You can just make that clear in the text of your post, if you think that is necessary. For example, if you are posting pictures of your own vehicle, it wouldn't be necessary in that case.
I got the leather treatment but not the cleaner. To clean, I just use warm water on a soft towel. The leather treatment is great. It goes on easily and absorbs quickly, and it doesn't leave any greasy residue like others I have tried in the past. It's also great on the dash and other plastic areas. It provides a nice shine too. Not an "armorall" shine, but I never liked that look anyway. Good stuff. Try it. Oh, and I've never had any problems with residue in the seat pits. I just put it on a cloth and apply it all over. It absorbs in and disappears.
There is room to add a third muffler/resonator just after the Magnaflow collector muffler. It is the Magnaflow #10416. It is more of a resonator and it will not hurt performance!
Michael Hujo(the designer of this system) told me about adding this resonator to lower drone noise in the cabin and over all noise. He did it a few months after installing his system and told me that it lowered overall noise about 1/3%. He also told me that there are two larger models of this resonator that would lower noise even more.
You can contact Michael Hujo at: rampco@bellsouth.com to ask him for more info.
BTW, I was going to do this because I felt the nosie level was a bit high. But the noise level has grown on me(I still mite do it after I take my first long trip in my M and deccide if the muffler noise was too much). I have the Rhino muffler in the rear.
The reason I asked about the Falken tires is, last Saturday, I had a set of Falken ZE-502's put on my 99 300M. Easy, you're right, Falken doesn't have an exact size match to stock so Evans Tire put on a set of 235/45-17 rather than stock size of 225/55-17 which equates to a 5.3% smaller rolling circumference. I told Evans that I'd try them out but if I didn't like them, they agreed to mount anything else I wanted. So far with about 25 miles, they seem to be a good tire and the price was decent.
I'm a little concerned though about the 5.3% difference in the rolling circuference and how that'll translate to a faster speedo reading and accelerated odo readings.
Question, what is the max width tire that can be mounted on the stock 17" razorstar wheels and have no clearance problems in the wheel well and be less than a 3% circumference difference from a 225/55-17 stock size tires.
Back around 1990 I bought a 1983 280-ZX turbo. The prior owner had put on the H-rated Falkens about a month before I purchased the car. I found the 205-70-15's to be too harsh of a ride so I decided to change them after a couple of months. Since I had much success over the years with Dunlop tires, I replaced them with H-rated Dunlop D60A2 tires. IMHO it made all the difference in the world. The tires were quieter, held the road better and wore like iron. If Dunlop still makes that tire, my Y2K M will have them before the end of this year.
Regarding the Zaino leather products, I find them no better or no worse than other leather products that I have used over the years.
It's always better to oversize then undersize your tires if you cannot find a close stock match. A 5.3% difference means if you put on 10K miles, you are really putting on 10530 miles. Your also be off at say 65mph. Your really be doing about 68mph. Is it a big difference no, but a difference none the less. I wouldn't go any wider then a 245 tire. Just from my experience. I had nothing but vibrations, & pulling from the 245-4517's I had on mine. This was a rim width issue for my tires. Each tire maker is different. See what they recommend as the rim width. When I test fited my 18X8's I tried to fit a 255 tire on, but the clearence between the edge of the tire, & the tie rod end was to tight for me. They did fit, but I could not even get a piece of paper between the gap. Way too tight. The 245 was alot better of a fit.
Well, I'm off for my week road trip to NYC in the M. I have to rack up another 3K miles on my M I know your guys love being #1, but keep it down. I really don't want to read 500 posts when I get back
Actually at 5.3% smaller rolling circumference wouldn't my odo be running faster and rack up 10K miles compared to 9,470 with a stock size tire and the speedo would read high such that a 68mph reading with the smaller circumference tire is actually 65mph compared stock size tires.
It is a small amount but still!
Falken doesn't have a circumference "oversize" tire that doesn't get too wide it starts to violate side clearance. I may just have Evans change them for something closer or exactly to stock size.
The dunlops in 245-45-17 is what I used BTW. They recommend at least a 8" rim for that size. The stocks is 7" That's what was causeing all my pulling/vibrations.
I had problems with the ATC in my Y2K M as well...always blew very cold air -- even when set at 89! My 5* said it performed "within specifications" when I originally had the car in during the repainting fiasco when I bought the car in July/2000. I never went back to them.
