Chrysler 300M

fastdriver

beach15-

Congratulations!!! Drive it in good health! If I were you, I'd go right to church and have the priest BLESS IT now before the "Christine" influence takes hold! ;-))

I'm sure no one here will like it, but hey, that's why they makes all kinds of cars/trucks! To each his own!

Good luck.

fastdriver

on1wheel

i think it looks great.i`ve been considering adding one of those to my collection as well.i`ve heard lotsa good stuff from those who own them.actually got my eye on the caddy version!blacked out,with 23`s!they look awsome.

grunschev

I have Dunlop SP9000 tires. Sidewall says max 51 psi. Early on I was inflating to 35, but my tire guys were aghast! Based on the tire and the weight of the car they recommend inflating to at least 44 psi but said 48 to 50 would be best. I've been running at 45 psi and the tires are wearing very evenly.

If you're using different tires than came with the car, the door sticker may be incorrect. Particularly if you are using tires of a different size. Lower profile tires will generally require a higher pressure.

Igor

sdmike2

My neighbor has one. He says it rattles too much. I guess it's ok if you like pickups. Good luck and enjoy it.

blonda - I've seen it "changed" once, and it appears that when you go from 'SUV' mode (which would be more appropriately called "king cab" mode) to pickup mode you fold down the wall between the rear seat and the bed to make the bed longer. When I saw it, it was open from the front seats to the rear gate, and in that mode the bed was as long as a standard pickup. Marketing hype aside, I think it's cool that you can go from king cab pickup to normal pickup when you need the extra hauling room...kind of like the ability to take the seats out of a mini-van.

glennbp

Here we go... the 300M board will now be a forum for all those Avalanche probs... Hey, if we're really lucky we will all get to compare the M with the Av... can't wait!

Sorry about the sarcasm; I just couldn't help myself!

Blonda - The reason they want you to disconnect the neg bat terminal is beacause you're working in the vicinity of the pos terminal and there's always that remote chance that you'll short out the pos terminal to the chasis with a wrench or something. I did not disconnect mine, I was just a little more careful in that area. HAVE FUN!

sdmike2

What's shakin today? I don't dare wash Big Red because of the threat of rain. Besides, my wife just stole her (plays soccer in PB on weekends). I'm working on a playhouse for the kids in back. I think I've run out of practical, inexpensive mods for the car anyway.

cmyers300m

bbraddock - hate to say it, but I think you're looking at a new paint job on the hood. I used to put bras on my cars, but it became too much of a pain. I did have a body shop guy tell me that if you leave them on all time it WILL 'cloud' your paint.

beach15 - I like the Avalanche. Friend of mine bought one and loves it. However, something that can be 'changed over' repeatedly is just asking for rattles in the future. Can't make something tight that comes apart so easily. Hopefully that won't be the case. One thing I wasn't crazy about is I thought Chevy used more plastic on it than an industrial sized trash can. But I guess you won't have to worry about paint chips!

glennbp

I've been working on my sound system; I can't leave it alone. I tried to find your house yesterday - No luck - How about emailing your address to me at glennbp@myvzw.com and I'll come visit you today!

sdmike2

check your email. I've got the kids for a while (one is asleep on me as I type this), but I think after 1 will work. Wife gets done with soccer at 12 & then she's taking my youngest son to an audition at a talent agency (long story). I thought maybe blonda would come down too, but our brave blonde friend looks like she's attacking the aircharger alone!

beach15

See, I knew I'd get posts like that but accept them as your personal opinion. Some like it, some don't, be really do so far. It's actually the quietest car we've ever had and there's not a single odd noise yet. As for the Midgate, I've researched it heavily since Av's first came out, and I still have not heard of problems with rattling or other oddities, except for a few early builds. Everything feels rock solid and sturdy too. It also rides extremely well, just like some people have said "like a Cadillac" but it is by no means floaty or mushy, and we got the Z66 Premium On-Road Suspension.

It's a 2wd as we have absolutely no need for 4wd, and it also saves a little on gas. As for options, we also got, in addition to the suspension pack., power front bucket seats, a Convenience Pack. (Onstar, Auto Air, Homelink, and Dimming Driver Mirror), and WOL tires. Sticker was $33,193 and we got it for $26,191, in effect, $7,002 off sticker, a pretty good deal. And as for the M, they gave us $18k for it as a trade.

We just went for a ride along the different beach areas and are loving it so far. It's so smooth and silky, feels so well-built, and you sit up so high like emporers of the road--it's so nice! And, another cool thing is the Onstar! We hit the button and after the radio muted, it says "Connecting to Onstar" and you hear it dialing and then we got a very nice guy on the phone who told us our current location and explained a few things. Then, it says something like "Onstar call completed" and hangs up and the radio comes back on. It's so cool, and the ex. M'er loves it!

