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Comments
Seems that when applying the Z1/Z2 for the first time it takes forever (over 2 hours) to dry. Subsequent Z2 coats dry quickly. Normal?
Second question. I note that the mpg rated for the M is between 22-27. I know this is very subjective (how you drive, where, climate etc...). It's my wife's car and she drives very conservatively - doesn't use the auto-stick (reserved for me on weekends 8-) ) yet she hardly gets over 15 miles per gallon. We're taken "M" in tomorrow for a check-up since even DC said that it's unusually low. My thoughts are perhaps a miscalibrated computer (no I haven't done the manual calculation). But have any of you experienced such poor mileage? Thanx for your thoughts,
Sibe
The Inferfo Red gospel according to St. Zaino: Big Red on Zaino
rklass-
I had the same experience with my first Zaino application. It took forever to dry, even in the warm california sun. I just did another layer of Z-5 and it dried in about 15 minutes.
sibe - I get pathetic gas mileage as well. My dual exhaust increased me from about 16 to 18mph, but that's still a far cry from the 25's that I see here. Most of my driving is highway too. Let me know what you find out.
Also, I believe your car is still very new -- my wife was getting only 15-16 MPG on her freeway drive to work when it had less than 500 miles on it. Now that it has 750 miles, she is getting 20-21 on the same trip. I expect she will get 24-25 when the car has 2-3000 miles on it....that's what she gets when she uses my M (6500 miles).
I think I was MORE disgruntled with the "5-STAR" dealers/factory reps then the car itself. I still don't think that I should have been back to the dealer so much when the car was new, but maybe if they were TRUE "5-STAR" dealers I wouldn't have been. Yes, the 300 still turns my head to LOOK. Christine turned MY head 360 degrees at times! LOL....
rklass-
Like any wax/polish, the weather conditions make a big difference. I never had to wait hours for Zaino to dry. I'm going outside right now while it's still fairly warm to wash my new car and put on coat number 2 of Z-5/Z-6. I already have 4 coats of Z-2/Z-6. Looking good so far.
fastdriver
The European 300M I took pictures of has a 2.5 V6 w/ cloth interior, and break away mirrors. Are break away mirrors on the 2001? Also in the pictures are a european front license plate bracket w/ a cool 300M plate.
Let me know who the prefered host is now to post pictures and I will get them up.
Thanks
they are replacing ALL 4 weatherstripping around doors due to shrinkage--no argument there
reprogramming ATC climate control due to poor operation--blows ac when set at 70 and outside temp is 50
checking clicking window on drivers side
replacing headlight welt--loose
checking for growling noise in belt area on slow acceleration from stop---2nd time --couldnt fix last time---they did try tightening belt to no avail
They gave free use of a "Cheep" --sure dont drive like the M---
let you know how I make out--i pick it up tomorrow
I am concerned as since up to recently we had the highest gas prices nationwide with the middle grade fuel at 2 bucks a gallon on Oahu. And since I can't do anything about the Durango's mileage, I'm praying I can do something about "M"s one. Thanx again for your feedback.
Sibe
The European 300M I took pictures of has a 2.5 V6 w/ cloth interior, and break away mirrors. Are break away mirrors on the 2001? Also in the pictures are a european front license plate bracket w/ a cool 300M plate.
Let me know who the prefered host is now to post pictures and I will get them up.
Thanks
Sibe
I will try to get the pictures posted tonight, if not tomorrow.
You're right, however I did read in the manual that if you had the HP package that you could get better oooooompf by using the midrange fuel. Thought it might also burn cleaner and keep the injectors clean.
Sibe
OK. Done! Washed the car, dried it, applied Z5, then Z6, took pics, posted them to Photopoint and made a new album- all in less then 2 hours! Not bad. Take a look. Sorry for posting this here, but the Zaino drying question came up here.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=912729&a=12767572
thill381-
You can post the pics at Yahoo photos for free or e-mail them to me and I'll put them in my Photopoint albums. I paid for a subscription the other day because I have too many photos there to move now.
fastdriver
Thill381- post those pictures quick! My wife wants to see an M with cloth seats (even though it's only available for exported cars) because she doesn't like leather period. I think it's kind of nice, just a little warm in the sun and cool other times.
I have gotten as low as 18.5 MPG on mine, and "city" for me is rural driving. I have also turned in 26-28MPG on long trips.
You will see some improvement after 3-4,000 miles, bur 15 MPG may be worth a dealer check.
As for the seat covers; who are you saving that beautiful leather for? Enjoy it!
intrepidspirit, the heater blend door in my M is stubborn sometimes. It will refuse to close when I have the a/c on, and refuse to open enough when I have the heat on. What temporarily cures it is to run the thermostat, the temp selector thing, all the way up and all the way down and then put it back where you want it. It will be ok then for an hour or maybe a week. You will probably want to turn the fan on its lowest setting when you do this.
