Chrysler 300M

seeburg222

Hello to all. Got in my M today and heard a loud cracking noise where my elbow contacts the arm rest. Looks like the door panel cracked and broke underneath the armrest padding.

Going to work today, some young guy in an Audi A4 was behind me and seemed a little P.O.ed that I would not do more than 55 in a 40 zone that is known for being a speed trap. Finally at a red light where the road was 4 lanes, we were side by side. We both got on it when it turned green. I wound the M up to almost 6800 rpm thru first and second but that A4 left me in the dust! He didn't just walk away, it looked like I was going backward! What the heck was that model? I looked up the A4 on Edmunds here, I didn't see any specs of any model that would cause that much thorough humiliation. BTW, I burn 89 octane. Anyone have any idea? Can you get nitrous put in an Audi???

kpm61

Even with nitrous an A4 probably only has what our 300M's have. Mabey it had a larger displacement. A4 190 HP, 0-60 7.1 or 9.0, 1/4 15.5 .
Close to a 300M. Mabey it was N02.

fuzzywuzzy

Yep that steering wheel looks just like mine. Is it kinda soft & spongy in that spot? Like can you make an indent with your nail in the leather?

fuzzywuzzy

Man sorry I wasn's on the board this weekend!!! I have done brakes on the M a few times. I could have given you all the help you needed!!!! Sorry Man!! I also painted my calipers too. What colors are you painting yours? Mine are black, but I might change them to red if I can see what it looks like. If you find anywhere that has bigger calipers let me know. I have been unable to find anything.

wesley1der

Lets add Pontiac SSEI to comparison of 300M, LS and Olds.

pat

I just posted a reply to you in the Lincoln LS discussion - are you talking about the new discussion on the comparisons board? Why don't you make your post there and we'll see how others feel about it.

Pat
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Sedans Message Board

beach15

sdmike or scotian-- This evening I decided to attempt the popular clockface installation after having the pieces around here for a few months. What a pain in the butt!!! Either I was doing something completely wrong, or our M just has one stubborn center vent piece!!! Following mike's pics, I pried up the exact same area with a credit card (couldn't find anything just a little thicker) and squeezed my fingers underneath--ouch!! At the same time, I tried to pull up the other side but was having trouble getting both sides up at once. I finally came close but my fingers were hurting so bad and the dash piece wouldn't budge at all. About the only thing I got up was the corners but just barely. I didn't want to break anything so after 7 tries, I quit!

My question is, using the credit card method, how the heck do you get the center vent piece out. From mike's pics it looked so easy but I couldn't get a thing done. Do you pull up one corner enough so it unsnaps? Do you pull on both sides at the same time? Help!!

sdmike2

I used something a bit thicker than a credit card. I doubt a credit card would be strong enough. I used a non-functioning solar powered calculator....credit card style. What would be perfect is a thick plastic tongue depresser. Something like a screwdriver would be too narrow and would likely damage the plastic.

My procedure was to pry up one corner enough to hold it with my fingers and exert pressure (I chose the lower left), and then slide the card down to the right an inch or two and pry again...slowly moving my way over to the lower right corner. Kind of like removing the top from a paint can. You work your way along. About 1/2 way across the left side clip released for me. The rest was easy. If I have to do it again I won't use my fingers to keep pressure applied..I'll use a paint stir stick or something wide and thin.

Good luck!

-M

beach15

Thanks Mike, I'll have to try again tomorrow when my wife gets home from work. I'm trying not to let her see that the whole vent surround gets removed but she saw the picture of your dangling by the cord and said "You didn't tear that whole thing out did you!" I'll have to work quick!!

300mlover

Someone in our club is now the proud owner of a slightly used Borla stainless exhaust. And did he get a deal let me tell you!

Sdmike- where did you buy the Dynomax you used in your duals. And is it stainless?

Av- Do you have Pics of your true duals posted anywhere?

I have found solid stainless (T-304) dual tips for $97 if anyone is interested

pat

Hey, I did not write the Membership Agreement, I'm just s'posed to see that it is honored. And the fact is that everyone who is a member here has agreed to abide by its terms.

If you have an objection to the terms to which you have agreed, please feel free to address our Community Manager, Dana Livingston, at dlivingston@edmunds.com.

Thanks.

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

ajpiii

And that someone just might be me... Glad I caught that posting before it was removed...

Borla, for those of us who just cant take the dremel to the rear fascia...

clpurnell

Thanks,

I plan on reading the manual cover to cover. Right now I'm having too much fun driving the car though. It's hard to be easy on it during the break in period I just can't wait for it to be over.

