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Hope this helps.
fastdriver
Anyway, I sent you an email at the address listed in your current profile - hope that helps.
Geezer300M
In looking for other replacements, I saw that the Continental Touring Contact CV95's were on special for $95 each, although we don't need V-rated tires. They are actually rated just above the Michelins in the tirerack consumer survey.
Has anyone any experience with these tires? The $180 price difference (Michelins are 47% higher) make them attractive.
By the way, I previously endorsed the Yokahama Avid T-4s on the basis of the performance and feel. However, they were close to the wear bar at less than 20,000 miles and I was lucky I didn't have to replace them before turning in my 2000 300M on lease.
Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
Ratings are T4 Traction A Temperature B Treadwear 420. Tourings are A, B, Treadwear 620. They should last longer.
ONE good thing about all the new changes around here is the elimination of the URL limits! That's a plus so that you don't have to go to Make a Shorter Link.com and "fool" the software here. ;-))
intrepidspirit-
One way to solve the tire problem is to trade in the car BEFORE they wear out! That's what I've done all along. LOL.....
fastdriver
I wasn't able to pull up the 17" Yokahama equivalent (my size). Maybe it's not available in 17"...
fastdriver...
"One way to solve the tire problem is to trade in the car BEFORE they wear out! That's what I've done all along. LOL....."
But with cars like Christine, you've had another reason to turn them in early! We've been lucky so far and expect to keep our M's for many years...
True, but it wasn't just with Christine. After 3-4 years, I get tired of a car and change it. I've always been like that. Guess I was spoiled from day one.
I hate paying for repairs to cars especially with the prices they charge and some of the ding-a-lings you have to deal with out there. Years ago, it was easy to find a good mechanic who could FIX things. Now we're in the throw away era because you CAN'T fix it.
fastdriver
As you could probably tell, I was leaning toward the Continental ContiTouringContact CV-95's and I am happy to get positive feedback to reinforce my decision.
However, I still have to convince my wife...
Tires; If you buy a $25 online subscription to Consumer Reports, the best combo tire (performance all season) in the 300M's size is the Falken (I think it's W rated for speed in the 225/55 17 size). They're sold at Sears, which includes free rotations for the life of any tires you buy there (not sure if you have to buy 4 to get that). They are rated quite a bit higher than the Yoko Avids that CR tested, although CR tested an Avid other than the T4. I think the Falcons have a more complex compound to best combine performance w/grip and all season capability, which I don't think the T4s have based on my reading on their web site. I bought T4 recently and am not impressed with their handling, although are good in snow (although only average on ice by my estimation on North East roads). I think the Michelins are great tires, but too expensive. My next tires will probably be the Falcons, and some people have spoken well of the Hydro Edges they've bpurchased at Costco. But I don't think the HydroEdge is that performance oriennted; I guess it depends what your priorities are.
Pardon my wordiness but I've read way more about tires and care more about them than anybody should. They are an important interface for that sleek vehicle you've got in your garage/driveway so get a good set and enjoy them!
Let me comment on Contis; they make some great tire in my opinion but I have read on one or more models where when the car sits for a few days the tires take a "set"; that is, they get slightly out of round (a flat spot where they were parked) which can cause a vibration sometimes when driving. But if you're driving the car everyday it shouldn't be a problem. Good Luck. You'll be limited in selection if you want the M's exact size. I insist on the exact size as I don't want the odometer and speedometer to be "off".
The Pirellis are quieter than the Goodrichs, which were already quieter than the original Goodyears.
By the way, I completed my assignment in California and now have a new contract job back in Dallas.
Lynn Flowers
McKinney, Texas
Lynn
Since I didn't hear anything bad about the Continental Touring Contact CV95's, I decided to go with them. AT $95 each, we will save $45 per tire, or $180 less than the O/E Michelins.
With no negative feedback on the Continental's, I couldn't pass up the bargain price. I'm not sure my wife was convinced (they're for her), but I told her I'd swap with her if she didn't like them...
On availability, the 225/55-17 size stock on 300M's are not readily available in some manufacturer's lines, so there's a limit on choices.
I thought the self-sealing tires on the new 300C were optional and that a compact spare came as standard?
fastdriver
My '99 Platinum M turned 57,000 miles today, not much to report, all continues to be well. Getting 21+mpg in local driving. I was considering looking for new, but I still really enjoy my M, so I think I'll hold on for another year (barring some major failure!).
New AutoWeek has write up on the new 300(C). Not quite as ugly as earlier pix made it out to be. I still think they should tighten up the gaping grille up front, though. I'm sure I will at least give it a look, along with Acura TL, BMW 3, Infiniti G/FX35 and Saab 9-3.
Hope everybody is well. So far, 2004 has not been the best year for me personally. Hopefully things will get better. At least we got a couple of inches of beautiful snow here yesterday...!
'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've enjoyed this board, and I'm a little sorry to see how few new posts there are here. Also feeling a little guilty for not posting more often, but I'm just very happy with my M.
Rear or front drive, drivers can decide
QUESTION: Is rear-wheel drive safe on snow and ice? ANSWER: Yes. A rear-wheel-drive car with traction control and an electronic stability program (ESP) is as safe or safer than a front-wheel-drive car on snow and ice. Q: How do the systems work? A: Traction control senses when the rear wheels begin to spin and applies the brakes or reduces engine power until the tires grip
Many people decry the handling characteristics of FWD, but honestly, how many people drive in a manner where RWD would really make a big difference?
