Chrysler 300M

11920222425507

Comments

  • rklassrklass Member Posts: 133
    Edmunds wants flags...we'll give 'em flags!
    My ancestors were from Germany, and now Chrysler is owned by a German company...must be a message there somewhere!
  • scotianscotian Member Posts: 1,064
    A couple of months ago some moron backed his trailer hitch through and around my license plate, lower grille, and power steering coolant pipe. Wanting to keep my "EMY ###" plate (Emmy), I cut off the right side's outer edge, pounded it flat, and painted it white in one scraped section (looks a bit odd, but not too bad).

    I just discovered within the last week (since putting on my tabs) some other moron backed their trailer hitch into the center of my front plate, putting a dimple in it (is it now a pregnant license plate?). Oh well -- I guess next year I'll order new plates. *sigh* If the second moron stopped backing up because they felt the impact, such as it was, then my front plate, as ugly as it is to have one, saved Emmy from even more damage.
  • lalarrylalarry Member Posts: 56
    Looks like you live in the land of trailer hitches, or your "Emmy" is a trailer hitch magnet.

    ATTENTION VEHICHLES WITH TRAILER HITCHES!!!! PLEASE STAY CLEAR OF 300M's!!

    There. Hope that helps.

    Larry
  • scotianscotian Member Posts: 1,064
  • rogor2krogor2k Member Posts: 385
    Well, everyone is a little bit Irish today, so I'll join in the fun and have a green beer.
  • rklassrklass Member Posts: 133
    How 'bout it Apex & Pat...do you think the powers that be at Edmunds who dreamed up the flag thing ever imagined what we would do with it?
  • jedi_knightjedi_knight Member Posts: 89
    On my way to work yesterday morning some [non-permissible content removed] pulls in front of me on I-580, slows down (of course) and I am stuck behind him for a bit. Well his Nissan pick up was wet ( dew from over night) and all the sudden my windshield is getting wet. Well I thought it was either water or maybe mud. This morning we go out to take a little road trip and whats covering the front, windshield and mirrors of my M? Flippin grey paint! Thats what was coming off the back of his pick up......Grrrrr

    Keith
  • fastdriverfastdriver Member Posts: 2,273
    To all-

    How come my MAC doesn't show me the name of the country's flag? Nothing pops up in Netscape or IE. I'm jealous!

    fastdriver
  • denvermdenverm Member Posts: 358
    OK, I'll celebrate my heritage for a while
  • racefan9racefan9 Member Posts: 120
    thought i would let everyone no that the new cdr i burned is working just fine, but now one of my favorites that i've had in the m for about 4 months is coming up ERROR...darndest thing!!!

    you know we're screwing up ed's marketing research by changing our flags, HEE HEEE HAW!!!
  • funroadsfunroads Member Posts: 49
    Opinions wanted...

    I currently drive a '92 5-spd Taurus SHO which I've owned since new. A very responsive car but it's old, the ride is harsh, and soon it will need it's fourth clutch. Time for something new.

    I've pretty much decided on the 300M and I have a few questions...

    1) How much (if any) harshness is introduced with the performance package? I've driven two without and one with. However, they were not back to back test drives and I couldn't really tell much difference. The dealers I've been to have very few with the performance package (none in the color/options I want) and I'm undecided about whether to order a car just to get it.

    2) Does the novelty of the Autostick wear off?

    3) What makes the 300M worth the extra few $K over the Intrepid R/T?
  • 99_300m_ric_va99_300m_ric_va Member Posts: 377
    my flag won't change!
  • 99_300m_ric_va99_300m_ric_va Member Posts: 377
    Takes awhile to update,
  • jedi_knightjedi_knight Member Posts: 89
    To me, and I drove both. The M is more comfortable, less road noise is transmitted into the cabin, leather seats with heaters and memory. The style outside, list of standard features etc. On the other hand the R/T is not speed limited like the standard M is, but has a little less HP and top end speed.

    The autostick novelty has not worn off for me, I commute 200 miles a day and in traffic there is nothing better than clicking down a gear or two to get around some slow poke.....

