Chrysler 300M

sdmike2

that's a whole lot of wheel

glennbp

If you put 20" wheels on with, say, 255/45x20 tires, would the wheel well be filled up enough with tire/wheel that lowering for appearance sake would not be needed? Sort of like if a tree falls in the forest and there's no one there to hear it, does it make any sound?

dubbed

I have actually seen a 300m here in arizona wth 20" rims on it that wasnt lowered that looked great. the tires were the wrong up-size though. so that means the speedo would be off. they looked good and the tires filled the wheel wells very well. "they" had 245/45/20 on it looked damn good

jab02lhs

DUBBED
Sweet looking ride!! I'll bet some of us old guys would find in a little harder to get in and out of.

300MICHEAL/TOMS99
Evidently the gages can be switched, there are two guys on Concorde board, one has done it and the other has the gages and is going to do it.

easyrider300m

but there is still room for improvement---Chrysler is doing better than Nissan, Volkswagen and Ford---but behind Toyota, GM, and Honda...

http://biz.yahoo.com/bizwk/020602/nf200205308832_1.html

300michael

It is a little harder, but well worth the extra effort.

300michael

Has a flat bottom, while the Intrepid/Concorde has an concave bottom. The bottom part of the dials would be covered by the trim. Yes, they can fit but the trim would need some attention to make it look right.
The Intrepid cluster would give the same appearance as the 300M, and fit better.

bigmike5

Lynn--feel for ya man, hope it works out in CA. We loved the Bay area when I was stationed at Fort Ord and then the Presidio, but couldn't afford to live there on retirement from Active Duty. The real estate and gas prices are murder.

Road noise--on the 99, it had more noise than the new ones, but a lot of that was from the Badyears, which are now gone on most. Noise is like...opinions...everyone sees things differently, based upon what they encountered previously in their life. My 99M is about the same as my 93 Regal GS and my 96 Aurora, but not as quiet as the wife's 00 Eldo. And I am sure that a Lexus is quieter too, but geez...the Eldo and Lexus models are 10-15 grand more than the M cost me. If the noise bothers you, then buy one anyway and go with some duals and a Magnaflow. Oh, and I am 60, and my wife says I never hear what she is saying to me, so maybe we don't hear so good.

Got approached again at a gas station on Sunday as I was filling up. Some guy came up and said [this is the 2nd time this has happened, no kidding] "that is the best looking car I have seen in a long time." Loved the platinum color and the mods especially the striping that changed color as he approached. Said he had always been a Chrysler man. We talked for a while as he walked around and looked at the mods. The "SS" [from a 02 Monte Carlo] kinda stopped him in his tracks til I explained that I have just always liked the "supersport" badge and decided to paint one silver and add it under the fender emblem.

Just passed all 4s on the odometer. Still waiting for the ART rotors and brakes to show up. SDMike--got the pics back--thanks.

Otto--Was the graphite Special a proto type or do you think we will see that color in 03?

300mmm

A post on the 300m site made me wonder about what DC does differently to enable daytime running lights in Canada? Aren't they required there? The post on the 300m site indicated that it just required a fuse block plug-in. Is this true? Also, it sounds as if the high-beams alone serve as the DRL's. That wouldn't seem like such a good idea, is that how it's done?

glennbp

Basically yes - the M is already set up for DRL's. The module that plugs into the fuse block completes the circuit. The high beams are used as the DRL's, BUT at a lower intensity. When the regular headlights are on the DRL circuit cuts off. Also, when the wipers are on, I believe the regular headlight circuit takes over.

fuzzywuzzy

I was in NYC for a week. Drove the Acura there. I was in Staten Island. I saw a total of 24 300M's! 1 was a special. They were all over the place. I saw 10 more in the northeast area. The 300M must be a northeast seller. I never saw that many anywhere else. I'd hate to have a car every has. I only saw 1 other CL-S though.

300michael

right on both accounts.

