Chrysler 300M

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Comments

  • 300michael300michael Member Posts: 1,815
    True, but the real differance was under the hood, if you know what I mean.
  • easyrider300measyrider300m Member Posts: 1,116
    so let us know all the inside info---changes for the M etc
  • kosh_2258kosh_2258 Member Posts: 338
    LOL! Yeah, that is a significant "detail" which should be covered by the Hemi.

    Fearless prediction:
    There will be 3 flavors of the 300.
    1. Non-letter using the current 3.5 w/V8 optional.
    2. N with the 4.7 V8 and 5 speed auto. & upgrades.
    3. Special with Hemi, 6 speed manual or 5 speed auto, and perf goodies.
  • bigmike5bigmike5 Member Posts: 960
    On the issue of brakes and rotors. I recommend that you just have the rotors turned and have the pads checked for wear. The dealer kept telling me that the rotors were fine but once I had them turned, the shimmying during higher speed stopping disappeared. There is a book recommended torque for the wheel nuts too. I think about 100 is the recommended torque. If they go too high on the torque wrench after rotating, balancing, or such, some contend that it can warp the rotors. I don't know, but I usually will loosen and then hand tighten the nuts after getting the car back, just to be sure the lug nuts are not too tight. Its always a good idea to check the tightness of the lug nuts when you get it back from such a service because the lug nuts on the 99M at least, have the shortest throw to come off after the initial breaking of the tightness that I have ever seen. Just a couple of twirls and they are off. Once the hold is broken, it is usually possible to turn them with your fingers rather than a wrench. I always fear that the tech will be distracted and not tighten them up all the way, and they will come off in short order after I leave the dealership. Maybe I am a little paranoid on that point, but I always check them.

    Ottowrkr--Please let me know when you get some reasonably firm attendance numbers. A "SWAG" would also be ok. I am hoping that we can all get together for a meal like last year, but haven't heard what RussKlass has planned out on that yet.

    2002M--Drive a little, save a lot. Advertised in L-ville, KY this past weekend in the Sunday paper. New, 2002 M, loaded. $27K.
  • rstilprstilp Member Posts: 105
    Got mine on Sunday. It really looks great and sounds the same. A little loud inside but, I'll adjust. We did 2 Ms over the weekend. Tips are just like the Special. Spent last night in my garage with my car and a bag of Cheetos. LOL
    Rick/Geezer300M
  • reybeastreybeast Member Posts: 35
    Somebody has to have noticed that their headlight lenses are starting to look cloudy? They look like they are getting alot of micro cracks. Somebody help on this, I would think someone has seen this.

    Rey
    99 300M non phg 64K miles
  • 300michael300michael Member Posts: 1,815
    My 99 headlamps (except or one rock nick about half the size of a pin head) are as good as the day I bought the car. Garaged at night and in the parking lot a day, so it gets plenty of AZ sun with no problems.
  • bigmike5bigmike5 Member Posts: 960
    reybeast--No luck here. I have a 99 but have not seen this problem. I have Stongard light protectors on the lights so that might account for no cracks.
  • beach15beach15 Member Posts: 1,305
    Wow, wow, I never expected this! Imagine that, a person who gets their car bought back by Chrysler (a though thing in and of itself), misses it so much they want another one! What about the Durango? Has it had any problems? Will you be getting rid of it for the 300M?

    Oh yeah, what colors are the Special? A lot of questions, but I think this might just be the first time I've ever heard a story like this!
  • 300michael300michael Member Posts: 1,815
    I like the idea of the hemi, but with an auto stick selector. Plus I am a left foot brake/ right foot gas, driver. If I had three hands, and feet I would probably go for the 6 sp manual. I hope it is all wheel drive too. :)
    If it is not much impoved, I may stay with my current M.
  • 300michael300michael Member Posts: 1,815
    These are great cars, almost addictive properties. It doesn't surprize me in the least. I loved my 70 Challenger (great get up and go) but I enjoy driving my M on trips far more. It can be tossed around and is very comfortable (the longer the trip the better) then any of my past vehicles or any that I have ridden in.
  • beach15beach15 Member Posts: 1,305
    You don't have to tell me that! Sometimes just looking at another 300M going past or parked near us is enough to make me want one again. And, when we're out driving, there's two vehicles that we always point out to each other, 300M's and Avalanche's! Well, that is except for my mother who could care less about the M's and just looks at the Av's. But, then again, that moment I think about a 300M, I'm immediately filled with memories of ours. Deafening noise, rattles galore, uncomfortable seating (somehow, I never could get comfortable sitting in the front or rear of that car), and the vibrating front end.