I doubt very much if I will buy a RWD car as long as I live in New England. Which shall be for a very long time because I love it here. It is home...
'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...)
We can't copy and paste like that. A link would be great - with or without a short quote - but not the whole article. Thanks.
Unfortunately, in this case, it's not even a pretty face. The 300M is worlds more attractive than the new 300! Remember the old saying... "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." I just can't see me turning my back on my Special for the "replacement"; and I use that term very loosely. It's gonna take a lot more than a Hemi to make me like that thing more than my M!
Come to think of it, with a more efficient transmission, the 300M would probably be just as fast as the 300C! And I'd like to see the rundown of standard features compared to the 300M's.
"I, too, am surprised and very disappointed at how quickly the 300M loyalty has disappeared around here."
I'm surprised that you'd say that. The 300M loyalty hasn't disappeared, just the loyal 300M posters have disappeared. They love their M's as much as ever.
fastdriver
That makes me VERY nervous about the kind of support I can expect when my Special is a little older and out of warranty. Will I even be able to get Mopar parts for it anymore?? Will I get any reasonable service or will I just get some botched up patch job because it's out of production?? What do I do should something happen to my headlight assemblies? It's not like I can walk into AutoZone and pick one of these units up.
Hello, fastdriver and Dr. Pixel, wherever you are...
'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...)
Glad to hear that your 300M is holding up so well. Guess you got a good one.
"...the board will not seem so quiet if you check in once or twice a week instead of every day--that's my new strategy and I had a slew of posts to read."
A SLEW???? LOL... How many? SEVEN? In the good old days, you would have had hundreds! ;-))
fastdriver
Others may be posting on the Club site. I can't do so from my work computer [considered "chat"] so I post here.
Haven't heard from Dr Pixel in a while but he was still looking for a full time job instead of just consulting last time we e-mailed. He is still active with the Club and did a great 300M poster for the Woodward Dream Cruise last year.
Read the Toronto Star column/review on the new 300C and sent a comment to the writer. He responded and I sent him another note.
RWD, AWD, FWD doesn't matter as far as I am concerned, it is the nut behind the wheel that matters. I grew up in Mass. and never had a front wheel drive til about 10 years ago. I found that the best car I ever drove in snow and ice was a 64 Corvair, with the pancake engine over the rear wheels it would go through anything up to mid-door. Having said that, my M has gone well also, but I plan my route ahead of time and keep the speed where it should be to be able to make hills, and to have sufficent momentum but still be able to stop when I need to. Planning and anticpation are the key to winter driving. Unfortunately, I live in KY where many people don't do either, and don't have the good sense to stay off the roads when they have no idea how to deal with snow and ice, so it is a crap shoot when I get on a snowy highway here. Rear wheel drive will work if the nut behind the wheel knows how to drive.
Last April, after seeing the 300C, I decided to buy a 300M rather than wait for the 300C to become available. It just didn't appeal to me.
The 300C is seldom, if ever compared to the 300M because they are not really comparable. The 300M was an advancement on the old 300's of the 60's and 70's. Instead of a large, heavy vehicle with great staightaway power and little handling prowess, the 300M offered great handling as well as decent power in a somewhat smaller vehicle. So it was somewhat of a departure from the original 300 concept.
The new 300C is actually truer to the original 300's -- heavy, great power (with the Hemi), but with improved handling as developed in the automotive industry over the years. I'm not sure what the relationship of the base 300 with the 2.7L engine is -- other than it looks like the 300C!
As far as parts for the 300M -- I believe DC is required by law to retain replacement parts for a number of years after a model is discontinued...failing that, it's off to the junkyard for spare parts!
Concorde Lx (3495) - 300 Base (3721)---
ConcordeLxi/Limited (3570) - 300 Touring (3767) ---
300M (3591) - 300 Limited (3767) ---
300M Special (3650) - 300C HEMI (4046)
The items were:
1. buzzing speaker
2. worn leather on the steering wheel
3. paint worn on inside of passenger mirror
4. broken passenger air vent cover/control
I told her not to be disappointed if they claimed that some of this was 3 years wear and tear. However, they replaced the steering wheel, passenger mirror and the defective speaker. They ordered a vent control/cover, but it was the wrong color. When they get a new one from Detroit they will simply snap it in when we bring the car back.
I was very happy and a little surprised that everything was done with no questions asked. We didn't even get the old standby "couldn't duplicate problem" on the speaker!
Kudos to Chrysler, and particularly to my 5* Dodge dealer!
I still check here a couple times a week but, since I'm a board member in the club (3rd year) I spend a lot of time there.
After recently getting my new Chrysler Mag. I was truely disappointed that DC has completely ignored the M. I feel like a red headed stepchild that has been abandoned.
I'll drive this car 'til the wheels fall off.
Almost 80K and it is still the best car I've ever owned (appearance, performance, reliability).
I keep waiting for problems but so far, zip!
Maybe we just need to plan a reunion on this site. I'll put a post on the club message board to get some people back over here.
Rick Stilp/Geezer300M
You don't have to enter your password everytime you come here. When you log in, just click the box that says "remember my login" and you're all set. At least, that's what works for me. Now if you have your computer set to clear your cache and delete your cookies everytime you reboot, then, yeah, you'd have to enter your password everytime.
"I'm getting 25 to 26 MPG consistently (mostly interstate driving)."
At what speed usually? Do you calculate it the old-fashion way with paper and pencil(calculator) or do you use the car's readout?
fastdriver