Chrysler 300M

sdmike2

I use z10 on my dash to take advantage of the UV blocking. UV is the main reason for dash cracking, and the z10 not only makes the seats and dash look nice but it also helps block UV rays. Try it. It's not real glossy like armor all and those other treatments.

tictac3

My 200M has the pearl interior, including a tan steering wheel. This past weekend, I tried cleaning the wheel with both Orange Glo and then Zaino leather cleaner. Spent a half-hour and still could not get it cleaned properly. Also noticed that the grain is diminishing, where at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions, the wheel feels almost smooth. Short of a leather steering wheel cover, any other ideas?

tictac3

Third line of post - when I typed an apostrophe,
"’" was posted. What gives. This has happened twice to me already. Note: I type a word document (I do not like your spell check feature) and paste it into the posting window.

scotian

If under warranty, have Chrysler replace the steering wheel. They're replacing mine, and someone else had theirs replaced.

scotian

&#8217 was probably a special curly open or closed single or double quote. This often happens when pasting in text from MS Word.

jona57

We all know that the owner's manual recommends nothing for leather & vinyl care in our M's but wiping with a damp cloth.

Personally, I use Lexol for the leather seats and steering wheel due to its reputation and LACK of slippery feel or artificial high gloss. Lexol softens the leather a bit as well. I have also used Meguire's leather product on my other vehicles and found it to be good also.
Regarding vinyl, one of the main causes of cracking is the leaching of plasticizers (which hold the matrix of the product together) from the material. This may be accelerated by the use of certain products. We are lucky that our M's dash is made of a more advanced material (TPU) which should be longer lasting & more durable than older dash materials. I have been intending to try Vinylex (also from Summit Industries, maker of Lexol), but have not been able to find it in stores.

ottowrkr

The lights are the same size and will fit any 300M ,the only thing is how they are wired? Looking into this . As for the speedo , dont see why it would not work . Its the same car but with some new parts so everything will fit. Cost is the only thing that may cause a problem.

fuzzywuzzy

I would think not only would we have to replace the entire instrument cluster, but we would need a computer adjusment for the new one as well. Since everything is electroniclly controlled in the 300M, it makes sense the new speedo would be too. Unless the speedo numbers are just spaced differently. Ottowrkr can you tell us for sure? It would be nice to have that speedo read 150MPH, since I can say for sure that my 300M anyway will do that.

scotian

I wonder how much the HIDs will cost from the dealer.

scotian

On the way home from work today, buy a 3/4" lug wrench. I just had to put on my donut spare and the folding lug wrench was a joke as far as getting the lug nuts off. Completely, utterly, worthless! It bent, and I had to buy a real one. It worked OK for the jack, though.

Two of my OEM Michelins were nearing bald (on the back; the two on the front are good for a year), even though I have been rotating them. Luckily, one of them went flat. Two tires, $199 ea. Not too bad.

phases78

bigmike, ooooooh gotcha lol

grun: way ahead of ya man, im lookin in to that as we speak, ill let you know when i get something solid.. (speedo)

TN/KY MEMBERS: if you live close enought to me (clarksville TN), tnsc_300m is coming up this weekend, a great opportunity for another gathering, the more the merrier! email me phases78@yahoo.com

phases78

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

scotian

Where's a good place to get a length of 3-1/8" or 3-1/16" tubing that can be used for a cone filter install, stores on on the internet? I've seen kits for specific cars, but not just tubes that I can use.

When I ask at car stores around here, I get strange looks -- this happens a lot as I often ask for things that I think should be available but aren't. One guy was useful though and advised never to use PCV tubes for this purpose.

It would be cool to find some that can be bent at an angle, or better still, already bent at an angle.

tnsc_300m

If I remember correctly HID units require a special "ballast" and Hi-voltage power source in order to "fire" the element.

OTTO-Did you notice any extra electrical boxes on the Special?

ottowrkr

from what I saw ,it is all built into the headlight unit, of course I will have to check into this to see if this is indeed the case. Dont want to goof again.We are off Friday and Monday,labour day weekend .So it will have to wait till next week.Also will check into the speedo thing .

7888

I have the same color interior and I am experiencing the same. The leather has become so soft in one place that it is peeling? Scotian suggested having it replaced, how do I go about doing this with 46k? The steering wheel has been like this for some time. thanks!

toms99

A while back, during a discussion about the Prowler Pro gears, someone posted a comparison of the gear ratios. Does anyone still have this info, or can someone point me to the message #??