    I think what it is, is that beautifully dinstinctive styling inside and out. But, I keep telling myself and others "there's more to a car than looks".

    I do have good memories of the wonderful engine growl when we'd go flying past an old fogie, hurling it around corners (the Av really isn't that bad here either!), and just looking at the beauty. Though, like fastdriver, the experience was so bad at times, I'm almost certain it will keep us away from buying a Chrysler ever again.
  • glennbpglennbp Member Posts: 327
    Beach - You know the odds of getting another "bad" M are extremely low considering the first one gave you so much trouble. If you really like the M, I would get another ASAP! The odds are greatly in your favor. Now if you have a personal vendetta against Chrysler, that's OK too and I understand. I'm just doin' the math and it seems that the odds of getting 2 "bad" M's in a row are almost nil.
  • djwavedjwave Member Posts: 3
    Just sent for ASE chip and installed the K & N aircharger. Looking to run this Sat or next at keystone Raceway, New Alexandria, PA about 40 min East of Pgh, PA.

    If you want to meet and run let me know.
  • kosh_2258kosh_2258 Member Posts: 338
    300michael:
    Since they will be using MB automatics damned if I know what they'll call it, but I was assuming "autostick" would continue.

    For me a manual is the frosting on the cake however. I love getting my left foot into the action. I don't do the left foot braking thing because up here it would get a person in big trouble in winter.

    reybeast: I've seen the yellowing on many different makes of cars in my neck of the woods. In damn near every case the headlights look sandblasted as does the rest of the front of the vehicle. I've never had it happen to any of mine.
  • denvermdenverm Member Posts: 358
    We may disagree as to the odds of beach15 getting another "bad" 300M, but whatever those odds are, they are TOO HIGH! Please, don't encourage him! It would be much better for everyone if all the "beaching" about 300M's could just slip into the distant past.
  • glennbpglennbp Member Posts: 327
    I hear ya... Shhhh... We'll just let it sleep!
  • toms99toms99 Member Posts: 252
    300mlover - checked out your white beauty on your web site. Looked Great! Remind me again why you got rid of it. Also, on the engine photo, what is the extra wire going to the driver's side front spark-plug coil?

    reybeast - haven't had any cloudiness or yellowing on my 99, but do have quite a few scratches....I have heard that toothpaste can be used to remove minor scratches in clear acrylic....seems to have just the right amount of abrasive...Haven't tried it myself...will probably wait until I'm ready to replace the lenses...then I might as well try anything...nothing to lose by then!
  • sosborne_300msosborne_300m Member Posts: 7
    Sorry to say - but Please let all the "beaching" about the 300M's die down - I am sure that this will generate a few comments - but please - if someone would rather drive a plastic Tonka toy - then by all means - do that - leave the M's us. Nothing against beach15 - but as I remember - it was his mothers car, and not his that he was always busting on - that was enough for me to beg for an IGNORE button when I came across his posts. Oh well, that was my $0.02 worth, and nothing more than that.. - Let the flaming begin.....
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    NO, no flaming. None.

    Really, folks, just SKIP the messages that you don't want to read.

    Obviously, we are all entitled to our own opinions and opinions are not "wrong" they just exist -- it is silly to argue over them. If we all preferred the SAME things in the world, the world would be dull place indeed.

    On the other hand - as I have posted fairly recently - there is no reason for people who have had bad experiences with this vehicle to keep posting and reposting about those difficulties, especially when no one is asking any questions.

    So let me use this message to say this:

    There is NO point in arguing about any of this. You folks who had a bad experience with this vehicle are welcome to participate in this conversation if you will stop the unnecessary and unasked for bashing.

    You folks who love your vehicles also need to understand that not every vehicle is perfect and some people have run into "imperfect" vehicles and are not happy. You are welcome to relate your comparable experiences that do not have the negative outcome, but do not attack the unhappy messenger.

