Chrysler 300M

300michael

I agree with you on that one, especially after comming out with the Charger concept. I think Lutz took all the good designers with him. Still I have hopes for the "N" and hope it has no resemblemance to the aforementioned picture.

300michael

If you can start buying a 300M for around 20K, that is cheaper then trying to buy parts, for our current ones.

fastdriver

300michael-

That seems to be the philosophy today- throw away cars! Whatever happened to the days when a MECHANIC tried to FIX your car instead of just throwing out the old parts and putting in new ones? How about the days when you could actually work on your own car without needing a degree from MIT! ;-))

fastdriver

lflowers

I enjoyed meeting you (and your M) as well. I especially liked the Basslink system. Also was impressed by the "demo" of the Zaino products, as well as your Zaino shine!
I guess it's about time for me consider joining the Zaino crowd section of the 300M club.

I got my K & N Aircharger installed this afternoon. It really makes a neat installation.
As far as performance improvement, it's kinda like the dual exhaust, the car definitely feels faster, but I have no good way to actually quantify the difference.

Lynn Flowers
McKinney, Texas

blonda

I saw 2 ads in the North County Times --sorry I don't remember now exactly which one's they were...one I think was Bob Baker and the other I think was Temecula. One said $7000 off MSRP and the other said "up to $7000 MSRP" on the M's.

beach15

I'm speechless...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1866464081

Not horrible looking, but why the tires & roof, really? Ooh, and what happened under the hood...quite cruddy.

dean58

I have an intermittent air bag light and check engine light on my '99 300M with 63000 miles. When my local dealer couldn't find the problem, they called Chrysler engineering, who said they wouldn't be able to diagnose the problem without the lights staying on with the test equipment connected. Since the lights are only on about 10 or 20 seconds and then might be off for many miles I can't see how they will ever find the problem, besides the fact of what it is costing me to have them searching for a needle in a haystack. Has anybody else had this problem???

99_300m_ric_va

Jeff,

I don't know what those executives are thinking with all those layoffs. You would think that they would retool now and try to put something new and exciting back on the market for that "shot in the arm" they need so desparately to sell cars. Why build the same car for another 10 months or more and call it almost two model years in the process? I really think 2002 model year and the special and pro-am edition is the peak for this car and now it's time to move on to LX already. I really think america is ready for some good ol'american V8 rear wheel drive sedans again. It should turn heads of those buying the German and Japanese sedans.

How involved do guys get during the retooling? Are you laid off again while maintenance and engineering performs the upgrades, or do you guys get to pitch in?

denverm

this just happened to me last Saturday. I drove somewhere no problem, parked the car in the sun for a few hours, then drove off and the dash airbag light came on (with a chime!) for about 10 seconds, went off for about 15 seconds, then repeat, over and over. Next few days nothing. Then today I parked in the sun for a few hours and it happened all over again. Grrrrrr! Haven't taken it to the dealer yet.

denverm

If you bought four Michelin tires during this period, Michelin has a promotion to send in for a free Samsonite carry-on bag and a Michelin North America road atlas, supposedly $120 value. Discount Tire did not initially give me the mail-in certificate; I had to ask, having seen the promotion on the web. Must be mailed by 11/5.

wire2

>retool now ...

It's just not possible. There's a tremendous amount of planning and preparation required for a new launch. Vendors are building and debugging a lot of equipment right now. We will need several hundred new car carriers built from scratch due to increased weight of V8's and rear axles.
I guess an analogy would be to buy a piece of land, then tell a builder that you want to move in 1 week from today.

>How involved do guys get during the retooling?

Production people are 98% out of the plant during a model changeover. Maintenance people are in, along with an army of contractors, typically for 6 weeks.

wencao

Did you guys see the November issue of C&D that call Viper 'Holy crap' ? They cook bacon and eggs on Viper!

300michael

Some I have seen you practally need to remove the engine to do it. In many ways the car is easyer to work on pannals just snap out.

silverbullet4

Yesterday I was dusting the dash board. As I was flicking the rag around the CD changer the LEDs lit up on the CD select buttons. No radio lights, nothing else lit. I cranked the engine and turned back to "off" and the CD unit went dark with everything else. It's close to Halloween. Do you think a Christine-like spirit is making its home in my M? LOL My theory is that a static discharge from the rag triggered some logic in the unit. Not as much fun as the Christine theory.

