Chrysler 300M

300mmm

Whoa, mine was built in Jan '02, any chance it owuld be affected? What exactly are we talking about or where could I find more info? I haven't gotten any call (or recall) . . . yet :-|

300michael

I agree they have some nice stuff for the 300M. I liked the ideal for the screen (I have a 7" motorized Alpine unit) in the center pod like the one shown, but I had trouble with the glare off the screen do to the sunlight shinning on it. So for me the next best place was just under the AC unit. I really like the system the I35 has with the pop up screen. If I ever see one in a junk yard It will be in my car in no time. I have a couple of ideas for the motorized unit to be located there just have to make room for it.

300michael

I have the intrax springs and am waiting for a shim kit as soon as AjpIII sends me some pictures. It will lower it 1.7 and 1.8 inches. which seems already very low. The H&R springs lower it down 1.3 inches. So 2 full inches is extreamly low. I think the lower you go the more the engine needs to be raised to compensate for the lowering. so .25" for the H&R, .5" for the Intrax and those would call for .75". Hood engine clearance could become a problem. I have studied the Service Manuals and .25" is no problem. .5" has to be taken in two steps on the Transmission, and engine mounts (.25" lower mount and the same on the top of the mount). Anything larger would requier longer bolts, and checking transmission clearance also.

300michael

The wire on the back of the head rests is a coat rack, for things like business suits.

arby500

I've got almost 6000 miles on mine (goes for it's second oil change next week). No problems. No squeeks, just perfect (and getting better???).

fastdriver

Was this a good move?

http://www.detnews.com/2002/insiders/0203/28/b01-451279.htm

fastdriver

fastdriver

Turbocharged PT Cruiser, but nothing for the "flagship" model except a "Special".

http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/28/autos-450879.htm

fastdriver

99_300m_ric_va

Mike,

They'll be able to see my lights for a real live example.

You fly out there like Roger? You guys can ride with me to Brampton if you want. You'll have to argue who ride's shotgun.

99_300m_ric_va

I think we are victums of poor demographics by the marketing folks at DC. They just don't think we want better performance. They obviously don't read this board.

I hope they wise up and produce an super 300 out of that new SVT group being formed. If Daimler can build super Benz models at AMG, then why not a supercharged Hemi 300 SVT? One can dream....

bmadden1

Sounds like your light switch may have a bad internal contact for the fog lights when the head lamp switch is in the "off" position. Each time the head lamp switch is rotated to another position i.e. "park" or "on" the power contact for the Fog light circuit changes. This may be why the "fogs" seem to work ok in the park and head lamp position. If the relay is not the problem the head light switch assembly is probably the next most likely suspect.

I am a Texas transplant from Nebraska. I have not even been to California(frown) YET!(smile)

99_300m_ric_va

Let's see.

99_300m_ric_va

Even if we are not in the top 10, we have the most posts in the entire Sedans section. Those BMW 3 Series guys are close but are behind close to 1000 posts. So we're #1! LOL!

bmadden1

WOW! as rogor2k stated you have been busy.

Welcome, and thanks for the info. I don't have any mods done on my car yet so I like getting my hands on all the available information on things that can be done to the 300M. I have my work cut out to catch up with you. Have a bigger chore trying to convince the wife some of these things are necessary!

fastdriver

99_300m_ric_va-

I agree with you 100%. The thing is......WHY don't THEY get it? I just don't understand it I think they read this board or at least people who have some influence at DC read this board, but it doesn't sink in.

blonda-

Didn't the ORIGINAL Christine flash its lights? LOL..... Sorry, I couldn't resist! Maybe your car is signaling Christine to come and get her! ;-))

Hey- did Cush Acura in Escondido sell that 300 they had on "display" yet? Just wondering.

fastdriver

bmadden1

WOW! as rogor2k stated you have been busy.