My Dodge dealer adjusted the sensor and it seems to work fine over the past few months. I never had a problem with my 98 Intrepid ATC (the unit looked identical to the 300M's), but the Dodge dealer said the sensor was in a different location on the M.
The ATC on my wife's 2001 300M has worked fine since we bought it (4/8/01)...
Bottom line is -- I think you just need to adjust the sensor if you can get your dealer to admit it doesn't work properly...
I get no problems at all. Actually my Goodyears had rubbed down to the steel becuase of bad alignment and I was only miles away from a blowout. These Dunlops give me a smoother ride. My mom has a 2000 Concorde and I would say the 300 is about 95% as good with the Dunlops compared to the Goodyears which were 80%.
I thought the stock rims where 7.5, no? I have the Aluminum look RazorStars.
I just verified our rim size (17x7) in the product feature guide. A link to the guide, along with other good M stuff, is available on my links page at http://www.ritchiefamily.com/links.htm Pardon the redundant link...I haven't fixed it yet.
10 days later I'm back from Vegas and have returned to Edmunds....
518 posts and I'll only admit I read the first hundred and last 20
Nice hats.
Did I miss anything else?
I drove a Caddy Deville while out there. Definitely different than the M, but that's the difference between $28K and $45K. They have indeed stiffened the suspension since days past when all it felt that was holding the car up was a bag of Stay-Puft marshmallows
We went and picked up the 300M this evening from the 5* and suprisingly, they had fixed something. To madchemist and whoever else who asked, here's the list and what they did:
1. Engine knocking- checked engine and said that this is probably due to something with the emissions and that it may occur to the weather being cold or hot.
2. Transmission slipping- couldn't duplicate but have both this and the engine knocking on record in case of any future issues.
3. Steering wheel rough spot- looked at and they have ordered a new steering wheel! this suprised me that they would actually do something for it, but our car does have under 12,000 miles.
4. Shrunken weatherstripping- have ordered replacements and they will then be installed.
5. Back edge of rear door panels loose- I gave a TSB # for 99' M's that mentioned this and they did fix it. there now is a screw through each of the top edges that can only be seen from the outside from certain angles.
6. Sunroof squeaked when closing- i think they lubricated something but now it doesn't make any noise.
7. Car pulls to the right- not sure what they did exactly if anything but they said that they will be re-alligning the front end next time we're there. i still think it's the badyears though.
8. Constant gauge cluster rattle- i think this was one of the "could not duplicates" but maybe it won't do it as much.
Overall, we're very pleased and it was clear that they we're trying really hard to satisfy us this time. I think it's because one of the head people was there evaluating them. Now, we just have to go back when the weatherstripping and steering wheel come in and they'll also be re-alligning the front end at that time. I hope this all goes as planned! I'll post pics of the door panel screws and the steering wheel very shortly.
intrepidspirit- that Dodge dealer was giving you a load of #$%&. The ATC used in the 300 is the same as all LH cars with Auto Temp Control. The sun sensor is the same and so is the outside temp sensor. . All parts of the AC are used on all LH cars. Sensors are not adjustable so don't know what they did ??
It certainly makes sense that the ATC would be the same...it looked identical on the Intrepid and the 300M, but the dealer insisted they were different.
But they did do something to make the ATC work better...I thought they said it was the sensor that they adjusted. What else do you think they could have done to make it work better? It really does work better now! This was done several months ago, but I seem to recall them saying they "moved" the sensor...
Sounds like a nasty adjective...like "get these falken badyears off my car!".
Does Kelly still make tires? I had a 1990 Eclipse with expensive goodyear tires on it, and I didn't know how bad those goodyears were until I dropped a set of Kelly Metrics on my car. Those tires were inexpensive, but boy were they heads above the goodyears at triple the price!
beach - I don't have the steering wheel wear problem, but definitely had a hard time keeping it clean. I heard good things about Wheelskins leather covers so I bought one and put it on this past weekend. It definitely looks and feels great. I bought one of the 2-tone models (brown and tan) because I wanted the 2-tone "look" of the 2001 wooden wheel.
That's great that they are ordering a new wheel for you! Most dealers dob't do much for "cosmetic" stuff....
other sizes you can use are 245/50 17 a couple of companies make these sizes. The stock 222/55 17 are made by a few others. Most wheel makers do not recommend 245/45 17s on a 7" wheel Whereas the 245/50 17 is the widest profile they will OK, but still recommend a 7.5" wheel. I love my S-03s I have had Bridestones in the past and have be very happy with them. Plus they come in the stock 225/55 17 size. That rough pavement rumble is hard to hear now even with the radio off.