Silver

splatt

Actually - sorry to say, that's normal. No ghosts If you hit the cd button then you can remove or load cds, even if the car is off. What will happen is all the 'positions' that have a cd inserted will light, and the one you hit will blink to tell you it's getting ready to load/unload. Then you can insert a disc. When you turn on the radio it'll go to that cd.

beach15

For you guys that have bought them for your M, I have a couple questions on Wheelskins.

1. Where did you get it from and how much?
2. What's the difficulty level of putting one on?

I want to buy a Sand/Black Eurotone one for our Av just for looks, but just thought I'd check in with you guys since so many have them over the factory leather wheels.

blonda

Dang I just missed the Samsonite offer. I Bought them the end of July -- now yesterday I find a phillips head screw sticking out one of my rears(no loss of air thankfully)....taking it to Discount Tire today. I sure hope they can fix it. I declined the hazard insurance (on highsight that was pretty stupid of me with $235 tires).

lonestarsled

Discount tire will typically fix flats for free regardless if you purchased the tires from them or not.

beach15

The 2003 Chrysler site is up and running now.

http://www.chrysler.com

The first time I went on, it worked fine, but when I went back to the main page, it was for 2002. So, just refresh if you see 2002 information, and it should work.

It now shows all the current 2003 models, plus the Pacifica and Crossfire. Nice cars, just getting quite a bit germanic, which is both good and bad. The 300N still worries me though...just hope it doesn't follow a path like the Crossfire or Super 8.

beach15

Any info. on the Wheelskins? I've done searches and have a basic idea, just thought I'd check in with others who have done it first.

blonda

They were able to fix the tire at lunch today. I was worried they wouldn't be able to as it was sort of near the sidewall -- didn't want to have to buy a new tire out of my pocket.

blonda

Try www.autotoystore.com

It takes approx 45 minutes to put one one and it's not too hard....they provide pretty good instructions.

denverm

Discount Tire told me that their basic price for tires includes lifetime balancing, rotation, flat repair, and PRO-RATED road hazard coverage. If you pay extra for their "certificates," you additionally get full replacement road hazard protection, i.e., not pro-rated. For the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, the certificate cost would have been $33 per tire ($132 total, a bit more than 1/2 the cost of one new tire). I declined to buy the certificates, because if one of the tires were ruined by a road hazard before it is half worn down, the basic pro-rated coverage would get me a new tire for less than $132. If the tire is worn down more than 1/2, the remaining tire is worth less than $132. In other words, I think you'd have to ruin two tires to come out ahead on buying the certificates.

beach15

Thanks! I hope to order one soon. The Av's leather wheel already feels and looks nice, better than the M I think (especially after the new "cardboard" wheel). But, we had a large Av club meet this weekend and someone with the same color combo as us had a Eurotone Wheelskin that was Sand/Black and it looked very nice.

blonda

Ahhh...that makes me feel better. They offered the certificates and I declined. I have purchased in the past and never used them. The paperwork didn't mention the prorating so I was a little worried. Anyway, the tires fixed so hopefully that will be the only problem I ever have with them (knock on wood).

toms99

I got mine directly from Wheelskins. Here's a link to my install pics:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tsokol5/interior.htm

Check out my "Gallery" page for a close-up of the BaseBall Stitch install. If you want to go that way, ask them to send you an additional needle and thread (they'll send you an extra one for free if you ask and mention "BaseBall Stitch.")

E-mail me if you want complete BaseBall stitch install instructions.

blonda

Any of you San Diego guys ever go to this? It's this weekend. I would like to but my husband would rather go to the Charger game. I hear it's pretty good.
(the speed festival anyway...you never know about those Chargers)

I had read they were going to have a place for various car clubs to display their cars (the car club corral)...too bad I didn't find out sooner, maybe we could have arranged something for the M Club.

http://www.pacificlifeholidaybowl.com/

I wonder if they have any old 300s racing (you'd think since it's a Chrysler event)

300michael

The prices vary as much as 10 dollars so it pays to shop a little.

