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Comments
Phil
Speaking of the OEM Goodyears, NOISY! But decent in the snow and I should get 50,000 miles out of the remaining original 3.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I purchased the car because it is one of the most comfortable cars I have sat in lately.And with the phg the handling and braking is excellent especially for a car of this size.Also with all the equipment you get for the money,it just can't be beat for value. I live in the phila area and recently took the car on a trip to florida. It was great, I was able to drive 20 hours without hurting. The gas mileage averaged about 26mpg at about 75 mph.The car only had 800 miles when i left. It now has about 5000. It was rock solid and cruised effortlessly all day long. In florida in 92 degree heat the ac worked perfect and it cooled the car off very quickly. Another thing I noticed was in the cold weather back north , even on 10 degree nights, the heater usually was throwing warm air within a minute or two of a cold start(I wonder how chrysler does that). All in all the car is everything I had hoped for, with a few exceptions.
I think the quality of the fit and finish leaves a lot to be desired(poor paint quality, misaligned panels ,etc.).It looks good untill you look close. also In florida at about 2300 miles the trans cooler line sprung a leak and by the time I realized it I probably had driven a 100 miles, and had two add 3 quarts to bring it back to full. The dealer fixed it under warranty, but I wonder what damage might have been done. It feels ok now, but what about down the road. Also the oil filter was leaking and had to be fixed. The radio sounds like a piece of garbage when you turn the bass and volume up,( I guess I might have to take it in and get the amplifier swapped out for the upgraded one , or maybe get the infinity basslink). The windows stick if you don't open them every day.And the car is a little bit on the noisy side at highway speeds,(I checked the door seals, so far so good).
So there you have it so far, I really like and enjoy the good points of the 300m(comfort, quickness, great handling and braking, looks,good gas mileage, and many bells and whistles), but chrysler is really going to have to work on their quality control and put out a better product before I would buy another chrysler product.
Sorry for the long post
Luck to all-----Jack
Just to bring things up to date, I just purchased another 300M this week. That means we currently have 3 (I think I can hear Fastdriver's guffaws all the way out her in California)!
The bottom line is my wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed our M's and it was my first choice for replacement of my current leased M at the end of June. I was going to delay my purchase, but they were running out of 03's here and I wanted to take advantage of the $3,000 rebate.
I got a good deal (not a great deal) on a silver M with moonroof/full size spare/cassette/smokers group @ $5,100 off MRSP of $30,840 ($25,740). I got it from the same dealer we got my wife's 01 M from 2 years ago this week (hers was a "one only" @ $5,600 off MRSP).
I honestly feel you can't get better value in today's market. If I had had any problems with our first 2, I would probably feel differently -- but ours have been very reliable. I truly enjoy driving my 300M each day!
Fastdriver -- to each his own!!!!
Check the history of the M if used you are getting. It seems that the few bad ones have tons of stuff wrong with them. Others are great in haveing no need to ever see a shop.
The board here has slowed down. I think it is for several reasons. Some have gone to the club board, others are traveling during this great weather we have been haveing (at least here in AZ), and with the war coverage, and situation people have other concerns.
Hey Dustin---looks like you've been very busy modding your M. I hope to do the duals soon and maybe the aircharger. Probably will shave the letters too and maybe add the mudflaps.
Bye for now and Happy M'ing!
EasyRider300M
And as for the other problems I noted, I have read many posts on this board and others, citing a host of the same problems,ie: (poor fit and finish, paint quality, sticking windows, poor door gasket seals, poor radio sound, numerous transmission problems, poor brake quality), just to name a few. Some are minor annoyances, and some are downright life threatening, under certain circumstances.
I am not belittling the 300m, just stating the facts of my experience so far.
And as for what possible car would satisfy me, the answer is simple. One that instills confidence, and does what it is supposed to do and doesn't leave you stranded somewhere. I am in my mid 50's and have bought at least 30 new cars for my self and for my business in my life. And I have had many that satisfied me, most recently most were toyotas, or lexus.
None of my remarks were meant to be sarcastic or malicious, just the facts.I like the 300m, but I don't think it is unreasonable to expect reliability and good quality, And I feel it is not quite there with this one .
Luck to all----Jack
I have owned my M for over 3 years now and have put up with numerous minor problems and one not so minor--a power steering cooler failure. But my dealer took care of the issues and even comped me a replacement vehicle whenever I brought my M in for service.
