Chrysler 300M

phases78

trav, looked at your site, nice car! (its an M, of course its nice lol) and i saw your wish list. i like the way your thinkin my man, also, awesome bike!

otto: i think u just gave me an idea or two... as far as the aluminum claddin when u open the door. mmm hmm i think i may have to do something similar to that...

guys, since i came into the field, bout four days now, EVERY SINGLE DAY i am answering more and more and more questions about my car. I LOVE THIS!cant wait to get my grill made, im gonna call him monday and see whats up. i went to the field for a while in the middle of our planning, gotta let him konw im still up for it. then, perhaps, it'll be close to ready, for a show. we'll see... ill keep everyone updated on the billet grill as i may be able to pull off a group discount of some sort...

is DUBSON (i think thats his name) on this site? i saw a msg to him from av, but i didnt know he came here? if so, congrats man! was happy to hear about your win! and same to herrmdogg! outstanding, hopefully before too long ill have a trophy with you guys...

phases

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

denverm

Thanks for the news. Sounds like the car isn't living up to even DC's brochures though; they better change those!

phases78

i was racing a guy today in an infinity (i won) hes a coworker or mine, and i was doin alot of gunnin the car. well, twice during this half hour drive to his house, it smelled like something was burning, like........... rubber? or..... plastic? it wasnt too strong, i dont know, i checked everything out under the hood when i got there, no smell, nothing looked burned... any ideas? just maybe the electritions tape under there holding all the wires together and what not getting hot? thats what he suggested. i dont know, should i take it in?

300michael

Check under your car, and look at the whole exhaust system. They may have left the Manufacture lables on the exhaust pipes and or mufflers. They are made of white plastic.

phases78

thanks! ill check that! but... wouldnt have burned off already?? ive run it hard a few times since i put on the duals??

will put it on ramps tomorrow or thur and definately check that. i need to know what that was all about......

traley

Thanx scotian.

ruski

I bet more horsepower is only on paper. These engines probably all make the same power, but when they put them into Intrepid R/T, they write 246HP, when they install it into 99 300M, they write 253HP; when they install it into 2001-02 300M, they write 250HP, and for the Special they write 255HP.

300michael

I am glad I have an early 99 one, with the extra 7oz of fluid.
As for compairing the 300M with the TL type S. One of the auto magazines just tested it. I was suprized it only went 0-60 in 7.0 seconds. So the Acura is not that much faster (nothing a thousand dollars can't fix on the M). The rating on the special is 255 HP @ 6500rpms, and 257 lbs toque @ 3900rpms The gearing is 3.89

300michael

According to the borchure the HIDs are on the Special. Page 18.

ruski

I was getting my hopes up, thinking that maybe if they put HIDs into the Special, then the regular 300M could get the European projector lights (that they should have had from the very beginning).

I guess Chrysler management had a better idea.

That 2002 Nissan Altima looks better and better every day. If I have any money left, I am pretty sure I am gonna get the Altima instead of a new 300M. I don't think I want to reward Chrysler for not making 300M better.

My 99 300M is an awesome car, but it is not 1999 out there anymore, and there are better cars coming out.

avalanche165

sounds like an overall nice car tho. few goodies. can u explain those mirrors otto? sry i got this freakin 400 dollar set of M5 mirrors sittin next to me and just wanna try to return them and save some time. the ones on the special...do they have the turn signal on the outside? or the hologram on the mirror itself? both? do they tilt in reverse? thanks otto

scotian

Any thoughts on these? They seem to have more surface area than K&N (inner filter element as well as outer). There's even an inlet hose you can attach and route away from the engine.

http://www.autophysics.com/cones.html

stevenw300

Thanks for the update on the Special. I think I read in AutoWeek magazine that the cost for the "special" package is around $1,000 and that 8,000 Specials will be built for 2002.

ruski

I think the special was programmed to be a lame duck. Then when they don't sell well, the Chrysler execs will say "you see? we told you that no one would want a sportier 300M. There is no market for that. Let's go build some more SUV instead"

forresth

Long ago... I once got a frantic call from my wife about a plastic smell in her car. I asked her if there was any strange noises coming from the engine compartment. She said No and I said she could drive it home and I would look at it. I checked that sucker out real good and could find nothing. The smell subsided and nothing else happened. About 2 weeks after the frantic call I had to do something to the car and I ended up laying on my back under the car. While under there I noticed the remnants of a plastic shopping bag between the floor pan and the catalytic converter. I used a putty knife to get the rest off. Anyway after I mentioned this she says "Oh yeah, I remember running over a *-Mart bag in the parking lot". Geeze what waste of my time. Anyway look for thin flimsy shopping bags in any nooks and crannies around the exhaust. Maybe you'll find something.
Forrest member #141

fuzzywuzzy

The only thing I will say is it really is some special

avalanche165

gonna rebuild the dash piece around the radio and ac controls. move the ac controls to the bottom, and might have to move down the cd player as well. but, its all good, cuz this is what i'm gonna mold in....