"M" has 700 miles + change on her. Well surprisingly we have 3 (THREE) Interstate Highways (would you believe) which are nothing more than parking lots most of the time. So yes it is stop and go a lot. I was just very surprised given that we were looking for a car that would ease us off the guzzling of the 5.9L Durango. So the 20-26 looked real good. When I got to 15.8 average (and the counter does reset after every clear), and reading the 25+mpg on the List I figured I'd call DC. They suggested I bring it in. Initially I thought it might be a badly adjusted computer (i.e. not calibrated for the 17" rims). But I guess we'll know more tomorrow (though the delaer doesn't hold out much hope). I must say I'm more concerned with surface rust developing on the inside of the trunk than the mileage....
As for "who am I saving the leather for"? 8-) Well I'm mostly concerned with UV and sun damage here in Paradise...
Sibe
Thanks for the tip. I've played with it several times and had cold air blasting at me when I had the temperature setting up to 89! I guess I resent having to fool with it to get it to work for a while (an hour or a week). My 98 Intrepid worked perfectly and the Dodge dealer that worked on my 2000 M told me the sensor was in a different location. Apparently they corrected the problem for 2001 because my wife's 2001 M works perfectly.
Mine seems to work better since the adjustment, but I'll have to wait for the real hot weather to see if it is fixed. Since Chrysler obviously corrected the problem year to year, they may replace it if you make enough noise...
sibe...
If your interstates aren't moving, you won't get good gas mileage. I understand that you can use regular and the only effect is 11 HP less. You may want to try that to save a few bucks...
Not only are our Interstates not moving but the on-ramp to LA has been drenched for years ...what we won't do here to get Federal funds...8:)
Sibe
Today I saw a sleek green car coming up behind me pretty quickly in the fast lane. When it got closer I saw it was a dark green 00 M. We gave each other a knowing wave and he went on his merry way. Any of you guys have a green 00 M and were on the I-15 near Escondido today?
my fuel economy - 16.2 mpg. Mixture of really bad stop and go on the outskirts of Miami, followed by a 90-100mph blast on a lonely highway.
Maybe we M'ers can meet up there. If youre a member of our 300M Enthusiasts club, you should display your membership card on your shirt so we can meet up with each other. Just stick it on your shirt with double sided tape. I'll be lookin for fellow M-owners there. Here is link to the location for the show.
http://www.mot.org/index_static.html
Easyrider300M
http://www.leatherrepairkits.com/chrysler.htm
As for the UV, the 300M has excellent window tinting for UV protection of the interior, but if you want more, aftermarket window tining may be the answer. Some posters here from lala land have had their windows tinted and could give you more info.
Besides, that way you can save the comfy leather for yourself!
I will post pictures of the new wood dash this weekend if I ever find time. I would just like an extra half hour to catch up on the posts of this board
thill
I just tried the above link and you will need to click on "my photos" to get to the pictures.
thill381 - It's a shame to remove two of the best parts of the M, the leather interior and the 3.5 litre engine. I wish my speedo went to 240
-M
Anyway, just received my Club packet. Beautiful! Someone has much too much time on their hands (and I thought generating clock faces was time consuming).
What's the scoop with HIDs for US based models? I know aftermarket kits are around 900 bucks. Are there any plans for them? I checked on the Xenon bulbs, as close as you can get for 20 bucks (on e-Bay) but due to the angle of the bulb on the "M" they haven't come out with one yet. I have them on my Durango and although they do give a blue shimmer and are brighter than the "blue coated lenses" they are still a far cry from the real thing. So any reason why the "discrimination" between Europe and us?
Sibe
You can thank the Good Doctor (Pixel) for the expertise on the member packet. We try to do it right. Next thing is Club logo shirts. We're workin' on it.
http://www.300mclub.org
-Mike
thill-how much (in US$) did the M go for there? Otto says they are pretty expensive in the Great White North, so I was wondering about overseas.
Bent over at the pumps...
-Mike
It goes for around $500 street price.
I am from Canada, and during a trip 2 years ago, I was trying to figure out how to buy a car there and get it back to the U.S. without paying duty. The car was actually a few thousand cheaper when translated to U.S.$...
Another interesting thing about looking at cars in Canada was that the "Dodge" Intrepid was the "Chrysler" Intrepid in Canada, with Chrysler lettering on the sides, just like the 300M. And the destination charge (again adjusted for the exchange rate) was identical for a car 40 miles from the Brampton plant as it was thousands of miles away in California!