Chrysler 300M

denverm

Fuzz, if you found a steering wheel in the junk yard with the right color but the airbag has gone off, maybe you could carefully cut the stitching of that leather cover and remove it (assuming it's in good shape) and have someone in an upholstery shop stitch it onto your wheel in place of your worn out cover???

rogor2k

Here is something that might work, definitely better than the old plastic wrapped things, and the price isn't outrageous. Worth a look anyway.

http://www.wheelskins.com/

scotian

Actually, I would like the steering wheel to be a bit thicker, like my '90 Buick Regal GS. Maybe a Wheelskin would do the trick...

scottjohnson

The REALLY sad thing is that even though the 300M is touted as the flagship for the brand, you can get a Town & Country minivan that stickers out for $5K more than the M! A loaded limited can get to $38,000 sticker.

racefan9

10 bucks cheaper and you can order online:

http://www.autotoystore.com/WheelskinSolidCovers.html

nice find Rogor, got to get one for my Ram!!!

racefan9

yeah 5k for an extra row of seats, does that price include PHP, i know it includes the chrome medallion wheels...

racefan9

got my racing red brake caliper paint today, i'm going to try to paint them without taking them off the car...a maxima friend of mine did it, just have to tape everything off...may try it on the Ram first, got a can of black for it...

oh also found a product called forever black, that dyes the black plastic on the mirrors and at the bottom of the windshield, doesnt' wear off like the zaino or mothers back to black, this is the same stuff they use in the factories, have any of you 99 owners had problems with the black plastic fading??? i screwed up and zainoed these areas now it has a white hazy look to it, have tried everything to get the wax off and restore the deep black...

300michael

fuzzywuzzy, drilling out the air box will help it breathe easer, but it also means that it will be taking in hot engine compartment air instead of cooler outside air. What the air box needs is another access tube to get more air from the side. Like another 3" tube next to the orginal one.
Since I am always thinking, I am considering taking out my side marker/turn signal lights and using the cavity for an air intake. I would then add a light to the "eye brow" for the side marker and turn signal lights. If you have seen the 300HemiC head lights up close and personal you will know what I am thinking of.

beach15

I'm finally back to the board after a very busy month. My 2000 slate/agate M is still going strong at 4500 miles but I'm having a few issues.
First, my dash now rattles and makes other funny noises over the smallest bumps in the road. Second, the rear driver's side door lock does not unlock when I use either the remote or the inside power button--it goes halfway up and stops--likes it's stuck or something? Third, the interior panels/parts make creaking noises going down the road. Fourth, I think the rear door seals are bad because I can hear wind coming through them and it sounds like the doors are leaking when it rains. Fifth, the engine now sounds like its whining every time I accelerate, the idle gets rougher everyday, and the car seems like it was about to stall once or twice. Finally, I now have a quarter-sized dent on the driver's door (not a Chrysler defect but still a bad thing).
I still like the car but I shouldn't be having the problems with it that I am.

easyrider300m

went to chat room tonight but no one was there at 10:30pm---whats up wit dat.

link for those interested in joining the chat room is:

http://www.300mclub.org/chatroom2.htm

Beach: a guaranteed cure for most of your 300M problems: turn up the volume on the radio, it will cover most creaking and wind noises--or else buy a good set of ear plugs

a Mercedes its not, but the M is still a great car for the money--

rogor2k

No, I'm not yanking yer chain. It's the oil in it. Try it, you'll like it. Just wipe it on the plastic and it should clean up ok.

rogor2k

Wrong chat room man! That's the club business chat room. No wonder there wasn't anyone there. We had a lively group too (well, almost). Seriously, it's the old chat room you want to go to on Wednesdays. You have been away a while, haven't you?

racefan9

yes i have even tried peanut butter, per sal zaino's recommendation, it was a short term fix, i'll let you know how the forever black works, never use Z-1 and Z-2 on black plastic.

here's a link:

http://www.properautocare.com/fb-1k.html

racefan9

you are experiencing some unique problems with your 300m, as far as avoiding door dings you might want to get one of these:

http://www.autotoystore.com/carcap.html

fuzzywuzzy

I was going to try painting mine. However I was warned from a performance shop, that they my not look right, if they are not sanded down, & made smooth. Still have the black paint, & waiting to do it. Let me know how your's goes.

fuzzywuzzy

I know what you mean. I was thinking something like that. Howerver with the cone filter I have now, It's sucking more hot air from the engine. At least with the airbox in place it will also suck in cool air from the stock inlet tube. Just tring different things.

fuzzywuzzy

Thanks for the skins link. I ordered one today.
Thanks

drpixel

Thanks, Race for the tip. I thought someone/somebody must have come up with something better than the lace'em up deals. They look like some laceing is necessary, but its better looking than what was available way back when. I really like the car capsules, but the extension cord I'd need when the S.O. and I go to the mall would be about 35 miles long....hmmmm: maybe a portable generator in eMily's trunk?

