By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
BTW- I had a few rattles in my dash and when I got my clock face in the mail yesterday (Sweet looking) I decided to start pulling the dash apart, I took the instrument panel out and the 2 electrical connectors seemed to just kinda flop where they sat in the plastic dash so I slid them out, put electrical tape where they slide into the dash and also electrical tape where the screws go through the instrument panel to hole id in place to act as a rubber dampner and all is quiet, maybe it was that, maybe it was that the screws are all on tighter now. Just thought I'd share that. Heh, that was a heck-of-a BTW..
Race
And I think I'm gonna get stuck with stainless in the front, but not in the rear. I've found the 14258 (Stainless) for $121 but no avail on a good sounding rear stainless muffler. =(
Hmmm, Link it too long to post, well it's at carparts.com and check out page two of exhaust tips and they are made by headman hedders
Thanks again to everyone for the Zaino info. Also, has anyone measured the reduction in intake restriction using K&N air cleaners versus stock? Where does the reduction, if any come from; lower filtration efficiency or more surface area?
Yours in happy motoring,
Rob
As for the intake the K&N stock replacement filter has about half the surface area as the paper stock filter, but is much more free flowing. The stock box is restricted where the box connects to the inside fender wall. I may try to install another air access to it, to improve air flow. Some have drilled out some additional holes into the bottom of the box to do this, but then it sucks in hot air. If surface area is what you want then you have to go the cone filter type. They range usually up to 12" and will more then double the surface area. Ideally you want biggest surface area and coolest air comming in. I wish we had room for an intercooler.
I hope to work on a new air box configureation latter next week using the K&N replacement stock filter.
300Michael - you bet we're all going to get all Zainoed up and caravan up Hwy 1. We definitely need someone with digital video capability so we can put some MPEGs on the web site when we get back. I like your idea about renting a shop. Any recommendations?? WRENCHING PARTY!! You're staying for the second week, aren't you??
Got 28.4 MPG on US 95 from NJ to NC 3 weeks ago and routinely get over 26 in highway - and I can't help but do less than 75-80 in this car on those highways. And passing in this car is unbelieveable - just have to think it and the car in front of you is history.
Anyone else getting this good mileage, or should I not believe the computer? The simple math I do at fill-up seems to bear it out. I got Goodyear tires, 17" I believe cause the fancy chrome wheels cost extra. The mileage on my 1 hr. commute (1/2 highway at 72 MPH and 1/2 country road behind the oldsters, dumptrucks and schoolbuses) is still a respectable 26.4 for the size of this car -- if I can believe.
Love the moonroof, multi CD changer and those chrome wheels!
mrl859 - I was quoted $475 tops, including the two mufflers, 4 Lexus rolled chrome tips, and two custom made Y's for the rear to hold those tips. They're also doing madrel bent tubes from the rear muffler to the tips. It assumes that they can use the stock intermediate pipe, which I think I can. They're also getting me a K&N but I'm not sure of the price...my guess is around $35-$40.
Hatax - I'll check out those tips. I didn't like the yellow pacesetters, but red I might be able to live with (grin).
Mike
Mike
-Mike
I mentioned a touch of wind noise and the TSB on it (Although I hear the road more), they did the work anyway. According to the service report they insulated and weather stripped both front B Pillars.
I also told them about a slight vibration in the steering wheel when braking between 40 and 60MPH . They replaced the front rotors. He said they didn't even think about cutting them.
THe only thing they didn't get rith is the tiny rattle in the steering column, when it is set at a certain tilt. Even they they supposedly replaced the column shroud.
Speaking of warped rotors. I am a bit worried that at only 2000 miles They had to replace the rotors on my M because of warpage.
Has anybody had it become reoccuring on there M?
THe reason I ask, is because the last car I had bore a similar problem. A 1994 Sedan Deville, after bringing it to a local brake/muffler place, suddenly began to get a very noticable vibration when braking between 45 and 60MPH. Brought it back 3 times and they kept recutting until it was half way decent! Eventually I had bring it to the dealer and they cured it, but only for about 1.5 Yrs later (This last March). I began feeling it again, so I traded in for the M.
If it wasn't for that and the fact it had 90000 miles on it I think I would still have it. It ran like a top and rode smoooth. I guess thats why it is taking me some time to get used to the PHG, the road noise, and no visible corners on the car!
All in all I am pretty happy with my 2000 Steel Blue M with PHG. With these gas prices I get even happier when I go to the pumps. At times I still miss my "Big Red" Caddy, but the more I drive the M the farther and fewer they get.
Thanks to those who answered my questions on PHG and it needing more steering effort. I will eventually get use to it.
Brian
And yes it's not a cadillac... It's FUNNER!
Brian
Brian, I had a mitsubishi galant that required a new set of rotors about every 10,000 miles. They couldn't seem to get the suspension/brakes set up in such a way that I didn't have problems. I personally think that they lied to me about replacing them several times, and when they did I think they replaced them with others from the same lot - increasing the chances of getting another set with bad metal. I hope you find it to be NON-recurring with your M. Good luck.
