Chrysler 300M

easyrider300m

dont feel bad guys,---I only get 17.2 mpg--about 258 per tankful--and I drive it real "easy"--about half is highway drivingat about 70mph--tried different gas brands and I try to anticipate traffic signals--engine runs smooth but I wish I could get 20mph---stock exuast etc--I wonder if maybe a vacuum hose is diconnected or my brakes are dragging-- :-{

jedi_knight

Man I feel for you guys. Most times I get 23.5, 2 tanks ago I was at 25.6 andno this info is not just based on what the computer tells me, I'm rather anal and calculate the gallons added -vs- the distance travled. I typically drive in the 70 - 90 mph range. What I have noticed is since lowering the M, the milage has gotten better.

Keith

kamalee

Speed up from 70 MPH with 3rd, you're not going to see the RPM to pass 5000 easily unless you speed up to or over 110 MPH. But if you downshift again to 2nd, you'll see it. I have been doing to shoot from around 50 MPH to 80 with 2nd, this brings the RPM to 6000 easily, but I dare not to let it closes to the red line before I shift up to 3rd. You will hear the roaring only in 2nd gear.

I am happy with my MPG, I get close to 23 with 70% of freeway driving and my driving style. Recently I pay $2.10 per gallon with Chevon medium grade in San Jose.

Happy 4000 miles

racefan009

don't mess with the neon!!! you're asking for it here in ATL we don't use blinkers. use a blinker and you might as well have a sign on the back window that says i'm an idiot, please let me over.

takes a real man to sport neon!!!

Race

racefan009

i think i found a name for my m "redline" but it's silver, oh well. my m loves the redline, she wouldn't have it any other way.

m hmm,

Race

denverm

Put a red pinstripe down the side. Maybe that GA vanity plate isn't taken yet, either.

rklass

Dustin, I would like to weigh in for the "Most Perfect M" (isn't "most perfect" redundant?)
I took delivery on my slate/agate PHP '99 M on June 29, 1998. I drove it 69,000 miles over 30 months, averaging just over 23MPG overall.
I had NONE of the various problems described on this message board. It was the best car I have ever owned in my 45 years of driving.
I would also like to lay claim to two other records:
1. Only one on the board to have had 2 300Ms in succession, a '99 and '01.
2. Most miles in a 300M, 77,000. 69,000 in the '99, and 8,000 so far (also trouble free) in the '01.Any challengers?

ruski

I usually get a pretty good kick when using the AutoStick, but I have been experimenting and have figured out a way to make it shift more smoothly.

Basically when I am accelerating hard and feel like it is time to shift, I ease off the gas pedal, but not all the way. Then shift, then floor it again.

I figure if I try to make it shifter smoothly, it may live longer.

sleepymw

i am a little lost on this autostick... do you shift while still pushing on the pedal or do you treat it as if you're using a stickshifter and let off the pedal when you're suppose to stick?

fastdriver

ruski-

Forgot to ask if you have ever been to City Place in WPB? I have some pics-

http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/fastdriver2_99

j300m-

If you don't like what I have to say, just skip over my messages. I'll post what I want, when I want and WHERE I want! Been here since June 1998 and have NO intention of going anywhere, so get used to it!

fastdriver

racefan009

no, most perfect is not redundant. this is not a contest but if you feel like you should be the winner that's great. if you have a trouble free m stand up and say it, that's all.

Race

scotian

Hey, you're right -- all those 300M's in Europe, etc., all look like worthless putrid pieces of crap for having side markers. It's all so clear now! My eyes are opened! :-)

Hey -- what have you done with Racefan09?

racefan009

yer dam straight!!!

Race

jedi_knight

rklas - while I cannot lay claim to having 2 M's in a row, I'll give you run for the $ on the 01. Picked her up 12/27, 4 months ago, I currently have over 13k on the clock. At this rate I figure 44k miles a year....and probably be ready for a new car within 3 years.

Keith

scotian

Sitting in front of our computers on a Friday night...

300michael

The conectors you mentioned were on Crank and Chrome tv show. I believe they are at Napa auto parts. The web site does give a place to order them, they run about $1 a piece.

300michael

Please, don't take my winky blinkies away. I love lights (reminds me of Christmas) I even have them on my shifter (2 and 2 to go) console. I hope you think it is ok, the way I wired my tail lights:)

denverm

Russ, someone else on this board is on his second M; I just can't remember who it is.

I've had the shrinking weatherstrips (fixed now), so I can't claim "perfection," but if perfection was a realistic expectation, we wouldn't need warranties. This is clearly the best car I've ever owned, and it would take a lot more than a few small glitches to get me to diss it. Small glitches are just a part of life, and I feel sorry for folks who'd rather endlessly whine about them than fix them. I enjoy every minute of driving this car!

grunschev

1. Picking on BMW 525's? Did I read that right? Why bother? The 25 in 525 means 2.5 liter engine. I'm sure they'll do 180kph but seriously doubt 180mph. Maybe you could try to find a 540. But you might get embarrassed.