I just got back from Home Depot and while I was in the store, some jerk (I use the term loosely) cracked my scoop. It now has a 1" crack up the side the scuff mark can be buffed out along with the dent in the hood. Which I already poped back out. I figure they must have dropped a board on it, No note or anything. I guess I know what I will be doing tomorrow This just hasn't been my week.
I almost never take my "M" to a parking lot like Home Depot. Too many junk trucks and cars there with owners that don't give a hoot about someone's sweet ride! Jealous, I believe!
If I do take my "M" and not my Sable or Ranger to a store like Home Depot, Walmart, Mall, ect...., I park way in the back! Where no one else will need to park. I am alergic to dings, dents, and junk parking next to me!!!!!
sounds like vandalism to me---could be a jealous stang owner taking it out on your M---maybe you can file a claim with your insurance company for the damage--could help pay for those prowler gears---damaged hood and scoop--custom painted---lets see, that could be worth at least $1000--
From the lack of messages here, it is clear that it wasn't just me who couldn't get on any townhall boards until now. Wonder what was going on?
Steering wheel- Okay, I need some quick answers/advice from someone. To the best of my knowledge, the dealer will be ordering a replacement 2000 Agate steering wheel just like what we have now. This morning though, my wife asked me if I thought they could instead order a 2001 wood/leather one and have us pay the difference. At first, I didn't think she like the wood on the wheel and would rather have all leather but I guess she changed her mind. I told her that it wouldn't match the cheap plastic wood on the dash & doors, but she didn't care. I have been looking all over the internet today but can't seem to find the price of either of the steering wheels to see how much the price difference was.
So, here's my questions: 1. Any idea of where I could find the prices for both the y2k wheel and the 01' wood/leather wheel without calling the dealer? I think someone had gotten a price on the new lux-group wheel once but I can't remember what it was.
2. Though the wheel has real burl wood and the dash has the plastic rosewood stuff, do you think it would look all that bad? I was thinking it would match fairly well if we got one of those burl dash kits like Thill381 has that cover the existing wood-look trim. Also, in the brochure, the 01' Dark Slate Gray interior looks slightly darker than the 99'-00' Agate, but from pictures on this board, they look to be identical. Would this work?
I've emailed a few online dealers/companies that sell Chrysler parts but haven't gotten any responses yet. Does anyone here know if this would work and how much it costs?
I think your Sebring has the same steering wheel as a 300M already and the wood/leather one would look even better in your car because you already have the burl trim just like the wheel. We have a redish brown plastic piece with black lines on it. I still think it would look cool and we'll order it instead if I can find out what it costs. Doesn't anybody know? About the only downside I see is that it has stereo controls that most likely won't work with our 2000 car.
Call a different dealer and get the part numbers and price for each one, then take the information to your existing dealer and tell them you want to pay the difference.
1- steering wheel 2- retaining nut ($2.00) 3- Cruise on/off ($30.00) 4- Cruise resume/accel. ($23.00) 5- Air Bag Unit 6- Clockspring
It might not look too bad if the center (air bag assembly) is a slightly different color than the leather on the wheel, but something to consider....since they'll re-use your existing airbag assembly. Also, the wheel is far enough away from the trim on the dash that I doubt anyone would notice a difference.
Also, if the stereos are the same, it might be possible for them to wire up the wheel controls...which I think are one of the best features of the car.
I was going to lament the fact that I'll be driving crappy rental cars 3 days per week for the next couple of months...but given all the dents and dings reported in here I'm happy to leave Big Red parked in front of the casa!
