By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
High Intensity Discharge ( HID)
Thease are lights that are filled with xeon gas that is lit by a high voltage transformer. These lights draw little power & because the gas lights at about 4500 kelven which is closer to white/blue in the light spectrem the lights have a white/blueish tint.
Aftermarket xeon/hid bulbs
These are from places like PIAA or Ebay
Thease come is 2 different kinds.
1- Bulbs that have a blue coating on them, or in them to make them appear to be HID like in color. These are not street legal & actually reduce your light output & create alot of glare to on coming drivers.
2- Street legal bulbs that have a small amount of xeon gas in them but still have a filiment so the gas makes them a tad closer to the 4500 kelven scale which allows you to see better, but in most cases these are not always brighter then standard light.
A law was passed this year. You can not retrofit a real HID kit onto a car that does not come stock with them. (Either stock or an option)It is illegal to sell or install these kits. Not to say say you still can't though.
After having real HID's on my Acura I'd gladly pay the $600 for them on the C. I'd be hard preesed to not get my next car without them. They really let my eyes see better at night.
The 300 catalog makes the upper dash look black, but I have only seen medium grey upper dashes, with medium grey steering wheels. This, in my opinion, does not look nearly as good. If I can get a darker color, I want to order it that way.
Please help. Thanks!
Chris
They are --
http:/www.exoticwooddash.com
and
http:/www.woodtrim.com
Prices range from about $330 to about $170, dependent upon the type of trim selected and whether real wood or synthetic. Be aware that neither place yet has a match for the factory California Walnut Burl wood package. The first place has an error in item 30 (the passenger window switch applique in that it is show incorrectly as a reverse image of item @1 [the driver's door switch applique]). They reportly are fixing it.
Currently, I am trying to get some better color photos from them to compare to my factory wood before buying. Both places are offering Memorial Day Sale prices with considerable savings.
There are many other places offering such kits, but none other, as of this time, which offer them for the 2005 300C. Do a google search and you'll see them all.
I think 300M got better results on skidpad.
I questioned the moonroof restriction and he reiterated what was mentioned here but that now Chrysler has lifted the restriction.
Oh.. another thing, the Cont. tires do suck for this car.
I've been contemplating whether to order Magnesium or Jade. Magnesium looks nice but Jade looks more 'elegant'.
I asked about the Lava Red and he pointed a Grand Jeep Cherokee with Lava Red. I was very disappointed in the color. I even think the color would 'take away' from the 300C's styling.
So, looks like I'll be placing my order end of month, Jade that is ;-)
The wishes were for a more prominent exhaust note and better looking wheels (than the chrome C wheels).
The issue was that the tires did not match the supension. Either a plus 0 or a plus 1 should be fine (check the warranty for the plus 1 restrictions, if any).
A 245 x 55 x 18" tire (UHP or Max, if such are offered by any mfg.) would probably be a decent step up in handling and probably be a very subtle degradation in "ride" (although I would find the slight stiffness, generally speaking, an improvement especially since turn in and overall responsiveness would likely improve).
Many manufacturers seem (IMO) to under tire their cars, later in subsequent model years, offering optional tire/wheel combinations (either "manfuacturer" accessories or able to be ordered at the time the car is being ordered).
My "guess" is that there will be a special edition of the 300C offered -- a "sport version" -- perhaps this would be on the AWD model and would include a slightly lower suspension, more "sporting" tires and perhaps a slightly retuned engine including some sound enhancements -- a "sport tuned" exhaust. Perhaps a 2 or 3% lower final drive ratio and maybe even bigger brakes -- kind of a Chrysler AMG version.
My guess is that such a version would be offered after year 1 of production.
Well, I can dream can't I?
300C is just arriving in dealers, but you won't be able to get something the Europeans can get...
In order for the 300C to be a success in Europe, it must feature an economic power solution that's refined and powerful. Turbodiesel power is the golden key which will differentiate the 300C from other large American luxury sedans that tried to set foot where gas is liquid gold (namely the Cadillac STS). While all the details on this motor have yet to be released, we have a fair bit of information. This is an all-new motor, not a preexisting powerplant form an associated Daimler Chrysler product. Logically, the 300C should have used one of Benz's current straight sixes, however the nose section of the 300C isn't long enough. Power and torque figures, as well as those of fuel consumption and emissions release have yet to be published.
... namely a state of the art 3.0 liter V6 turbodiesel and a wagon.