300michael

I hope they got the right knee (pun intended) and that you are recovering nicely. Take it easy, and get better soon, so you can start driving again. Best Wishes.

cmyers300m

I live in Dayton/Cincinnati Ohio area, 300M's are a dime a dozen around here. It's great to see so many people into the M, but on the other hand I'm with you on having 'one of few'. So far I've only seen one other M with mods on it like mine, so mine is still a little different right?

cmyers300m

Hey guys, can any of you that live in CA. give me an idea on what plates cost for a car, say a new Mazda MP3(price of 17,000). I have a friend that may be moving to Ontario, CA. next month and told him California has the advelorum tax on autos and it could be steep. When I lived in Georgia I had to pay $450 a year for my Maxima and regular plates. Here in Ohio, personlized plates for my 300M only cost me $75. What a difference!

fastdriver

denverm-

It is cool looking for sure! Actually, I still can't believe that they're not going to build that 300 convertible. I guess the focus groups they use and the real world just don't jibe. The above car- the original one- and that 300 convertible seem like winners to me if they don't skimp on quality parts.

fastdriver

blonda

I haven't checked the club site for a few days. I'll go in a post the link for the guy re: the tips.

blonda

Are you referring to registration? Currently (for the past 2-3 years)we have a "rebate" that is credited back to us when we get our renewal invoice. My M (a 99), with the rebate, was just over $200/year if I recall correctly -- without the rebate it would be well over $400. . However, they are taking about raising the rates again to compensate for CA budget deficits beginning next year. I heard it still won't be as high as they used to be before they started giving the rebates, but higher than they were this year. Hope this helps. The rates depend value of the car and weight, so I would assume the mazda (if new) would be slightly less if not the same as my 3 year old M, if it's a few years old it would be less.

As for the custom plates, it varys by type of plate. CA has about 8 different ones to chose from ranging from the cheapest at $40 to buy and $25 for renewal, to $90 to buy and $55 for renewal -- which is tacked on to the annual registration fee mentioned above. If you don't have custome plates, there is no additional annual fee.

denverm

There are quite a few in Denver and five or six in the parking garage at my work. One time I pulled up at a stop light and there were M's in the lanes on either side of me. I actually like seeing them on the road. When I see one ahead of me I want to catch up to get a good look, see the car as others on the road see mine, check for mods, etc. Each time I'm again impressed with what a great looking car this is, in any color, so I've never in the least felt badly over any loss of "exclusivity."

We would never have been able to buy this much car for this price if it was a limited production vehicle, and it certainly isn't to the point of being ubiquitous, like the Honda Accord. Bottom line, I hope DC sells a bunch more of them, which will keep them making and improving the 300. I'll trade exclusivity any day for the opportunity down the road to buy a 300N that takes this car to an even higher level.

cmyers300m

Well said! The M does have a great 'timeless' design to it. It's definitely not boring like the Accord and the like. We can only hope that DC does in fact build the 300N, with a promise of 350+ HP. Although, price would indeed be a factor.

drpixel

Wanted to say hello, and thanks for all good wishes regard the 'right' knee surgery, which was done on my LEFT knee...(i300Mike)!.
Surgery went well (I geuss...). Saw the MD afterwards and he told me was significant bone damage (sorry for bad typing--almost time for med's...) and removed some more cartilage. I go to see theDoc and ask quesitions. Perrcocet helps considerably but still hurts like heck.. Could not read all 161 postings, but will check when more alert.....
Regards,
Glenn/Doc/drpixel
(3 of 6 have responded...)

cmyers300m

Would that rebate only be for current CA residents?? How about new?

blonda

I'm not sure about new residents -- I imaging it wouldn't be much different.

cmyers300m

Thanks for the info!!!!!!

Chris

blonda

Saw your post on the club site re: the billet grill M too. I keep forgetting to bring my camera. I need to just keep it in the car. I have been seeing him parked there almost daily.

I won't be getting my link posted for the pics again until tomorrow. Just found out I have to drive to LA and back today to the consulate to drop off my bosses passport (and back again on Friday to pick it up). Let's see -- last time I drove to LAX and back with the M it only took 3 hours total (zoom....zoom)and I got 26mpg.

topdavis

I finally got around to putting in the K&N Intake for the 300M. I don't know why I waited, but the difference is for the better. I never realized how restricted the stock setup was.

