Chrysler 300M

catguy · May 2001

Dudes et Dudettes,
1050 miles on Bluebird and loving every one of them. Received my Zaino the other day ; like a cheapski moron that I sometimes am, I didn't get the Z-6 gloss enhancer. The wash and Z-2 smell like (human) body wash, very nice and the shine from the combo of Z-1 and two coats of Z-2 were remarkable. Until we took the beast out across our 1/2 mile gravel lane and realized I'd just developed an extremely efficient electrostatic precipitator. The dust clung to the beast even in the presence of vigorous hose spray! Unreal! A subesquent hand washing with the Zaino concentrate seems to have neutralized it a bit. My better half suggested that perhaps the Z-6 wasn't such a bad investment, so the order for Z-6 and the check is in the mail (plus I cost myself an additional $6.95 in S&H, oh well, another of life's lessons. MORALE: don't skip the steps; if they say to use Z-6, DO IT!! I am sure hoping the 60% reduction in electrostatics that Zaino touts is correct, as I will be testing it. The pre-wax, wax and leather conditioner are outstanding products though, so I have hope.

Mileage for my wife's "normal route" combined driving cycle has risen from 19.2 to 20.9 mpg. The 3.5L Intrepid got around 21.5 at this time of year so we are getting closer.

Have a 2-mile straightaway with a slight slope with excellent visibility about 5 miles from my house in the boondocks. Gently coaxed Bluebird up to 105 mph in the uphill stretch for a brief time there. Had considerable throttle left. Given the slope and calm wind, I was likely pushing 115MPH+ in power demand. Quite the car!
I usually have a bit of buyer's remorse on a car...not a shred this time; hope it lasts. There is a BIG performance difference in this car and the 214 hp. Intrepid especially from 50MPH up.

rogor, et.al...glad to provide any Monterey tips I can. I've been lucky enough to visit the area several times on business. If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

Take care,
Rob

catguy · May 2001

To add to a life of intellectually challenged decisions and acts, I see that I misspelled "moral" in the preceding post. Man, once you hit 40, it just pretty much all goes downhill... that is, everything except your ability to spot great cars! One last thing...who has decent "mudflaps" out there? Is DC selling them, are they color-coordinated, what is the deal? Pls let me know where those of you who have added them bought yours. Also, were they a pain to install?

Thanks,
Rob

silverbullet4 · May 2001

Well, I thought I would be the oldest M'er by far when I first started with this discussion group. I am also 62 and agree that despite disappearing hair, vision, hearing and waistline, you can still have a young attitude and lifestyle. My wife is 18 years younger and my children are 16 and 11 years old. They keep me young! My M provides me the luxury and comfort I enjoy day to day, yet knowing a vast reserve of power is at my command when testosterone takes over are the reasons I bought this car. I am like Winston Churchill, who once said, "My needs are simple. I am satisfied with the best."

Regards, Silver

scotian · May 2001

For those who recently received theirs, installation instructions begin here:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1280646&a=9486000&p=38918807&f=0

hatax · May 2001

Madcityruss-
I'll have pictures up soon. I at least gotta wash the poor thing first... You know how clean the rain is around here in the cities. =\ But yes the bends make it a perfect straight shot, you just have to put in about 6-8 inches of extra pipe to make it to the back. We bent the left pipe going back just a hair to make it fit perfect.

Racefan009-
He may be 18, but ask him whos paying for the car and insurance.

(Ohh yeah and rent and bills) :-( I might still be the youngest "owner." Heh, if not, kudos to him for getting a good job!

Silverbullet4-
Winston Churchill, hmm that's a distant relative in my mothers side of the family, funny to see that quote from him.

All-
Time to go wash her up for some pictures on this gloomy day out here. =\

sleepymw · May 2001

as i was detailing the interior rubber and trims of the car, i noticed that two plastic trims around the car were warped.

anyone else has this particular problem with their car?

scott: i got the new face, do i have to cut it into a circle? i think i got that blonde thing going here.....