    Everyone must keep in mind that your Membership Agreement requires civil and respectful discourse. Obviously, "flame wars" do not live up the requirement.

    Let me know via email if you have any questions.

    Let's get back to talking about the car and move away from talking about each other.

    Pat
    Sedans Host
  • 99_300m_ric_va99_300m_ric_va Member Posts: 377
    Here's what I got from Russ a couple of weeks ago via email. To date, I've seen nothing else.

    Preliminary schedule:
    Fri nite: Pizza & beer ger together @ Hampton Inn.
    Saturday: Dream Cruise! Group dinner @ Bennihana
    Sun: Museums? Ford home? Caravan to Bramptom for group dinner.
    Mon: 10:ooAM plant tour.
    Russ Klass
    Orchard Park, NY
  • rogor2krogor2k Member Posts: 385
    Please help me out. I'm trying to find out who is going to Brampton Ontario for the plant tour on August 19th. We requested an area to display some of our 300M Enthusiasts Club members modified 300Ms for the factory folks. They're going to accommodate us with a display area inside the plant, but we need to have an approximate number of vehicles for them very soon.

    If you're going to Brampton, and would like to have your modified 300M in a special showing for the guys that built them, please let me know ASAP. Email me rogor@gte.net and confirm.
  • easyrider300measyrider300m Member Posts: 1,116
    I will be willing to bet your cloudy lens is due to improper cleaning of the lens----too much alcohol applied to plastic will tend to cloud it. And if you dont thorough apply soap and water and gently wipe it at first to remove the surface dirt , you will tend to grind the dirt into the plastic lens. Plastic scratches easily and those fine scratches will eventually dull and obscure the clarity.

    So be careful when cleaning those lenses. I use the high pressure hose with soap and water at the car wash to remove most of the surface dirt. Then a use a sponge lightly applied to remove the remaining dirt. And then rinse with lots of water. And then pat dry (dont rub too hard) with a cotton towel. Dont notice any scratches or cloudiness at 2 1/2 yrs of ownership.

    EZ
  • easyrider300measyrider300m Member Posts: 1,116
    to delete my post--I dont think it was too flaming--I just had a point to make about M owner satsifaction based on an owner poll I ran. I dont think you want posters to abandon this board altogether in favor of some other less restrictive board.
    Just my 2 cents. (I am entitled to post an opinion arent I)
  • ottowrkrottowrkr Member Posts: 778
    easyrider300m-Changes, well I listed them a while back but here are some of the big ones. No more chrome exhaust tips. The chrome rims are the same used on the 02 Concorde LTD( the Concorde & 300M now share this rim) .Digital radio. 6 disc cd changer replaces the 4 disc unit. there are more but they are things like wire connections changed etc. Things you will never notice.

    bigmike5 - I know 3 of us for sure . still waiting to get answers from a couple more.

    Kosh-we will not be using the 4.7 .Only the 2.7,3.5 and the 5.7 hemi
  • sdmike2sdmike2 Member Posts: 2,909
    I want BigRed to be at the factory all Zaino'd up! On second thought, they might gang up on me for putting a hitch on her. ;)
  • videoman1videoman1 Member Posts: 201
    Mike,

    That 300M Limo is back up for sale on Ebay. Maybe we can all pitch in and bring you and Big Red to Brampton. We'll just stick Big Red on the Limo's roof.

    -vman
  • sdmike2sdmike2 Member Posts: 2,909
    My guess - The base 300N will have a cloth interior, a 2.7 liter engine, and a price tag in the low to mid 20's. Options will include the 3.5 liter HO engine, leather, and other things that we now have standard. These will push the price up to the high 20s to low 30s. The 300N "Special" or 300N "Hemi" will include bigger and better wheels and tires, a tuned suspension, and a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 producing about 350 HP and over 330 ft-lbs of torque. The price tag will be in the mid 30s (35k-36k). All will be based on a MB RWD chasis with MB's version of the autostick.

