Sorry to hear about your car but you have made the right decision. I could never trust a dealer to replace the engine, if you chose that route I believe you would wind up with a maintenance nightmare. Seems that people that have the simplest problems and take their car to the dealers only trade one problem for another! I am talking about dealers in general not just DC dealers. I don't believe the problem is a safety issue but more so a reliability issue.
We all suffer from the same desease here, Isn't life great! Have you tried to negotiate more miles, on the lease. I perchased mine so I am not familier with the leasing options.
Dogit: Whoa, everyone wa ssaying that we would have been contacted by now. Mine was assembled in January but I know we're talking about a batch of engines not necessarily relevant to the build date of the vehicle. Anyway, good choice, never be the same with just the engine replacement. So you're getting another new car!
My "Ghost" has a problem first thing in the morning with shifting into reverse, after that all is fine with the world.
What is a TSB? I am still having a prob. with my windows sticking is there a TSB on this and what steps do I need to do in order to get the seals replaced? TSB # etc....
A TSB is a "technical service bulletin", which is an internal "memo" from service HQ to the dealers on how to deal with certain, frequently occurring problems. What year is your M again? Here are the TSBs for '01: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/12/011239EO.html. For each year just replace the "01" after the last slash (/) with your model year (e.g. 99). You won't get all the details of the TSB unless you pay for access, but at least you get a title and a number that you can take to the dealer. Here's one in the 01 listing:
08-031-00 OCT 00 Window - Sticks in The Up Position
WOW! Sorry to hear it. So soon a problem with the new and improved "Special". Guess you made the right choice with a new car rather than a new engine. Do you have the 7/70 warranty? If not, I'd ask Chrysler for it as a "goodwill" gesture for sticking with their product.
Personally, I would have run, but I do understand the lure of the 300. Good luck with the new model. If the 2nd one is defective, would you go for a 3rd one?
I thought it was an exaggeration by the Infiniti salesman but I guess not. We test drove a G35 & after the drive saw a new 300M on the lot. Another salesman (apparently the M owner's) said that it was the M owner's 3rd car; the M owner was tired of the "bad batch" of engines & decided to get an Infiniti, & was returning the car to Chrysler. Didn't hang around to talk to the M owner who supposedly inside taking care of his paperwork for his new Infiniti. Hope the engine problems for the 300M are resolved now.
I can't complain about the G35, but I still think the M has the edge on looks inside & out (but the G35 is nice). The G35 has made me pause about the M, but my major problem is w/Chrysler (dis)service... if DC had comparable customer service there'd be no issue on what I'd get. Both cars are enjoyable & nice to look at. Another thing about the M: it's looked good ever since it came out and still looks "fresh" to me. I hope the G is VERY successful... it may get Chrysler to throw in even more incentives, lower the price, and improve their service to stay competitive.
For about the past month, and especially after the G35 test drive, I've been trying to comfort myself w/a rental. But renting an M in these parts is $150/day! No car is worth that to me.
Try renting a low end car that's on special (if there is one) and then asking about an upgrade at the counter. If an M (a premium level car) is available they might put you in it for cheap. Desk agents are flexible, reservation agents aren't. I once rented a midsize on special for $12.95 per day (special rate after 9/11) and they offered me the M for a $15 per day upgrade. I think the M was a $99 per day car, and it wasn't on special. It all depends on how nice you are, their mood, and if they're busy or not.
The large console pieces definitely easier to install with 2 people. One to hold it in place as you are removing the 3M tape backing. It can be done with one person, but would be much more difficult to do. With 2 people it was really pretty easy.
anyone here have a dealer perform a cure for the sticking window prob in the up position---mine still stick especially if not opened in a long time---I occasionally clean the window edge and spray with silicone but it seems to just be a temporary fix---
that alldata site sounds like a worthwhile investment for the DIY market--has anyone subcribed to it? wonder if its just as good as buying the service manual for our car
FYI I am trying your RAC suggestion, but Dollar reservations considers the 300M a luxury car; they consider the Concorde a premium car @ $129/day (definitely no better IMHO than the luxury car @ $150/day). I reserved a Dodge Intrepid class @ $38/day & I'll see what the desk can do for me. If Dollar can't do anything reasonable for me w/the M then maybe I'll give the Intrepid a shot just for a change of pace... but I really want an M.
I was just wondering if anyone else out there has had problems with their alternator belt falling off. The alternator belt on my buddy's 300M has fallen off five times now, and it seems a little weird that two 5-Star dealerships couldn't get this minor thing straightened out on the first try. Thoughts?
my neighbor bought a used 2001 with no owners manual. she would like to know how to reset the overhead computer so that the perform service reminder doesn't come on every time she starts the car. she doesn't think it's worth a trip to the dealer but i would like to help her with it. thanks
We're plotting a jaunt to several locations tonight... San Diego being one of them. "Around Town" shows SD as being rainy (to desert dwellers, rain is cool). What's the weather like down there now & the local outlook for tomorrow? Anything unusual going on down in those parts (like I15/163/I5 have been destroyed, blackouts, hoards of conventioneers)? Thanks for any input.
