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I've spent the last two weekends cleaning and waxing the boat. Man, I wish that thing were as big in the water as it is in my driveway!
As for the zaino, I'd recommend getting some Z1, Z2 OR Z5, and definately some Z6 spray. I'd also suggest a clay bar, as I have recently experienced just how effective they are at smoothing out your finish. I also use the leather treatment and the tire stuff, but that's up to you. I can't really tell a difference between the Z2 and Z5, but the Z5 is supposed to help with minor scratching and swirl marks. I haven't noticed an improvement using it. I plan to get a real swirl remover/leveler to take care of that problem. In my personal opinion, the wash isn't any better than the $2.99 per quart stuff you can get a the local auto store, and the glass cleaner isn't special either.
If you have bad swirl marks from the car wash i would suggest you try something like this: http://www.topoftheline.com/hitligcutswi.html
I never got any grief from Acura of Serramonte regarding warranty repairs; they just fixed things. All they did was confirm the problem and repair it. I'll take it on faith that the service departments of the 3 dealers closest to me are OK and aren't associated with the sales division. The service department at Acura of Serramonte is fine, but their sales department is full of stupid, clueless, and (possibly) sleazy people. You ought to see the manhunt that breaks out when somebody wants to get the price on something.
I stopped by the sales division about 13 months ago to take a look at the TL. The relative greenpea was waiting for me as I drove up. Once past the usual pleasantries, I said I wanted to see what the TL looked like up close. He brings me over to the only TL (S type) on display and launches into an apparently canned presentation on the car's safety features. I played nice during the whole thing, but I really wanted to stop him and ask, "Hey dude, do I look like a minivan buyer to you?!" Grrrrrr...
I gotta say that Zaino has been the easiest way I've ever polished a car. Goes on easy and buffs off fast and best of all it doesn't leave any white residue.
I'd posted a pretty comprehensive .doc some time ago that my local Zaino dealer made up on applying Zaino. If anybody wants it look up my e-mail in my profile and I'll pass it on.
Beach15- I guess that $22.00 bottle of ProtectAll should last you about 20 years as I sure you don't use it on the re-cycled Leggo parts of the Avalanche :-)
http://public.fotki.com/Scotian/300m/interior/clock_face/new_faces/beast.html
Thanks again Scott
I figure I'm going to see if Connell Chrysler still has the M on one of the outside display pedestals and start taking measurements. Like from center of front wheel to the air deflector, from the ground to the bottom of the deflector, from the ground to top of the deflector, and from the ground to the top of the deflector assembly as I move backwards from the frontmost portion an inch at a time. Hopefully I can get some kind of a mathematical model that I size up against the driveway.
I don't think I'm going to have much luck getting another M to test out. I don't think I can show my face around Falore again, not after my friend badgered the salesman into letting me drive the car to and from my house. The salesman initially balked, saying that insurance reasons prevented them from taking the car out of the local area. Driving 6 miles up the highway into San Francisco is considered an insurance risk? I tried to plead my case, since I hadn't driven anything of that size and width in ages, and the cross-street, at a point about a block up the hill from me, narrows to the point where people park their cars halfway on the sidewalk just to make it possible from traffic to pass through. The salesman still said no, but my friend joined the fray and pretty much rammed some logic down his throat. So she made a good save there; I had to buy her dinner just for that alone. Albera Brothers has no M's in stock, and Connell is located about 17 miles away on the other side of the bay in Oakland. I don't think I can convince Connell to give me their demo so I can see how much of the driveway the air deflector will scrape before the front wheels engage the incline.
I'm not too sure if I can try the rental car approach, for I don't know if the agency might try to ding me for some money if they spot something interesting on the air deflector.
There was something I noticed about those 2 Ms on the lot at Falore. Their seat height limits differed. On one I could get seat up just high enough for my use, and on the other had a noticeably greater range of seat height adjustment. Both cars were PHG-equipped. I've also noticed that the drivers seat in some M's has firmer cushioning in it. Anybody notice these inconsistencies in the driver's seat on the M?
Late Sunday afternoon, I managed to sneak myself over the far end of the lot at Falore Chrysler in Sunnyvale and took a closer look at the air dam. I didn't try to look up from underneath, but I felt around one of the attachment points in the corner and thought I felt something like an opening for a Philips screwdriver head.
Since you don't have a problem anymore, this is a general question to the group. For those of you who have had the air deflector removed in some way, shape, or form, has anybody ever scraped their M's nose on any kind of driveway since? There has been a driveway or two in San Francisco where the tow ring underneath my Legend has scraped the sidewalk. I'm afraid of what those driveways might do to an M, if I get one.
The dam is held on by all plastic reusable push type rivets and two metal pop rivets. I was able to salvage all of the plastic rivets and use them to reinstall the air dam. The ears on the air damn that were held on by the metal rivets were torn but I reattached them with new pop rivets and large area washers.