    As for the PHG, I really wish I had opted for it, my dealer didn't have one that met my requirements and I was anxious to get her. The ride is firm but not harsh, there is less float over high and low spots in the road, less body roll in hard turns, steering has more resistance and feed back, the brakes are a little larger. And no speed limiter!
  • fcmfcm Member Posts: 24
    rklass and I are former SHO owners, I had a 91, he had a couple, I'm sure he'll chime in. We're both happy with the 300M. My SHO needed only one clutch, in 70K+ miles.

    The M is more refined and sometimes I miss that howl when the secondaries opened. So the M doesn't feel as fast, but is probably faster.
  • rklassrklass Member Posts: 133
    Fred beat me to the punch again! Yes, I had Taurus SHOs, a '94 V-6 and a ''96 V-8.
    The 300M w/PHG is what the SHO could have been had Ford not bailed out.
    The PHG ride is firm, but not harsh, the '01 being even better than the '99 I had for 69,000 miles.
    The brakes are stronger, no speed limiter, and MUCH better tires (get a road hazard warranty, these babies cost $200 each!)
    The novelty of the autostick doesn't wear off, you juat use it differently as time goes on.
    As for the 300M vs Intrepid, Leather; memory seats, mirrors, and radio presets; trip computer; better style(personal opinion); stronger engine, etc.
    If you could put all that on an Intrepid R/T I bet the price would be the same.
    Besides, there is no "cheap" 300M, and resale prices tend to reflect the base model cost.
  • scotianscotian Member Posts: 1,064
    I always use it when slowing to a stop. I rarely use it otherwise. I've never used a manual transmission, so I have no other such habits. Also, I find myself reaching for the stick when I slow down in someone else's car.
  • beach15beach15 Member Posts: 1,305
    I've read many horror stories about bad 300M transmissions. Now, I can tell that mine is slipping. I used to notice a little bit before but today it was very noticable. I live in a development and everyday when I stop at the stop sign down the street and then begin to accelerate again it does this slight shaking/jiggle move. Today at that same stop sign when I started to move again, the car was having significant trouble catching a gear and moving--it was clearly slipping. I have experiance with many, many previous older cars and when their transmissions were slipping you knew it--that's exactly what mine is doing. I looked in the owner's manual and it said that if the fluid changed to a brown or black color or smelled funny that it was normal--BULL!! I checked the fluid and it's still red. I've never used the Autostick nor am I a very aggressive driver. Does this "slipping" transmission seem normal? Is it worth taking the car to the stupid dealer and trying to find other transportation?
  • racefan9racefan9 Member Posts: 120
    hey just got through washing my m i also put on a good coat of Z-6. i'm starting to think that all this thing needs is z-6 after the initial zaino process. it is slick and shines like crazy. i haven't done anything to it all winter but wash it once a month or so i had planned on putting on a coat of z-2 but it really doesn't need it. granted i live in GA with very mild winters but this was a gloomy, rainy, and a few times it was a little icy. my m stays outdoors all the time, i have a car cover i keep on it in the summer...oh i also cleaned the engine with greased lightning good stuff looks brand new. PEACE OUT :) yeah whatever...
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Some off-topic posts have been removed.

    By the way folks, neither profanity nor masked profanity is acceptable according to your Terms of Use.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • hataxhatax Member Posts: 56
    I had heard horror stories of the pre '98 LH sedans, but nothing of the sort after. I owned 2 intrepids one '95 with the 3.3 and a 97 with the 3.5 and the 95 had 163k on it when I traded it for the 97, I was fairly hard on both of them, not beating on them, but I liked quick starts and high speed downshifts and never had trouble with either. I have heard alot of people just getting the tranny flushed (Not normal fluid changed) but make *sure* they use the new type fluid in it, get it done at a dealership. The new trannys take a ATF +4, (9196) instead of the +3 that they used to take, I'm pretty sure it makes a difference...

    BTW how many miles on your M?