You guys better let those snobbish LS guys have it in the comparison topic.

clpurnell

Forgot the pricing question. In Chicago there is a $2500 rebate but also a $500 Advertising fee on the car by the invoice I was shown I got it for 200 over. invoice was 29137 - 2500 + 200 = 26837. I could have easily done more but the sales guy was the greatest and they stayed till 7:30 on a saturday to deliver my car that day. Plus with the trade in I think it was a good deal.

avalanche165

taht (hehehe) would of been helpful, but otto helped me out and stangspankinm scanned in a howto: bleed brakes page out of some book. at the end of the night i went out to barnes and nobles, bought this huge book on brake systems. now i gotta get some aftermarket stuff after reading all that. i broke the piston seal, so i had to get a new caliper, but i didnt get the caliper guided pin outta the old one, and its an hour away. advanced auto wants 18 bucks for it (its a kit with all 4), it will probably cost me that much on gas, so i thought i would save some time and just order them. you know how much they wanted at the dealer? 43 bucks!!!!!!! no auto store usually carries these tho, and they don't come with new calipers unfortunately either. oh and the caliper paint, i jsut painted my dad's black, he wouldn't let me do'em any other color, he has a silver color too. i am going red. already had the right rear done, but then i had to stop cuz of my screw up. i'm gonna start painting again tommorow, so i'll get pics up on tuesday if the suns out....i think u should go red too...it would look awesome with silver car and those 5 spoke rims let you easily see them

avalanche165

i think its about time i get one of these...i saw on for the neon, for like $65. automatic transmission. anyone have one already?

sdmike2

Know what you mean. I make sure my wife isn't around when I make mods to my M.

-M

avalanche165

you guys crack me up, my sides hurt from laughing

u got me thinking, what am i ever gonna do if my wife doesn't like modding cars? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

avalanche165

this is probably hardcore job, and a lot of money, over a grand i believe. but....can u imagine the performance....whoooooooooo
i just emailed a guy about it, he does performance work on neons, maybe he'll be nice and do some work for me

avalanche165

i roasted a a6 once, that guy guaranteed had some engine work. was it a new one or older one? i lost to a a8 tho, family friend has one, older guy, but still loves racing, we opened it up at a few stoplights, that car is real nice, but comes with a heavy price tag as well. anyway, new a4 or old ?

sdmike2

I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. You'll probably meet your wife in the garage. You'll be shaving door handles off your 300 P (grin) and she'll be putting a fifth spraying of clear coat on her custom 52 chevy truck.

sdmike2

Hey, if this was the A4 we understand completely why the M got spanked. Hey Av, look at the spec sheet on this little burner. Only 350-375 horsies. lol

http://www.momentummotor.com/a4pics.htm

ajpiii

Otto,

I read the following message on a message board(www.modernmopars.org), wondering if this sounded right ?

"Gentlemen,

I am new to this board and I would like to say hello. I would also like to shed a little light on the LH body trans situation. On your transmissions there is a torque management wire, if you remove this wire at both ends you will notice a dramatic improvement in your shift points and the firmness of your shifts. In the perfect conditions I can get my LHS to chirp second gear.

Brett "

300michael

You would have to treat you M (or other modified car) as you would if you had a mistress. Keeping her (the 300M) in a seceret location that you could sneek off to.

fuzzywuzzy

I also would like info on this as well.

avalanche165

i think with some more engine mods, its really recommended in general that you get one. but it won't hurt to get one even w/o engine mods, our trannys need some beefed up (imho). i was talking to my uncle about this, 2001 accord : 4 cyl, 150 hp. he fainted when i said the 300 has 260+ ponies and i'm still looking for more. i know someone put in a tranny cooler, 300michael?

avalanche165

hehehehe *grin

avalanche165

you still taking 100mph turns phases? he got that new php, phase must be out crusin

ottowrkr

Yes the trans and eng controller use what is called torque management ,when the trans is going to shift it sends a signal to the engine controller to cut back on the power for a split second ,this is supposed to prolong the life of the trans. Can you disable it by removing the wire , to the controller ? I guess so. Will it cause any long term problems ? not sure. I imagine you would set a fault code if the wire was removed and the check engine light would come on. Wonder who will be the first to remove that wire. ?????????????

sirharper

Hey guys why am I the only one defending our M's in the "American car shootout" thread? Get in there and lets teach these LS owners a lesson!!

stevenw300

Count me in!

tictac3

To all of you recent e-bay basslink purchasers. Whassup? How was your buying experience? Was the basslink an easy install? Sound good? Better than Bazooka? Please advise.

fuzzywuzzy

Well, I went over to my dealer. Talked to him about maybe trading my 300M in for a 300M special when they come out. I still own money on the loan, but when it comes out, It will be alot less I owe. It should offset the cost of the special with out of my pocket expenses of maybe $5K-$7K. It works out good, because my end of year bonus should cover most of it. Anyway, the dealer put me on a special order list for it.(first one) They are supposed to have pricing/options in late november early december.

mikeyjohn

sdmike2

I love it, but I have nothing to compare it to except my stock system.