6.4" lcd screen, high resolution with multiple inputs...weeeeeeeeee.
for now i'm just gonna hook up a dreamcast to my second battery and play it with the monitor. but when i get some time and money hope to go to a navigational system.

avalanche165

i'm gettin all hyped up about these mirrors, they might just be the only special thing on the car.

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rogor2k

I've got my signal mirror kit from Muth, but haven't had time to install them yet. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks. This weekend is already shot.

Anyone else buy the kit at the 300M Enthusiasts Club member discount price? The install is pretty involved, but they do provide an excellent, illustrated manual. I'll give a report when I get them installed.

sdmike2

Roger -
what was the link to information about those mirrors again?

intrepidspirit

If the additional cost of the 2002 300M Special is around $1,000, it will still be priced about $300 less than the "un-special" 2001 300M.

The "special" may not be truly "special", but still seems to be a good buy when you put it into perspective...

denverm

sdmike2, go to this page on the Club site: http://www.300mclub.org/vendors.htm There are links to Muth's site and to info on the Club discount

traley

Hey, sounds like a plan. We could always use some in-car entertainment. Just imagine..u and ur girl relaxed watching porn, oops my bad.. I meant watching 'The Matrix'. Heh.

bigmike5

Man you just got some great new wheels and you're "racing" a friend. Come on, Man. Anyway, just heard from some friends last nite that the KY State Police have obtained a large number of White Camaros and converted them to cruisers. No gumball lights, everything is in the grill. Supposedly, the way they are painted you cannot see what they are until you are abreast of them. Keep the eyes open for white Camaros when you are on the KY side of Campbell. Also did you check out the gold striping that I put on the grill to replace the chrome stuff? SDMike posted a pic for me about a week ago that shows it. It had stickum on one side only and laid right down on the grill without using the exacto for the places where it met the vertical cross-members. Easy job, less than a half hour and no muss or fuss. If the grill job you are planning does not pan out try the Trim Bright in chrome or gold.

mboomgarden1

I hope it's not out of line to bring this up here, but has anyone else had trouble logging onto the board on the 300M Club website since they changed the location? It no longer recognizes my cookies and I can't log on manually. Any suggestions?

denverm

It works fine for me, with auto logon. Maybe send Roger or 99300mricva (moderators) an email if you try again and still have trouble.

99_300m_ric_va

Not sure what's up, but if you have a link saved, update it with the pub88 vs. what it was before and connect directly that way. Logout and Log back in and then turn on autologin and see if that doesn't clear things up.

phases78

forrest: hey that could very well be it forrest, i'm gonna check everything out tomorrow after work and see whats up..

bigmike: hey thanks for the tip!! but hey, these are only 17's, just as safe to race with as the stock. there even giovannas "G Racing" wheels lol. hey man took me damn near forever but i found your pic, looks cool man! sounds hella easier too, shoulda done that.... but monday ill find out whats up with the billet...

av: post pictures!

ottowrkr

The special does indeed have HID-SORRY ALL. I went and looked at the car again today and the lights do look like our EURO light but when you turn the switch on ZAP ,on comes that bright white light. The HID is only on the low beam light .The HID lights are identical size to the regular lights so I figure that they will fit into any 300M ,just have to figure out the wiring AVA- the mirrors are color keyed the same as the car color and have a clear plastic strip about an inch wide and three inches long that is mounted horizontally on the outside of the mirror itself.Yes they tilt in rev. but that is not the mirror but the body controller that does that it. The controller sends a signal to the mirror to tilt down. Stevenw300 - I was told that they are not a limited build, DC plans to sell as many as are ordered ( that's what a DC exec told me )Also was told that it will get revised software to the engine and trans computer maybe more punch and diffrent shift points.. The seats feel a little nicer ,the outer leather design is a little different but still they should have stitched a logo into the seat IMOP. Well if I find out anything else that I goofed on I will let you know.Still I figure the 18 inch wheels ,exhaust ,and lights make a few grand more in price a good deal. The tire and wheel package is the big factor. Anybody thinking or getting one???

avalanche165

thanks otto. i'll be going for the mirrors and the lights. well not the actual mirror, but the whole housing. that clear plastic strip is a turn signal light right? just making sure before i got out and buy one. i wonder how much fun the hid's are gonna be to install. about getting a special 300m, i think i'll pass for now. just not happy with the motor. oh almost forgot, i wonder how much that revised software will run???