ottowrkr

I know this is not about 300M's but its little brother . Check it out

http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/br/news/story/635411p-773999c.html

mikeyjohn

It's good to see that DC has gone back to the police vehicles as they were in my 20 years of policing here in Calgary. I notice that a few of the Durangos have started to appear on our streets as supervisor vehicles. When I was a supervisor we used the Dodge Ram vans to carry all our support equipment. Welcome back!! I also see that Buzz wants to start a war with DC and it looks like you will be out on strike in the next while. It's about time they got rid of that guy.

kosh_2258

"...according to the Michigan State Police Test results, is the "fastest production police car in North America." Add to that a larger trunk and more interior room than a Crown Vic.

Ford now has a fight on their hands for this market. I wonder what they are going to do in response to this challenge. Then fast forward about 18 months when the LX replacement arrives with a Hemi under the hood.

300michael

"I know this is not about 300M's but its little brother." 300M's little brother???? I always find it funny that the 300M's little brother is actually larger then the 300M. Especially since the 300M is the runt of the bunch. I have a soft spot for runts, they also fit in my garage better too.
The list of the parts on the crusier sounds like a RT, too bad they didn't go with the 300M, it would have given them a litter more power and speed.

ottowrkr

300mike said "too bad they didn't go with the 300M, it would have given them a litter more power and speed. "

how do you figure? the cop car uses the same engine as the 300 ,and the cop car gets it own engine controller that has no speed limiter 150+.

300michael

The article stated the 3.5L 242hp not the 250/255hp in the 300M's

beach15

Well, it's rare to see something like this for sale (other than the 01' M this past summer), but a local used car dealer has a 1998 Chrysler Concorde LXI limo for $14,995. This would be quite an interesting buy, especially as a normal, everyday car. It would be kind of cool though...wonder how it drives (i.e. really noisy like most stock 98's?).

Take a look at the ad:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/12315199/52282554EIlLPP

ottowrkr

All I know is what they tell us a work, the police car gets the 300 motor with the high output engine computer.

jab02lhs

For your LHS. I would get it myself but I don't like to carry a lot on my key ring

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1868075208

ottowrkr

"otto or wire2 - Have you guys ever heard of a torque converter doing this?"

I have head of this before, but never from any of our cars. Glad to hear your back up and running.Did they re-fill the trans with ATF+4, I hope so.

ottowrkr

http://intrepid.clan-510.org/ check this guys site out .

wencao

put its four speed auto transimission in it ?
Why not put the 5 speed of Grand Cherokee in Pacifica ? Consumers are not stupid.

wencao

hehe, I guess that is why the NEW LX will use MB steering, because DC knows Chrysler Rack&Pinion sucks. And after "cost cutting", the quality dropped inevitablely. Transimission and steering are the two most widely reported problems. I wonder why DC think consumers are Stupid and still put its troubled 4 speed auto into Pacifica!

ottowrkr

if I am not mistaken the engine and trans for the Pacifica are MB units not Chrysler stuff

wencao

The pacifica's 3.5L V6 is the same 300M's. MB don't have 3.5L V6. Also, I don't think MB has 4 speed auto in use today.

jona57

Just got back from Detroit where I read several articles in the papers about the contract negotiations in Canada. Today's Detroit News indicated that contract talks had broken off. As an ex-UAW member, it seems a bit short sighted. The union & DC would both be better served to avoid this conflict at a time of weak North American economies & intense market pressure from Asian & European automakers. Anyone who wants an LH-car should buy now or risk a possible delay if this contract impasse does not get solved. We need more 300M's to beautify our highways!!!

Jon

300mspecial1

Hello All,

I'm new to this message board and having just recently purchased a 2002 Chrysler 300M Special, I wanted to get to know my fellow 300M owners. My particular example is Bright Silver Metallic with the Taupe interior. It has the moonroof and the side airbag option, but not the cold weather group or the smoker's group. If there's anyone in the Southern NH, Northern Mass. area that would be interested in chatting, trading some ownership experiences, etc. Let me know. My e-mail address is in my profile.