mrl859 · May 2001

Hey, fellow 'Mers. I've been meaning to place this post for a while, but have been working 13,000 hours/week. I can read the posts at work, but don't have time to write any. Here are a couple of tidbits which may help fellow owners.
I had a horrific rattle in the dash which seemed to alternately be coming from directly behind the clock or the instruments. It would rattle over rough roads, but also creak as the body flexed pulling into or out of a driveway.I tightened the cowl screws which didn't help. I pulled the clock, "A' pillars, forward dash cover, front speaker, radio faceplate, A/C control head, and the dash sunlight sensor. I tightened the upper dash mount bolts. No change. I pulled the steering column to check for a loose screw at the dash brace as Otto had alluded to. I pulled the instrument cluster and was preparing to pull the dash when I noticed that the sound seemed to be coming from the windshield/firewall. I pulled the wipers and cowl panels and found that three of the screws were longer than the rest, with no apparent pattern. I also noticed that one long screw was used at the top center cowl panel POSSIBLY rubbing on the wiper support. I moved screws around to make sure that the long ones could not be touching anything. I tightened the two bolts that hold the plate where the heater hoses go into the car through the firewall in dead center. My noise is GONE!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if this can help anyone, but I hope so. It may have been the cowl screw or the heater hose plate bolts. I don't know. Now if I can just find the rattles in the moonroof and right "B" pillar. BTW, the noise was there on the test drive and the car only has 1870 mi. I know it's under warranty, but I hate anyone else working on my car. They say doctors make the worst patients. I guess that's also true for people in the automotive repair industry.

mrl859 · May 2001

I got my car in November. The window sticker was 34,290. I got the car for 200.00 UNDER invoice, which was 31,858. There also was a rebate of 5000.00 for a lease. Unfortunately, the rebate is taxed as income. Go figure. So it was actually 3,335.21 off my negotiated price. That made the capitalized cost (sales price on a lease)including "lease" fee (written into a BofA lease) 28,872.79. I thought that wasn't a bad deal. I did see the invoice to confirm (of course they made hold back, and why shouldn't they?).The only mods I've made are a K&N filter, chrome 300M license plate frame, removal of front license plate bracket, car cover, wheel locks, locking gas cap, and Mopar sunshield. Now that I finally got this posted, and seeing how it's about 80 degrees here in SoCal paradise, a-Zaino I will go...a-Zaino I will go....well, you know the rest.

scotian · May 2001

Clock face -- No cutting! Two posts up from yours:

For those who recently received theirs, installation instructions begin here:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1280646&a=9486000&p=38918807&f=0

funroads · May 2001

Am in M purchasing negotiations and...

A dealer I'm talking with claims that DC has stopped taking orders for 2001's because the plant is going to retool, etc... in prep for making 2002's. Anyone know if this is true? Ottowrkr?

They wont budge on the ~$550 advertising fee. Any take on whether

They've got a shale green '01 loaded except no PHG which they'll let go for $25,900. Aparrently, it did not pass inpection off the DC line and had to be "refinished" and now can not be sold as new (even though there's only 20 miles on the odo). If it had the PHG I'd be in it now.

sdmike2 · May 2001

After I got done with the birthday parties, laundry and miscellaneous household stuff I went out and paid some attention to my M. The first thing I did was get the darned dust off her. I have found that Z-6 and a nice cotton cloth does a nice job. My next chore was to install my (drumroll please) custom clock face! I used the less obstrusive credit card method as described on here last week. I took some pictures to show folks. Scott, it looks awesome! I'll post pictures later.

Mike

sdmike2 · May 2001

Maybe otto can chime in on exactly what that means. I would ask exactly what part of the car didn't pass inspection. For that price, if they are willing to stand behind the car just like any other you almost can't go wrong. That's about 8,000 off MSRP....which I th ink is a record in here.

Mike

ajpiii · May 2001

Well I talked to Tirerack about the Vibration, and they are sending me H&R's answer to the vibes... What it consists of are bushings to be placed between the motor mounts and the engine... This is to raise the engine 1/4" to the bring the drive line angle back into factory spec... I dont know what any of this means, so does this sound good to anyone who knows better ?

rogor2k · May 2001

Funny you should ask, I just came into possession of a list of the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep sponsored events for the summer. There IS an event in Wisconsin that you and the rest of the upper midwest M'ers might want to think about:

July 19 thru 22, 2001
Brian Redman International Challenge
sponsored by Dodge (close enough)
Road America
Elkhart Lake, WI
(920) 892-4576

Let me know and we could promote it as a 300M club combined event too if there are enough people who would attend in a group.

sdmike2 · May 2001

Here are the pictures of my project. It was easy and tt turned out great. Thanks Scott!