    Just my guesses. :)
  • sdmike2sdmike2 Member Posts: 2,909
    You guys just don't know how bad I want to be there. If I was single I'd take 2 weeks off and go cross country with Big Red. That would be awesome. :) Then again, if I was single I'd have enough money for a ferrari. lol
  • sdmike2sdmike2 Member Posts: 2,909
    The driver side light on my wife's grand caravan is doing that and I have no idea why. It's like a billion little micro-scratches, not discoloration. The result is a rough, whitish texture that is probably more annoying than anything else.
  • denvermdenverm Member Posts: 358
    Zaino makes a plastic polish < http://zainobros.com > , which I tried on my wife's Caravan lenses. It seemed to help somewhat. E-mail me your address, and I'll mail you some of it for you to try (I'll never use up the whole bottle). sdmike, you too. brent@btjdesign.com
  • 300michael300michael Member Posts: 1,815
    I too would have loved to drive my M to the meet/tour. I sure wish they (sorry otto) built them in Denver or somewhere in the real mid west, so that I could take a quick trip there. Sd, maybe we could charter a jet. or a military transport (after all we pay taxes, so the stuff is really ours) to fly our cars there and back so we wouldn't be missed by our familys. LOL
  • wire2wire2 Member Posts: 188
    BlueBaron here,
    When is the Brampton meet? I didn't miss it did I? I wouldn't mind seeing everyones rides.
  • 99_300m_ric_va99_300m_ric_va Member Posts: 377
    Can't you guys fly in and rent a 300M at least? Sdmike, you could bring the kids and caravan there ala National Lampoon's Vacation. :D

    We're all looking forward to meeting both of you, but if you're not going to be there....:(
  • 99_300m_ric_va99_300m_ric_va Member Posts: 377
    BlueBaron,

    The meeting at the plant is Monday August 19th.
  • bigmike5bigmike5 Member Posts: 960
    So Mike, you are not going to be able to make it to the Cruise? You have been such a stalwart on this board that it seems like a crime that you can't be there. Sorry to hear that.
  • srushingsrushing Member Posts: 38
    hi folks. I'm considering replacing my '01 Xterra with a '99 300M, but I continue to see the various posts from people who've all had lots of mostly minor problems that were fixed under warranty. My problem is that anything I buy from '99 won't likely be under warranty so I'll have to be prepared to fix them myself.

    Was the 2K model better in terms of these minor repairs? I'm seeing 99's for in the $15K-%17K range which is about my upper limit so the '00 models would likely also cost more than I want to spend now. Or my other option is to switch to something like a slightly older Mazda Millenia, Lexus ES 300 or a Old's Aurora.

    ANy comments?
    Thanks
    Scott
  • jj300mjj300m Member Posts: 24
    If the wheels are just like the Concorde LTD wheels, then they will be an aluminum wheel with a chrome-plated steel "cover". I spoke to the owner of the company that plated the 300M wheels through the 2002 model year and he warned this was coming. I guess it is cheaper this way and there have been a ton of warranty claims for damage to the extremely thin chrome coating on the aluminum (use of acids, conventional chrome polish, abrasive brushes causes quick damage). Maybe there will be a new market for the "original" chrome wheels now!
  • videoman1videoman1 Member Posts: 201
    Hi Scott,

    I purchased a '99 300M last December and have only had one minor thing wrong with it so far. The gear shift cables had to be replaced. It wasn't under warranty but it wasn't too expensive anyway. I did purchase an extended warranty just in case anything major goes wrong.

    The way I figure it, if you purchase a car thats a few years old and has an average amount of miles, most of the minor problems were probably already fixed by the previous owner. I'm sure there's a way to see what warranty repairs were done by giving the VIN number to the service manager, but I haven't done that yet.

    One thing you must realize, though. If the car has close to 50,000 miles on it, you'll most likely have to change the brakes and maybe tires so I would pay close attention to those two things when looking around.

    Good luck and let us know what you've decided to do.

    -vman
  • beach15beach15 Member Posts: 1,305
    So I guess that means no more "silver painted" wheel as standard, just the chrome, right? I've been looking at pictures of Concorde LTD's with the new wheels and always thought that they'd look good on an M, I can't wait to see one.
  • splattsplatt Member Posts: 328
    Sure, there have been some issues with the 99s that haven't been as prevalant as the later ones, but... there haven't been big problems. Some of the more common like window motors and the input/output sensors are pretty inexpensive. You can also pick up an extended warranty if you are concerned.