I haven't owned this car for very long, but so far I'm quite happy with it overall. I sold a 2001 Camaro SS to purchase this car. I needed something a little more liveable for daily use and while the SS was actually pretty darn good in that regard, it was not the ideal choice for that mission. It started its life as a weekend/sunny day only toy, but with the bashing my job sector has taken over the last two years, my daily driver was sold to hedge against a long haul to recovery in the tech sector. Also, it was a magnet for all the wrong kinds of attention...

In selecting the 300M Special, I wanted something that still performed well in all areas. I've found this car to be satisfactorily quick, certainly nowhere near as quick as the SS, but enough to be enough. It also handles amazingly well for its size and weight. My SS came equipped with an optional SLP performance tuned Bilstein suspension package and I had added a strut tower brace to tighten it up just a tad more. That car easily handled as well as any C5 Corvette and I was very pleasantly surprised at just how good a job the 300M Special does on twisty roads. It's obviously not intended to be a canyon carver, but it doesn't lose its composure and it does everything I ask it to very competently. Truthfully, the SS would have had a hard time shaking a 300M Special loose on a twisty road. The brakes are also quite good. This is one area where this car feels noticeably better than my SS. The pedal is firm and they just don't fade. The car stops straight, true, and short with no drama or antics. The SS was up to one or two hard stomps and then you could feel them start to go away. Also, GM chose rather poor quality rotors for this car as it is common for them to warp under even mild driving conditions.

The only thing on my car that needs some attention is that it has a minor case of the shakes between 50-70 mph. The car spent some time on the dealer's lot and the tires had flat-spotted. It was actually worse when I test drove it, but has since smoothed out almost entirely. I'll have the dealer check the tire balance, alignment, and suspension, and if that doesn't correct it, they'll owe me a new set of sneakers. These things aren't cheap either, so I'll have to see how that goes. Otherwise, this car has been a joy to own and drive and has been flawless.

Just a few thoughts and impressions...

Andy

easyrider300m

good to see another MA M owner---I live about 7 miles south of Boston---you will find this site very helpful and also you should check out 300mclub.org as another usefule site. The 300M Club also has a message board and have regular chat sessions as well. I own a 2000 M with all the toys except php. Other than a bunch of minor mostly cosmetic problems, the car has been very dependable. I have over 40K on it now.

You will find this site and the other site mentioned above have lots of useful information on maintenance and problem solving. Enjoy your M and hope to see you on these boards often.

EasyRider300M

tedd

Hey guys. Saw some discussion a while back regarding tires, but could relocate it. My '99 300M with 34,000 Eagles needs new slippers. Any suggestions? Yokahama AVID T4 or 420? Michelin Energy MXV4? Anything else? Thanks.

Tedd

300mspecial1

Hi EasyRider300M,

Thanks for the welcome. You're not too far away. Is there anything in this area where local owners gather or hang out? I was privileged to have met many new friends owning the SS. We have a strictly informal little car club and we hook up from time to time to cruise or hang out. I caught a little razzing after selling the SS, but that's what friends do...:)

I had been looking at the 300M since 1999. I've had the opportunity to drive several prior to purchasing this one and had always been very impressed. IMHO, it compares favorably with many other luxury sedans costing a heck of alot more. The only things I would have suggested were that the car needs about 50-60 more hp and it needs a 5spd auto. Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels that way as I hear that in '05, Chrysler will offer this car with a 347hp hemi in a front engine-rear drive platform with a 5spd auto. I saw a sneak-peek pic of the car in last month's issue of C&D.

Have you had a chance to drive a Special? The ride is quite a bit firmer than the std 300M set-up. It's much better than the comparably equipped Buick Park Ave Ultra's or any of the Caddy Northstar cars. They're both a little too pillowy for my taste, although they are a bit quieter to drive down the road. I've driven several of the Caddy's and that engine is fabulous. I'm happy to hear that Chrysler is going to put a V-8 in the car. It needs the muscle.

300mspecial1

300michael

The reason is probably because they can. With the over stock of vehicles and the slow sales DC probably figures they can use the Down time to their advantage. To try to get more consessions from the Unions.

300michael

I know what you mean about the ride I started with a 99 non PHP and through metamorphosis, it has been changeing into a Very Firm ride with the use of lowering springs. I do like the way it handles but some times miss the builivard ride.
Welcome to the groups, Sorry I can't meet you, since I live in Phoenix