The M is a unique vehicle and in my opinion is the best value out there for a luxury sport vehicle. I am not sure the model that replaces the M is going to be on my shopping list, but I will probably keep my present car till it becomes unreliable and shows wear. But overall, I find the M to be a very enjoyable vehicle to own and drive.
Yes you can go out and buy a GS400 Lexus or a Mercedes. But you could also buy the M and save enough to put a good down payment on your next car in 5 years.
EasyRider300M
2 speed sensor failures (2nd gear limp mode only)
Hydraulic transmission failure (stuck in 1st gear)
2 driver window motor/regulator failures
Both cooling fan motors failed (one fan broken and about to "deshaft")
Failed A/C compressor
Leaking A/C evaporator coil
Failed steering pump
Totally unacceptable. No sympathy or help from Chyrsler. When this car is running, its a kick and great fun and a genius design! But balanced against the above problems, I would rate it a piece of c**p, poorly executed, and an economic catastrophe. You would think if experiences like mine were so rare and infrequent, that Chrysler would belly up and help out. Dream on. Buyer beware! My only "sin" was not paying close to $2K for an extended service contract. "All cars break" is an unacceptable response on a $30K car with less than 50K miles. (For the record, I take meticulous care of my 300M and have a mix of 60% HWY/40% town driving. 5K mile Mobil 1 synthetic oil changes, Car "looks" brand new due to care, waxing, etc.)
Looked at the Pacifica. It's a station wagon, with options.
Maybe I could get a 2003 300M if they gave me an extended service contract? think they would do that? They had a low mileage used 2002 300M on the Pontiac lot.....immaculate, couldn't find one ding or paint blemish whatsoever...$20,000.
Feature-wise it is now very close to 300M. Heck, the front now looks pretty close to 300M too. No memory seats though.
Huge trunk with folding rear seats, just like 300M.
The one that I drove did not have TAPShift paddles, but they say that the shifting with those is VERY quick.
The seats have very nice bolsters.
Plastics have been improved. Leather has been improved. Switchgear is pretty nice.
P.S. I also sat in a 2004 Maxima that was already sold to someone (hence no drive), and they even let me turn on the engine
>>> Me as well as many other people find the '97-'03 Grand Prix (GT or GTP) awesome looking. '04 looks a bit strange.
"I am shocked that anyone at GM would ever have allowed that car to be produced"
>>> Lutz allowed it.
llbean--Your tranny problem is the second I have heard of involving a hose in four years on this board. The input and output speed sensors have been the major tranny complaint. When I raised the sensor issue with the guys at the plant last year, they were oblivious to it. I don't know if DC ever wrung the neck of the supplier or what. I carry a spare of each and installation directions in my glove box just in case. $25 worth of peace of mind?? Anyway, my first year build 99 is at 56K now and only the window and lock activators and a starter relay and starter switch have been issues for me over the last five years. So far all covered under an extended warranty. I did have a minor issue with the radiator clamp not being tight enough or working loose when the car was fairly new, but I spotted some splatter on the hood insulator and the dealer quickly spotted the problem and installed a second clamp on the top hose, and that solved the problem. I really think most issues are "part related" [although an occasional mess-up by a dealer's tech can also occur] and I do not know what giant monolithe DC can do quickly about consistent part failure, like on the input speed sensor. Long term maybe they got it, like they did with the window activator, otherwise it takes a long time to get info up the line, [the recent seat bolt issue recall being an example], but I sympathize with the circumstances of your breakdown. Scary to say the least. Hope everything else goes well for you in the future.
I drive about a 60/40 mix of urban/highway miles. I average just under 21 mpg combined. My car is white with light interior...be advised that a lighter interior may cause a bothersome reflection on the windshield (cured with polarized sunglasses), unless they have "fixed" that over the past couple of years.
Resale will never be what a Honda is. If resale is that important to you, get the Honda. If good looks and driving fun are more important - get the M.
Nice to hear from you guys. Dustin be sure to let us see pics of your M when you're done with the mods.
Mricciardi -
My 1999 has 58K miles with only very minor issues in 4.5 years. Still tight as a drum with no squeaks or rattles. Only repairs have been (a) intermittent window regulator replaced, (b) speed input sensor ($49 repair) and (c) Intermittent headlight switch. Overall I'm very happy with the car. Honda may have better resale value (seems all American cars suffer from high depreciation), but having a more unique and beautiful vehicle to drive is worth it. It's unfortunate Chrysler has decontented the M in past years (02 models and up) but you'd only notice what's missing if you owned an earlier model.
blonda-you can see my current upgrades at http://www.dustinnewton.com/trips/300m/300m.htm
I try to keep it updated as I add new mods. I have jsut added a couple of layers of FatMat (http://www.fatmat.com) sound deadening material (like Dynamat) to my trunk and deck lid, as well as under the rear seat, and I will hopefully be able to get my doors done soon. I need to get those pics out on my website.