Big Red's New Clock Face

sdmike2 · May 2001

Roger et al -
I got my club package yesterday. Great looking stuff! Thanks! Here are a couple of pictures of my club sticker on Big Red.

Club Sticker on Big Red

tom_ · May 2001

Final 2001 orders for the 300M were due at the factory 05/01/01.

2002 Startup production date for 2002 300M is scheduled 07/16/01.

Otto - Does this jive with Brampton's schedule?

300michael · May 2001

Heymistic, My dealer has about a dozen of the 300M in stock (only 1 has PHP). The one I test drove has the same problem dead battery.

Scotian, my valve stems are stainless, I believe. It is the only part off of my beloved Challenger.

ottowrkr · May 2001

First off mrl859 ,yes some screws on the cowl screen are different sizes ,it sounds like the guy who installed then put then in the wrong holes. short ones should be in the front closest to the engine and longer ones near the front window. Good job in tracking this rattle down ,sorry from all of us at the plant .

Yes funroads you can not order a LH car for 2001 any longer.May 4 was the last day to factory order one. June 29 is the last day for production of 2001 LH cars then we have a two week holiday and return July 16 to start building 2002 models. Hey Tom , you are right on with those dates , you must work at the plant ;-)). As for a car not passing inspection and being sold ,sounds like a sales line. All cars a required to meet certain standards before leaving the factory. Sounds like it was damaged in shipping or some kind of other damage between the plant and the dealer . SDMIKE2 made a good point , tell the dealer you want to know what the problem was. If he wont tell you ,see you later. Lots of M's around these days. But if he will document it for you ,so you have something to come back at him with if this problem happens to cause problems down the road. Go for it. Your call.
Someone asked about 2002 models a while back , sorry for not posting the info sooner .Have been busy . Actually there are very few things if any from the outside that are different about the 02 model . The only thing I can think about is all 2001 cars have one computer for the engine and one for the trans , for 02 it is one unit . Why I cant tell you , all I know is the cost of this baby if you had to replace it must be pretty big. The "tuner package" will be added sometime next model . I would think a 02 1/2 model . With its 18 inch rims 245-45-18 rubber and sitting a half inch lower than stock this is a nice car . OH yeah it has dual exhaust out the rear fascia. VROOM. Not sure if any powertrain upgrades will happen to this car , but it sure looks nice. Actually we are going to build some pre-production 2002 cars this coming week ,so if they have changed anything this is when we will hear about it. I will keep my eyes and ears open and keep you all informed. hope this helps you all . Keep loving your cars guys. ....OTTO

sdmike2 · May 2001

Have a digital camera you can sneak in when you start building those pre-production special '02s?

-Mike

sdmike2 · May 2001

hey otto (or anyone else) -
The first time I went to vacuum out my car (about 500 miles) I moved the driver's rear floormat and found an approximately 1" long black screw sitting on the floor under the mat. I looked around for an obvious hole for it, but found nothing. Nothing seemed loose back there either. Is there any assembly behind or under the driver's seat that would use such an item? Because it was under the floor mat I'm wondering if it was just a stray from the plant or the dealer, but I'm not sure. If it would help anyone I could take a picture of it.

Thanks in advance

Mike

scotian · May 2001

Fantastic pictures! Is your Photopoint account permanent (i.e., did you give them $20 for a year) so I can direct people to it in my Photopoint account? If not, and if it's going to disappear, I could copy your stuff into my account (I'll grab the completed install pic, in any event).

sdmike2 · May 2001

I'll probably pay but haven't yet. Feel free to take that last pic. It turned out well.

99_300m_ric_va · May 2001

What did you do to make Big Red's Clock Face look so good? The wings logo looks like a little chrome one glued on and the letters look that same. It has a nice 3D effect. Did you get a new snazzy printer?

Just curious.

silverbullet4 · May 2001

Otto: Thank you so much for being a lifeline to reality for this board. I recently posted a quote from a news item from the Dallas Morning News that stated that future large Chryslers would have the transmission from the DC E-Class. They were vague about the actual timing. It would be great to have a reliable 5-speed. Please comment. Thanks in advance.