Thanks.

avalanche165

ok when i get my car back tuesday, wednesday i am getting a 2.75", or 3" aluminized steel pipe bent to fit the intake path. this will be a FULL intake, polished, painted, whatevr you want. you can then put silicon adapters for under 10 bucks and fit whatever cone filter you want on there. i'm going with the Dragon Weapon R. i'll get up pics first. i can mass produce (mass = all you edmunds guys and then sell'em for pretty cheap. just the piping. then it'll be a 2 minute install and wha-la. good performance. better than the rubber hosing we got. and it will catch a lot more cold air with good placement of the cone filter. but one thing, HOW BIG SHOULD THE PIPE BE? 2.5"? 3"? whadda think? don't wanna burn the valves ya know

avalanche165

prowlerpro gears will put the rpm's 1.27 higher than stock. when you at highway speeds, its like being in 3rd gear when your in 4th.
www.prowlerpro.com

scotian

I think someone else already is offering an intake pipe that goes from the throttle body to a cone filter, and will bore out a throttle body sent to him.

How loud would this be without the stock airbox? How loud would it be with? From what others have said, it might be all around significantly louder than the engine or exhaust noise, which is not what I want (temporarily louder at high revs would be OK).

scotian

If your steering wheel was deteriorating before 36K, you should have told a dealer. Does the extended warranty cover it, I wonder?

sirharper

Am I alone in thinking that the 300M horn just sounds too "polite"? I hate it! I need something that will adequately express my dismay with the idiots who chose to offend me, ANY SUGGESTIONS??

pjyoung

Maybe it's just yours... mine scares the #$(%* out of someone standing in front.

sdmike2

Try this: http://www.wolo-mfg.com/820.wav. That's the model 820 air horn. $129. They have electric and air car horns as well. http://www.wolo-mfg.com/

jona57

Scotian-

Thanks for reminding me about those pitful OEM lug wrenches!!!! DC is not the only one- All the OEM's are way too light. It must save them all of 50cents to use such cheap metal! I have enough socket sets to leave one in each car- just in case!

BTW- How many miles did you get from your stock Michelins? Keep us posted on what you replace them with.

Thanks!

Jon A

toms99

Av - I was trying to remember what the ratio is for 4th gear ... isn't it something like 2.31??

300michael

The tube should be 3". If you have a 2.5" (64mm) tube, then, or if you bore out the TB then the tube would be a restriction. 64mm for the tube 69mm for the TB. A 3" (76mm) would make the TB the only restriction. Plus there is room for a 3" tube and a lot of filters will fit the 3" pipe.

300michael

don't use PVC in the engine bay, it is not designed to handle the heat. However you can use ABS 3" pipe. I had it im my car for about 4 months with no problems, and that was with the hot AZ heat.

300michael

I am thinking of getting together maybe one day in November, and would like to know what days are good for you. Would like to make it a good central location since the locations of the owners range for Carfree Hiway to Chandler. If interested send me an E-mail at 300M@uswestmail.net and what days are generally good for you, example Saturdays, Mondays, ect. Pat, I hope this is OK?

phases78

why wouldnt that be okay?

scotian

ABS -- I'll look for it.

My tires are at 32K. Since I'm replacing just two of my OEM Michelins (these are fine and I'm not obsessed with tires) I'll be replacing them with the same. No mixing and matching!

toms99

Here's the link I was looking for:

http://www.media.chrysler.com/wwwprkt/2672.htm

Overall Top Gear Ratio is 2.52

sdmike2

Sorry toms99, I wasn't sure if you were looking for the ones for the M or the others that I posted, like the prowler pro and the 2.7 liter LH car gears. The 300M specification and features guides can always be found on my website at http://www.ritchiefamily.com/links.htm.

scotian

There's no way to route a tube to the airbox to provide more cold air; it's pretty crammed in there. Maybe I'll cut a hole in the hood right above the air box... not!

fuzzywuzzy

I used the OEM lug wrench many times. I never had a problem. In fact I like it. I think it's a neat thing. Maybe just me

adplusone

The Chrysler Group is slashing prices an average of just under one percent in an effort to regain lost market. George Murphy, the Chrysler Group's vice president of marketing, said the price cuts would not substitute for rebates and other incentives. The incentives won't go away but the lower prices will help Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep attract web browsers, who are hunting for lowest sticker price. The same strategy has already helped the Chrysler Group boost minivan sales, Murphy said. The new pricing strategy also encompasses even deeper cuts on some vehicles such as the Chrysler 300M and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Prices on the 300M are coming down $1,200 on average and prices on the Grand Cherokee will drop $2,000 to make it more competitive with the Ford Explorer.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=3945

From the Car Connection Daily Update - 8/31/2001

sel714

Our 300m affectionately named Goldie has almost 60,000 miles on her. I have been using Zaino leather treatment. I use it on all the vinyl also. About once every couple of months. The seats still look
almost new. I would recommend it. We live in southern IN and it is hot here in the summer. We have tinted windows and use a sunshade when Goldie is not at home in her garage stall.
Happy Motoring
sel714

tnsc_300m

Someone while back asked about the Special's gears being different. The final drive (differential) ratio is 3.89 on the 02 300M Special vs. 3.66 listed for a 99 300M.