Although North American Chryslers do not feature turbodiesel motors, their European division have been designing and assembling oil-burners for years, fitting them to Caravans, PT Cruisers and other mass-produced cars. We're certain that this 3.0 liter V6 will be top notch as Benz will be fitting it to its E-Class to gap the bridge between its 2.7, 2.8 and 3.2 liter turbodiesels, as well as other upcoming products. As a large, luxurious cruiser with tons of attitude, Chrysler expects moderate sales of the 300C. After the release of the turbodiesel, and the upcoming Europe-only Touring Wagon model, it is expected that Chrysler will take a strong hold in the upmarket executive segment making cars such as the Opel Signum, Peugeot 607, and even the Audi A6 fearful for their sales.
Source:
http://www.carbc.com/Car-News-801.h...6dd6404f41aba28
In the speed channel's track runs (two of them) they claim the first one is done with ESP on and the second with it off. The car is clearly shown at speed power sliding (oversteer is clearly being used to steer the car around the curve).
I have read that the ESP does have an off on switch (as does my 2003 Audi) -- and although ESP is not "fully disabled" with this switch, there is a much wider berth given before ESP steps in to prevent or at least attempt to prevent a "stupid attack."
The ESP is shared by DC and Audi (it may be shared by others, I am not ceratain). In my manual Mercedes is given credit for ESP and the name is ESP. Other companies have other names for this software/hardware -- so, within limits (the software, perhaps) the ESP on my Audi and on DC's products must be at least similar.
I have been wrong before and will be again, but I do believe the off position of ESP does more than turn off traction control -- I'll give a shot at finding some info about this. In any case, even at driving before or under the limit, wider, stiffer, lower profile tires "ought" to improve the turn in of the 300C and more appropriately match the chassis/suspension to the tires. Huge tire wheel upgrades (plus 2 or beyond) would probably have the opposite effect as the net result would most likely be an increase in unsprung weight that would offset most or all of the gains of the wider, lower and stiffer rubber.
In any case, my prediction that DC will offer some "upgrades" in this department still stands. The main reason, however, will be "moichendising" -- the soich for mo' money, not exactly a desire to raise the performance level (although there certainly will be a dose of that, too) -- and I hope at least that such an altruistic reason is the real motivation for such optional "shoes," etc.
300C AMG:
365hp and 415 lb/ft torque (engine computer mod, and high flow exhaust)
Suspension tweak
Tires and Rims
300C Brabus:
400hp and 490 lb/ft torque (intake, exhaust, computer mod, new heads)
OR
460hp and 530 lb/ft torque or more (turbo or supercharger, intake, exhaust, computer mod, heads etc.)
Suspension tweak
Tires and rims
Maybe a body kit...
AMG tends to keep things a bit more on the civil side. Then you have Brabus, who likes to extract as much torque out of an engine as they possibly can and sprinkle it with enough civility to keep it sane. Personally, I'll take a Brabus... http://www.brabus.com/
I'm a longtime lurker to Edmunds who has found information here invaluable when trying to make an informed decision. I currently own a 2000 RL and was intrigued by the commercials I saw of the 300. One test drive and 2 dealerships later (finding one that would honor the corporate deal from Chrysler) I had a car on order. Like some or most of you, I have been relentless on getting any information I could find on the status of my vehicle. I was fortunate enough to come across some information on the internet (great place huh?) that may be of service so that you, like me, can obsess in private.
If you have your vin # and your dealers code (you could find on the breakdown invoice that they give you) the site below will give you the ablilty to track the status of your car in private.
http://insightnl.extra.daimlerchrysler.com/inl_dealer/Dealer_LOGI- N.jsp
I myself could not find my breakdown invoice, but being the computer guy that I am, found it by going onto the Chrysler site, finding my dealer then hovering over the directions to the dealer. This yielded the dealer code (first five digits in the bottom left of where the javascript appears)...yeah i know i'm obsessive about my car.
To all of you calling your dealerships far too often, enjoy. Now many of you can join me which is comfort in itself knowing I'm not alone.
JT
Last Monday I called Chrysler and was told the car was in a rail yard in Canada. The next day I found the site mentioned above, and it said the car was in Ohio, and had been since the end of March. My car showed up at the dealer on Mother's Day. This site still thinks it is in Ohio. Looks like they need a better tracking system for cars and transmissions.
JT
This cap has quick-fastening thread; the lock must be keyed to your ignition key so that only your two keys will open the cap. Not a bad idea but DC now was able via the dealer to nick me $41 and change for the cap.
I would prefer that DC would simply lock the flap as on the Benz models, but I guess the Chrysler product is too "poor relations." :^((
It is a pity for all of those who gave up on Chrysler, because right now they would have a great car, be it a Town & Country (with fabulous Stow and Go seating), a 300C (with V8 Hemi power) or a Neon SRT-4 (which will right out beat cars costing twice as much in the 1/4 mile); even if you own a 300M you are in position of being owner of one of the best cars; with an extremely high quality, at a price in which it cannot be beat. Well maybe we should not pity them, as maybe they are envious.