Welcome, and thanks for the info. I don't have any mods done on my car yet so I like getting my hands on all the available information on things that can be done to the 300M. I have my work cut out to catch up with you. Have a bigger chore trying to convince the wife some of these things are necessary!

silverbullet4

I noticed a nail in the left rear tire. Sears pronounced it "unrepairable" because it was stuck in the outside edge. Now I am waiting for a new Michilen Pilot to be trucked up from Houston. The cost, with labor (special service balancing) and road hazard protection came to $263. Ouch! I don't think I spent that much on a full set of tires on my old Taurus. I will put the new tire in the spare position to allow even wear on the other four. ( I have a full size spare and have been doing 5 tire rotations)
When I get a new set of tires, I'll get only three and move the spare into service. The best of the old set will be the new permanent spare.
Of course, if at that time I decide to select an alternative, less expensive brand I'll just leave the Pilot in the trunk. I hope this makes sense.
Happy Easter to all!
Silver

sdmike2

At least they didn't try to convince you that you needed all 4 new so the tread wear matched.

kosh_2258

I don't know the specifics except that a batch of 3.5 engines got built with a defect that I assume causes the engine to self-destruct in time. It has something to do with the rod bearings. That's about all I know.

Keep in mind that batch lot controls and detailed record keeping allow DC to know exactly which cars have the bad engines. From the sound of it, all the affected owners have already been contacted.

Just for the record, mine was built 12/12/01, but what really counts is when the engine was built. Your car may have been built in January, but the engine might have been from an earlier batch not affected by the problem.

sdmike2

I was lucky when I was able to play the "it's for the kids" card when I bought my M (air bags all over, antilock brakes, three car seats fit in the back), but I've had a more difficult time justifying the mods. Now, the tint was necessary to keep me from burning myself on the steering wheel and seats. She bought that excuse with a roll of her eyes. Cell phone holder was all about safety! Spoiler? nope. K&N Aircharger, basslink, wood trim kit, dual exhaust, visor plaques, custom clock face...nope x 5! Eventually we just agreed that if I made enough money selling stuff on eBay I would be allowed to "buy stuff". I keep reminding her that THIS mid-life crisis is better than having an affair or needing to go powerboat racing or something.

My car, and my mods:

http://www.ritchiefamily.com/300m.htm

sdmike2

Sorry I haven't made arrangements to drop off your stuff. I've been spending my days working on my...er...my kid's new play deck in back. Hopefully next week. You can always come down if you're in more of a hurry. I'm about 15 minutes from your office.

bmadden1

blonda- I made a miss statement in earlier post on the switch "off" position. Off is Off for all lights and the fog light; switch;function is even deactivated in the off position. The bad power contact for the fogs might be the in the "park" position if they work ok with the switch in the "head lamp" or "auto" position.

300michael

Good one SD. I too tell the family the mods are for them also, like the Nav. system allows me to find the destination quicker, and having their favorate movies with 5.1 channel surrond sound in the DVD changer is a nice touch too. (for those long trips). The sound deadening help reduce the road noise (for sleeping on those long trips), along with the extra light for visablty. Then the wood trim to make it look comfy and cosy, and of course the rear vidio camera (to show the reason you are accelerating ot 95 mph)along with engine, and exhaust mods to get out of the way of those crazy drivers on the road. The only one I am haveing trouble with is the front night vision camera. They still think I want it to sneek into the garage at night with my lights turned off. Just have to keep trying to sell the safty or convience features.
bmadden,I haven't done the Bosh +4's yet myself. I am thinking about it though.

bmadden1

LMAO...that is a funny story sdmike2! My wife got
upset when I purchased a magnabra and splash guards. She said if I loved "MISS M" so much I could just go sleep in the %&$@#!! thing.

Would folding the rear seats down and installing an air mattress be considered a modification or a conversion?....LOL

300michael

You will not have much of a fight. My whole family would want to come too (4) so If I flew someone would have to be in the trunk, LOL, and I think neather you or Roger would be too happy about that. Besides the view from the trunk is very bad (unless you have installed a rumble seat, back there). Besides I would love the drive to Detroit from Phoenix(as long as I don't run... eeerr... drive into any speed traps). My problem is getting the time off (I would like at least 4 weeks) to see some of the sights back east. Plus I have relitives near the Boston-New Bedford area.

bmadden1

LMAO again 300michael. Sounds like you and sdmike
are better at spinning justification stories than I am...lol I will be able to sneak some Bosh +4's in no problem and even a K&N intake but the visual items like rear wing spoiler and tinted windows will be a tough go!!

