Instrument Cluster Question
 

My OEM black face Boxster instrument cluster has almost 105K miles on it. I'm looking at a white faced instrument cluster for my Boxster on eBay that is advertised with 74K miles. If I swap out the clusters does the ECM automatically set the correct mileage or does it have to be programmed to the correct mileage?

the cluster has to be re-programmed. If you are going through the hassle and expense you should go for the 996 cluster upgrade.

Thanks nosnow, is it done with the PSII or does it have to be sent to someone who reprograms instruments?

Investigate where on the cluster the digital speedometer displays. I absolutely hated the way my '01 moved it to the left side where the '99 had it in the middle.

Palo Alto Speedometer will adjust the mileage for $150

yep Palo Alto Speedo will do the reprogram.

however I have seen posts (don't remember where) of people swapping certain boards/chips to get the mileage to move with the cluster. Probably want to be careful as you might end up with two dead clusters if you don't trust the source or know what you are doing.

Why not just replace the cluster faces with white faces? Although I hear getting the dials back to the right place is annoying...

How to Swap your gauge faces

btw: I have an "S" so I have white (silver) faces. I hated them, they looked too aftermarket to me, so I swapped my cluster for a 996 cluster with black faces (and silver gauge rings) - love them!

Actually I did this. I bought a set of white decals off eBay and paid a mechanic to install them. We followed the directions to the letter and they looked great until the weather got hot then the bubbled and look like ****. I don't see any inexpensive fix so I'll just live with what I've got.

Ron, what year is yours?
Do you still have the old style cluster?