    Hope this helps..
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Let's just stick with discussing the 300M and STOP trying to stir things up.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • lalarrylalarry Member Posts: 56
    FYI, I "delivered" my first "wiper card" to an unsuspecting 300M I saw parked today. It's one I've seen before, a Dark Slate beauty that's always as beautifully presented as my own... Let's see if we get a response!
  • fuzzywuzzyfuzzywuzzy Member Posts: 958
    In over a year on this board, I have only heard of 2 tranny failures, & 3 bad tranny sensors(which caused he car to limp in 2nd gear). Beach15, if you think it's a problem, take it in. Simple! Have them flush it with the correct fluid. If they try and say it's normal, make sure the run a computer test. There may, or more likely be nothing wrong with the tranny it'self. If there were a major problem, the tranny would lock in secound gear, & the tranny light will come on. If it still is on your mind down the road, get an extended warrenty on the engine/tranny/drivtrain. This is what I did. I'm not worring. If the tranny dies, it's covered.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    If anyone has issues with the topic managment here, feel free to take it up with me off-line.

    Thank you.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • jgoodsonjgoodson Member Posts: 30
    The transmission on my 99 300M seems to work flawlessly except for one quirk. When accelerating after slowing to about 20-30 mph, it drops down to 3rd or 2nd and I feel a bump, and then a second bump when it engages. Is this normal for a Chrysler tranny or indicative of a problem. Other than that, it shifts very smoothly.
  • easyrider300measyrider300m Member Posts: 1,116
    perhaps this can be solved by bringing back Apex (he still covers Sedans)as there is obviously too much friction between Pat and some on this board---can that be arranged Pat--let us know---it may solve some differences here
  • easyrider300measyrider300m Member Posts: 1,116
    All you M'ers located in Massachusetts: Be sure to mark your calendar for a great auto show at the Museum of Transportation in Brookline at Larz Anderson Park. On May 7th, it is Chrysler/Dodge day and I'm sure there will be some early Chyrysler 300 letter cars at the show. Dont miss it!
  • L8_ApexL8_Apex Member Posts: 187
    Pat's action regarding posts in violation of the TOU was appropriate and the same thing I would have done. As a matter of fact, certain members have had posts removed in the past (by me) for the same reason as well as others. For some reason, they've decided to make an issue (in-topic) about it this time.

    One of the things we're trying to do is more uniformly enforce the language guidelines. Perhaps I let a little more slide by than I should have. We understand if they may cause some confusion but when we remove these posts, we include them in an email so that they can be modified and reposted as conveniently as possible. This is what happened and was a very reasonable reques. If that person does not agree with that action, it's not acceptable to make the topic their own little battleground with the host(s).

    Thanks for understanding,

    L8_Apex
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • spanksterspankster Member Posts: 5
    Drive that car over a cliff. That will end all your problems and one of ours.
  • sugar300msugar300m Member Posts: 61
    Easy - how far is Brookline from Springfield? I may be at my uncle's house that weekend & would like to check it out. Is the show just on the 7th (Monday) or is it all weekend?
  • redsmithyredsmithy Member Posts: 8
    jgoodson - Took mine in to have the 15K service done last month. I mentioned that there was a definite bumping noise, hard shifting, whatever, when the tranny shifted - especially to and from 2nd. When I returned, he had a TSB (I don't have the number handy - but it was dated last August) and said he had reprogrammed the "computer". MAJOR difference, especially in autostick. I couldn't get a smooth shift at any RPM in the 2K range, now I can shift almost as smoothly as the automatic -which, by the way, is also much smoother throughout all the gears.

