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The PET catalogue is clear that there are four Spyder front bumper versions.
They differ based on whether the car is manual or PDK and if it has headlight washers or not.
When I took the bumper off my broken Spyder, I noted the part number was 987.505.311.20 and it had been modified to fit the Spyder inserts. It also had the incorrect insert for PDK in the centre opening.
To make my car as good as it can be, I ordered a new bumper from Porsche. 987.505.311.43. That is Spyder with headlight washers and PDK.
The new bumper arrived in a box with the correct number on the outside BUT the bumper inside is 987.505.311.20. That is exactly the same number as my non original bumper was.
That bumper number is not listed on PET and clearly is not Spyder specific as it has ridges where the Spyder needs it to be flat.
This brings up two possibilities:
1. Porsche has mixed up boxes and contents or
2. Porsche is supplying a catch all bumper that would work on multiple models, with modification for the Spyder.
Has anyone come across similar situations or even replaced a bumper and noted the part number supplied?
The mist is clearing. This eBay listing is clearly for a Spyder but the part number on the box and the part itself do not match https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265372083245
I’m leaning towards Porsche producing a generic bumper which is modified to make it a Spyder bumper
Seems odd that Porsche wouldn’t have a dedicated bumper for the Spyder but you could definitely be right. Here’s a picture of mine with the intake trim removed when I was prepping for concours, you can see that they cut away the two tabs that are on your bumper. Those cuts appear to be done after paint too which makes your hypothesis very likely. Any chance you can get access to body shop instructions for bumper replacement to see if they direct you to modify the bumper to set it up for the Spyder?
Last edited by Spyder_2011; 02-06-2024 at 10:09 PM.
Seems odd that Porsche wouldn’t have a dedicated bumper for the Spyder but you could definitely be right. Here’s a picture of mine with the intake trim removed when I was prepping for concours, you can see that they cut away the two tabs that are on your bumper. Those cuts appear to be done after paint too which makes your hypothesis very likely. Any chance you can get access to body shop instructions for bumper replacement to see if they direct you to modify the bumper to set it up for the Spyder?
We are waiting for a response from Porsche. Right now, it looks like a Spyder bumper is essentially a modified Boxster S bumper. I happen to have the manual and PDK centre insert and both appear to fit i.e. there is no special version for PDK or manual. Manual and PDK centre gap inserts have the same critical measurements for the opening Rear of bumper tabs/ridges make it clear what needs to be removed. Non original bumper shows no factory cutting
Has anyone come across similar situations or even replaced a bumper and noted the part number supplied?
Yes.
Porsche appears to now supply the Boxster parts when ordering Spyder side vents and mounting frames.
Part numbers I have:
Boxster L Frame - 987.504.749.01 R Frame - 987.504.750.01 L Vent - 987.504.561.01 R Vent - 987.504.562.01
Spyder L Frame - 987.504.749.03.01C R Frame - 987.504.750.03.01C L Vent - 987.504.561.04.9B1 R Vent - 987.504.562.04.9B1
Cayman L Frame - 987.504.749.02 R Frame - 987.504.750.02 L Vent - 987.504.561.02 R Vent - 987.504.562.02
The Boxster part numbers, shipped in Spyder part number bags, had been modified before shipping, and required some further Dremelling at the car-end.
Similar to your front clip needs it seems...
Update. PAG are airfreighting another bumper to New Zealand. Apparently this is part number 987.505.311.53. They obviously have deep pockets to fix it this way. Luckily I didn’t do anything to the first one they sent.
Update. PAG are airfreighting another bumper to New Zealand. Apparently this is part number 987.505.311.53. They obviously have deep pockets to fix it this way. Luckily I didn’t do anything to the first one they sent.
What are the chances you're just going to get another of the same as previously supplied?
What are the chances you're just going to get another of the same as previously supplied?
Probably quite high. If I was PAG, I would open the box and see if it has the Spyder holes in the right places. Oh to be so profitable that I could freight big parts around the Globe
There are also 4 versions of the Cayman R bumper ...but not really. There's the PDK and manual versions, and then each of those has a version with and without headlight washers. In reality there's just 2 versions, one with headlight washers and one without since, just like in the case of your Spyder bumper, it's only the center grill insert that's different for manual vs PDK. And the grill itself has its own part number.
Baffles me why Porsche does it this way, unless at some point in the past the center grill inserts came with the bumper as a single kit.
For the Spyder bumpers, it may be that Porsche had a supply of them with the grill tabs cut out, but when that inventory ran out, they just started to send the normal S bumpers. It's a "part revision" lol
Baffles me why Porsche does it this way, unless at some point in the past the center grill inserts came with the bumper as a single kit.
A friend used to work at a Porsche parts department, and in helping me search for parts explained simply it is about minimizing total inventory.
As an objective, this helps with everything from parts cost (consolidating keeps common volume up), storage space used, and simplifies supply lines, tracking, and reporting in catalogs.
There's likely a whole department in Stuttgart, whose job it is to eliminate options in parts inventory, possible called the AbteilungfürdieBeseitigungvonErsatzteilbeständen.
PAG dropped off the new bumper. It’s a 2022 manufacture date and it is correct for a PDK Spyder with headlight washers 987.505.311.53 instead of 987.505.311.43 Holes for front spoiler. Holes to ensure the grille surround fits
A friend used to work at a Porsche parts department, and in helping me search for parts explained simply it is about minimizing total inventory.
As an objective, this helps with everything from parts cost (consolidating keeps common volume up), storage space used, and simplifies supply lines, tracking, and reporting in catalogs.
There's likely a whole department in Stuttgart, whose job it is to eliminate options in parts inventory, possible called the AbteilungfürdieBeseitigungvonErsatzteilbeständen.
That would explain why a new Porsche-supplied throw out arm will destroy a new Porsche-supplied throw out bearing for an early 928.
02-06-2024, 03:58 PM
Spyder front bumper versions and replacement