The weather here sucks as it has been very cloudy (read as gloomy) and quite cool. I suspect rain on and off this evening; only thing to watch out for are crazy drivers on wet roads; most San Diegans have no clue how to drive on wet pavement and the accident rate rises dramatically, so be careful! Otherwise, have a blast!
I have a 01 with the manual, but I still had trouble with the overhead module, as it kept beeping and I could not figure how to reset the module. I finally went to a dealer and told them to shut it up. I think it is now programmed to beep at 1 Million Kms. LOL
Can anyone recommend a product to clean the streaks/oxidation off of the black trim areas (especially around the door windows where the front and rear doors meet and the cowl area in front of the windshield.)
The place was packed. The agent pulled up my reservation for Intrepid class... I meekly asked if it was possible to upgrade to a different class at a reasonable rate. He asked what I wanted, I offered "how about a 300M, I normally rent those". He commented that he'd seen me there before & thinks he waited on me. I told him probably so, I rent Dollar on a regular basis. After some keystrokes he went to see if any Ms were on the lot (I saw a couple parked before I came into the building). Comes back, tells me I can get one for $8/day upgrade from the Intrepid. Got the boss to show her driver's license as additional driver, got the paperwork & flew out of the building to get one of the few remaining Ms. Beloved looked at me and commented that I was so happy I got that d--n car. It feels good to have that M flesh underneath if only for the next 3 days. That Chrysler motto "Drive=Love" fits me w/the M. Thanks sdmike for the help.
I couldn't tell when I picked up the car because of the glare, but there's an orange light on that appears to be wiper related. Does it mean that wiper fluid is low or something else? I would hate to take this car back if I can avoid it before time's up... Dollar does a "carpy" job on cleaning mirrors & glass; maybe while cleaning I should get some windshield washer solution? Any problems to avoid (like do I need a "special" wiper fluid, or any brand will do)? Is the reservoir easy enough to find & fill? Thanks for any input.
thanks mikeyjohn, i must have stumped everyone with that one. i thought for sure sdmike would know how. does anyone with a 01 or 02 know how to reset the perform service reminder on the overhead? come on we've fiqured out harder things than this. here's an incentive, first one to tell me how gets a dozen krispy kremes!
If you have the "shiny" finish of the '01s I share your pain. I had a heck of a time with what looked like some kind of residue forming on it. I tried all kinds of stuff on it, but the thing that actually removed 90% of it was Zaino Z5 car polish. If you have an earlier year model with more of a satin, non-glossy finish, there are "super black" products that supposedly do a good job of making these look like new. Since I have an '01 I haven't committed any products to memory, but someone here will surely chime in (as they did with me)
Score! Congratulations on the under $50 per day M. Glad to help. My only issue with "rental Ms" is that they're really stripped and I'm used to a loaded version.
If the dash light that you're talking about is the top one between the speedo and gas gauge, you're correct....that's the wiper washer fluid indicator. The fill cap is under the hood on the driver's side right behind the headlight. It's a big yellow cap with the same symbol on it as the light on your dash. Regular water will work fine, unless you plan to leave the car sitting in freezing weather sometime in the next three days.
Assuming you have the luxury group, press STEP until it shows the service interval remaining (likely 0 in your case) and then press and hold the RESET button for a couple of seconds. The service interval will reset and the beep will likely stop. If you want to change the interval, press MENU repeatedly until the service interval menu item appears, and then press STEP to change it. You can then go back to step 1 to reset it to the new interval if you like.
If you don't have the luxury group, I have NO idea!.
That light is just the low washer fluid indicator. You can fill it up with the "blue stuff" or get that Prestone Deicer Washer Fluid. I use that stuff in the winter and well into the warm weather until it runs out, then I use the blue stuff you find most anywhere. The fill neck is behind the driver side headlamp under the hood.
I finally got around to taking a picture of the air bag warning cover plates that I installed. This is the black on gold design, on a sandstone interior. It's the driver's side visor with the plate installed so it's right side up when the visor is flipped down.
Use the 'menu' button to scroll to the service interval. If not set correctly, use "step' botton to scroll to desired interval. Now pewss "reset" button to start on a new count to next service.
It's not difficult, just intimidating! Tips: "Dry fit" everything first.
Be sure part is warm and very pliable.
Note how the part fits at the top edge.
Now peel an inch or two from the backing, and apply at the top edge. Continue peeling backing fron underneath, and shape to surface. You can make small adjustments if you don't press too firmly.
When fit ic correct, press firmly, especially at the edges,
I got the custom clock face you made for me today and it looks great. I hope to install it tomorrow if I can get my fingers under the radio trim to pull it out I'll post pictures when I'm done.
Also, I took the plunge and ordered the Tornado Air from their website. I'll post any improvements or dissapointments when I get it.
