I am adding a 2001 stype to my garage next week, and noted that it was made in the first half of the year, while my other stype was made in the second half. Does anybody know what changed in the middle of the year? I noted that there seem to be intake gaskets, and things like that listed that need the vin. I have a substantial pile of parts that I was hoping to use on the new car. Hopefully they will fit.

 

There were no major changes in 2001. All your parts should cross over, no problem.

It is always a good idea to double check, but I wouldn't sweat it..

For reference, the breaks where changes occurred are basically like this, by year (Euro in parentheses)

2003 (2002.5) - Interior refresh, update to the 4.2 V8, replacement of the Ford 5r55 to the ZF auto, revised suspension, and countless revisions to the unibody construction.
Also, the introduction of the Supercharged R edition.

2005 (2004.5) - Body refresh (new nose, hood, quarter panels, decklid, and tail lamps).

There were also some minor system component updates. This is why a VIN is very helpful when ordering replacement parts. IE, the brakes changed in 2006 so many times you need the VIN to order parts.

 

Any particular part, check JEPC - free download.