2. Somebody keyed my car yesterday. :-(

3. Springs and vibration? I think I agree with the Tirerack guy. It's just a spring. That's a pretty simple piece of machinery. Here's what I think the deal is with the vibration: these springs really transmit road feel to your seat. My car not only can stop on a dime, I can tell you whether it's heads or tails. You may have had a vibration *before* the springs but didn't notice it because the stock springs handled it. With performance springs you feel it. The springs didn't cause it, they just let you feel it. 13 months with Eibach springs and no vibration. Oh, and the kit they'll send you won't have anything to do with motor mounts. The alignment kits allow you to get the camber and toe-in correct with the lower springs. I also suspect if you're having such troubles with the struts after your springs were installed, maybe they were installed incorrectly (the springs, not the struts).

Igor

ottowrkr

Hey Race thanks for sticking up for me, and yes when I find out things about the next generation of LH cars you all will be the first to know.. I try to tell it like it is.Sibe , yes I know just because I work for a company does not mean I know everything. But I have talked to some of the people working on the next generation of the LH . It will be code named LX and will be rear wheel drive and have a V8 option. Now I have been told a version of the 300 HEMI C will be built , how close to the concept I dont know. They will also build a performance version for Dodge , will it be called Charger ?? not sure . But this will not take place until model year 2004. Till then the LH cars will live on . In 2002 you will be able to get a Tuner package on the 300M , looks just like the concept they built a while back.

sdmike2

Well, I had my neighbor video tape while I hauled [non-permissible content removed] down my street (squeeled the tires a bit while I was at it) so you could hear the exhaust. The file, when exported, was 49MB! I managed to find a program that would help me edit and manage the size, but it's sharware and decided to put a big black box in the middle of the video to "urge" me into shelling out $100 for the program. At least you can hear the exhaust, until I can find a program that won't neuter the video like this.

This is a larger file that gives a sound that's slighly more tinny than real life.
1.7MB MPG

This one errors on the other side...a bit muffled. Imagine something exactly between the two
400k AVI file

Here is the link to BigRed's exhaust page again..
BigRed's new lungs

sdmike2

I seem to remember the event a bit differently...more like the 525 running up the fast lane chasing me, and when I moved over to let him pass (had a dying person to get to the hospital, I figured), he slowed and gave me a "let's go" look.

Never saw his face or the back of his car again...

scotian

Tuner package - Details? Would we existing owners be able to buy it, or parts of it, ala carte?

alex18t

i drive a celica but i need to find a knowledgible car person. my car takes 3.7qts of oil and 3.9 qts is max in the manual. my friend put in all of the 4th qt by accident and now the dipstick shows 1/6 - 1/4 of an inch over full. closer to 1/4. should i take out the filter and drain a little oil or is 4qts ok? please help out. cant find a car person to talk to. could i drive with the oil a little over full for long distances and it will be ok for the seals and everything? i do my own oil changes but im no mechanic. thanks for your help guys.

pat

Someone here may be able to offer some advice for you, but you might also want to check into our Maintenance and Repair Board. There is very likely a Celica discussion going on over on our Coupes, Convertibles & Sports Cars Board as well.

Good luck.

Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards

malyel

Thanks for recording the sound. I think it sounds great. With the big black box on the video it reminds me of a comercial selling a video that's "too hot for TV".

racefan009

bet the neighbors loved that, sounds just like mine, yeah baby!!! ))

Race

sdmike2

I hadn't thought of that, malyel. BigRed...too hot for the Internet. lol

Race, I had to wait about 15 minutes so there were no people around. I was surprised I laid a little rubber because I didn't really get on it that hard. It's also a real shame that I haven't found a program that won't ruin a nice video. This one has a black box, and the other I tried made the video/audio all broken up. At least the one with the black box didn't mess up the sound.

-M

scotian

Has anyone replaced their head unit with something? If so, I want to see pics! Thanks.

sdmike2

I find that it shifts nicer if I let off the gas a bit...similar to shifting a manual.

-M

sdmike2

I guess everyone is out driving. )

rklass

Depends on why you are using it.
If you are looking for max acceleration, keep your right foot to the floor. You won't break anything.
If you are just playing, do what feels comfortable. (no double meaning here)

rklass

Loved 'em both Mike!
Now I know what the digital sound and subwoofer on my computer are for.
Awsome!

10sc_300m

Sweet Sound on the dual exhaust mods.
I've been wondering what seems to be everyones favorite 300M mod sounded like.
Thanks for posting the audio. the pix are great too.

