roleur

Here comes some rain on your parade...I wouldnt invest any money on upgrading the looks of the boxster...when you can afford it, just lease or purchase a 996...there about 40k and sometimes alittle less.

Not sure why you replied with a suggestion on how to spend money... has not been an issue in this thread.

After researching the parts, your idea of saving money by not using 996 parts is inaccurate. Check both Pelican and PAP and you will find the 996 cover #996-505-311-04-G2X (996 Carrera 2/4 99-01) is up to $150 less expensive than the Boxster cover #986-505-311-04-G2X (986 Boxster S 00-02... picture attached is non S version).

If I wanted a 996, I would have purchased or leased a 996. I wanted a 986.

What quite a few proud Porsche owners appreciate is the subtle design and engineering differences - yet interchangeability - of components between certain models and from year to year. As other Forum Members have noted, owning a Boxster is mostly about fun. Part of the fun, as exemplified by the numerous mods and hacks out there, including your '986' badge in lieu of 'Boxster', is refining, improving, adjusting, developing your own vehicle to suit your needs and preferences.

Moving on... for those interested in exploring this change, front bumper grilles may be needed with the 996 cover part listed above... for 996 with Tip the part # is 996-505-553-05-01C (at $66.50, 986S grille is $170).

The cooler for a Boxster tip is on the transmission. On a 996 tip it is in the front.

Your profile says you have a Boxster S. So you would use a 996 tip cover because you have a third coolant radiator in the front.

Have the same setup (2001 Boxster S)... had a Hummer with a trailer hitch back into me when parked and left a 3" long scratch and 1/4" depression in the front bumper cover.

Do you have the part # for the above-mentioned 996 tip cover?

Is the 996 cover larger, i.e., lower to the ground than the 996?

Any idea where/how i can compare dimensions and appearances?

Thanks for your help!