300michael

Definely a Modification, to your love (wife, not the car)life as well as the Car. Rule #1 You have to spend more money on your wife then you do on your 300M, or it could spell trouble. Besides Air Beds are only so comfortable, LOL:)

300michael

No, tinted window are to keep her cooler and more comfortable. Not to mention hiding her from her friends on those bad Hair days. (on second thought, you better leave out the last part, I forgot there is no way to tell a woman she is having a bad hair day) The rear wing is so that she can see the rear of the car, when backing up, of course.

300michael

sdmike2

Better gas mileage! Now, if my wife asks what the payback period is I'll be in trouble.

sdmike2

Now THERE is an idea. Actually, the best way to justify your mods is to do everything else well! I typically do the laundry and dishes as well as the normal "guy" stuff like garbage and killing bugs. I also usually give the kids their baths and get them to bed each night. I also let my wife park her van in the garage while Big Red stays in the street. I think she'd feel guilty if she ever told me I couldn't do something.

scotian

At least the custom clock face was free!

scotian

I think I saw some pics of the turbo PT Crusier engine bay in someone's Fotki album.

99_300m_ric_va

in the top 10!

300michael

We have along with the BMW 3 series (It takes 3 of them to keep up, not to mention they have been out far more years) more postings then most of the other vehicles combined. Not to mention this is a great car too.

fastmopar

I think you guys are missing the boat here. Sit down and ask your wife what she would rather have you do: Stop at the bar everyday after work, go to sporting events every weekend,play poker with the boys three times a week, OR have be around the house putting mods on your 300M?

I know my wife would much rather have me within range than off with the boys getting into trouble. As long as I don't want to put ALL the mods on at once ($$$$$$$$$). Maybe one every other month or so.

Hope this helps.

fastmopar

I'm on my third set of tires. I also had a set of "lower priced" tires in between. The stock tires were Michelin's, but not Pilot's. The "lower priced" tires were Dunlops. I was told by the "tire guy" that they would give me the exact same performance. NOT!! The Dunlops had excessive side wall flex, and reduced my cornering speed by at least 5 mph. This may not seem like much but when you are entering a corner and your car leans far more than it used to and doesn't seem to want to go where you are steering, it's kinda scary. I will pay the extra for a tire I feel safe with. The pilots have minimal side wall flex, and stick to the ground like they were glued. I can normally take a corner at 20 mph faster than posted with the Pilot's.

sdmike2

...my work here is done..

ottowrkr

300michael- the show at the plant is a local Mopar clubs event . The club started to use our parking lot a few years back . Yes anybody can come. We get a wide variety of Mopars from the old muscle cars all the way up to Vipers and Prowlers. It only costs a buck or two to get in as a spectator .You can enter your car also, cost not sure about that. We usually take one of each of the cars we build at the plant and put then on display .
300mmm- from what I hear its a bearing problem on the crankshaft. pretty sure all owners have been contacted. If you have not heard anything your OK

sdmike2

ok...that last post of yours was at 11:27 am (I think) where you are. Get back to work building Ms!

catguy

Hi, sorry it's been forever since I posted. My 2001 300M (Bluebird) has just under 19000 miles on it since we took delivery in May of '01. Been to Florida twice, North Carolina and Missouri from its Illinois home so it hasn't rested much. Car hasn't been back to the 5* since it was purchased as I do routine service myself. Some kind SOB did ding my pass. side door the other day and we will be getting that fixed asap but otherwise I am a very happy camper with the car. Get 25-26mpg @75mph...depends on whether I am burning 10% ethanol or straight 89 octane. No noises or squeaks beyond my rotund rear on the seat. My wife loves the bun warmers! I do envy some of the posts regarding mods but since I am currently restoring an antique John Deere, I have to be a little careful about checkbook damage due to hobbies. A few posts back, someone mentioned that the spouse needs to recognize that you could be out pouring $$into unhealthy stuff and that is so very true. Hopefully the Deere restoration will finish up in the next few months and I can direct a few pesos into tweaks on the M. It really doesn't need a lot more power though, at least for me. I can get into mucho trouble as-is.