I just ordered my exhaust tips. Here is a pic: http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=300- 2&prmenbr=361 Can't beat that price! Now, all I need is my main Magnaflow muffler and I'll be set. I already have the collector and mandrel 90 degree bend pipes, so I'm almost there!
The tips are like my pacesetters. They should last about 3 years. Mine are rusting. Will be replacing soon.
So...since us Californians like to crash our M's....got any leads on a good wrecking yards or two to check for extra parts?
5* replaced rotors under warranty. No problems now as breaking is smooth and much better. This was done @ 2800 mi but the problem showed up almost immediately.
Have steel blue with light taupe interior. Very Sharp.
Anyway, I would rather spend those 3 years with something exciting than a high-resale value cookie-cutter!
For those that have had problems with their M's, I can appreciate their complaints. However, "fit and finish" is something to consider when purchasing a car -- it's right out there in full view. To complain about fit and finish after buying a car is really a complaint about your own car-buying criteria.
By the way, this is just my passion for the M coming out -- please don't take any of my comments personally. They are just my humble opinion, and everybody has one...
Blonda-My guards were more for necessity unfortunately. I work (as an IT Network Admin) for a steel manufacturer, so I am constantly driving in a dirty environment. The guards help keep the dirt/mud/steel dust/general crap mix that's created after a rain from splashing up on my body panels as I drive out, and that makes wash day a wole lot easier!! No salt here in the deep South, so I don't have that problem to deal with thank goodness!
Pster-No problem. I'm 33. I like more subtle and traditional mods as opposed to lots of under car neon, 5 inch tailpipes, decals everywhere, etc. I like to listen to old school rap and while I don't cruise with my system at full blast, I do want to hear the full richness of the music, hence the subs for that extra depth.
Intrepid-I agree fully with you on fit and finish. I made my dealer wait over 30 minutes for my check while I checked all gaps to make sure they were equal (I didn't get the micrometer out, but I wanted to make sure they at least looked even) and checked the entire car for bad paint spots. When I was satisfied, then he got the check. I have seen Pontiac Grand Am's with gaps on the trunk so unequal, it was hideous. I know that Pontiac isn't alone with these problems, but I never understood why someone would accept a car like that or one covered in orange peel paint. I told my dealer beforehand that I wasn't going to waste my time with him if he tried to sell me a car like that and to check it over himself before I got there. He did, and 3 years (this May the 19th) and 50K miles later, I am still exceptionally happy with my flawless M!
Well Dustin....it just goes to show you what age and gravity will do to ya...I'm 47, and I like my mods subtle too....thus all I have done to my 300M is put a "George Bush W in '04" sticker on my rear window.....and I thought that was being pretty sporty. As my motto goes...."the older I get the faster I was".......
When I finally inspected it, it was really too dark to do so. I missed some (very minor) indentations in the rear quarter panel and a gap between the front fascia and the bottom of the headlights on the right side (about 1/2 " gap difference vs.the left side). However, I indicated on the due bill before signing that it was subject to daylight inspection the next day. I took the car in this week and they have repaired the indentations and adjusted the headlight -- turns out it was out of alignment.
If I look closely and critically I can see that there are slight misalignments in all 3 of my 300M's, but, like you, I am not a stickler for micrometer precision. As long as the car looks great and runs great and I get a great deal, I am happy!
How profound! This has my vote for quote of the year.
the next 300
Eeewwwwww!
This car is going to be competing in a very tough segment of the market, one Chrysler (the company) hasn't been present in since the mid 70's with the original Imperial (not the shrunken ones) and a segment Chrysler (the brand) has never been a part of. I just don't think this car will draw buyers from the competition and that's what would be needed to succeed.
For me it's: Gee, now they have some good bits under the wrapper, but the wrapper.
Love it or hate it, you definitely ain't gonna ignore it.
(2) If it comes with a free 7 year extended service contract, $100 deductible,
(3) If the price is $33,000, or less.
I don't suppose I'll be buying one. 300M owners are learners.