Good to 'hear' from you, race.
Regards,
Glenn/drpixel

dustinnewton

I used to drill holes in the airbox on my motorcycle (dirt bike, not street) many years back and it helped a lot. I don't think you have to worry about pulling in hot engine compartment air either. Think about it...you're sitting on the line, and you punch it. It takes all of a half second before the car is moving at enough speed to have evacuated the majority of hot air from the engine compartment and replace it with ambient air at a cooler temp. The only way to effectively cool down intake air is with a nitrous setup. There are a lot of people here who probably think I'm nuts, but I'd bet money that an intake that pulls outside air vs. enging compartment air won't even make a .1 second difference on our beloved M. It's just a lot of work for almost no gain. As a matter of fact, someone a long time back posted a website that had a ton of applications where you could calculate this and that as it relates to the automotive world. It even said (which I don't believe) that as the temp increased, HP did too. It even said that I could get 300 HP if the air temp was 176F!!!! Of course, it might help if you had a true Ram-air type system that not only utilized outside air, but compressed it a bit. Shove more air into the cylinder and then the HP will rise. If you have that extra airbox, give it a try. It should help a bit, just as the K&N cut the chokehold that the OEM filter had. Give us a report when you get the mod done!

jedi_knight

Since installing the Borla system ( I can hear the engine now) I have noticed that the tranny seems to slip after coasting. In stop and go traffic I often let off the gas to coast a bit then back on it to keep pace. The engine will race a bit before the tranny catches up. This is also the case when using auto stick. Also when crusing at a constant speed (cruise on) I often hear the engine rev a little higher then settle back down to the constant rpm level.

Is this common, anyone else notice, or should I make an appointment with the 5*?

fuzzywuzzy

Why don't you use the force.
Just kidding

Do you mean the rpm's will go up, but the car doesn't seem to go anywhere? They you slamm the gas, the car down shifts, then your going?

300michael

I didn't have this problem after changine my intake/exhaust. Some times after making changes the computer/transmission must relearn your new system. My engine idle was the first thing I noticed (the RPMs tended to stay around 1000-1100 for a longer period of time), but is has corrected it now for the most part. The trouble is that I made a "Tornado" like unit, and want to see if it was a factor.

jedi_knight

The tranny remains in the same gear, I don't depress the gas far enough to cause the tranny to drop down a gear but. Crusing at 65, let off the gas and coast a bit, then depress the gas peddle, the rpm's jump, you can hear the engine revs increase, then the rpm level settles back down, around 400 rpm less than when the gas pedel was depressed.

dustinnewton

How do you like the Borla so far? How much louder is the car? I want a nice slightly loud grumble, but I'd still like to be able to talk in the cabin!

rogor2k

Just one of many sources, but here is a sure fire way of preventing those ugly parking lot dings and dents. Not especially pretty, but very effective *grin*


http://rekord-marine.com/fenders.htm

rogor2k

The Michael Hujo design is just what you're lookin for, exactly as you described. Come to Seattle, bring the family along, and listen to mine. I might even let ya' drive it (a privilege reserved for a select few).

fuzzywuzzy

DOn't know man. It doesn't sound like a tranny problem per say, howerver, if you don't like it, let the dealer know it. My 300M acts the same i think if i'm getting you. In mine, I'll be at 65 step on the gas, I'll see the rpm's go up, say 400, here the engine, but the car doesn't seem to go any faster. It will stay this way untill the rpm's go up a little more, then the 300m will accelerate. You can try disconnecting the battery for a few hours(overnight) This resets the tranny to the factory default settings. Then it will relearn you driving stlye. But I think tghis is jsut how the 300M works.

fuzzywuzzy

You heard me complaining about things falling off of other cars on the road down here in FL. Well, I'm guilty now. Had my drivers side rear window wind delfector fall off doing 85 this morining. It didn't hit anyone, but it was very unexpected. It fell off, hit the window, then I rolled over it. Of course I couldn't stop & get it. I though that double sided tape was super strong? Called the auto venshade co. that make them. Turns out they are under warranty. They will send me a whole new set.

rogor2k

Isn't that the way it always happens? Just when you complain about "those other guys" you become one of them!

Did the Wheelskins have a reasonable color match for your interior?

fuzzywuzzy

I ordered black. I guees it's a close enough match for the agate interior color. They also had charcole, but rather have it darker, then lighter.

jedi_knight

The Borla is louder than stock by a long shot. At 2000 - 2400 rpm's the resonance in the cab is pretty loud. My wife is not thrilled with the added noise but as she says, "its your car". I don't mind the added rumble but Borla makes some add on resonators that you need to weld in the pipe aft the first chamber (I think). One of the other Edmunds posters has had these installed but I have no plans to.

fuzzywuzzy

I though those resonators came with the kit? So you have to pay more for those? That's not much of a value.

silverbullet4

I hear a common complaint from Borla users on this board-resonance at cruise rpm. Then Borla wants you to buy an add-on piece to "fix" an already very expensive exhaust system. Should be included at the original price, or the design needs to be changed. At Borla prices, you should get an excellent product, with no glaring flaws.
Caveat Emptor! We all love our rides, and would like to improve them by installing after market products. This board has been a real education for me. Sorry the lessons are so expensive for some of you.
10k miles on the bullet and zero problems! Love it!

arad

Hi Guys,

What you are describing sounds like the lock up function of your transmission. Once the overdrive kicks in the torque converter locks up for efficiency. If you press on the gas or even if you gently tap the brake with your foot on the gas the rpms will increase (not by much) while the lock up disengages the overdrive. Once you stop accelerating the trany will lock up the torque converter again.