    Shane
  • fuzzywuzzyfuzzywuzzy Member Posts: 958
    Can the dealer reprogramm the 00 computer with 01 software, so we can get some of the features of the 01? Like having the lights flash, or horn chirp when you unlock the doors, or press the unlock button once on the fob, & all doors unlock, etc?? Anyone know??
  • ski1001ski1001 Member Posts: 27
  • ski1001ski1001 Member Posts: 27
  • mykemmykem Member Posts: 203
    www.zainobros.com

    In case you're wondering... : )

    -m
  • ski1001ski1001 Member Posts: 27
    I'm thinking about ordering Zaino products to clean up my yk2 300m. From what I have read, this product has no equal (according to 300m owners). I was going to get Z1,z2, z5. Which product do I use when doing the black plastic around doors, and mirrors? Do I really need to use only white cotton towels as describe in the Zaino add?
  • racefan9racefan9 Member Posts: 120
    doesn't one deserve an explanation as to why his or her posts are being deleted??? The Hosts are not very approachable!!! I also emailed all three of you with no response. i could see if i were cursing or posting obscene messages but i am just trying to understand.

    Racefan9
  • jedi_knightjedi_knight Member Posts: 89
    "We understand if they may cause some confusion but when we remove these posts, we include them in an email so that they can be modified and reposted as conveniently as possible. This is what happened and was a very reasonable reques. If that person does not agree with that action, it's not acceptable to make the topic their own little battleground with the host(s)."

    Really, all I did was question the use (abuse) of removing posts by the member and what I preceived as being a little over zealous. I received no email just flat deleted my posts when I questioned the removal. There was no chance to edit them, they are in bit bucket heven now. And your right, you did let more things slide and we were all fine with that. Every since Pat arrived on scene things have gotten way to strict. AOL did it and drove the members away, I see it happening here as well. And why is it necessary to take it off line, and why does Pat fail to respond off line when it is taken there?

    What ever.................
  • L8_ApexL8_Apex Member Posts: 187
    racefan9: As of last night, I had recieved no email from you. I will not be able to check my TH email until this evening. You were emailed several explanations as to why your posts were being removed. Continuing to contest this in-topic only harms the 300M community here.

    jedi knight: If the content of the posts did not relate to the topic title but were off-topic questions regarding the topic management and better discussed off-line, then there's no need to email them to you for correction and reposting. You're always welcome to address questions and concerns about the topic management off-line.

    Other guests were not "fine" with the somewhat inconsistent, across the boards, enforcement of the Terms of Use. I apologize for the confusion that the more rigid enforcement may cause but both Pat and I do email the post (when it contains topic-title-related subject matter) for reposting when we remove them.

    It is necessary to take it off-line in order to avoid exactly what we have here... We try to work behind the scenes as much as possible to avoid disruption to the flow of the topic. I welcome input regarding the topic management and would appreciate everybody's cooperation in providing that input off-line.

    Thank you,

    L8_Apex
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • cd17cd17 Member Posts: 5
    ski1001

    Get everthing zaino has. I did and it's excellent stuff. I am on coat number 4 of the z5 to get rid of swirls and fine scratches, i figure I'll use the whole bottle of z5 then do the Z2. I have seen a definate improvement in the finish with using the z5 the finish is much smoother and has removed 90% of the swirls and do not see any of the very fine scratches that were there (not many anyway). The z14 is good for plastic I put that on the clear lens on taillights, looks great. I really like the leather in a bottle z10 it really makes the leather look nice. I bought everything they make except the z3 and claybar, claybar just seemed like too much work for me, but 4-5 coats of z5 isn't :). anyway it is great stuff.
  • jedi_knightjedi_knight Member Posts: 89
    The claybar is an amazing little piece. While I didn't have time to wait for a zanio bar, I picked up a Meguaries bar to remove the paint from my little incident on Friday. Impressive but time consumming. I used it on my wife's van and you should have seen the contaminents that it removed. Oh yeah and it took the paint splatters off my hood and fender area with no problems. I need to do the entire van and will probably do the M in the coming week.
  • fuzzywuzzyfuzzywuzzy Member Posts: 958
    It is good stuff. It gets alot of different things off your cars. Bug guts, scratches, road grime, tar, etc. It took a very nasty black scrape of something I hit on the road right off. It's worth the time it takes to do the car.
  • fuzzywuzzyfuzzywuzzy Member Posts: 958
    Delete it if you want!

    I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT IT!

