I'm glad you too are ok. I cannot imagine the horror you describe or what you have seen firsthand. I'm still in shock and awe of what has happened. It brings the kind of things the Isrealis see regularly into prospective.
I'll never think of the terrible things that go on half a world away the same again. I'm just so sad, yet angry, as most americans are. I want justice, which doesn't necessarialy mean death, but if that's what it takes to see that they can NEVER do this again, then so be it.
I appreciate the wonderful club members and Edmunds posters here that have shared their thoughts, prayers, and shoulders. They have helped me deal with this tragedy.
God Bless America The Land of the Free, The Home of the Brave
I too looked heavily at the Acura TL due to the navigation unit. So I bought the 300M and installed a nav unit in it. I went with Alpine, it's pretty pricey ($3600 installed through a dealer, but I bought mine on ebay for $1800 and put it in myself). I use it at least 3 or 4 times a week though. It makes driving around so much easier, it will even divert me around traffic. It has even helped me find new places to eat. It's alot of money but well worth it in my opinion. I can take some pictures of it with my digital camera if you want. Martin
Did you get the 751, 851, or 852 model? What type of monitor are you using with it? Panasonic has a 7" motorized one I like. My plan is to install the monitor where the Climate controls are and put the climate controls where the bottom storage is (I have a 99)
You've done a great job with the clock logos for the 300M owners. Maybe you can design one with an American flag too. I bet a lot of people would like that.
gills1--On the sticking windows. I have not had a motor failure [yet--knock on wood] but the driver's side passenger window did not want to open one time two years ago. I used the scientific approach and pounded on the glass near the top center from the outside and then inside with a closed fist. I found that the wax from spray on the car wash had formed a bond that held it like glue in the closed position. The pounding broke it loose and it has worked without a problem since. I now don't get the spray on wax as often when I get the car washed in the "no-touch" car wash, and when I do, I open the windows right after and wipe any wax residue off the edge of the window and the seal area. Try the fist before the 5*, just don't break the window!!
All--Finally, saw a 2002 at the local dealer. He had 3--stone white, inferno red and the other was on a test drive, so I don't know what color it was. They knew nothing of a "Special" coming in Nov. Reaction to the 2002--don't like the chrome around the windows [salesman said you can get it without the chrome trim] and the wheels IMHO were lame compared to the razorstars on the 99. Didn't care for the convex curve on the rims. The center discs did look flat enough to handle the medallions some of us have been putting on. Otherwise, the 2002s looked ok, and already there was a $1K rebate being offered on the 2002. What is with that!?
I just recently returned from a 2500 mile trip to Denver. I have a 2001 non PHP. The slapping, whining, roaring and booming from the tires was terrible. I have the stock Michelins that come with the car. When I got home I called my freind who runs a tire business and had him order a set of Yokohama Avid T4's for me. I have had them on for a week now and it seems like I have a new car. All the slapping etc. is gone! I really like the car now as the road noise was the major dissapointment. There is not the sharp hard "crack" to the suspension I used to get when hitting a bump as well. If you are interested in a quiet tire that handles just as well as the Michelind for $89 each try the Yokohamas.
Yes even with the new intake ,using the stock fender hole is not going to let the intake system work to its optimum level. You really need to get air from another area. if only the battery box was not in the way you could route the pickup in that area. Keep trying .
DenverM-- Come on now, that can't be a science project--that looks like the "new" Special that everyone has been talking about. The trap is how they were able to ratchet up the HP rating.
I am thinking of cutting a hole in the plastic wheel well cover above the existing slots by the battery, and installing a splash shield over it so water blasting through (as it sometimes will) won't splash the cone filter; air will come in from the sides of the shield.
If anyone wants one, send a request to sjensen666@hotmail.com, describing which one. If anyone has more interesting flag graphics other than the flat/rectangular version, tell me where to find it. Thanks!
glad to see someone took my suggestion on the Yokohama tires---I had a set of the V-rated Avids on my Mark VIII and loved them---very quiet and good performing. However the V-rated are not made in sizes for the M without having to buy new wheels etc but the T rated ones have the same tread pattern as the V rated and are much cheaper. If you dont need a hi speed rated tire (over 118 mph), then the T-rated should be fine.