If it gets ripped off again I will leave it off, as it rubs on alot of steep parking lot to street entrances. My air dam is scuffed up but unless you crawl under the car it just isnt noticeable.
I've scraped my air dam lots of times (PHG), but can avoid it going in and out of my driveway if I go SLOWLY and at a slight angle. The bottom edge of the air dam is worn (if you get down on your knees to inspect it), but otherwise there is no damage done. The fascia is flexible (when I installed my front license plate below the chrome grill, I made sure not to secure the bottom of the plate to the lower fascia, to allow the fascia to continue to flex). By all means, kleung62, don't let this little quibble deter you from buying this great car!
Silver
I am a new 300M owner (2001, Blue Sapphire, luxury group, non-PHG) and new to the edmunds board.
Does anyone know specifically how much hp the transmission can take before it goes?
I am considering adding some hp to my M by way of air intake and exhaust mods. I know that these will not "kill" my tranny, but how much hp is too much for the stock transmission?
Thanks in advance
Don't fret. Have fun. http://www.ritchiefamily.com/300m.htm
http://www.curbramps.com/
The best part is they are made from old recycled tires so you are doing your part in helping keep a clean enviroment.
They look to be about the same size and I really like the logo on the center cap of the special. I have a 2001 with 17" chromes and it appears that the Center rim cap may just pop off and if you can get the Special caps with the logo's at a reasonable cost it may be a nice mod.
http://public.fotki.com/Scotian/300m/interior/clock_face/installations/dcp_0618.html
Anything new on hotel reservations and club sign-up yet? Russ?
I have a Rendezvous sign "under construction" and should have something in hard copy pretty soon. I will forward photos as soon as I get something. I cannot send electronically as my system has a block on attachments.
300Michael--Come on man, bring the relatives to Detroit and Canada too. Ya got to have at least one guy relative coming who can groove on the Dream Cruise, and a plant visit? Sacrifices must be made....My wife will be going this year, which will be a sacrifice on both our parts....Bring the family, eh.?
Someone with a 99M posted a few days ago that the dealer replaced their rims because of similar issue with chrome - can you provide the details on this "struggle" with DC, and maybe the name of the dealer you used - it will help me when I talk to my 5* guys. Thanks in advance.
on 300mclub message board, there is a discussion about amplifier/speaker distortion. It seems like the older amps (99 & 00) work better than the new ones (01 & 02). I have the older one (AB version), and the distortion from the bass is still unbearable to me. The 5* replaced front speaker, installed foam insulation (which helped a little), but I still have the annoying popping, vibration from the speakers. Is everyone else happy with their amps/spereo performance (stock ones, upgraded infinity amps)? It looks like a nice stereo, but my 75 watt battery powered portable boombox sounds much better.
I lay a towel under the base of the infant seat to reduce sliding and minimize "pressure damage" on the leather seats.
I have EvenFlow toddler seat and Century 4-in-1 travel system (infant seat) that work ok.
I tried many a few different products with no luck, I then tried my old standby "Simple Green". This stuff is amazing and enviro friendly too. Spray it on, use a sponge or soft scrub brush, then hose off. My wheels looked like brand new. Before tackling DC why not give it a try. Simple Green has many different products, I used the regular household cleaner, but they do make automotive products and even a special rim cleaner.
http://www.simplegreen.com
pn# 4782290AA $25.45 ea. list
oem-car-parts.com sells for $22.14 ea.
was told they will fit on 99-02 stock wheels.
because inquiring minds wanted to know...
:-)
tnsc300m
I have also found that the infant car seats lean too far forward (towards the back) in the rear seats because of the slant of the seating surface. This can cause the unit to pivot at the belt point and move around a bit. The solution to the problem is to support the front of the car seat base with a couple of towels to level it out. The baby position is better and the seat doesn't move around.
Hope this helps.
ottowrkr - If they do fit how many do you think you will be able to fit into your lunchbox!
By the way, I heard glennbp's audio system yesterday and all I can say is WOW! We had it turned up to the point that we couldn't even yell back and forth to each other from the driver and passenger seats and the music was crystal clear.
One question: does the infinity amp has a separate output for a sub? I read that many people simply connect it to the rear speakers output, which has its benefits, such as being able to adjust the bass (to a certain degree) from the equalizer controls.
BTW, does glennbp have an AB or AC or aftermarket amp?
I hope DC will listen to me when I show it to them. :-(
my son's infant seat comes with a built-in level indicator on a side - really helps to align it horizontally - the ball needs to stay in the "green" zone. I usually attach the base, adding rolled up towels as needed, making sure the seat is aligned and secure. at this point i leave the base alone, carrying the baby in the detatchable carrier/car seat portion.
so far, the pressure damage to the seats has been minimal due to use of towels.
I agree with the towels. They do a good job of not only protecting the seats, but properly placed they also level the seat base and make the unit more solid and safe.