With the dual setup and the new intake, the car seems to accelerate much more effortlessly. I'm glad I upgraded. I have to thank 300michael for talking me into it.

intrepidspirit

For comparison purposes, my 2000 300M is due in August and the gross assessment is $503 -- net is $193 after VLF offset.

My daugher's 2001 Hyundai Elantra is due in August as well -- gross $251, net $140.

The vehicle you described should be in between the two.

Hope that helps!

cmyers300m

Thanks for the info.....it's all welcome and it all helps!!!

ottowrkr

Hey Mike , yes Graphite will be a color used by LH cars in 03 .

pat

The Town Hall is about to take on a new look in an effort to make content more easily searchable and accessible.

Have you seen the Letter from the Town Hall Manager on the Town Hall Welcome page? If not, you might want to follow that link to have a look.

And hang on to your seats. Change is never easy - for any of us - but resolving the Search problems we've had will be worth the pain.

Pat
Sedans Host

uxca300m

1) Why is it that if I don't wash my car for a week I never see a bird or even hear a bird, but the hour after I wash the M and add a coat of Zaino I get a couple of white wash bombs on it. I gotta believe that when they fly over the car the see themselves in the shine and thinking it's a hawk about to attack them they have an nervous bowel movement.
2) After washing and doing the Zaino stuff why does it always rain the next day?
3) Why does the gas price always go up just when my gauge is on empty.
4) Why does my wife think I'm crazy if I still wander out side at all hours of the day just to stare at my M after owning it for six months ?
5) Why do my neighbours laugh at me when I go over the car with the California Duster all the time and wonder why I polish it once a week.

Guess the've never owned an M

glennbp

Here's one more:

Why is it after washing and Zainoing your M, you will find yourself driving on the only freshly tarred road within 50 miles of your home?

I've experienced all of the above and then some. All I can say is Murphy is alive and well and reeking havoc whenever and whereever he can!

beach15

How's the Pinnacle Paste Glaze wax holding up? Still an unbelievable shimmer? I was just about to order some Souveran myself, but instead decided to go with Platinum, a polymer that offers a look as close as a synthetic can get to a carnuba.

Still going to keep using the "Z"?

muskateer3

Recently took my 00 M into the dealer to address the remote range (TSB 08-19-00). They installed the new antenna, the range is now excellent for both opening the garage door, and lock / unlock with the keychain remote.

They also replaced the headlight switch which addressed the blinking instrument lights problem I was having with the headlights in either the auto or on positions. Dealer knew what it was right away, seems headlight switch creates an intermittent "open circuit" which the BCM interpets as "headlights off". This causes the panel lights to go full bright.

Ceramic brake pads have really seated well and the brakes are perfoming perfectly, great bite and smooth as silk. I have been looking closely at the rotors, and I am finding no signs of overheating or pad transfer.

Just need to track down the small rattle/buzz in the driver door when I hit a bass note, and I will have this thing perfect!

dem0s

I find that mine seems to go away if I press on the speaker grill/cover.

muskateer3

How long before it comes back?

I thought I pressed on every part of the door, but I'll try once more on the way home tonight.

Thanks,

glennbp

I'm still very impressed with the Paste Glaz. The only thing I have used over it is Pinnacle's Crystal Mist which brings back the shimmer immediately. If I were you, especially with black, I would fork over the $70.00 and get the Souveran. From all the info I could gather, it is the finest product on the planet for dark colors.

fastdriver

uxca300m-

LOL..... Another weekend away and another 120+ messages with the "good" ones being deleted AGAIN like last weekend. I'm staying home this weekend to see what happens! ;-)) I miss all the "good" stuff- trolls and everything.

What you say is true. More times than not, it rains soon after I wash my car. As for my neighbors, they know my cars usually always look good, even if I don't like them. ;-))

fastdriver

beach15

Yeah, the Pinnacle is the best stuff as far as the "look" goes, and I may still get some. Believe me, I've seen the pics of black cars with Souveran, and they were beyond words!