Regards, Silver

scotian · May 2001

The 2001 clock faces have numbers in the 3, 6, 9, and 12 positions instead of tic marks, and the white panel behind the hands has a metallic wings sticker. If you want to swap your '99-00 clock with someone who doesn't like their metallic wings sticker, I can try to set you up...

fuzzywuzzy · May 2001

As I said in a very early post, The wiper crow screws were loose on my 300M, & was causing a rattle. I tightened them down, & it went away.

racefan009 · May 2001

so how did you get the name and 300m logo in metallic, looks great, makes me want a new one!!!

Race

mrl859 · May 2001

The thing I wanted to point out was that I had tried tightening mine with no positive result. I really think the longer one in the middle top was rubbing the wiper motor mounting piece. Otto states the the longer ones go in the upper row, but I relocated mine where the longer ones could not touch anything. The screws are ridiculously long. Even the short ones are much longer than two panels thickness and the plastic nut. Hopefully this may help?

racefan009 · May 2001

check these 18 year old's mods out

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/

wldock · May 2001

I like the Aluminum dash kit, Where is was that purchased and do they offer a piece for the long woodgrain trim.
I know that www.autodash.com has a molded aluminum/carbon fiber kit.

sleepymw · May 2001

finger into the trim enough to pry it apart. and wasn't willing to break my nails OR the dash to get the clock console out...

soooooo... off to the dealer and have them pry it out for me...

problem/paranoia: when i accelerate between 10-20 there's a bit of rattling going on in the engine... it is definitely a motor sound. any idea what this could be?

beach15 · May 2001

That M looks just amazing. Is that hood with the scoop real or just a doctored pic? The mirrors look like the originals but how did he paint over the rough plastic and make them look so good? Well, anyway nice pics whoever that car belongs to.

beach15 · May 2001

Thanks to mrl's post, I'm planning on faxing some of that info. to the dealer and see what they can do about the gauge rattle. As for the other noises, I'm still searching. Now, does anyone know what may be causing some creaking/rattling across the dash on the inside? What about the door panels? One of the rear door panels is loose at the back edge and it rattles too but I told the dealer about it being loose and he said it was fine. Funny, on the same door, the outside door handle is also loose and moves aound when you touch it. I'll try to post some new pics later on tonight.

ir2k300m · May 2001

I was just relaxing watching an episode of the X Files and Moulder just drove up in 2001 300M!

Amazing

racefan009 · May 2001

that is real we could get one done for about $450, dude just needs a spoiler now to make it all come together. the side mirrors were just painted. the dash kit is real aluminum came with nothing to cover the wood along the dash or door panels he is working on finding someone to make replacements.

sdmike2 · May 2001

Sound like a valve tap or like a "something's loose" rattle?

fastdriver · May 2001

sleepymw-

You better call that number ASAP! Trying to find some other numbers that I have, but can't quite put my finger on them. If, and when I do find them, I'll e-mail you!

fastdriver

300mlover · May 2001

sdmike2 · May 2001

sdmike2 · May 2001

We're still waiting...

sdmike2 · May 2001

Ever try a Mickey Mouse clockface? That would be cool.

-M

easyrider300m · May 2001

went to chrysler-dodge day at the Museum of Transportation in Brookline, MA today. Didnt see any 300M's in the parking lot. Saw a roadrunner in the show--nice car. Saw several 60's Challengers and Chargers there. A 66 Charger was in great condition. Much longer than I remembered them. Also saw a couple of late 60's Newports and a couple of Windors from the mid 40's. Chrysler sure had style even back then. Too bad there were no 300's there. Also saw a couple of Barracuda's from the 70's.

The museum had several classic Mercedes including the 1954 Gull wing Sport version and a 1971 Limosine used by the head of China.

Perfect weather and a great show. Sorry none of you attended.

Getting my atc head unit and blend controller installed in about a week to correct poor functioning ATC. Also getting weatherstrip for all four doors installed. I'll let you know how it turns out. My tranny seems much better since they flushed out the atf 3 they accidently used and replaced it with atf 4.. You got to watch them 5* carefully. Those ratings mean nothing as far as I'm concerned. Still waiting for them to prove they are worthy of 5 stars. My dealer gets a 3 star rating as far as I'm concerned.

Next attraction in the Boston area is in July ----usually the weekend after the fourth of Juyl----the huge antique classic car show in Dedham, MA at the Endicott Estate. Maybe some of you fellow M'ers can make this show and we can meet up.

