Chrysler 300M

pster

It really doesn't matter whether it is called a merger or an acquistion, the compensation to the stakeholders is the real issue. No one ever took - or if they did they were fools - fewer shares or $$$ in exchange for their ownership based on it being called a merger of equals, or acquisition, etc. Kerkorian is a cry baby.

fastdriver

pster-

Guess we'll just have to see who cries last- Kerkorian, Schrempp or Dieter!

What has happened to this topic? From being in the top 10 every week for years, I don't even think it's in the bottom 10 now! Did Edmunds really turn everyone off when they were told that they could not mention their other EZBOARD site?

They didn't even go away mad. They just went away!

fastdriver

300michael

if you can't give links or other infomation on this board. You can say I installed a new grille, but you can't say if anyone else is interested you have extra material for another one, Persay.

fastdriver

300michael-

I hear you. EVERYONE is gone! Used to be that if you missed 2 days here, there were hundreds of messages to read! Now, there's like 2-3! ;-((((

Maybe things would have been different if someone had applied for the top job. Seems like it's still vacant. Must be some reason why in this day and age of layoffs.

fastdriver

kosh_2258

I'll agree Kerkorian isn't exactly sterling in all this. He might have had a chance to buy out and take Chrysler private but blew it out his rear end when he included his buddy Lee in the deal.

Iaacoca was not well liked at Chrysler, especially by Lutz, and any deal that would have put him back in the drivers seat was doomed.

Not only that but Iaacoca was past his prime and wouldn't have done anything good for Chrysler. If he'd had his way they'd still be making K-Mart cars with fine Corintian leather, padded vinyl tops, and cheesy carriage lights. The only good idea he ever had was the Mustang, and it wasn't even his idea.

In case you can't tell, I'm not fond of Lido.

beespecial

I criticized Otto's brother for not cleaning up his M a couple of weeks ago. Well lock me up, I am the guilty one now. We have been getting snow about every 2-3 days and I can't justify the 13 bucks to clean her up only to be covered in crud again before I get home. Sure would be nice to get a stretch of dry, normal temperature days. (Something above freezing.) Today's forcast is calling for freezing rain. Yuk! The upside is that I found out that with good winter tires my M handles very good in snow. Love the traction control.

ottowrkr

beespecial - LOL , I am ready for winter to be over also. Would somebody please turn on summer . Global warming never looked so good.
I see by your profile you are in Indy, I have been to every Brickyard 400 race since 95 . We love Indy, its such a blast. We have been to many tracks and all the guys love the Indy race the best.

pster

I spoke with the Wall Street Journal reporter yesterday. Look for something on the 300M in next Wednesday's (maybe the Wednesday after that) Personal Journal section. It is just a small bit done on different cars every Wed.

rstilp

I talked to her also on Monday. Don't know how many of us she interviewed but, the more the merrier. Hope its a boost for the 300M & Chrysler notices that there are people interested in it!!!!
Rick/Geezer300M

pjyoung

Iacocca was a great salesman. One has to wonder how much ill will he created with his "If you can find a better car - buy it" ads while he was allowing the factories to pump out horse poop for cars. I know - I believed him and bought an 84 Daytona that was plauged with problems. I might have understood if I was the only one with problems, but several coworkers who owned either a Laser or Daytona all had the same problems - power limited light came on and stayed on, tachometer or entire instrument package quitting, clutch cables breaking at 15K miles, AC failing within the second year. That car darn near turned me against Chrysler for good. Then the 300M lured me back, and the experience has been like night and day. Yes, I've had the power window thing and the speed sensor. But the dealership bent over backwards to satisfy me and these problems were only slight inconveniences. In 1984, they wouldn't even look at the stupid car without charging.

300michael

ship it to Phoenix 78 expected tomorrow great car washing weather. If it was dirty enough I would do it myself. Otherwise just a light dusting is all that is needed. Ha Ha you missed me with all those snow balls..... boof got me (spoke too soon).

300michael

I have redid my front turnsignals (totally clear lenses, no more amber) and changed out my front grilles. I still want to Hemi C my rear end (the cars, not mine)though. Still checking into the air suspension. http://public.fotki.com/300M/

ruski

spoke to her too, stressed what a great car it is - ride, handling, space, luggage capacity

easyrider300m

now you just have to replace those side marker add-ons with the clear ones from autozone---like your grill and the clears--are you up to 60 mods yet?

beespecial

Hmmm... Wash my Special if I bring it to Phoenix? As much as I love to drive it I may have to take you up on that. I'll bring you a snowball.

beespecial

Anyone who may have had a hand in building my car is always welcome here. Thanks for doing such a great job. Yeah, the Brickyard is great. I've managed to get some really good seats the past couple of years. I'm not wild about the race day traffic twice a year but being a native of Indy I can usually find alternate routes that non-locals don't know about. Keep on coming down, just leave the cold air at home.

bigmike5

Hey Jeff--Look as my Brampton question under "Questions for Factory Insiders." at you know where.

pster

Michael, is it possible that you secretly work for Jesse James at the Monster Garage? Maybe we should know what you "have not" modified on your 300M? Please tell me you don't have neons in the undercarraige.......