It is a great car and I am glad I made the choice I did.

Hope everyone is well and healthy. Be safe out there!

Rob (catguy)

blonda

Thanks again for the info. I haven't had a chance to look at the fuses yet, but will try today (tood a vacation day today). You're right though...it might be related to the parking lights, although those do come on when the headlights are on too.

blonda

Don't know if the M at the Acura dealer is still there. I did see it there early last week, but haven't seen it since. They rotate the used cars almost daily it appears. They have 2 "on display" spots and it has made the rounds there at least a couple times.

Re: the real Christine....you're right, she did flash her lights didn't she? Uh oh.

blonda

I bought these plugs about 2 months ago and am having the hardest time getting someone to put them in. My Chrysler dealer wouldn't do it. The one muffler place who gave me an estimate on the duals would have, but I went with someone else who only does mufflers. Tried a local tune up place last week who said they would but wanted near $100 and were too busy anyway. I took my car in this a.m. to a local brake and auto repair place who I have used before. When I made the appointment I specifically told them, along with the front brakes, I wanted them to install plugs I would provide. They didn't say they wouldn't. I take the car in this a.m. and they say they can't install customer parts (that really ticked me off..but I left the car for the brakes anyway). I have called 3 other local tune up places...no one will install customer parts. I even called the $100 guys...of course to busy to do again today (I think it's too much $$ anyway). So some day, I will get those plugs installed.....I just can't believe it's so difficult to get someone to take my $$

btw my front rotors are warped at 42K already. They are turning them and replacing the pads.

blonda

That's okay about the "goods" -- I'm not in a hugh rush. Just let me know whenever you're in the area or maybe I can come pick them up.

blonda

(see, I'm doing my part on getting the postings up for today)

I have to comment on the "mod" spending and wives. I'm the wife and I'm the one spending the $$ (duals, K&N charger, woodtrim kit, chrome knob, and bosch plugs..uninstalled of course). My husband is a little irked about it. But it's a small portion of my $$ I took out of selling stock and he thinks I should spend it on him (yeah right). He says I like my M more than him. I told him that's cuz I've only had the M for 2 years and I'm not bored with it yet... :-) But really, I have 2 kids and the M is the only thing I can fix up and keep real nice without them going right behind me and trashing it (like they do the house). But see how you men are...? my husband was trying to talk me into letting him buy a perfectly restored '69 Chevelle for $25K from some millionare last week....now THAT's mid life crisis.

beach15

What a coincidence! In July of 2000 my dad just started telling me to look for a '69 Chevelle because he wanted to buy one. He never really discussed it with my mother but he ended up buying one in relatively good condition from an old lady in Jersey, and then that night my mother was already talking about how she wanted a new car. Then, almost exactly 3 months later, she bought the 300M that she "just had to have" since she first saw the front end of one. Now, a year and a half later, the M is gone and the Chevelle is in the driveway being tinkered with daily and is going to get painted this summer.

Oh, now that I think of it, my dad was just at the 40 year-old mark when he bought the Chevelle! Must have been a mid-life crisis too!

hayneldan

You guys missed the boat on justification of the spoiler. It's a saftey feature. You can see where the rear end is because you can't see it without the spoiler. (Tom Intrepid ES)

illini4

If you can install an aircharger, I would think you could do the plugs yourself and save the $. It's not that hard. If you don't have the tools, you could buy them for less than the installation charge.

arby500

Did he get a 396? 4 speed or auto? They were really nice cars!

Blonda, Did you let him buy it? :^)

300michael