Bullseye, how well do your Yokos do in cornering and wet handling?
I will be buying a set when my Goodyears bite the dust in a bout 10,000 more miles.
you should put a piece of cheese in that mousetrap-car of yours and place it on the top of one end of the table with a basket placed on the floor at the other end. Now when a mouse goes for the bait, it will be quickly trapped and transported into the basket for later disposal. You should patent it ---you'll make millions!
I'm not sure I could handle millions. I'd probably buy an M5 and give the 300M to my 16 year old daughter . . . . At least I could still say I drive an "M"!
The water problem can be a lot more severe than a wet air filter. There have been several instances on first generation LH bodies where a car was driven through high water (I don't know how high), and due to the location of the air inlet water was ingested into the intake causing a cylinder to hydra-lock. This caused the piston rod to break and go through the block. I saw one of those engines that was being replaced at a Jeep Eagle dealer. The replacement was not covered by the warranty, but was covered by insurance.
Wow! I posted just such an idea with tongue-in- cheek some time ago, naturally wanting the Bullet to be recipient of a no-cost to me set of mods for testing. One guy thought I was serious. Now here is an opportunity for someone to really do the testing I suggested.
All- I'm contemplating selling Big Red depending upon my job situation in the next couple of months. I'm trying to reconcile some conflicting information. I know the 2002s are priced cheaper than the 2001s by about $1,500. I also know that cars depreciate significantly when driven off the lot. However, on autotrader I see used 2001 Ms listed for substantially more than I paid for Big Red, even without the spoiler and dual exhaust mods. There's one in my area the same color listed for $32k. Kelley Blue Book lists the value as over $29,500 too. What gives? Can I actually MAKE money selling Big Red right now? There's a piece missing to this puzzle.
I suppose the 90 degree fender restriction acts as sort of a snorkel. However, there is a simple drain hole at the bottom of our air boxes that would allow water to enter at a much lower water level.
If water was such a problem, you'd think that the fender air hole would be higher up.
I was planning on having part of the inner fender wall and the wheel well cover serve as two of my air box's walls. I'm wondering if I should make the whole box, and have it sealed to the fender hole like it is now. I would still have a drain hole, though, but no other source of air.
As far as avoiding water goes, the OEM filter, being quite high in the air box, is always better than any cone filter would be, especially those that just hang there in the engine compartment.
Incidentally, you can instantly give your OEM air box a small additional amount of cool air by cutting off the tips of the rubber inserts that go over the ends of the two "feet" that go into the fender above the air intake hole.
below is a response to valhs about HIS/HER dash light show: I've jets returned from dealer who asked a bunch of questions--so I'll as k youse: IS there a TSB on this, and if so WHAT is the number? Checked the nhtsa.dot.org site and turned up a SB re: intermittent vehicla theft alarm operation. If ANY of you have had this problem, PLEASE email me to home address at GBeye@att.net with solution by YOUR dealer-if any, and what the problem was.....hate to put any pressure on anyone, but will be going Bck TO DEALER TOMORROW A.M. Am STILL home from work..prob. best place to be.....building operating on gner8tors..no aC, no phones, no pc's......for club officers reading this part of the message--I will have to wait until return to work to complete and send out membership packages...to Brent good idea--as usual--to put MemberOmeter on the home page--why didn't I think of that?.....am heavy-hearted over this WTC horror story.....have spoken with many of my friends who feel the same way.......is it me, or am I losing it?......sigh..here's my post to valhs: ===================================================================== Regarding dash light problem: I have a 2000 300m which has been exhibiting a 'light show' over the past few weeks. The dash lights--gear indicator and all radio lights--have been flashing/flickering on and off, along with the door locks going up and down PLUS--as a special bonusd attraction--the headlights going on and off. I DID NOT HIT the PAnic button. Just returned from 1 1/2 star dealer, who was 'unable to duplicate the problem'. Well, why not?....it was daylight, and even with switch in AUTO position--which several members have told me THIS problem ocurrs in--how would the lights come on? Will return to dealer tomorrow morning, and he tells me they will pull dash apart and find out what problem is.... Home email re: this problem is GBeye@att.net ===================================================================== I will check mail later this evening if you want to reply/comment about whether or not YOUR dealer (a) replaced the module or (b) whether they did anything at all
quote: "am heavy-hearted over this WTC horror story.....have spoken with many of my friends who feel the same way.......is it me, or am I losing it?......sigh" end quote.