BTW this happens on all cars with an automatic overdrive transmission.

I hope this helps
Ara

P.S. I love my M. The only problem I have with it is getting my wife to let me drive it.

ruski

I stopped once at a Chrysler dealer in Delray Beach, FL (big senior citizen hangout)

I asked them if they had 300Ms with PHP in stock. They made big round eyes at me and said no. Never. THEIR customers are too old for that.

But on the other hand, I have seen them advertise in a newspaper lease deals for 300M - something like $299 per month with zero down. So if someone is in the area and does not need PHP, check them out. Their name is OC Taylor Chrysler.

racefan9

ok Jan 24th has come and gone, where's my JetChip???

fuzzywuzzy

2 Weeks????

If you want I'll give the guy I'm in contact with a call.

dustinnewton

Roger, I know and I will be up that way in a few months but I just want to make sure I have as much info as I can before I make the plunge. I don't want to get a system installed and then wish I had another one instead! I'd love to whip my M down the road from Paradise on Mt. Rainier to the Nisqually entrance at about 50! THAT would be a ride!! Maybe I can find a rental up there.
Fuzz-Like I've said before, NEVER underestimate the power of (super slick and slippery) Zaion!!! ;-)

Off-topic, but you just gotta smile when you read this! Welcome to Alabama!!http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/?Jan2001/24-e10422.html

rogor2k

Nothing really new here, except that it was featured prominently on ABC 'World News Tonight' yesterday. The word is getting out on how DC got the shaft. It did feature a few scrumptious seconds of video of the Hemi C and Crossfire concept vehicles.


http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/WorldNewsTonight/wnt010125_daimlerchrysler_feature.html

rogor2k

We'll have to find you an M to rent fer shur! I've heard of guys being big enough to hunt Bear with a stick, but committing robberies with a stick is a whole new level of bravado. He's got to be a local folk hero by now! This will undoubtedly start an unprecedented wave of drive-by thrashings.

BTW, did I tell you; the first KK store in the Seattle area will be right down the road from me in Issaquah, scheduled to open in June.

Karen_S

I'm just stopping in to inform you that Edmund's has created Chrysler 300M Club on the Owner's Club board. When you have an opportunity, please drop by, introduce yourself, and let us know what discussions you would like to see in your Club's folder.

For your convenience, this discussion will also reside in that folder.

Hope to see you there soon!

KarenS

Owner's Club host

rogor2k

Will this thread still maintain a separate identity, or will it be tied inexorably to the newly created Edmunds 300M Owner's club. Was this requested by anyone, or is it a function of posting activity level, or exactly how did this come about? Inquiring minds want to know!

racefan9

take a look at the cougar club and you'll see what all can be done with this new setup...we won't have to explain the borla exhaust 5 times a week, or how to get that crunching sound out of the front end, and so on...sure this board will still be active but now we can catergorize things and save some time, and we can set up a weekly chat session...wow this is great...glad i asked about it!!!

Karen_S

I didn't make this very clear before....this particular discussion will always reside on the Sedans board. You will not be taken away from here! One of the cool features of this software is that a discussion can "live" in more than one place.

Hope that clears up any questions!

KarenS
Owner's Club Host

scotian

why posts are (were) being duplicated across the two boards...

denverm

I dunno, Race,
I went to the Cougar "Club" section on modifications, and it appears to just be a segment of >400 posts, just like this board. Maybe I'm not going to the part of the Cougar site that you think is great, but I didn't see anyplace where things are categorized . . . .

300michael

First the good, It seems DC will build the 300HemiC. Now the bad news, it seems that it will not get the 5.7L Hemi engine. It could possibly get the 3.5L or maybe the 4.7L. It seems DC want to de-claw it so it doesn't hurt Mercedes sales. The story is at Car-truck.com

dawin

Any input is appreciated.
Thanks.

ca2stay

Hi all,

Its been a while since I've posted on this board. I was wondering who has had a performance upgrade to the chip or ECM? Who provided the upgrade? How satisfied with the upgrade are you?

I was in contact with So-Cal Speed and Jet Performance for many months with no luck.

Jeff

300michael

dawin, I have had no problems with my 300M (99), Love the car, espesecially after the mods I have done.
ca2stay, I have a meeting for Tuesday to talk to the service department to see about reprograming the ECM. I have been told it is reprogramable, so I am hopeing to do it, since I can't locate a reprogram unit for the newer Chryslers.