300michael

I know I have done more than 60, as many of the mods like the grille I have 5 now are counted as one and the center dash (now on it's 4th going on 5th is also counted as one. So 57 is the current visable changes, not counting total changes over time. Yes, those amber side markers are going to have to go.

300michael

I may have to start doing that (a list of orginal parts instead of moded parts). As for the Neon under the car, not yet. I do have the neon tubes, which I do plan to install under the front doors. They will be operated when the fob is used to unlock the doors. I want to light the ground area apon entry only. Not do be on while driving. I have another one in the trunk to suppliment the trunk light. I like the effects if tastfully done.

ryles

The drive door lock on our 2000 is not functioning. The car is out of warranty so I'd like to fix this myself. I've seen the issues where the lock won't work with the power switch, but mine won't lock manually either. Power lock switch, key fob, nor my hand can lock the door. Anyone have any thoughts on what the problem might be, the parts it would take to fix it, cost of said parts, source for said parts, and/or the complexity of the fix? Any input would be appreciated.

Ryles

stacyburnett

I've noticed this morning a very loud noise in my driver side rear door when ever power locks are engaged. The door still locks but the noise persists when the lock is engaged manually, at 15 mph, or when using keyless remote to lock.

Any ideas?

wire2

It sounds like a mechanical linkage to the latch assembly has come off or jammed. I'd undo the door panel, lift the water seal at the latch and have a look in there with a flashlight.

Stacey, I'd suggest the same for your noisy lock. I think something is loose or undone

mrl859

I'd guess a failing door lock actuator.

ottowrkr

beespecial, oh dont worry we never bring it along with us .

 Well just two more days and we stop building the 2003 models . Come Monday we build 2004 , the last year of the LH. man were did the time go.

fastdriver

Dividends up..........

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0301/30/b01-72561.htm

Tempers too...........

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0301/30/b04-70648.htm

fastdriver

pster

My driver's window is acting up again.....it seems like the mechanism is trying to push the window up higher than the seals in the door will permit, which results in a "groaning" noise. Does anyone know if the door panel can be removed easily and if the window regulator can be adjusted? I just hate to pay the dealer another $250 to fix it a third time.......

kosh_2258

I saw an item on PBS tonight discussing failed mergers. It focused on the AOL Time Warner deal but made the point that better than 80% of all mergers like the DaimlerChrysler deal fail.

They come together hoping to do more with less - synergy in Wall Street speak - but usually die a nasty death because the two cultures fail to bond and the envisioned economies never materialize. (No $hihite) Sure sounds familiar.

cebteb

We have the same groaning at the end of the closing cycle on the driver's door window of our '99 M. That was the first window to freeze up (had all of them replaced eventually) and after 2 replacements in 2 weeks we got what we got. It is a first generation replacement for the OEM faulty motor/regulators. Our other 3 were replaced some time later w/ the later generation replacement motor/regulators and they don't exhibit the problem.

The regulator isn't adjustable. The only fix is replacement. Unless you know what you are doing, I've had more than one body shop tell us that the potential for not getting the door panel in correctly and developing squeaks and rattles is extremely high.

You probably also have one of the first generation motor/regulator replacements. I tell my wife that unless it freezes like the originals, I'll deal w/ the groan before spending money for another replacement. Sorry I didn't have any better news for you.

illini4

I had the same problem with my 2000 a couple months ago. It was fixed under warranty. I'm fairly certain they didn't replace the regulator, but I don't know what the fix was. Whatever it was didn't take long - I was only there for about an hour.

fuzzywuzzy

Do you have David kalish's email? I'm thinking about trading up to a 6 speed. Email me if you want. jasontalbot@yahoo.com

Thanks

pster

Thanks cebteb! Everything you said makes sense. I did have the motor/regulator replaced, but it was a year to a year and half ago and I suspected at the time it was not a real fix: ie., they replaced it with the same faulty unit. I'll live with it until it fails.

kosh_2258

There's a buzz going on "somewhere else" about DCX laying off the whole concept car engineering staff in favor of imported engineers from der fatherland.