Doc (Glen) please don't feel you're alone friend and no you're not losing it. I feel a lot like you and I'm over here on the left coast. I know the vast majority of Americans feel as we do. Not being able to go back to work (since you work near the site), I'm sure is affecting you more than most. It's important to get as back to as normal a life as possible. Try and get away from the immediate situation if you can, do something distracting for a while, try and do something fun... if that's possible...
Bottom line, be strong, and remember we're all in this together.
Pat, sorry to go off topic again, but I hope you'll understand.
i cant wait either. the worst part about this is i have no idea if/when or where id be going.. thats the hardest part of it. the anxiety is killin me..
While the events of last Tuesday had a huge impact on all of us emotionally, I fear a larger tragedy is looming...the further economic deterioration of our country. Midway airlines went out of business Thursday citing both a difficult financial situation and a worsened outlook for the airline industry. Other airlines layed off thousands of employees. Retailers are indicating that revenues are down 20% or more as people take a 'wait and see' stance to spending. The jobs of hundreds of thousands of people are on the verge of being eliminated...including mine. These are the things that I fear as much as any other crisis that we're facing right now.
Hey dude, why don't you wash that engine bay while you're in there playin' with the intake. Mine is spotless in comparison. LOL!
Anyway, keep up the good work and dialog and get us some good pics on what you come up with to get good cool air in there. I haven't done anything yet obviously. I got distracted by some recent safety mods (DRLs and 2001 Taillamps).
guard. I would not do it, and not because of the water. If you have ever seen a car driving through a dusty road, you would see that the wheel wells are filled with dust and dirt. It is one of the worst areas to take in air. Why not just purchase a smaller battery and them secure it so that you can drill out a extra 2" or 3" hole and run a tube up to the bottom of the air box.The tubes would keep the battery from moving backward and to remove the battery later just have it so that the pipe has threads than can unscrew it from the bottom of the air box.
Do you want testing with all the mods or do we have to install our old parts back on and retest each item alone? Except for the stock exhaust this can be done.
Michael, the Club is looking for someone to start with a stock M, test it in stock condition, then do mods with testing after each mod. Download the application form off the Club web site, and that should make it all clear.
I think the media needed to not only show some compassion for the tragedy, but for people who wanted something else to watch on television.
When a network has ten cable/satellite channels, and all ten are showing the same thing, people are bound to get depressed about it.
I know by Thursday I was just looking for some programming at which to just laugh, instead of feeling depressed and angry at the whole thing, if only for a half-hour. I don't feel I'm cold hearted, or not caring, but after a while it dosn't become annoying, just enormously depressing.
In the end I walked around my neighborhood counting the flags and contemplating how lucky we truly are... and I've gone out walking every night since then.
