weasel on Tuesday 13th October 13:26

Edited by Spice_Weasel on Tuesday 13th October 13:27

And the winner Is !!

Spice Weasel, is bang on the money. The options code label does indeed states XAA.

So body kit is a factory option, still doesn't explain the 911 Turbo Wheel Bearings, unless the GT3 wheels require the larger Brakes and Hubs to look right.

[Spice_Weasel]

Great! HTH

On the 986 Boxster S, wheel choice would have made no difference to the wheel hubs and brakes. The brake discs (possibly front only) were bigger than the non-S as they were taken from the 911 and the standard fitment wheel was a 17" to accommodate this. There was then a choice of 18" wheels including the Sport Design (GT3) wheel which is what you have. But this would not have necessitated bigger hubs so it should have been fitted with standard parts.

It's not uncommon for a mistake to be made (Back in 99/2000 I had a mate with a 993 Turbo and the OPC fitted the wrong spark plugs to it) which might explain your problem. Get a specialist to look at it and advise.

[edc]

That doesn't look likes the full aerokit. On the rear of factory I think you get a longer booklid so no pop up spoiler. The skirts don't seem to look as sculpted but it might just be the lighting. The rear wing on the aero kit is different.

[Adam B]

edc said:

That doesn't look likes the full aerokit. On the rear of factory I think you get a longer booklid so no pop up spoiler. The skirts don't seem to look as sculpted but it might just be the lighting. The rear wing on the aero kit is different.

agreed - that is not the standard OEM aerokit

[keirangrogan]

Adam B said:

agreed - that is not the standard OEM aerokit

But judging by the lights that is a facelift model a 986.2, presumably the spoiler changed as well.

As stated earlier, the car does have the Option Code of XAA which is for Factory AeroKit.

[edc]

There are some minor differences between aerokit 1 and 2 as they are known but not to the extent of yours. The rear spoiler is the same design as the grey pic.

[DS240]

Someone I know has a 986 with the OE body kit fitted. I looks exactly like your car. They don't have the GT3 style wheels though. The raised wing came later. If you have the factory code also, I'd be confident it is standard kit.

Not sure about the wheel bearings though.

[Adam B]

keirangrogan said:

But judging by the lights that is a facelift model a 986.2, presumably the spoiler changed as well.

As stated earlier, the car does have the Option Code of XAA which is for Factory AeroKit.

It is a facelift picture, though I have never seen a 986 aerokit looking any different, maybe they were incredibly rare on early 986 so I just haven't seen one, as you say the XAA code would seem to suggest that the OP's car is kosher.

My Boxster S was a 2002 and the 2.7/3.2 era but pre the glass rear window facelift of 2003, and the aerokit looked like my picture, but maybe the really early 2.5/3.2 models were different

[Adam B]

looks the same as the US car, scroll down to the silver one

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/153...

I am actually quite curious now. OP - got a straight-on front and rear picture you could post?

[keirangrogan]

Adam B said:

looks the same as the US car, scroll down to the silver one

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/153...

I am actually quite curious now. OP - got a straight-on front and rear picture you could post?

Yep thats the fella, exactly the same save for the colour obviously.

[keirangrogan]

Adam B said:

got a straight-on front and rear picture you could post?

Not at the minute, I work away during the week so cannot take any until I return home on Friday.

Closed I have is

[Adam B]

no problem, enjoy the new car and its unusual spec

[keirangrogan]

OK, So this answers the Body kit questions !

Seems there are more of them in the US, but there would be given the size of the population !

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/12303-aerokit...