-M

silverbullet4

I posted yesterday on that forum.

sdmike2

Uh...are the same people that are worried about the tranny crazy enough to disconnect one of the "tranny saving" devices? Av? Michael? heheh

wencao

When will 300M Special show up at dealer's lot ? My lease of 99 will expire in FEB of 2002, maybe I can not get 300M Specail at that time(have to wait until 2000. 5) ?

scotian

Why would someone have to remove a wire "at both ends"?

stevenw300

Does your dealer know what the reference to "Nisha I/P" in the their literature on the 300M Special means? Also, any info on HP and torque?

I wonder . . . . how many Specials will be made? what will they be sold for? MSRP + +

Will they outrun an M5?

sdmike2

Looks like a system crash lost some posts. Here is a link I posted to an auction for a new set of 300M chrome wheels with the Michelin Pilots. Since it's not MY auction, I should be able to post this.

wheel auction

-M

stevenw300

to make sure it is a good disconnection. LOL

mboomgarden1

You may have been smoked by an S4, which is a twin-turbo V6 version of the A4. The visual differences aren't that drastic. On this model it's quite possible to bring the horsepower up to the 320+ bhp range with some fairly easy modifications (increasing boost pressure through chip mods, free-breathing exhaust, etc.). The 1.8 turbo can also be made into a real rocket with the same type of modifications, though it doesn't have the same ultimate horsepower potential of the S4.

The S4 was one of the models I was looking at when I decided on the 300M. Audi makes very nice cars, but the S4 can only comfortably haul two adults over any distance--the rear seat is pretty cramped. The respective missions of the 300M and the S4 are fairly different. If it's any comfort to you, it's a lot harder to haul appliances in an S4.

rogor2k

Got mine installed Saturday and am very happy with it, although I have no basis for direct comparison with other sub systems. It definitely adds a ton of bass punch. Since I won't be listening to rap music, it should be more than adequate for my listening needs.

One installation note on the use of the remote terminal. IF you connect the Basslink using the speaker level inputs, you don't need to connect the remote lead. The amp will turn on when it senses voltage on the speaker level inputs. There is a LONG DELAY on the turnoff sequence, probably in the area of 10 minutes, so the power LED will stay on for that long after you turn off the radio. Found this out by accident while I was trying to contact Infinity to ask why the power LED wouldn't turn off. Then it turned off. I didn't see anything about the turn-off delay in the literature.

sibe

Sorry AV I don't get much time to log in on the weekends. On top of that, I'm finishing up my job here, heading up to Alaska to interview etc.... Anyways, sorry I wasn't around to help with the brake stuff. I would recommend that you buy the complete shop manual from DC. I know experience comes from bad judgement but on some things you might want to read up the whole story before starting.

OTTO, what's a DRB? Also any thoughts on the deployable four pilon car raiser I mentioned a while back?

Sibe

sdmike2

That might explain why my installer thought my basslink had a problem. They installed an in-line switch to "fix" it, but it cost me an extra $20.

By the way, no check Saturday. I'll let you know if I don't get it today.
-M

sibe

Thank you for the (right) number. Just called Chris and as soon as he gets some more medalions in he'll ship 'em out with the sealer. Since I'm off to Alaska friday for 2 weeks they should just about be arriving when we get back. Thanx again,

Sibe

thill381

The basslink is here and I am heading home to install it. Should have pics tomorrow.

Sibe-The DRB is an electronic diagnostics tool issued by chrysler, and made by OTC. This tool is not available to the public.

rogor2k

Leave your switch in the ON position and I'll bet it turns off around 10 minutes after you turn off the radio. If you have the remote terminal connected to anything, disconnect it at the amp. The installer had my remote line already connected when I showed him the info on NOT using it when using the speaker level inputs.

sdmike2

I think I'll just leave it alone. It works just fine the way they did it. My guess is that they connected the remote wire too. So much for leaving it to "professionals".