Oh well, I guess now that we no longer have an M, I should thank you all for all your help and cool tips and mod's over the pasy year and a half. I'm not going anywhere and still enjoy coming here everyday just to check in on the latest. And, glenn, don't worry, if we have a problem ever you won't have to read about it here. There's another site for stuff like that and a lot of very enthusiastic owners called "Chevy Avalanche Fan Club".

We can no longer drive like racers, but at least we have something roomy, smooth, and quiet to go stylin' in! Come on, ugly is one thing, but doesn't that front end just look cool!? All the plastic is actually a good thing too, being scratch and dent resistant and it also means there's less paint to worry about washing and waxing too. Now, I just have to get an order out for some Zaino!

ruski

Well at least your new car has as much cargo capacity as a 300M.

I actually had a fear that you may get that monster.

Make sure that you don't hog the fast lane and don't become a redneck.

300mmm

I don't think there's any doubt that you're in for trouble if you keep any kind of bra on "most" of the time without extra attention (i.e., remove and clean and take off in wet conditions, etc.) For what it's worth, I'm using the magnetbra ( www.magnetbra.com ) and although I haven't had it or the car long enough for a true test, in principle, it should resist most of the typical bra problems such as abraded paint and clouding because it doesn't retain moisture and doesn't allow anything to get underneath while it is installed. nevertheless, I will be taking it off in the summer months and frequently during the winter here in New England.

fastdriver

LOL..............This is REALLY funny. I get this form letter in the mail from Chrysler Financial today stating that I owe them $175.40! For what, I have NO clue and neither do I care. In 5 days Christine will have been gone for a year and they just found this! LOL.......... This is going to be fun. I won't even waste the effort pushing the phone buttons to call them!

If by chance they do happen to catch me while I'm home, I think they'll be quite sorry they reached me. I should be sending THEM a bill for all the gas, time and effort I wasted running back and forth to their "5-STAR" dealers for NOTHING!

Could be the start of a new soap opera story- not that anyone cares, but I'll keep you informed anyway.

fastdriver

mikeyjohn

The same thing just happened to me after I had bought out my wifes 99 Cirrus, as it was low mileage and had extra equipment plus was a V-6 which apparently was hard to come by. I got a bill from DC for 1 month of rental to a tune of $337.00. I did make a phone call, and I'm afraid the person on the other end took the brunt of my anger. I have since recieved an apology from DC. Too little too late!!!

fastdriver

mikeyjohn-

I'm sure the fun will start sometime next week when they don't receive a call from me. If they have their number blocked, they won't get through to me anyway.

Maybe I should just send them an e-mail with the URL to my webpage BEFORE they attempt to contact me. Maybe then they'll have second thoughts! ;-))

fastdriver

ajpiii

Lone*

Unfortunately I havent had time to get the car in for the spacers H&R sent me... I might get it done in a couple of weeks... going on a trip and hoping to drop the car off and pick it up a week later... Gotta call the dealer...

Glen...

Do you have any high resolution pics of the carbon fiber kit you installed... I just ordered it and wanted to see what this kit looks like in detail... got it from discountdash...

Everyone Else...

This web site: http://www.autostockinc.com/ has custom billet grills for our 300M's, has anyone here bought one ? Id like to see pics of it b4 buying... Might just go with a custom mesh one though....

scotian

http://public.fotki.com/Scotian/300m/interior/upper_console_removal/

scotian

It's styling is definitely love-it-or-hate-it. Since, aside from their utility, I hate pickups, I like this beast.

beach15

You don't have to worry about the redneck thing, were far too sophisticated and "city-like" to ever be like those pickup lovin' folks. But, no offense, to any rednckers here if there are any.

Actually, a lot of people call it a truck of sorts and it is in a sense, but really it's more like the Suburban with the rear end hacked a little. So, it's actually more SUV than anything.

We'll try not to hog the fast lane either...with that big V8 under the hood and it being quiet like a mouse that might be a little hard!

beach15

Yeah, we aren't real pickup liking people either but with the Avalanche, it's just so cool and truly versatile. Not to mention looks so aggressive especially in the Onyx Black we got!

blonda

Yeah, I braved it alone. It wasn't TOO bad (and I only broke one nail!). It took me about an hour and half I think because I did try to really understand the directions (sometimes a big mistake). The hardest part was the bracket that installs in the existing hole on the front by the headlight. Because I have the plastic "radiator cover" as they call it, I'm supposed to use the plastic spacer -- well, would be nice if the stupid screw was long enough!. I barely got it in using only one washer (they said 2) then I dropped one of the nuts (it's somewhere in the headlight assembly I think now). But I think I did it correctly...sounds okay and I drove it around a little. I can't really tell if there's a difference in power or not yet.

