Chrysler 300M

cmyers300m

I too looked at other cars in this class like the BMW330i, AudiS4, Lincoln LS8. They all had their good points, the Audi was the fastest but also 42k, dollar for dollar the M was the best value. Not to mention great looks. I have 4300 miles on my 2001 300M, and have not had one problem. Except wanting to always drive it FAST.

cmyers300m

Does anyone out there have a Borla exhaust on their M? If so, how is the noise level in the cabin? I been in some cars with cat back systems that the resonating was bad at lower-mid rpms. Raspy rumble is good, but constant resonating would not be. Any input???

mboomgarden1

I have a Borla and was very happy with the performance boost. However, I found the resonance from about 2100 to 2600 rpm to be too much to take. Oddly, this resonance disappears entirely at about 85 m.p.h., but I didn't think the Illinois State Police would be overly sympathetic. I contacted Borla and installed a single venturi in the first section of the Borla (some put a second venturi further back toward the tailpipe) and I'm now very satisfied. It still rumbles--most noticeably on hot days with the a/c on and the engine under load--but it's now within my comfort range. Previously, I had to crank the stereo waaaay up to overcome the exhaust resonance under these conditions. Incidentally, the installation of the venturi does not seem to have reduced my engine performance.

Before installing the venturi, I tried Ziebart's Sound Barrier treatment. It helped some, but the resonance was still too much for me. If you order a Borla, I'd seriously consider having them install the venturis before shipping. If you don't and you find yourself unhappy with the resonance, you'll end up having to remove the system and have the venturi(s) tack-welded in place.

cmyers300m

Thanks for the info. That was exactly what I was interested in knowing. I will definitly go with the install of a venturi, since I don't want to ruin the other reason I bought a 300, which was the luxury.

sdmike2

Have you considered other options for the exhaust, like duals? Here is a diagram and some pictures of my dual exhaust.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1620463&a=12630411&f=0

Here are some good pictures of the finished product:

Rear View Left

Rear View Right

fuzzywuzzy

I decided to get the windshield checked by the people who put it in. They re-corked the bottom of it. I will see if that makes a difference in the leak. If that doesn't work, then It could only be a body seem somewhere, & that means another dealer trip

fuzzywuzzy

I will attempt this again in the next few days. I also want to remove the lettering on the trunk. Is it removed the same way as the sides?

russklass

The PHG does NOT include vented rear rotors or larger front rotors...both are the same as non PHG cars.
I would love to know what IS different about PHG brakes..they ARE better...OTTO?
The package includes:
Firmer struts and suspension bushings.
Firm-feel steering
"V" rated Michelin Pilot MXM4 tired in place of the standard "T" rated Michelin Energy tires.
Anyone else know more?
PS: My current '01 and previous '99 both have/had PHG/PHP.

fuzzywuzzy

Umm, I hate to correct you but the PHG front rotors are bigger. They use 11.7" compared to the 11" rotors on the non PHG 300M. The rears are the same though. The calipers are the same, as are the pads. And yes the rears are not vented, but the fronts are. Measure yours, I'd bet they are 11.7"

stevenw300

I agree with iflowers - the braking on the PHP was the big dif for me.

sdmike2

Very interesting results! I notice that the Lincoln LS is down at 18 of 21 (the M is 3) among contemporary luxury cars. Nice amunition for anyone still fighing the M vs. LS. battle on the other board.

sdmike2

The back letters come off the same as the front...hair dryer, dental floss, goo gone. Some pictures of the process I used:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1620463&a=13138301&f=0

sdmike2

Interesting. I have read several times that the PHG got bigger rotors on the front, but the '01 specificiation sheet indicates that both the stock and optional (PHG) brakes have 11.7 x 1.02 discs with single piston caliper, ABS and traction control. They do say, however, that the stock brakes are "inboard-vented" while the optional ones are "outboard-vented". Check out the last page of this document:

http://us.media.daimlerchrysler.com/special/2001carryover/Chry_300M_SP.pdf

Guess some measuring is in order.

sdmike2

Here's another '01 DC document that lists PHG as standard equipment...so I guess we can't believe everything we read. Check out the last page.

http://us.media.daimlerchrysler.com/special/2001carryover/Chry_300M_FH.pdf

These documents are always available from my link page at http://www.ritchiefamily.com/links.htm

mboomgarden1

This is the information from the 2001 Chrysler Press Kit on the 300M:

Standard Brakes:
Front Size and Type: 11.7 x 1.02 (297 x 26) inboard vented disc with single-piston caliper, ABS and low-speed traction control
Swept Area: 216.8 sq. in. (1398.8 sq cm)
Rear Size and Type: 10.6 x 0.5 (270 x 12) solid disc with single-piston caliper and ABS
Swept Area: 152.3 sq. in. (982.8 sq cm)
Power Assist Type: Tandem diaphragm vacuum

Optional Brakes (PHG):
Front Size and Type: 11.7 x 1.02 (297 x 26) outboard-vented disc with single piston caliper, ABS and low-speed traction control
Swept Area: Same as standard
Rear Size and Type: 10.6 x 0.5 (270 x 12) solid disc with single-piston caliper and ABS
Swept Area: Same as standard
Power Assist Type: Same as standard

The only difference I see is in the venting of the front discs. I would guess that there may also be a difference in the pad compound. I can't vouch for the accuracy of these specs, but it's the official Chrysler description.

rogor2k

I sure hope you don't show up in Monterey with vent holes in your hood. I don't know if we can count those as mods. We might have to give you some demerits on that

Have a safe trip, and see you in Morgan Hill next week. Hold down the fort until we arrive.

fcm

I sent a note to John at Roanoke Motor Inc. to see what he knows. If anyone knows he does, cripes he had 2002M on his lot 2 weeks ago, and has already delivered at least 12 2002 PT Cruisers. This is the guy that sells 100 Vipers a year.

His web address is www.romocoinc.com. He has several used/program 300Ms if anyone's interested.

russklass

Inboard vented / outboard vented???
I just had my warped front rotors replaced, courtesy of Chrysler, and was told the rotors are the same for both setups.
I'll call my 5* tomorrow and have the parts manager check this out.

phases78

bigmike and everyone else: i dont much care for my chome grill either, it looks good, but I know the quality isnt top of the line, even if noone else does. BUT........ after a week of searching vigorously, i found someone. hehehee. im taking my ride up there fri (only an hour, hour and half away) and let him get his measurements, and he's going to make me a custom chrome billit grill. He told me "It's gonna look SWEET!!!!" We'll see, but I'm excited!

phg brakes, u can tell by looking at them there different. and I read on a chrysler document in mark's (the big man at my dealership) office that the fronts are in fact bigger. i'm thinking, maybe the disagreements in here may be due to model years????

http://phases78.homestead.com/300m.html

phases

(p.s. we got done early! so im in till tue, in which i then leave for another 2 weeks. i hate the army..)

phases78

a friend of myne that i went to basic with emailed me today and told me he found my car on the internet, had alot of good things to say about it, anyway...... he says to get underdrive pulleys??? says it'll at 15-20 hp. anyone know what that is? he said they take the drag outa your belts taht go around your accessories.. i dont know, but i'm gonna look into it. any know what this is all about?

http://phases78.homestead.com/300m.html

phases

beach15

Here's more full-size pics with information, options, and pricing of 2002's. Here you go:

2002 Onyx Green & Light Taupe 300M

2002 "Brilliant" Silver & Dark Slate Gray 300M

2002 Cinnamon Glaze & Dark Slate Gray 300M

2002 Bright Silver & Dark Slate Gray Concorde Limited

phases78

if anyone ever used napster, now there kazaa www.kazaa.com its an en excellent replacement, maybe even better, and smaller. its awesome! im on right now and theres almost a half million gigs of music/video!!!

herrmdogg

How much is that grille costing you? Email me at herrmdogg@hotmail.com if you would rather not tell the entire town hall.

Too bad my contact couldn't help you out but maybe now you have the opportunity to have your contact help me out !!!

http://members.cardomain.com/herrmdogg

HerrmDogg

phases78

wont know till he can get the messurements, ill let ya know! this guy claims he does EVERYTHING. he said that too me several times. im sure he means cosmetic..

adplusone

Thanks for the very many responses to my probably not to friendly posting this AM (it must have been something like kick the cat when the dog pisses on the floor)!

As previously mentioned, we spent a week with a rental 300-M and based on that experience we are looking to lease one. Now if I can just get the wife to choose a color....it will be her daily driver unless I can get her to drive my Suburban!

One final question....owners....if you could change or improve one thing about your 300-M what would it be???