I have a bunch of mods in my mind that I want to complete, but because of finances, I gotta do them one at a time. Wood trim, dual exhaust, Bosch plugs, Basslink, rear wing, slotted rotors....oh my....where to begin.
you don't have to remove the radio....the clock-vent piece pops out suprisingly easily. I used a plastic shoe-horn. The curve of the shoe-horn allowed me to ease it into the lower left corner, and since it was plastic it did not damage the trim (just be careful.) Go slow and pull out the trim from left to right along the bottom edge. There are clips that will release.
I agree with toms99, you CAN go through the radio plate, but you can also remove the vent trim. Here are some pictures of my installation process. I used a credit card calculator. You just need something relatively thin, strong, and wide (so you don't damage the soft plastic). Also, the metal tabs used to hold the two halves of the clock together are somewhat fragile. Don't break them...and make sure you don't lose the clock button parts when you separate the halves. The new face just drops into the front section, as scotian has expertly trimmed the corners for you already.
As I understand it, our Trenton engine plant turned out some 3.5 HO engines with the wrong spec on con rod bearing clearance. They're too tight, so a rod may not get oil and seize, breaking the rod and possibly damage the block. It's only on the HO as used in the 300 Special and Intrepid R/T. I'm told that if anyone has one with more than 200 miles on it, it'll probably be OK, as it must be getting oil by now. D-C has made provision to buy them all back to avoid negative P-R and risk losing customers. The returned vehicles will be fixed and then used as D-C corporate leases.
are kept together with chromed plastic, not metal, and are very fragile. However, if they snap off, you can easily tape the halves together. Let's just say it works for me!
Comments
Dogit: Whoa, everyone wa ssaying that we would have been contacted by now. Mine was assembled in January but I know we're talking about a batch of engines not necessarily relevant to the build date of the vehicle. Anyway, good choice, never be the same with just the engine replacement. So you're getting another new car!
What is a TSB? I am still having a prob. with my windows sticking is there a TSB on this and what steps do I need to do in order to get the seals replaced? TSB # etc....
08-031-00 OCT 00 Window - Sticks in The Up Position
WOW! Sorry to hear it. So soon a problem with the new and improved "Special". Guess you made the right choice with a new car rather than a new engine. Do you have the 7/70 warranty? If not, I'd ask Chrysler for it as a "goodwill" gesture for sticking with their product.
Personally, I would have run, but I do understand the lure of the 300. Good luck with the new model. If the 2nd one is defective, would you go for a 3rd one?
fastdriver
No screws. They're steel spring clips with 1 way teeth into a detail on the roof. You should be able to push it back in with the heel of your hand.
LOL... Same here! Didn't touch a thing! How did the G35 handle? E-mail me so we don't start an anti- Infiniti topic.
fastdriver
that alldata site sounds like a worthwhile investment for the DIY market--has anyone subcribed to it? wonder if its just as good as buying the service manual for our car
Mostly cloudy with isolated light showers. Highs 58 to 65. Chance of measurable rain...20 percent.
Tonight through Monday
Night and morning low clouds and fog... otherwise partly cloudy. Lows47 to 55. Highs 58 to 68.
The roadways are pretty open as best as I know. Have fun!
I might enlist your or glennbp's help when I install my large dash trim pieces. Sounds like (and seems like) four hands are better than two.
Tom
If the dash light that you're talking about is the top one between the speedo and gas gauge, you're correct....that's the wiper washer fluid indicator. The fill cap is under the hood on the driver's side right behind the headlight. It's a big yellow cap with the same symbol on it as the light on your dash. Regular water will work fine, unless you plan to leave the car sitting in freezing weather sometime in the next three days.
If you don't have the luxury group, I have NO idea!.
http://www.urethanesupply.com/3400.htm
http://www.ritchiefamily.com/car/visorplate/visor_view.JPG
Tips:
"Dry fit" everything first.
Be sure part is warm and very pliable.
Note how the part fits at the top edge.
Now peel an inch or two from the backing, and apply at the top edge. Continue peeling backing fron underneath, and shape to surface. You can make small adjustments if you don't press too firmly.
When fit ic correct, press firmly, especially at the edges,
Good luck!
I got the custom clock face you made for me today and it looks great. I hope to install it tomorrow if I can get my fingers under the radio trim to pull it out
Also, I took the plunge and ordered the Tornado Air from their website. I'll post any improvements or dissapointments when I get it.
I have a bunch of mods in my mind that I want to complete, but because of finances, I gotta do them one at a time. Wood trim, dual exhaust, Bosch plugs, Basslink, rear wing, slotted rotors....oh my....where to begin.
Tom
http://www.ritchiefamily.com/car/clockface/
I'm told that if anyone has one with more than 200 miles on it, it'll probably be OK, as it must be getting oil by now.
D-C has made provision to buy them all back to avoid negative P-R and risk losing customers.
The returned vehicles will be fixed and then used as D-C corporate leases.
fastdriver
sdmike2-
Nice playhouse. A man of many talents indeed. Looks great.