Front wheel flaps and scoops damaged

[Jonathan G]

Hi,

My 2002 Boxster S has damaged(pretty well missing altogether) front wheel flaps and scoops, most likely smashed off on car park ramps or sped bumps. They are supposed to improve airflow over the tyres I believe. I bought the car a couple of months back so will contact the independent dealer about this as I believe they should fit news ones FOC. Can anyone tell me what difference this makes to the cars behaviour/handling? I notice the front end feeling a little light 80mph+, could it be due to these or does the steering feel a little lighter anyway at those speeds and greater?

Thanks as always for any advice...

 

[spyderman]

They are important - they help cool the front brakes too. Get them replaced.

 

[BartyB]

As Chris says, these components are important. The Boxster's underbody shape was carefully designed to exert stabilising downforce ensuring good high speed handling. Given the rear spolier raises at 50mph, an absence of these components will start to negatively impact the car's carefully balanced aerodynamics. It is reasonable to conclude that, without these parts, your car's handling (and braking) performance will be reduced at speeds within the legal UK limit.

 

[Nick_USA]

This flap is important but a very simple DIY to replace. The part numbers are:

Rubber Lip (Left) - 996 504 503 00
Rubber Lip (Right) - 996 504 504 00

If you need the screws and clips:

Screws - 999 073 061 02 (3 per side)
Clips - 999 591 699 01 (ditto)

Total 26.20 GBP - 10% PCGB discount.

 

[Jonathan G]

Thanks for all the help. Had one of the front wheels off today and on closer inspection the deflector/strips that direct air to the brake disks(slightly inboard from the wheel itself) are intact, it's the plastic mouldings that are on the bottom of the bumper directly in front of the front wheels that are damaged, possibly affecting aerodynamics. Will get them replaced but glad at least the brakes are being cooled correctly []

 

[Ivor]

The rear spoiler rises at 75mph - it LOWERS at 50....................

 

[BartyB]

Thanks for the correction Ivor. They will also raise at 0 mph when your battery is knackered

 

[spyderman]

It also raises when the engine gets hot - had it happen on a gymkhana at Bedford a while back (I certainly hadn't exceeded 74!).

 

[jdpef356]

ORIGINAL: spyderman

It also raises when the engine gets hot - had it happen on a gymkhana at Bedford a while back (I certainly hadn't exceeded 74!).

Don't forget you can also raise it manually[]

 

[BartyB]

And then only with the assistance of pharmaceuticals eh?[]