Thanks in advance!

sdmike2

I wish that the car accessories (windows, radio, etc.) would work after the key is turned off and removed until I open the door....like most cars now. Then I could close my sunroof without fussing with the keys again.

phases78

id have to agree. something ill have to get done.....

aj_tomasi

Here's a link for some guys that might be able to help you with your pulley questions.

http://members.home.net/nickboers/index.html

They will be happy to make a custom package for you, I'm sure.

phases78

thanks!

avalanche165

go here man...www.autoloc.com

do what i'm doing (yes...i never stop)

you'll be able to click a button on your transmitter (as small as ours), and be able to open doors, roll down windows, roll up windows, trunks release, TRUNK CLOSE (thought this was cool), and sunroof open/close. u can just get the windows sunroof package if u want. well worth it. my dads benz has it to from factory, man i love it.

denverm

This language from the Club's FAQ page: "the cooling fins on the rotors exit close to the wheel studs, so if you look at the rotor and see a circular opening near the wheel studs it's a PHP M," is pretty much verbatim from an old post by Otto, who said this is how he tells if an M has PHG or not.

Here are two photos of my PHG front rotor, with the arrows showing where the opening is (the rotor goes in, as the shadow in the right photo indicates). I've looked at rotors on non-PHG M's, and they appear on the outside as a flat disk, without going in here:

avalanche165

i;ve been lookin for these everywhere, couldn't find a place that carried them, i knew they made for the 3.0 v6. custom ones were 300, so i didn't go for'em since i know u can get them for 100 already made. anyway, i have a friend who just took out his AC, 15hp to the wheels, LOL. and of course, its a honda.

bluesky999

Thx for comments the other day regarding Nissans and 'M gas mileage. The Maxima is a nice ride--hopefully you could swing a good price on it since the Max will be updated in power for '02.

travmn

just one piece of advice, be careful when doing an underdrive pulley. it is a good performance boost, but if you do anything like major stereo upgrades ( subs ), electronics upgrades ( lcd's, dvd's, etc. ), you'll be overdrawing your battery ( as everything is affected by your pulley ) and possibly ending up with a drained battery. if you're going for straight out performance and don't mind the a/c not working as well, feel free to do the mod

lonestarsled

Somebody at http:/www.prowleronline.com was trying to organize a group buy for a custom made pulley put it did not go over. Alot of the people there had no idea what they were! I thought that an underdrive pulley would complement the PP gears since the engine would be turning faster at all speeds - except idle. But from the sounds of it here, not too many people sit around at idle!

guesswho1

thanks for the link, great site, better than napster! ))))))))

ajpiii

If we can get some pulleys made for our M's ? How many of us would be willing to do that mod ? Maybe we could get a group thing going and get a deal ?

BTW: Anyone know where I can get a Throttle Body cheap ?

guesswho1

is this the NHRA board?

guesswho1

http://www.nhra.com/

phases78

guess: no prob man!

aj: i sure as hell would. any other takers?

300michael

I will not be holding down the fort. From Phoenix, I am going to Salt Lake City. Then from there to San Fransisco then to Monterey. I will be taking the back roads, speaking of which do you think they will let me drive on the Great Salt flats?:) I am planning to arrive that Friday. From there to LA, and if time allows to San Diego, them back to Phoenix.

300michael

An 6sp Auto stick transmission. (Sorry guys my left foor already has a job (the brake pedal)). Along with a Hemi V8.

300michael

It looks like some of our 300M are already sporting more horses then the Special will have when it comes out.

300michael

My 99 M has been a dream. No problems to date (except for ones I created. Fit and finish could have been better, but at the time it was the best dam vehicle for the money, I didn't get the PHG, because of the ride quality. I have better tires then the PHG's have it is (as 99's go)quieter, and I planed on using the money for better upgrades. My 99 should easyly last until the "N's" come out, then I will see if they are better enough to trade in for. After all there is still Prowler Pro gears to up grade to if needed.

sdmike2

If you're going to be cruising through the san diego area give me a shout. Roger can give you my email address. I just started getting about 20 spams a day on my new account, so my email addresses will no longer be public.

ottowrkr

the front rotors are all the same size , the base rotor is rear vented and the PHP get front vents. Thats it !!! The rear brakes are not vented but solid.

fuzzywuzzy

I got cross drilled rotors on my M. When I ordered them they had 2 sizes. 1 was 11" 1 was 11.7" This was on my 2000. I didn't know which one it was, so I measured mine. They were 11.7". I also measured a non PHP M & the fronts were 11" So what gives?

300michael

It is probably DC way of cutting down on parts. having to order only one type of braking system is easyer, and less warehouseing of parts.

stevenw300

Do you have any info on the configuration of the dual setup on the Special? Any info you could provide would be much appreciated.

300michael

Baer into making some brakes for the 300M. Some good cross drilled / slotted ones, with four piston calipers. No luck with Willwood, even though they made them for the 300 Special a few years back.