    Overall, there have been few major problems on any of the years. Its been a reliable car. I agree with video though - if you are looking at a used car, then check the brakes and the tires - they are the easiest to check and quite likely the first thing to need replacement ;)
  • 300michael300michael Member Posts: 1,815
    Take the car in question to a independant shop and have them go over it. It may cost a little but any thing they find, you can use to leverage the selling price. Things like the window motors should have played out by now. Most went bad within a year. Speed sensors 99-00 are an easy fix. I would drive the 99 and then a later model to see if you can live with the noise differance (not much, but may be enough to turn you off. when test driving the two drive the same roads (pick some that need resurfacing) so that you will see the car in its worst light. If you like it (as I do) then it only gets better.
  • 300michael300michael Member Posts: 1,815
    Can I reserve a space at the plant for photos? Or they can park a new M in place and tape photos of my spoiler, hood scoop, side marker lights, ect on the new car. Have them park the car in a 2" hole so they can see the lowering springs. LOL
  • uxca300muxca300m Member Posts: 155
    I'll have your brother there. My Inferno Red 2001 Beast. No duals but with the bra and spoiler and about 10 coats of Zaino. Hope it doesn't rain cause I expect to spend about two days detailing it before the tour. Of course I have a long trip to get there. About 40 miles to the hotel and and another 5 minutes from there to the plant. I think check in time is 3:00 pm so you guys coming from Detroit pace your selves accordingly. I think it's about a four hour drive.
  • sdmike2sdmike2 Member Posts: 2,909
    That makes me feel a little bit better. Do me a favor and print a small picture of Big Red and tape it to your dash. lol
  • blondablonda Member Posts: 542
    The lenses on my 99 aren't cloudy, but if you look at them close you can see a zillion pin sized rock chips in them. Still shiney otherwise. It shows the most when the headlights are on at night.

    I tried the Zaino plastic stuff once -- didn't notice much difference, but probably needs a couple more coats. I always put Z2 or Z5 directly on them when I do the entire car also.
  • blondablonda Member Posts: 542
    As some of you may remember, the dealer had their body shop replace the driver's side window bezel for me (poor fit & finish) and obviously removed the door panel to do it. They left a small gap along the outside edge between the door and door panel and screwed the bottom screws in so tight they cracked the panel in the surrounding area. I decided to live with it as I was afraid if I took it back for them to "fix" they would just make something worse. Well now it appears that the plastic around the screws has totally broken off in a couple areas leaving a gap at the bottom as there is nothing for it to screw into any more. I also now see a screw (looks like the same one that goes in at the bottom) sticking out partially from the little opening in the metal part of the door at the bottom outside corner (hmmm...wonder if that's the reason for the original gap).

    Question: I know some of you have had the same cracking and some have had the door panel replaced with mixed results. I'm thinking a slightly flexible bracket or wide washer would work to hold the panel in place. Don't know if it will affect the way the door fits against the car when shut. Anyone done anything like this? Ideas? I suppose I also need to figure out where that stray screw belongs too.
  • kosh_2258kosh_2258 Member Posts: 338
    As I said a "fearless" prediction. :)

    But I'll observe that the HP gap between the 3.5 and 5.7 is pretty immense which is what led me to thinking the 4.7 would fit in the range better than the 2.7.

    Everything I've read indicates DC is going to do a 6 speed manual in the LX. I'm pretty confident it won't just be automagics offered.
  • illini4illini4 Member Posts: 140
    I just had my second replacement driver's side door panel installed last week - broken armrest again. Looks the same as the original, and no visible signs that it has been replaced. Unfortunately, it also feels like the original which means it will probably break again. In your case, I'd have them replace the panel assuming it's under warranty. My steering wheel was replaced as well, for the same conditions others have reported.
  • psciandrapsciandra Member Posts: 1
    I just so happen to have a '00 for sale and would be will to part for $19k. I LOVE IT but making some life changes. Here is the link...

    http://www.autotra der.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=104107341&de aler_id=&max_price=2 0000&start_year=2000&end_year=2000&addres s=07701&search_type=used&make=CHRY&model=& min_price=20000&distance=10&advcd_on=n&adva nced=n&color=&car_year=2000&ac_afflt=none

    (remove spaces)
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