New Boxster S Owner looking for Aero kit

[Curly]

Greetings fellow Porsche owners (love the way that sounds). However, while you all get to drive your fantastic automobiles, I have to wait until I get home from Afghanistan in June 2011. I was able to talk my wife into to buying me a 2001 Boxster S, metallic black with a brown, full leather interior. 41000 miles and looks darn near new (at least from pictures I've seen and friends and family comments. Now I can't wait to drive it!!! I'll get 2 weeks at Christmas if the weather cooperates in SW Virginia...

I am thinking about 2 upgrades and would like some opinions and recommendations. Planning on installing an in-dash nav/stereo system, any recommendations? Also want to put a new front bumper/spoiler and rocker panels to give it a more modern look. I just think the 2001 nose is a bit too pointy for my taste. I saw a 2008 Limited Edition and really like that front end alot. Haven't seen many recommendations for after-market aero kits on line and will not put anything on the car that does not look Porsche quality. Fiberwerks seems to make a really good product, but their front end is a bit too busy for me.

I can't believe I already want to change the car and have not even driven it! Although what else can I do from 7000 miles away???

Fire away with any comments or recommendations! Yes they are crappy pictures (from the seller's ad actually), but I have the title now and that's all that really matters!

[biopsea]

while i am not up to date on the boxter, i wanted to welcome you to the club. MORE IMPORTANTLY, thank you for serving.

saw this picture the other day. think its called the aerokit II? not sold on the rear spoiler, but.....

[biopsea]

oops

here ya go

[Curly]

Thank you for the kind words. I had seen the aerokit II in pictures. Thought it was a bit too swoopy (not sure how else to describe). I just ran across a kit from Rieger that looks really sharp IMHO

[whall]

Curly,

There is a RennTech board member, trieullionaire, who has a tutorial for the installation of an older Pioneer 2DIN navigation/audio systems, i.e., AVIC-D3:

He and his brother have an e-Bay outlet that offers kits to install allmost any large format after market system. They are also very good at helping DIY'ers engineer/trouble shoot their installations of later versions of equipment.

I have used trieullinaire's kits to install a Pioneer AVIC-Z3 and a Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT in two different cars. Pioneer is now up to AVIC-Z120BT and, before you make it back stateside, will have something even more cosmic available. I like the Pioneer line of systems but have no experience with any other brands.

Keep your head down,

Bill

Edited October 20, 2010 by whall

[Curly]

Thanks Bill, I have seen his tutorial, looks like a great kit as well.

Anyone out there have any info on Rieger Tuning (maker of the above kit?

They use ABS to make their parts, and I'm trying to find someone that has used them before...

[mikefocke]

Another

Thank you for your service.

Around Xmas, be wary of driving on summer tires below 40F which it is liable to be in SW VA.

You have the title now and I presume your wife has the car waiting for you. Is she maintaining the battery (meaning is it on a battery maintainer)? Or at least maintaining access to the front trunk so you can get to the battery?

[Curly]

Thanks for the kind words Mike, my wife is driving once a week to keep things "warm". I got a feeling I may have some difficulty prying the keys out of her hand when she picks me up at the Airport! She likes it alot more than she thought she would... She even likes the manual tranny (what's not to like!?) Thanks for the heads up on the tires. Previous owner had said the same thing. I have never owned hi performance summer tires. I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy some extra wheels with all season tires for the occasional winter drive. Certainly don't plan on taking out in inclelnt weather, but would not mind being able to drive on a clear 30 degree day!

Curly

[kedf1]

To help with the looks, I would suggest getting clear side marker lights, clear tail lights and a clear third brake light, maybe even the LED versions. This is an inexpensive and easy DIY.

If you want to keep in line with Porsche quality and style, without having to go the full aerokit way, perhaps a simple conversion to a 996 series front bumper.

IMO, part of the reason the aero kits look so good is not the kit at all, it's the deep offset wheels and a lowered stance that usually accompany the kits,. for someone who desires a more aggressive look, those two things alone help with what i feel are the "gently used bar of soap" looks of a stock boxster.

Thank you for taking the heat and dishing it out for us too, even though i wouldn't mind doing some of the dishing... taking no, dishing yes.

[Dr.Strangepork]

Haven't seen many recommendations for after-market aero kits on line and will not put anything on the car that does not look Porsche quality.

From what I've seen of aftermarket body kits/parts, for just about any body part where fitment is critical (such as a bumper) you're not going to find something that fits like OEM. Even with more expensive stuff like Rieger. A lot of stuff will look awesome in pictures, but I've been to my fair share of car shows and seen the stuff in person. Almost all the time, the crude fitment and the necessity of blending the paint to match just makes it look worse than OEM. You could always swap in the 2003+ bodywork to make the car look newer though.

I would focus more on getting a nice set of wheels and some coilovers to dial in the stance if you want to make your car look sharp.

Check out the Gemballa Boxster here, they've got the wheels+stance thing down:

http://www.dieselsta...la-986-Boxster/

Edited November 12, 2010 by Dr.Strangepork

[kbrandsma]

Welcome to Renntech and thank you for your service to our country and Happy Veterns Day!

I use my 98 Boxster as a daily driver and just today put on my winter tires. Performance tires aren't made for lower temperatures.

+1 for a Double Din navigation system. I went with the Pioneer AVIC D-3 and I used the eBay kit. I purchased it from Crutchfields.

I

Be careful down range!

Edited November 12, 2010 by kbrandsma

[boxster..S]

hi , I unstalled a set of pss9 coil overs, i was able to lower the car so it is perfect and the handing is better than I hoped . the money spent was worth it.

Welcome to Renntech and thank you for your service to our country and Happy Veterns Day!

I use my 98 Boxster as a daily driver and just today put on my winter tires. Performance tires aren't made for lower temperatures.

+1 for a Double Din navigation system. I went with the Pioneer AVIC D-3 and I used the eBay kit. I purchased it from Crutchfields.

I

Be careful down range!

[Curly]

I wish to thank all the RennTech members supporting me and all the soldiers over here! The kind words are very uplifting and always make me proud to be an American... You guys are great. As for the car, I just can't wait to drive it for the first time! I have decided I will probably do the double din stereo nav asap, but wait awhile on any body mods etc. Thanks again, Respectfully, Curly