I passed on the plug install today. This local tune-up place wanted $93 to do it. I'm just going to wait and have the shop that fixes my brakes (rotors warped) do it -- probably next weekend.

Okay - I'm tired. Time to hit the hot tub.

blonda

There's an M I see on my way to work most days that has the billet grill. Looks pretty good. I think he probably had it done at the hot rod shop he parks next to....they appear to do that type of thing. He also has flames all over the car. Now that I just purchased a digital camera with a nice zoom lense, I'm going to try to take a clandestine pic of it some morning that I'm not running late for work (which I do most of the time unfortunately) and I'll post (need to catch him on a day he doesn't have the car cover on it).

sdmike2

We're not all invited??? I just got in from working on the deck I'm building and I'm very sore and tired. I could use a good soak. "Uh...honey, who's that in our hot tub". "Oh, just a friend of mine from the car club". On second thought...lol! Thanks Glennbp for stopping by to help me with the big beams. Couldn't have done it without ya.

Mike

achance

Now I remember why I bought it! Roads were dry; it was warm by the standards of the service; and I ran around doing my honey-do's with the hole in the roof open all day! Still have the Blizzaks on, so it rides like a farm wagon, but I did get my foot in it a time or two.

sdmike2

Where in Juneau can you "get your foot into it"? The only place I can think of is the dirt road out of town to the north (along the water). Nice views, but not somewhere where I'd want to be hitting triple digits. I'm sure racing around douglas island would be fun! You should take some digital photos of Juneau in the spring...or at least pictures FROM Juneau in the spring (kind of shooting NW over stephen's passage toward the mountains). Most people here wouldn't believe how beautiful it is.

fastdriver

Interesting article, especially the last section- Blaming the Yen-

http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/24/a01-448212.htm

This could cost DC some money too-

http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/24/autos-447376.htm

Finally hitting the "top" guys in the pocket. Wonder if this will open their eyes?

http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/24/autos-447177.htm

fastdriver

achance

The road north (well actually west, but everyone thinks of it as north) is paved for about forty miles now. There's plenty of triple digit room out around Peterson Creek and Eagle Beach plus some really good winding stretches - the stuff DOT marks for 35 feels a lot better at 70 - 90. Juneau cops have NO sporting nature, but you don't see them too far from the doughnut shops. The only problem this time of year is shaded spots can still have ice even if the temp is 50 degrees or more. A patch of black ice in a curve will test your reflexes! I have lots of digital pictures - especially from the boat - of the area from Auke Bay up Lynn Canal. Even after all these years, it amazes me sometimes. I shot probably 100 pics one afternoon last summer as we just drifted up around North Pass (north of Shelter Island)watching a group of whales build their bubble walls and wreak havoc on the fish. It was so incredible to watch that I forgot they were ruining my fishing. If I have time today I'll take my car down to the glacier and get a picture of it with Mendenhall Glacier as the backdrop. Then I can try to figure out how to post it.

beach15

Hey fastdriver or any other Zaino lover, I have some quesions. We just got the big black Avalanche, so I'm going to be needing the BEST car care stuff out there to maximize the shine and minimize the swirls. Zaino sounds the best for this.

First, we have some small swirl marks in the paint and there are a few very minor marks in the paint from glue, etc. So, I think Z5 is what we need first. Then, some Z2, Z6, Z7, Z16, Claybar, and the new ZFX stuff. If I get the ZFX stuff, that means I don't need Z1 right? For all this stuff, it's a little more than $100 so I want to know what I'm ordering first. We don't have any need for the leather or other interior stuff as we just got rid of leather (don't miss it at all!). Oh, how long from sending the order does it take to get the stuff on average? I'm not sure where it's coming from but if it's Jersey like it says on the order form, Delaware is right next door.

Any other suggestions?

lee1nyc

The Accutire MS4000 is on sale at Sears for $16.99. The regular retail for this model is $32.99. They also have the less expensive models on sale for $9.99.

The 4000 has an illuminated readout that measures in 1/2 lb increments.

dubbed

a guy at autostockinc.com sent me a couple pics of the billet grill for the M. it looks good. it is only the upper half of the grill though. if someone can tell me how to get the pic on here i will gladly show everyone. just thought you'd like to know.

tom
(dubs)

scotian

Email me the pic and I'll put it in my Fotki account.

scotian

http://public.fotki.com/Michele/other_cars/

uxca300m

Here you go Beach- Just pulled these messages off an Avalanche owners site. I,m sure you'll have lots to talk about when you join an Avalanche board ....:)
Guess as they say, the grass isn't always greener.

We purchased a Chevrolet Avalanche in December, the engine oil light came on in early to mid February at 2,300 miles. We had to add two quarts of oil. We have less
than 4,000 miles on the vehicle now. The engine light has not come on but we measure almost a quart low. Our driving is mostly done on two lane roads averaging 45-60
miles per hour. (1/2 hour trips). Has anyone out there had the same problem??