Still want to try the Platinum polymer first though, as the car sits outside 24/7 and I'd like a little more durability. Maybe in a month or so?!

easyrider300m

where did you get your ceramic pads--did dealer install them---do you find them better that the factory pads--are they overly sensitive

Hey Beach: be sure to shine up all that plastic too....

drpixel

Going to the doctor today to have stitches removed. THAT should be fun, ay?
ATTENTION Jim Cos*** of MD..#281 Please contact me-if possible-@ home email:
GBeye@att.net
I have no email listing for you. Need to 'speak' with you. Thanks...
Whats this?.....a competitor to the beloved Zaino?.....*GASP*!

Type to you later
Doc

muskateer3

Installed them myself. Raybestos Quiet-Stop. I find their sensitivity to be just perfect, but then again I always thought the stock pads weren't sensitive enough.

beach15

You can get just about all the Pinnacle products much cheaper at http://www.xvworld.com

I check it out before, and they only want $49 for Souveran that's $70 elsewhere.

dem0s

It only goes away for a short while, seems that that speaker cover was not mounted very well.

binu

Have any of you had brake pads/rotor wear and tear issues ?
At 57,000 miles on my Concorde I have changed my rotors twice and brake pads thrice. The dealer says that it is normal maintenance.
BTW, I do not have a lead foot.

bigmike5

BINU--We have some close friends who have an older Concord, and he told me that the single biggest problem he had with the car was the rotors. He said he had them done- turned or changed-- four times in the couple of years they had had the car. Most of it was all under warranty. That was the only thing that made me hesitate to buy the 99M in 1998. So far tho, I am at 44K miles and no problems with pad wear. I am soon changing out the pads, and the rotors [for higher performance, cryogenically treated and slotted rotors from Advanced Rotor Technology]. I plan on having the old ones "turned" and to keep them on hand just in case the new ones don't perform as promised. I am still waiting for them to arrive. I do not have a lead foot either, but I wanted a little better stopping action, and these will be plated in a gold finish which will go with a lot of my trim and mods. The "This is normal maintenance." statement from the dealer is a bunch of bull. No way you should be going through pads and rotors like that. Just make sure they don't torque the lug nuts too much as some of the guys feel that warps the rotors prematurely.

Otto-- Graphite is gonna make for a hard decision next year. Maybe if the wife and I see one in graphite at the plant I can make up her mind about what's good for me to be driving!!

silverbullet4

Hey. Glad you made that long drive safely. If you are interested in high school sports at all, feel free to email me and I will keep you posted. Highland Park won Region II 4A baseball over Wylie and are headed for the State rounds in Austin. The Frisco girls softball won State.

Silver

wreed6211@aol.com

silverbullet4

Just got back after a four day stay at the historic and opulent (don't think I ever used that work before) Willard Hotel in Washington. The weather was very nice and my wife and I did a lot of walking tours. I saw a few M's, but what stopped me in my tracks was a very clean and shiny black LHS with the door letters shaved, a couple of discrete antennas, and blue and red flashers built into the front of the passenger sun visor so they can be visible when the visor is dropped. I found out that former president Ford was also in the hotel, so I guess the guys in the lobby with the earplugs were security.
DC is a very nice place to visit if the weather is cooperating. I highly recommend it. The Metro underground is great for getting around, except for Georgetown...they opted out of the system and don't have a station.

Silver

99_300m_ric_va

Still on the originals at 46K. Keep your lug nuts at 100 ft/lbs when you rotate your tires every 6K and you can mostly eliminate rotor warpage. Looks like I still have half the pads maye a little less. When I had the Pilot Sport A/S installed at 42K, I had the free brake inspection done. The technician agreed with me that I've got LOTS of miles left on my brakes and the rotors looked in good shape too.

easyrider300m

do you do mostly highway miles-or do you always use the auto stik to slow down---you sure are getting good pad life---I have 34k on mine and think I have at least 10 k left---