First Mod
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It's one of the myriad of federal DOT (department of transportation) regulations. I've heard of people getting a ticket for driving with the clear side markers, even though they flash orange.
Replacing those orange markers with the clear ones is the first "must do" mod on a Porsche.
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The first thing I did was get some Union Jack stickers to put over the hated European Union flag on the number plate that the UK Porsche dealer insists on attaching to the car. Unforgivable.
The next thing I was thinking about is to change the big silver PORSCHE letters on the back to gold. That's what a lot of the old Porsches had - and the Porsche "shield" is mainly gold anyway, so it should look right.
The next thing I was thinking about is to change the big silver PORSCHE letters on the back to gold. That's what a lot of the old Porsches had - and the Porsche "shield" is mainly gold anyway, so it should look right.
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That's precisely the issue. DOT regs require side reflective surfaces -- yellow in front, red in back -- to make the front and rear ends of the car visible from a certain distance (that escapes me) when illuminated by what amounts to a headlight.
Technically the clear side markers are illegal or quasi-legal for three reasons:
- They don't reflect yellow
- The silver/chrome likely isn't of a large-enough surface area to be deemed a reflective surface
- The silver/chrome likely isn't reflective from a long-enough distance
All that said, that was my second mod -- and while, as @photonscience notes, one can theoretically be ticketed for them, it is quite rare and usually only done on top of other violations (Example: If you're caught street racing, any illegal mods on your car are fair game ... ).
Think about it: If that DOT law was enforced with any regularity, U.S. Porsche dealers wouldn't swap them out so readily. Same goes for front license plates: If those state laws were enforced, dealers would not so readily honor requests to not mount a front plate bracket in those states.
Good points about the color of the reflective surfaces... As to license plates, I considered not mounting the front plate frame, though technically required by state law. I looked it up. And then asked a friend who's a retired state patrol officer what the actual policy is. It's not a primary reason for a traffic stop, but could be "one more reason" for a stop. I don't need that "one more reason"! 
Doug
Doug
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324 Posts
I have guards red paint. So I’m thinking the orange ones blend in much better than a silver, white, gray or black car. Thoughts?
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107 Posts
My first mod as well...I had these ordered before I bought the car.
Hey for I think $120 it makes the car look so much better/newer....and I love the LED look when they come on.
I got the Xpel myself as well. But now I want more...LOL...just have on full hood and front bumper and mirrors...want to expand to front fenders/lower rocker sides and around the gills..
On a black car rock chips show easy...
White car if you stay on top of the bugs it can be much better.
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Think about it: If that DOT law was enforced with any regularity, U.S. Porsche dealers wouldn't swap them out so readily. Same goes for front license plates: If those state laws were enforced, dealers would not so readily honor requests to not mount a front plate bracket in those states.[/QUOTE]
I drove around for years without a front license plate while I "waited" for the front license plate holder that was on back order at the dealer.
I drove around for years without a front license plate while I "waited" for the front license plate holder that was on back order at the dealer.
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Personal preference there and I think you could go either way, but I already have my set of clears for my Miami Blue that won't be arriving in my garage for another 3 months haha.
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I'm thinking of getting the silver rubber nub Rennline pedals and black Rennline grill inserts. I had those pedal covers on my 996 with the red extensions and they looked great plus helped with heel/toe. PDK this time so no need for the red extensions.
Red & Orange OK
I have Guards Red as well and totally agree with you. I've never really understood the fuss that's made about it.
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Do you really think they will give them to you for free? I am picking up my car tomorrow, but with the discount I beat them up on, I don't think they will give me a free cup of coffee. HaHa
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Unless you're buying your Cayman from a Ford dealer, they should give you them and put them on at delivery. My dealer didn't have them in stock and shipped me a set a few weeks after I took delivery with an invitation to stop in for coffee while they put them on. I went ahead and installed them myself though. Costs nothing to ask.
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No they won't -- not all of them. Yours may, and that's great if it does. But unless you know for certain that it is Porsche NA policy to do this at any dealer, please don't consider your dealer's actions and policies to be representative of all dealers. That's misleading and almost certainly inaccurate.
LOL!I drove around for years without a front license plate while I "waited" for the front license plate holder that was on back order at the dealer.
I've said this on other posts: I live in a front-plate state (Texas). I haven't mounted a front plate on a car since 2002. No issues. :: knock on wood ::
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My dealer doesn't even sell them. They are illegal in my State.
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