I don't think the internal tranny gears in the 3.5L 300Ms has changed since 99.
A quick compare of the gears follows:

99 300M FD= 3.66
1st: 2.89 x 3.66= 10.394
2nd: 1.57 x 3.66= 5.746
3rd: 1.00 x 3.66= 3.660
4th: 0.69 x 3.66= 2.525

02 300M Special FD= 3.89
1st: 2.89 x 3.89= 11.047
2nd: 1.57 x 3.89= 6.107
3rd: 1.00 x 3.89= 3.890
4th: 0.69 x 3.89= 2.684

so the overall top gear would be 2.68 vs. 2.52.
I think we all see where a lower 2nd gear is whats really needed for this tranny.

Personally I'd like to see something more like this;
1st: 3.25 x 3.89= 12.645
2nd: 2.67 x 3.89= 10.386
3rd: 1.75 x 3.89= 6.807
4th: 1.21 x 3.89= 4.707
5th: 1.00 x 3.89= 3.890
6th: 0.70 x 3.89= 2.723

8-)
tnsc_300m

scotian

Fuzzywuzzy - Consider yourself lucky that you have never had to use the OEM lug wrench on a nut that was in too tight for it.

If you ever have someone else tighten your lug nuts, get a real wrench. Unless you like to gamble.

fuzzywuzzy

I'm one who asked. Since the change is so small, I would say there would be no difference in how the special drives, or shifts. I think they just changed the gear ever so small because of the new 245-45-18 tire combo. I know that my 2000 with the 18's on is less then 1mph difference then the stock tire size. Maybe DC just wanted it at zero difference.

fuzzywuzzy

I do happen to have a regular lug net wrench in the car though. Never used it yet.

denverm

Thanks for posting that - it's real interesting information. As a fairly ignorant person when it comes to these technical issues, I need to ask whether the "gear" that is different between the standard and special 300M is the same "gear" that is different on the 2.7 L Intrepids? What ratios would that Intrepid gear result in for all four gears in a standard 300M, and how would they compare to the Special?

scotian

Wise man!

yosito

For the past TWO years FASTDRIVER COMPLAINED,FLAMED,etc.etc. about his 300M and ALL Chrysler vehicles, he also said that by July he will have a new AURORA, and never more a Chrysler..

I just hope he will always stay away from Chrysler, if he indeed sold his 300M

IS HE GOING TO KEEP HIS PROMISE?????

mboomgarden1

I posted this question a few days ago, but didn't get a response. I have had a Borla exhaust and S&B filter on my M for about 3,000 miles. I never disconnected the battery to allow the engine computer to reset and "learn" the new airflow parameters of these modifications. Is it necessary to do so, or would my computer have recognized and adjusted for these new parameters by now?

If the answer is that the power should be disconnected, how long is it necessary to do so?

Thanks.

silverbullet4

Ok, you got me interested. I plotted the '99 vs SE ratios (Final drive x each gear) on a graph. Its about 7% difference, and as mentioned by our resident technical expert, the circumference of the SE tires may make it a null event. Plot your suggested gears and you may decide to make second gear closer to a 9.00. As it looks now, it looks like something you would put in a NY taxi. :>)
LOL Silver

phases78

i thought i responded, maybe not.

is it nessassary? by all means, no. its it recommended? by me, yes, just open your hood, take off both bolts on the positive connection, move the wires off, set em so there not touching any metal. (a good way to know your good to go is to use your remote, and see if it works) leave it like that for a couple hours, and you'll be good. some say leave it overnight, but 2 or three hours never failed me. then reconnect it all, set your clocks again, and drive on. you'll notice a difference..

bbraddock

The leather treatment is the way to go, and won't hurt the vinyl. It also doesn't seem to make it more glossy. We all sound like poster children for Sal, but his products are truly remarkable. I have tried almost everything, except the darned clay bar, what does that do anyway? I have gotten at least 7,000 paint chips in my hood in the 9mos I've had my car. A hood cover looks great and helps a great deal, only $39 from my 5*. I think I posted a ways back that after I installed the K&N filter my mileage went up about 3mpg. I just did another tank, and while not 3mpg it was still 2mpg better. With gas at 1.82 in northern Michigan, the little extra helps!

mboomgarden1

Thanks--I may have missed your first response. I'll do it this weekend.

madcityruss

Did you do the Borla work yourself? If not, odds are the exhaust shop disconnected your battery cable before welding on the system. This is a preventative measure they take to minimize the risk of zapping your car's computer and getting their a$$e$ $ued. If you doubt whether this happened, just disconnect your negative battery terminal for an hour or so.

scotian

My agate clock/vent bezel arrived. I'll have to move my existing clock and air vent baffles over to it.

The indent is wider than the other one to accomodate the retro wings. I wasn't sure if I liked this at first, but it has grown on me. I'll put it on, take some pics. I'll probably leave it on because it's different than all other Ms (as far as I know only LHSs had retro wings), and I can always put the old one back on.

Part# QV64LAZ-AA BEZEL INS 23023020