Mike
When you get your exhaust done next week, take plenty of pics. Also, take a pic of the PT Cruiser exhaust your installer has. I'd like to see it and see what inspired you so to go duals, instead of running everything to the stock side.
I'm glad you changed your mind. I think you'll be much happier.
I had a feeling that Chrysler was getting in way over their head when they brought out the 300M. Chryslers policy is to bring out a new car and make no major inprovements for the five years of the model run. That works for a family sedan where reliabilty is the overridng concern.
That does not work in the luxury end, whether entry or at the higher end. SO far, Chrysler has made no substantial improvements or added any high tech features. The sales figures reflect that. There is not one hi tech feature on the 300M. The Acura has a nav system, HID headlights and a 5 speed automatic. The 300M responds with chrome on the window mouldings. WHoppee. And now Acura is coming out with a 260 hp S version. Chrysler will proably fire back in 2002 with color keyed power window switches.
They showed a 300M special two year ago and so far nothing.
I am not attempting to trash the 300M. I own a 99 300M and its has been a very good car. But when a consumer, especially a techie, looks at a car for $32,000, they want the toys. The 300M has no toys, and worse yet is not that fast off the line. Not a good combo.
Imagine a 300M with 300 hp, a 5 speed ZF tranny, a built in NAV system and a few other goodies. Combine that with the terrifc passenger room and giant trunk and you have a killer. Alas, only a dream.
Ed
Why don't you email the person selling that shirt and find out where he/she got it? I didn't see it the 300M accessory catalog, but then again there wasn't any apparel in there. Last I looked at that shirt it was over $30...a bit too much for me to pay for a T-shirt. I like your idea a lot. Let's do some research and see if we can find them.
Mike
Oh...why no more subject line for our messages? Must be another software "enhancement"
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Will do. My muffler guy said he needed to have the car all day (probably because he's busy and has to make some custom pieces) so I don't think I'll be waiting around watching the work. At least we should have a few before and after photos, even if we don't get any "during". I'll also snap that PT. Interesting...the rear muffler is about as wide as the car. It was taken off a vette. Too bad the 300M doesn't have as much room.
Mike
ed12- I agree 110% with everything you said. As mentioned before this is my wife's car and she basically loved the looks of the car. We only shopped for a total of 3 hours and bought the second 300M we looked at. Our previous van was a base model with only two options; it still had manual locks, crank windows, hard plastic door panels, and just a basic casette stereo. This time we were kind of overwhelmed just by the fact that this car had power anything and leather! Then after a while I started to notice that this was basically just a cheap Intrepid with some fancy duds--not exactly worth the $32,000 but nice nonetheless.
Just like the 96'-00' minivans and every other Chrysler they don't change much if at all in their usual 5-year life. Sure, certain additions like the taillights and steering wheel audio controls are nice and the chrome trim and new wheels (I don't really like the trim and think it sticks out like a sore thumb on dark colored M's and the rims just don't look as nice as some chrome razorstars) are fresh, they don't do much to keep the car successful through its life. It's great that the styling hasn't changed because it is this car main attractive selling factor. What it needs are the availability of some "luxury" options and upgrades. You could take a cheap $21,000 Concorde and add chrome and new wheels but it just doesn't work for a 300M. This year the new luxury group is nice and finally adds something that's befitting to an over 30 grand automobile but there could be more. Navigation system (we still would have no use for it but someone else might), HID headlights, power sunshade, or a stability control system. Better yet the 300M could become a tremendously better vehicle with some changes other than cosmetic. Mainly some beneficial use of sound deadening (come one, they build the car for 3 years and NO ONE can figure out any way to make it at least a little better!), a new transmission like the 5-speed ZF (every other manufacturer has something like this and the current transmission is absolutely terrible), and some better build quality. A main issue is the latter and I don't think that it would really be that hard. Other automakers have body rigity enhancements through a models life because they know it benefits the car greatly. Chrysler may have some more work though by stiffening the body, making things fit like they should, and attatching things properly to that stiffer body to emliminate rattles and creaks.
Well, just a FEW of my thoughts for now!
ottowrkr- You work in a Chrysler plant and build four popular sedans. I know you can't build something better than what the parts given to you are but I still wonder. They always say that their factory workers go through classes and the like to learn about new and improved ways of building cars. But when someone goes out and buys one of the cars that you and many, many others have built they take a big risk. Sure, some are great with little defects/problems if any at all but others are horrible. My car is in between at about a 5 or 6 out of ten in this regard.
Basically, what's up with so many bad cars? I know building a car is a very difficult process and I wouldn't know where to start. But people like you have experience and end up being the ones that help determine whether a car will be a lemon or a very reliable vehicle. Is it the fact that things get tiring after a while or what? When I look at and drive our 300M I wish I knew the people responsible for some of the things on that car. For example, the rattles and creaks or the very noticable misaligned parts. Or what about just not taking the time to do things right. This is really confusing given how slow some factories like the Bramalea plant are producing cars. You would think now that there is much more than adequate time to do things right to start with and perhaps prevent the headache of that car's new owner in the future. I just don't get it.