Any of you DCX insiders heard anything about this? Any truth to it?

ottowrkr

Well the last 2003 went by me tonight, it was a Green Concorde . Then came the first 2004 a white Intrepid. Found the first change for the 2004 Concordes , the shiny black trim that is on the back of the hood has now been changed to a mate(dull) finish. Other than that I dont see any changes.

 Kosh , I too have seen this rumour posted on other sites ???

cebteb

For some reason I'm reminded of the old story about what happens when you make a pact with the devil. Hmmmm!

fastdriver

cebteb-

Which devil? Deiter or Schrempp or whatever his name is!

fastdriver

russklass

Jeff,
Please post the changes for the '04 300M as you see them.

pjyoung

And still getting compliments. We had an unusually warm day, so I cleaned my 99 up really nice, got all the road salt off of it, the Zaino I put on a month ago was beading like crazy...then I took it down to the Valvoline place for an oil change. The guys there were all telling me what a nice car this was - couldn't believe it was 3 and half years old with 47,000 miles on it. The guy waiting for his truck said he was admiring my car. Sure does make you feel good.

300michael

Mine turned 4 years last month (at least most of the car). Most of the complaments I get are from the yonger set (under 25) There is a group that walks by every day at work to check out the new changes. This week they will see a couple of new ones. It sure is a beautiful car.

300michael

The dates are March 28 through March 30th. It will tie in with the Mopar at the Strip (www.moparatthestrip.com). So if you are near the west coast hope to see you there.

blonda

Been seeing an 03 parked in front of the dealership I drive by every a.m. They changed the grill and it looks a lot like the one on the Pacifica. Looks really sharp (better than the catfish mouth IMO). Don't know about the sedans. This one also has wheels almost identical to the Special's (smaller of course) but they are chromed. I've always liked the coupes anyway, but it looks even better now. (I still like the M better though!)

beespecial

Tried to perform my first oil change on the Special this weekend. Wheeeww! What a pain in the keester. After messing around with getting it up on ramps, (a failed endevour), I managed to get it high enough by driving up on some stacked 2x12's only to find out that the filter wrench I have used for years was too small. Didn't even occur to me that the filter would be a bigger diameter than what goes on my other cars. DUH! I finally caved and took it to my nearby quick lube and let them do it. As it turns out, the guy says that the factory filters are really torqued on and I would have had a rough time getting it off anyway. Even he struggled with it. But at least I'm good for another 3000 miles. I think next change I'm going to synthetics. Like everyone else on this post, I want the best for my baby.

Woo Hoo! 57 degrees in Indy today. The snow's almost gone.

indydriver

What side of town do you operate in? What color is your special? It may have been warm today but your M was filthy. It is a pain to change the oil on this car. Is the special even worse?

pster

Have done it a dozen times. It's a snap. Here is what you need:

1. Rhino low profile ramps
2. Griot's garage pliers type oil filter wrench (just squeeze from below and turn)
3. Mobil 1 trisynthetic 10x30
4. mobil 1 filter

Off you go. 15 minutes. Stuff a rag up around the filer and let the oil in the filter run down the rag into oil pan - it's easier than punching holes in it and draining it or cleaning up the oil that runs down the brake lines. Have fun.

300michael

It grabs the filter from the end and comes right off. It is an easy 15 min change. I usually vacume the inside while waiting. I also use a larger F1A size filter. It has worked great for the last 5 changes. I do have to use a floor jack (and it bearly makes it) to raise the car, since I can not use ramps even in the back since I lowered it.

300michael

Nice last line save. I still like the mesh grilles better.

ottowrkr

Please post the changes for the '04 300M as you see them.

Changes- 0

 not a one , sorry 2004 owners manual LOL.

beespecial

I'm a northwestsider but I work on the eastside by way of the freeway. Look for me in the fast lane using as many of those 255 horses as I can. My Special is Graphite with Dark Slate interior and yes it is filthy but if the weather cooperates, I see a cleanup coming on tuesday pm. There's nothing about a Special that would make an oil change worse than any other M, but then again I only do it because it's one of the few things I can still do myself on my car. Sure can't do a tune-up with just a screwdriver tweak to the carb and timing adjustment anymore. What part of town do you call yours?

beespecial

Where can I find the Rhino ramps? I thought about just getting some more lumber and building my own, but if I'm going to spend the money I might as well get 'em already made.

fastdriver

ottowrkr-

Has the price changed with all the decontenting?

Watch your snail mail! Finally! ;-))

fastdriver