On a related note...try to avoid renting a 2001 Chevy Malibu. Yuk.
well i just got back from my couple weeks in the field.. but i go back out in a few days... got my windows tinted, basslink installed, license plate (finally) with one of those tinted covers and chrome trim. i normally dont like that, but on a black car, well hell, i think it looks sweet! now im toying with removing badges or not. i did on my last car, but on black, they look different too me. i think i will though
i have a dig cam now, so im gonna go polish it up a bit, maybe work on my badges, and the basslink, getting it right, then ill post some pics later tonight!
p.s. anyone else have probs with the basslink cuttin off and on on its own? (at higher volumes)???
the right taliight has a small chip in it at the bottom. if you send me your tailights i'll be happy to paint them like mine or any other design. get back to me...you can stil buy mine, i'll sell for..hmmm...$40 bucks each since the one has a small chip in it.
first black with tinted windows i've seen, looks great with the chrome around the windows. what % is that? man you did the right thing getting rid of that junker white m
Aka, Guesswho there are spaces (triangles) that have reinforced ribbing on them. It didn't crease it too bad. It just scretched the paint where the scoop was I am epoxying (since I do not have the time to regrind another one and finish it off before I leave)the scoop and will have the whole thing repainted by a shop.
Comments
Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
and scroll over the pic of the jaguar at the bottom....
-M
Michael Hujo(the designer of this system) told me about adding this resonator to lower drone noise in the cabin and over all noise. He did it a few months after installing his system and told me that it lowered overall noise about 1/3%. He also told me that there are two larger models of this resonator that would lower noise even more.
You can contact Michael Hujo at: rampco@bellsouth.com to ask him for more info.
BTW, I was going to do this because I felt the nosie level was a bit high. But the noise level has grown on me(I still mite do it after I take my first long trip in my M and deccide if the muffler noise was too much). I have the Rhino muffler in the rear.
I'm a little concerned though about the 5.3% difference in the rolling circuference and how that'll translate to a faster speedo reading and accelerated odo readings.
Question, what is the max width tire that can be mounted on the stock 17" razorstar wheels and have no clearance problems in the wheel well and be less than a 3% circumference difference from a 225/55-17 stock size tires.
Rick
Regarding the Zaino leather products, I find them no better or no worse than other leather products that I have used over the years.
I know your guys love being #1, but keep it down. I really don't want to read 500 posts when I get back
It is a small amount but still!
Falken doesn't have a circumference "oversize" tire that doesn't get too wide it starts to violate side clearance. I may just have Evans change them for something closer or exactly to stock size.
Dunlops huh?
Rick
The dunlops in 245-45-17 is what I used BTW. They recommend at least a 8" rim for that size. The stocks is 7" That's what was causeing all my pulling/vibrations.
My Dodge dealer adjusted the sensor and it seems to work fine over the past few months. I never had a problem with my 98 Intrepid ATC (the unit looked identical to the 300M's), but the Dodge dealer said the sensor was in a different location on the M.
The ATC on my wife's 2001 300M has worked fine since we bought it (4/8/01)...
Bottom line is -- I think you just need to adjust the sensor if you can get your dealer to admit it doesn't work properly...
I thought the stock rims where 7.5, no? I have the Aluminum look RazorStars.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
245-50-17 is only a .3% difference from stock and about as wide as you want to go on the 7" rims.
-M
-M
518 posts and I'll only admit I read the first hundred and last 20
Nice hats.
Did I miss anything else?
I drove a Caddy Deville while out there. Definitely different than the M, but that's the difference between $28K and $45K. They have indeed stiffened the suspension since days past when all it felt that was holding the car up was a bag of Stay-Puft marshmallows
-m
1. Engine knocking- checked engine and said that this is probably due to something with the emissions and that it may occur to the weather being cold or hot.
2. Transmission slipping- couldn't duplicate but have both this and the engine knocking on record in case of any future issues.
3. Steering wheel rough spot- looked at and they have ordered a new steering wheel! this suprised me that they would actually do something for it, but our car does have under 12,000 miles.
4. Shrunken weatherstripping- have ordered replacements and they will then be installed.
5. Back edge of rear door panels loose- I gave a TSB # for 99' M's that mentioned this and they did fix it. there now is a screw through each of the top edges that can only be seen from the outside from certain angles.
6. Sunroof squeaked when closing- i think they lubricated something but now it doesn't make any noise.
7. Car pulls to the right- not sure what they did exactly if anything but they said that they will be re-alligning the front end next time we're there. i still think it's the badyears though.
8. Constant gauge cluster rattle- i think this was one of the "could not duplicates" but maybe it won't do it as much.
Overall, we're very pleased and it was clear that they we're trying really hard to satisfy us this time. I think it's because one of the head people was there evaluating them. Now, we just have to go back when the weatherstripping and steering wheel come in and they'll also be re-alligning the front end at that time. I hope this all goes as planned! I'll post pics of the door panel screws and the steering wheel very shortly.