It may be more serious. I bought an 02 Avalanche 2500 one month ago and it was leaking oil from the oil filter area. After 2 trips to the dealer they discovered the
engine block was faulty. GM is putting a whole new engine in my truck which will cost them around $10,000 in warrenty work. I bet that will get the attention of their
QC dept.!!!

I have a clunk in the drive line when the trans shifts
from 2 to 3rd. only when you are driving slow.The vehicle is a Z71 this happens when in 2 high drive.
Has anyone else had this problem?

At 3700 miles the transmission was going out. Started slipping in 2nd & 3rd shift points and in over drive it was slipping while driving 55
mph. By the time The dealer opened after the Labor day weekend, it had gotten worst. They got it on Tuesday and didn't look at it till Thursday evening. Could not find a
problem and order a new transmission. It arrive Sept. 11 luckily. It still did not get put in till late Friday evening. When I went to get it, I was told by the service dept. that
there was a BULLENTIN on this problem. If a Service Dept. got one in with a slipping transmission, the service dept. was NOT to tear it down, send it directly to
Chevrolet. Looks like another major problem with their 4L60E transmission, but new number for Avalanche is 4L65E. I know of 2 owners with the same disaster.

I find when both the window and midgate are in place with the seats down there seems to be much more play in the midgate then I expected. Do any other owners
experiences this or could there be something wrong with mine? I though the fit would have been really tight.

300michael

I post some of the tail light rewireing photos for you at http://community.webshots.com/user/my300m_ to see what I did.

denverm

Sorry, I don't know anything about Avalanches or their paint. Suggest you ask here

ruski

Just avoid putting Zaino paint polish on the plastc areas - it will never come off.

fastdriver

beach15-

Sounds like you got it right. I would order 2 bottles of Z6 because you will use that the most. Yes, Z is shipped from Howell, NJ. You'll get it in less than a week.

fastdriver

beach15

Yeah, I've read the same things you have before, but just like with the 300M, not every car has the same problems. All we know is the simple fact that we bought a gigondo SUV/truck that drives nicer and feels much more refined than our ex. luxury sport sedan. No, you can't go nuts like your in a race car and be hurling it around corners but we've never had that need. I'm expecting the Av. to be a fairly good vehicle though. You really like your M and we love the Avalanche, so to all his own!

Thanks for the Zaino tips! On the Avalanche club site, Zaino is also the most popular and most used car care product and they do group buys sometimes too. So, if I need it, I can get more info. from them also. I figured out what we'd need and it came to a little over $100 and I know it's really awesome stuff but the queen mother wasn't too up for spending that much on stuff to clean the car even though she wants some of the best stuff you can get. Lately I've been searching all over the net for other products that can come close but don't cost as much for what we need. We may still go with the Zaino if I can't figure out anything else.

fedlawman

I did a lot of research when I got my new Rendezvous last summer and chose "Klasse all-in-one" for my Buick. I waxed the Buick once last July.

You use a very small amount (16 ozs. will last years). It goes on effortlessly (no buffing), comes off easily (just wipe off), leaves no residue, and has a very deep shine.

Since last July, I have gone through approximately eight car washes and a Seattle winter. It still looks like I waxed it yesterday!

I washed the car again two days ago and water still rolls off the paint. A dry towel still slides off the hood like an ice cube on teflon. Great stuff!

http://www.properautocare.com/kla-16.html

BTW, Classic Motoring Accessories has a lot of great products, and they have a great website with tips and methods for caring for your car.

ruski

'cause my TL-S' tranny broke!

no1trust

What happened on the tranny?

ruski

I guess it is up to the dealer what kind of loaner to provide. This dealer must have figured that it would be better for their business to outsource the loaner department to the Thrifty rental place across the street. They pay for the rental though.

As for why the tranny broke - they told me a story about some bearings in Honda trannies that sometimes are seated too tightly and break because of that.

There is a good number of TL-Ses and CL-Ses with the tranny problem, some of them are on their 3rd tranny.

300michael

Good luck with the lights I belive that makes #3 on the road.

300michael

Any of you that have H&R lowering springs, and have pictures of the springs, Box (the springs came in) Please let me know where I can see them. I need to furnish H&R with pictures before they will send me a spacer kit. They would like a picture of the box and springs.
Thanks for any help.

300michael

dream cruse and plant tour meet?

300michael

Did you get the pictures OK?

300michael

Are they ever going to fix the board, so that you can put the post number in and it will actually go to that post? Now you have to all 500 or so to get there.

300michael

Target has the lighted wire on special here for $16.99. I would call and check the store.

300michael

I hope is works out great for you.

300michael

Congrats on being the most popular board. (Car wise) Boy do I love this CAR.