Happy M'ing
Easyrider300M

avalanche165 · May 2001

hey wassup fellas. i'm that 18 year old with the mods. i'll organize those pics later, easier to look at. race got me up here, i've been on egroups for awhile. different setup here, i kinda like it, no click, read, back...click, read back. anyway, i got that wood grain outta there, oh wait, i mean "plastic wood." just sanded, buffed, sanded, buffed, primered, and now i'm just thinkin what to do. i may do a chameleon paint, paint taht morphs colors, like black to dark blue or something. just shout out questions if you have any, more than happy to answer....

easyrider300m · May 2001

that noise you're hearing is most likely nothing serious--I have the same problem . It's caused by the accessory drive belt. Supposedly they can tighten it and the noise will diasappear. But they tightened mine and the noise is still there. It is described as a growling noise in the TSB. Mention to the dealer that there is a TSB on the problem and he will probably try to correct it. The noise usually occurs when the car is cold and you are just starting out from a stop at gradual acceleration.

Good luck
Easyrider300M

jedi_knight · May 2001

To celebrate our 5th anniversary the wife and I unloaded the child at the grand parents house and headed to Sonoma, Ca for a weekend of relaxation, spa treatment, wine and great food. I parked the M (still nameless) at the Lodge at Sonoma next to a Volvo, figured it was safe since it too was new. But next to the drivers side was this beat to death old POS Nissan Maxima......Wake up for breakfast Saturday morning, do the normal routine, walk out to the M and what the heck do I see? A quarter sized chip and ding in the left side rear door.....Grrrr some people! So I put that all behind me, can probably get the ding popped out and the paint touched up. We arrived home this evening and the M was very dirty so a bath was in order....Well Sonoma has very heavy water with lots of minerals in it, the landscaping sprinklers had sprayed the hood and fenders leaving nice large water spots all over.....Man what a weekend over a grand spent on pampering ourselves and probably another $500 to fix the door, not to mention all the time I'll have to spend getting the paint on the hood and fenders back to pristien condition.

Keith

avalanche165 · May 2001

hey wassup fellas. i'm that 18 year old with the mods. i'll organize those pics later, easier to look at. race got me up here, i've been on egroups for awhile. different setup here, i kinda like it, no click, read, back...click, read back. anyway, i got that wood grain outta there, oh wait, i mean "plastic wood." just sanded, buffed, sanded, buffed, primered, and now i'm just thinkin what to do. i may do a chameleon paint, paint taht morphs colors, like black to dark blue or something. just shout out questions if you have any, more than happy to answer....

ir2k300m · May 2001

Great looking car!

What's the story on those mirrors...just have them painted over?

avalanche165 · May 2001

ok organized'em up a little...quick list....

*Aluminum dash

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/misc/alum_dash.jpg

*dual exhaust - 3 inch pipes, all the way back from cats, got rid of all those mufflers . two in the back with tips..

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/exhaust/

*hood scoop

designed myself, took awhile....

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/hood_scoop/

*sound system

ummm....it hits..jsut got back from carlisle...148 dB...just not going into it cuz i don't know how many would interested, its not really the type of car you see rolling down the street shaking windows ya know?

*custom paint

flaked it...

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/flaked/

*side view mirrors

painted to match car, jsut gives a little more aggressive stance in my opinion. especially on the highway, comin up behind someone, they move outta the way...

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/misc/side_mir_painted.jpg

*shaved door guards, and chrysler lettering, 300m emblems gone here shortly as well, side markers soon, jsut lookin for flush ones and deciding whether or not to cut into metal...

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/misc/side_mir_2.jpg

i got a K&N drop in, and jsut switched to a cone filter, right now i am using the S&B, but got a weapon-R dragon intake custom made to fit, gonna be testing that out soon, don't know how it will go...

http://frealfso.frostburg.edu/cs1101f00/janjuao/300/misc/dragon_intake.jpg

whoa, i wrote way too much as it is, there some more minor ones. tires are 245/45zr17 nitto 555 xtreme's. tint job at 15% all around. and the dinky's.....sry for the long post, just thought i could help out....

avalanche165 · May 2001

anyone got aftermarket rims? what size and type? pics pics pics?? i'm looking for some right now. i wanna go 20's, but, i know it will give up the ride completely, you can feel pebbles with 20's....

Chrysler 300M

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