10SC_300M

massivslinky

Drain the oil a bit. I had a ford fiesta once (my first card) and over filled by half a quart. A little way down the road, the oil cap popped off dumping oil all over the engine and starting a nice engine fire. Fortunately I was in a residential area and someone had a fire extinguisher. Messed up the hood pretty bad and melted the plugs into the block. Got away with only $400 damage.
My advice is to keep the oil at proper level and carry an extinguisher, Especially if you drive a Ford.

wesley1der

I leased a Lincoln LS Sport V8 for 24 Month. Lease will soon be up. At that time I was also consisdering a 300M. The main reason I did not go with the 300 was road noise. It seemed the 1999 model that I drove was very noisy. Can any one tell me if there has been any improvment in this area. I like the size of the 300 M over the LS. The LS trunk and other storage areas are to small. Plus not much room in rear seat for adult passengers. Would appreciate your thoughts and any addvise as related to these two cars. Will need to decide on the 300 soon. I would be looking for a 24 month lease.

joey300m

Jump at the chance for the 300M. I still own a Lincoln LSC which has now become my second car.
The 300M is larger in the rear passenger and the trunk room is gigantic compared to the Lincoln.
Have a 2001 M and originally fell in love with the 99 but I waited because I didn't want to buy a first year production car. Don't remember the noise level of the 99 but my 01 is very quiet. Also any road noise is easily dampered by the Infinity 360 watt sound system. The only difference I've experienced so far is that in the M, you see the road in front of you while the Lincoln you see a lot of hood.

300michael

The 01's are quieter then the 99's. I have a 99 and have test driven a 01 for Dodge (they paid me to do it:). I have since added sound proofing to bring my 99 to the 01 sound levels.

denverm

Here's just the sound, in mp3 format, 250k (first from the mpg video and then from the avi video): http://btjdesign.com/300m/sdmike-300mdualexhaust.mp3

ruski

I have had my '99 300M for 2.5 years and can personally attest that I am not bothered by any noise.

ruski

I don't really go to Palm Beach anymore. And when I used to drive in that direction I commuted to Delray Beach.

Saw another Candy Apple Red 300M at an intersection. I was turning left, and he/she was sitting at the red light in the opposite lane. I blinked my headlights a couple of times and got the same as a reply.

sdmike2

Today I washed BigRed and put another coat of Z-5 on her, followed by Z-6, Tire Treatment, and Leather Treatment. Now if I can just get my friggin windows clean. Anyone find an awesome streakless window cleaner? I've tried several, but they all seem to leave something behind. Maybe it's just that I just have "new car yuck" on mine still.

-M

sdmike2

Thanks. Nice to have a smaller file for those that don't want to watch, only listen.

-M

jedi_knight

I just changed the bulbs in the headlamps today and came to this conclusion. The person who designed the assembly is one sick twisted sob. The owners manual has instructions that seem to only pertain to pre 01 models, the fastners in the wheel well are not removable as indicated in the manual so I took the route of removing the upper support bracket.....well needless to say the lamp assembly would not come all the way out but I was able to get my fingers in there to change the bulbs.

99_300m_ric_va

http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/bc/rpowelljr300n/lst?.dir=/My+Photos

pat

Some posts in violation of the TOU requirement of civil and respectful discourse have been removed.

Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards

silverbullet4

That was quite a story about how the Ford caught fire after being overfilled with oil. Last week I had my oil and filter changed at a local Jiffy Lube. A couple of days later I checked it and it looked to be between a third and a half quart too full. I took it back to Jiffy Lube and they drained out enough to put it right on the "full" mark. I am glad I did it - don't need a fire.

Yesterday I had the local AltaMere shop apply a top grade window tint. I noticed today that they must have crammed the inside window seal ( the fibrous looking one, not the rubber) down inside so they could get the tint to the very bottom. I'm not supposed to lower the windows for at least four days, so don't know if the seal will pop back up. If not, back to the shop.

I'll be in New York City for a week on business, but will be looking forward to any advice on the window seal issue upon my return. Have a great week!

Silver

300msadowner

Does anyone knows how long you can keep a car before returning for a refund. I have the 300M and I find that I'm not happy with it at. I seemed to have some problems with the wheels and the are trying to fix the problem but after alomost 7 months my faith in this car is shot, I would like to return it to hget my money back but I don't want to look like an idiot when they say "it's to late for that your stuck with the car now.

sdmike2

Sorry that you're unhappy with the car. However, unlike buying a stereo, there is no recision period for a car where you can return it for a refund. All of the dealers I've been in recently have a large sign stating that when you sign the papers and drive off, the car is yours. Why don't you share with us what your issues are and maybe we can help get you through them. There are a lot of people here with a lot of experience with the car that may be able to help you. Several here have found fixes to tire vibration issues and other things.

-Mike

sdmike2

I would also recommend trying to get your problems solved at different dealers, possibly even elevating your problems to a regional manager that might have the ability to do something more for you. Again, give us some details on your car and problems and we'll try to help.

-M