That'd be a great place for your comments since we are just talking about the 300 sedan here. Check it out!
If anyone knows different,please respond. I will fight to the Chairman of Daimler for $1000. if I have to.
I would assume that I can't get this anywhere? I would also assume that when they take the order, it will be MSRP pricing?
No bargain power for me I assume?
I went to Marone Jeep over the weekend, and the sales guy told me no moonroofs until October (which I've learned is now wrong).
Thanks
The car is amazing. It's head and shoulders above the 300M.
If you're not getting the appropriate discounts, go to another dealer. I was in and out of the dealership in less than 90 minutes.
No hard sell, and no back and forth between multiple managers.
Good luck!
Other than Brabus and AMG there are Lorinser, Carlsson and RENNTech. Particularly Lorinser has done some work on 300Ms in the past. I wonder if they could do something for 300C.
Main reason is for security against vandals. Some people get their kicks out of seeing a nice car and dumping some sand or sugar or other stuff into the gas tank, which would be disastrous
Warning: Likely not of interest to many!
Stephen - Thanks for the response re: the Auto-Stick, in post # 2016.
Unfortunately, this behavior by itself, is enough to make it very unlikely that I’d buy the car.
I expect that I am in a very small minority in my requirements for a man-u-matic. There are many ways to approach the offering of some manual control to an automatic trans. And for those looking for any additional control, the AutoStick as implemented in the 300C may be just fine.
I look at these devices as potentially providing the best of both words – rapid up and downshifts, when I desire without aggravating the arthritis in my left foot and full automatic operation when I desire.
Here are my personal requirements:
Ability to hold any selected gear (specifically including top / 5th with respect to the 300C) within as wide a range of rpm / mph as practical. I typically run my cars (current and last 2 have has AutoStick-like functionality) at highway speeds ‘locked’ in 5th gear. This allows only TCC unlock, unless I manually downshift. Even in a very good automatic, I find the pause (“Are you serious, Mr. Driver?”) before downshifts at highway speed to be rather annoying. This works well for me when in typical 50 – 80 mph traffic. And I can actually hold 5th gear (in my current vehicle) down to less than 10 mph – assuming I don’t mind rather leisurely acceleration.
Ability to upshift at any (reasonable) rpm when at WOT. Oddly, BMW’s automanual (as recently as the 2002 model year) does NOT allow this.
Forward move of shift lever when in manual mode = upshift and back = downshift. (Again, to pick on BMW - they had this – and then reversed it, for some reason????? Autostick left / right might be OK – have not driven one yet.)
Do NOT execute an upshift except at redline and WOT. (Once again, BMW has some rather odd behavior here. And I really do like a lot about BMWs . . .)
Further, my preferences (not ‘deal breakers’) are:
Ability to start in either 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear. And hold any of those gears from idle to redline - or until manually changed.
Automatic upshift at redline only if at WOT. (Like VW / Audi Tiptronic.)
RPM match on downshifts. Sadly, only the DSG on VW / Audi’s 3.2L V6s and some VERY expensive European cars (AFAIK) seem to offer this feature right now.
Just my opinions. YMMV.
- Ray
Always looking for driving refinements . . .
These two "attributes" are clearly seen in the with ESP on and ESP off in the Speed channel 300C test drive.
Everytime the car is restarted, ESP is turned to the fully on position, too.
My dealer buddy (runs one of the largest dealers in the Northeast) flat out told me what I wrote in my last post.
As soon as demand drops on the Pilot, you will see a repackaging of options/features...
I was wondering if anyone has tried MP3's in the stereo system? I also wanted to find out if you could use folders for MP3's and if they were recognized.
Thanks,
JT
stephen
With all the options available, why are our choices limited to turning off the ESP and choosing to have the doors unlock with one press of the key fob button or two? I'd like to configure the MDS also. If you're on a 55 mph road with a lot of hills and curves, that MDS is constantly changing from 4 to 8 and back. Why can't we choose to lock it in one mode or the other?
stephen
Sirius, on the other hand, uses 3 satellites placed over the middle of the US, spread out equidistant from the east to west coasts and one in the middle. As a reslult, they should be able to "see" the radios with minimal dead areas in their target area (North America).
More and better located satellites are desirable in any such system.
IMO, Sirius is the better and more reliable of the 2 systems (and there are only two at present).
you've got me interested about the MDS. you seem to be constantly complaining about yours. have you in fact determined that there is nothing wrong with your car? have you driven another 300c to see if it does the same thing yours does? you are the only person here and on other forums(including numerous automag tests) that has mentioned a peep about the MDS and being able to tell when it cycles between 4 and 8 cylinders...