But they did do something to make the ATC work better...I thought they said it was the sensor that they adjusted. What else do you think they could have done to make it work better? It really does work better now! This was done several months ago, but I seem to recall them saying they "moved" the sensor...
Does Kelly still make tires? I had a 1990 Eclipse with expensive goodyear tires on it, and I didn't know how bad those goodyears were until I dropped a set of Kelly Metrics on my car. Those tires were inexpensive, but boy were they heads above the goodyears at triple the price!
That's great that they are ordering a new wheel for you! Most dealers dob't do much for "cosmetic" stuff....
I love my S-03s I have had Bridestones in the past and have be very happy with them. Plus they come in the stock 225/55 17 size. That rough pavement rumble is hard to hear now even with the radio off.
BF Goodrich "Scorcher" (Red, Blue or Yellow tread highlights)
BF Goodrich Comp T/A HR4-2
Michelin Pilot XGT Z4
Dunlop SP Sport 5000
Pirelli PZero Assymetrical
http://members.cardomain.com/herrmdogg
HerrmDogg
This just hasn't been my week.
I almost never take my "M" to a parking lot like Home Depot. Too many junk trucks and cars there with owners that don't give a hoot about someone's sweet ride! Jealous, I believe!
If I do take my "M" and not my Sable or Ranger to a store like Home Depot, Walmart, Mall, ect...., I park way in the back! Where no one else will need to park. I am alergic to dings, dents, and junk parking next to me!!!!!
Steering wheel- Okay, I need some quick answers/advice from someone. To the best of my knowledge, the dealer will be ordering a replacement 2000 Agate steering wheel just like what we have now. This morning though, my wife asked me if I thought they could instead order a 2001 wood/leather one and have us pay the difference. At first, I didn't think she like the wood on the wheel and would rather have all leather but I guess she changed her mind. I told her that it wouldn't match the cheap plastic wood on the dash & doors, but she didn't care. I have been looking all over the internet today but can't seem to find the price of either of the steering wheels to see how much the price difference was.
So, here's my questions:
1. Any idea of where I could find the prices for both the y2k wheel and the 01' wood/leather wheel without calling the dealer? I think someone had gotten a price on the new lux-group wheel once but I can't remember what it was.
2. Though the wheel has real burl wood and the dash has the plastic rosewood stuff, do you think it would look all that bad? I was thinking it would match fairly well if we got one of those burl dash kits like Thill381 has that cover the existing wood-look trim. Also, in the brochure, the 01' Dark Slate Gray interior looks slightly darker than the 99'-00' Agate, but from pictures on this board, they look to be identical. Would this work?
I've emailed a few online dealers/companies that sell Chrysler parts but haven't gotten any responses yet. Does anyone here know if this would work and how much it costs?
Road trip next week!:>) Unfortunately it will be in the family minivan. :>(
Silver
Who knows what they cost?
-M
1- steering wheel
2- retaining nut ($2.00)
3- Cruise on/off ($30.00)
4- Cruise resume/accel. ($23.00)
5- Air Bag Unit
6- Clockspring
It might not look too bad if the center (air bag assembly) is a slightly different color than the leather on the wheel, but something to consider....since they'll re-use your existing airbag assembly. Also, the wheel is far enough away from the trim on the dash that I doubt anyone would notice a difference.
Also, if the stereos are the same, it might be possible for them to wire up the wheel controls...which I think are one of the best features of the car.
On a related note...try to avoid renting a 2001 Chevy Malibu. Yuk.
got my windows tinted, basslink installed, license plate (finally) with one of those tinted covers and chrome trim. i normally dont like that, but on a black car, well hell, i think it looks sweet! now im toying with removing badges or not. i did on my last car, but on black, they look different too me. i think i will though
i have a dig cam now, so im gonna go polish it up a bit, maybe work on my badges, and the basslink, getting it right, then ill post some pics later tonight!
p.s. anyone else have probs with the basslink cuttin off and on on its own? (at higher volumes)???
ill be back.........
back
im not gonna post a pic of the basslink, as its no different than everyone elses, i placed it in the back right of the trunk caddycornered..
it's still cutting out at higher volumes, but its a little better than it was. other than that, im diggin it!
will update website in a few days.............. need to relax, army wore me out
i like this car much much more than the white one, the phg is awesome!