    Why don't you guys email each other & settle it that way. As a long term Edmunds poster, I really do not want to hear he said/she said, why did you do this, bickering. This is not a 3rd grade class, It's a place of bussiness, & and a place for information on the 300M. Thanks from a long time poster. Lets get back to 300m topics. Please?
  • sugar300msugar300m Member Posts: 61
    JEDI_KNIGHT - I have a parts guy checking on this with his parts guy in Toronto. Can you tell me which dealer in Canada you ordered them from? If not, no problem. Thanks.
  • rogor2krogor2k Member Posts: 385
    Greetings all,

    I have a question from a visitor to the www.300mclub.org site. I didn't have an answer, but I'm sure some of you troubleshooters out there will. Here's the question.
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    We have a 2000 model 300M that we bought new in July, 2000. A few days
    after we purchased the car, we noticed that it emitted a fairly large
    puff of smoke when it was first started. The car only did this when the
    engine was cold. When the engine was warm, no smoke was seen.

    We took the car to the dealer. At first, they said that the car was
    operating within normal limits. After the problem persisted, we took
    the car back to the dealer again. This time they acknowledged that the
    smoking was not normal.

    The dealer replaced the fuel injectors. They suspected that one or more
    were leaking. This did not solve the problem. The dealer then put dye
    in the oil and drove the car for a couple hundred miles. The plugs were
    then checked for traces of dye. The dye test proved inconclusive.

    The dealer then pulled the cylinder heads and replaced the left one.
    This seemed to solve the problem. That was last October. This week, we
    noticed the smoking problem is back. We will take the car back to the
    dealer again.

    Other than the smoking problem, the 300M has been a great car. Have any
    of the other 300M owners that frequent your web site experienced the
    smoking problem? If so, we would sure be interested in hearing about
    their experience and what was done to solve the problem.
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Any help/feedback would be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Roger Waters, President
    Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club
    http://www.300mclub.org
  • jedi_knightjedi_knight Member Posts: 89
    I contacted halifax chrysler http://www.halifaxchrysler.com got one of the parts guys to order them and ship to a halifax address. He said it was a little bit covert but he would do it. I asked about direct shipping and he said no way, too much red tape and he could get into trouble with DC corperate HQ. I still don't know the status of the order, as I only placed it last week, I'll give it another week or two and check with them again.
  • fuzzywuzzyfuzzywuzzy Member Posts: 958
    I got my Gtech back. I made some 0-60 runs this weekend. No 1/4 miles runs. I don't have enough straight roads, near me. I'll try to do that next weekend. But without the module on, I ran a 7.6, 7.8, & a 7.6 for an average of 7.66 0-60. With the module on, I ran an 7.9, 8.2, & a 8.1, for an average of 8.06 0-60 run. The addition of the Gtech on my 300M, from 0-60 is a loss of .046 seconds. So on my 300M it's does nothing for off the line performace. Howerver, I am sure the 1/4 mile times should be quicker. I have noticed a small power increase at the upper end. The car pulls better at high Rpm's. This is all on my 1 300M. I also have alot of different mods. I wonder how a stock 300M will performance. ALso would like to see other 300M's perform with it.
  • mmcccmmmcccm Member Posts: 19
    From what I've heard, smoking at start-up is often an indication of worn valve guides. Excessive wear seems unlikely on a low-mileage car, providing that things are being lubricated properly. Perhaps you got a bad set from the factory?

    I have not noticed any smoke with my M, which just turned 5K last weekend. In fact, I haven't noticed any oil consumption to speak of.

    -MMCCCM
  • mmcccmmmcccm Member Posts: 19
    Hmm, looks like I can just throw a few bags of cement in the trunk and save the money on a Jetchip. :^I A lot of exhaust mods gain top end while hurting the low end, but I don't see why a chip should hurt performance anywhere, except in the gas mileage department. A four-tenths loss in the quarter is significant. If it were me, I'd think hard about returning it.

    Another thought - the chip is probably set up to work best with a car that is otherwise stock. If you have a lot of intake and/or exhaust mods, you are probably running too lean. That will definitely hurt your performance.

    -MMCCCM
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