Also otto, what is visibly different about the 2002 1/2 300M Special? What kind of wheels were on it? The ugly thin spoke one's that were on the first M Special prototypes or some sort of turbine style wheel as mentioned in a siting of the new car? Any other idea as to what upgrades the car will have or when you will start building it?
You will really like the changes to your exhaust (sound, looks, and economy).
Check us out at http://www.300mclub.org . We can help you save 10% on all your parts and service at your DC dealer. Look for details on the member discount program on the web site.
All you west coast M owners, don't forget the Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club "M Monterey Rendezvous" in Monterey, CA, August 17 thru 19, 2001. Join us as we party, watch the Monterey Historic Auto Races, Cruise up beautiful Hwy 1 along the ocean, and celebrate our M-ness together. Look for details on the web site.
Yours 300Mly,
Roger Waters, President
Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club
Beach15 - there are only two posters who pretty much feel that they've got a "bad" 300M - you and fastdriver. The rest seem to like them.
I'm sitting here in the house waiting for the first coat of Z-5 to dry. Gave Big Red the Dawn bath and the Z-1 all over. I'm going to follow the Z-5 with a layer of Z-6 and then some Z-2. Pictures to be posted later today.
Mike
Mike
No thanks!
Oh, on the Zaino. I applied the Z-5 about 90 minutes ago and the instuctions say wait 30 minutes or an hour (depending on whether you believe the sheet or the bottle). Well, I went to start wiping it off and it's smearing instead of powdering off. The instuctions say that is evidence that it's not dry yet, but it's been 90 minutes and it's 75 and bright sunshine at my house. Strange. I guess I'll wait a bit longer. In the meantime I applied the tire treatment again, and put some Z-2 on the chrome wheels. By the way, the Z-5 hasn't removed the hair thin "factory" scratches that cover every inch of the paint. I'll see if multiple coats can do it.
Back to Zainoing.
Mike
I hope the exhaust system experiments work out well.
Regards, Silver
This all sounds really strange coming from me but so what! The last two days I have cleaned every crack and crevice on this car and have grown to love it all over again. Now, if I could only get rid of some of those noises. I might be able to soon, as I am just itching to do some mods/custom work after being inspired by all of you. I really want to try some of the sound deadening techniques that would make this car truly amazing.
It has just come to my attention that my neighbor just a few houses down has an M. I think they got theirs at about the same time as we did. I saw them going by today and discovered what color it is. They have a y2k lt. cypress/lt.pearl beige with chrome wheels and a sunroof. I don't know which dealer that they found that car at but I wish we could have found that color. It never looks dirty and looks really ritzy.
Anyone with a slate or black M- Is there any way to keep the interior from really getting scorched in the summer? My wife said to get one of those reflective windshield shades and some seat covers (the dark leather gets really hot) but I'm not sure what may work. Any ideas?
I have the Slate leather and plan on doing a quality window tint. Did that on my wife's old 1984 Volvo 240. It made a tremendous difference in comfort when sun shined on side windows. Also the A/C didn't have to work so hard. Big win too if you can park under cover.
Regards, Silver
Ok. I decided to take the Z-5 off after 2 hours and I still had some streaking. It toned down the minor scratch marks (some pictures of them later), but I think I'll need a few more layers. The Z-6 took away all of the streaks and made the car GLOW. Here is a picture of Big Red's hood. The reflection you see is my house. I'll post more photos later tonight and put the link here. Thanks all who recommended this stuff. Wow.
Big Red on Zaino
Mike
Lookin' good! I'm starting to like that mini front end elastic support device you have. I may have to pick up one of those. Much easier to deal with than the full frontal version.
I think I may just move to a warmer climate myself. I'd like to do a little high stakes gambling .... lets see ...Vegas? Nah, been there, done that. Wait! I know ..... see you all at the Bacarat table. Beam me up Eds!
I've had full frontals before and I always found them to be a pain in the neck. They never seemed to fit quite right, and they were a real pain to put on and take off. This one is very very easy. On each side underneath there is a long strap with a hook at the end that fits a notch up near the window under the hood. You get the bra situated, clip the hook where it belongs, and pull on the loose end of the strap to tighten it down. Once its on you only have to loosen one side to remove it, or tighten one side to put it back on. It is literally a 30 second job to take it off or put it on.
Maybe I did put the zaino on too thick. The Z-1 seemed like it evaporated when it hit the surface, so I wasn't sure if I was putting enough on. The Z-5 I put on in a thin glaze similar to any good car wax. You could tell the paint was cloudy, but there weren't any areas of white where it was obviously overapplied. I'm sure I'll get better at it.
Burkina Faso is...um...just over there a ways.
Later,
Keith
Mike
Big Red all dressed up
Mike