phases78

those 20's i said i have my eye on? well there at http://www.dirtcheaprims.com/giovanna.htm called Essen

ottowrkr

hey ,don't know if these parts are available to the dealer yet, we have not even made any of these cars for the public . The software may not work for your car as it uses to different engine and trans computers for 2002. Yes the plastic strip is for turn signals .

silverbullet4

Otto-Glad you got to meet some of the M Club at the big event. I just wanted to say "thanks" for putting up with all our questions and bringing the rumors to heel. I've got a 2k M with PHP. The body seems to still be tight; no rattles despite bumpy streets and 16,000 miles. When I was a kid one of my neighbors bought a new 1955 Chrysler 300. It had a Windsor body from the "smaller" Chrysler with an Imperial grille. Supposedly assembly was so labor-intensive that Chrysler lost money on every one they built. It was the most beautiful car I had ever seen. I feel the same way about my M (at least from most angles). Keep up the good work. Man, 2003 and the 300N seem like a long time off. Something to live for!

Silver

exshoman

Dirt Cheap Rims dot com??? Seems to be streching the truth a bit. Those Essen rims are $749 PER RIM!!! Another rim was priced at $1389 a piece.

They're nice, but I can't see spending 3 grand on rims.

exshoman

Somebody was going to post a TSB on the moving seat problem that seems to be pretty common here. Think it had something to do with the seat rails.

Did I miss it?

300michael

Remember to start your name with a letter, not a number. www.300mclub.org then go to chat.

ottowrkr

http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories0827/tbird828.htm those poor LS guys

scotian

What are the chances that the HID headlights can easily be installed into an older 300M?

scotian

The Barletta rims look interesting.

avalanche165

thats my boy ali up in there. tell him Osman sent you, he will beat anyone, i mean ANYONE. he's real good. i got my 20's off of him. those kmc units, they retail for $799 each. i got them less then 500 each shipped. tires i got a badass deal too. tirerack and discount tire direct were asking 370 each, i got them for 270 each. just tell'em Osman sent you.

bigmike5

You read my message too literally. When I said "new wheels," I meant the new black M, not the rims. Please, no more racing or crashes in that beautiful new car. Also from a distance I saw a stone White 01 the other day. I think it had pin-striping on it. Is that a feature that was standard? an option? or was it after market? Anyone know?

fuzzywuzzy

I have pin striping on my 2000. Looks real good. not too much. It was a dealer option. Extra $20.

forresth

My 2001 had it installed from the dealer. My wife doesn't like them...I don't really care either way, but have thought about removng them.

7888

Problem solved! The dealer replaced the rack and pinion assembly. It rides like it did when I first took it off the dealer lot. Still want to know what you guys are using to maintain your leather seats and steering wheel. I have the camel with biscuit/taupe interior. The leather on the driver seat is cracking and discolored and steering wheel leather is dark and peeling from cleaning.

russklass

If you go with pinstripes, HAND PAINTED is much better than tape. Like this:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1501794&a=11408326&p=40150653&f=0

Eagle design "borrowed" from the USPS

scotian

http://carpoint.msn.com/advice/news_4020119_12.asp

silverbullet4

I use the Zaino Bros'#9 Leather Soft Spray Cleaner and followup with the #10 Leather In A Bottle. No buffing is necessary, it dries to a soft glow, and restores that new leather smell. It won't rub off on your clothes. One reason I like it a lot is you can safely use it on the vinyl trim. Works great on the dash top. Go to:
http:www.zainobros.com for info and ordering.
Phone: 732-785-2951

Silver

forresth

So I wonder if we can get the more agressive shift as mentioned in this quote;
"To that end, Prowler's 4-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick has a different shift schedule programmed into it for more aggressive shifts. This, Zverina told me, can "put a heavier load on the engine, so we wanted the higher octane gas to help" work with that harder driving. "

That may pep the 300M up some without changing to the Intrepid or Prowler Pro gears.

grunschev

I'm wondering if the 150mph speedometer in the Special will fit in my '99 PHP. What does a speedometer cost these days, anyway?

Igor

denverm

I use Zaino Z10 leather treatment on the leather surfaces of my seats; they look great after 20K miles. I do not use any treatment on the vinyl surfaces (I don't want my dash to become glossy, and I question whether leather conditioner does vinyl any good), nor on the steering wheel. I think that the combination of skin oil and conditioner on the steering wheel might be too much, and might cause the leather to soften and deteriorate. Can't say for sure that my opinions on vinyl and the steering wheel are correct; that's just my approach to it. Can definitely say that Zaino works well (and smells great!) on the leather seats.