thanks for the different perspective on this sad situation. Like you -- and many others here on this and countless other forums across the www, I have stepped back after seeing these tragedies unfold before my eyes and taken stock of my life. Many times I have silently thanked God for a more or less decent job, for two beautiful girls who are the apples of my eye; and for so many other things. I've thanked Him for friends both physically in my home state and for the 'virtual' friends--like you mykem and rscheller and so many others-- that I have made here in THIS forum and through OUR club who have offered their kind support and words during such a horrible time. I thank God and whatever lucky stars I have for my "schweetie" Linda, for without her kindness and understanding over the past weeks, I would not have made it through the blackness I found myself in each day since this happened. I look forward to seeing you in the chatroom this evening, Your friend, Glenn
God was work bad yesterday! Just getting there was a trip. Armed cops seaching people at random on the street next to the stock exchange. Army guys all over the place with locked, & loaded M16's! It's a shame this is happing. The market only fell about 650 points yesterday Although the NASDAQ was only off by like 100 or so. That's good since that's what my firm trades. Still a sick seen here. I'm supposed to be getting back to FL tonight. If I can get on the plane. I for one have no need to see any news for a WHILE! Being here has been enough. Thank god baseball was back on last night. I didn't see any of the pre game stuff. Just the 2nd inning of the Mets game on. Nice change to see something other then the news! I'll just wait to upload the pictures when I get back.
if all this is gettin to ya, rent a movie, a comedy, or go out and see one. we watched a couple movies and it sure was a nice change, it takes your mind off of things for a couple hours..
well, im off to a 24 hour duty, ill talk to you all tomorrow, good luck and stay safe
I think we all share a profound feeling of sadness and dispair that such a tragedy could happen to this great country. No amount of retaliation can make us "even" with the perps. They welcome death for their cause. The destruction of Buddhist idols by the Taliban shows the medieval depth of intolerance by religious extremists. These problems exist in modern countries as well. Northern Ireland, what was formerly known as Yugoslavia (home of great cars) :>), and going back in time, the Inquisition. In our own country, an armed band of zealots massacred another group of settlers in their state because they were not of their belief.
How to feel better? As a start, I went to my place of worship, donated money to the Red Cross, spent more time with the family. Last Friday we went to my daughter's high school football game, the first step back to normalcy. I pretty much ceased all selling activity for a week, but we need to resume so commerce (and jobs)can provide for a strong economic base. sdmike2, good luck with your situation. I could be in the same boat if I can't travel to see prospects in other states.
greetings everyone. good to read everyones' thoughts, havent heard a friendly voice in awhile. jason i think that might have been me you saw. but i got an american flag tied around my head now. lemme tell ya its gets hot down there. and those armed cops...you should see their faces when they see my me walkin by. we had to make id's for "suspicious looking people" like myself. it really hurts, not physically but from the heart. physically i'm good, as good as can be with all this i mean. the dust here is just insane. building 7 we were cutting steel, and theres still dust EVERYWHERE, been one week and stull dust. the steel backlashed and snapped, threw me a 4 other guys about 25 yds. i was telling doc and tony yesterday...kinda a funny sight when you picture it, i landed and smashed into a pole..thats where the stiches on my head came from. i took the pole home tho, thought of it as a souvenier, hell i bent the sucker. but i'm good, saw my parents today for the first time in 3 weeks. i'm in baltimore now. cane down to meet with them. dad brought the m. not too shabby i must say. i put a couple american flags on it. and tonite i go back to newark, then at 3am up to NY again. right now theres like 10,000 ppl missing, but those numbers are not gonna stay like that unfortunately. there were tours going on in the world trade center at the time. the daily visitors get up to 40,000 a day, just pray there wasnt that many ppl. i met a group of firefighters yesterday (the ones who got flung back with me). they were between the towers when first one collapsed looking for ppl....they jumped down a set of stair into the subway station...jason, doc u know what i'm talking about...the rubbled closed them in, they dug themselves out...and went right back to search and rescue. my idea of a hero has changed fellas. i know what a hero is now. God bless. p.s. i took some pics of the m, my bro will upload them sometime. i'll try to post sometime next week. Just one request....everyone pray. if u haven't prayed before, it doesn't matter, there is never a better time to start.
Glad to hear you're ok. Keep it up man, you're making us proud. Tell me, how the heck are you getting access to the site to help? I had a couple of friends go there to volunteer their services in any capacity needed and they were turned away.
I brought my car in today for the new steering wheel and second new driver's door panel and to have them look at the front suspension noises, etc., and they found that I had a bad rack and pinion, which I thought was the problem all along. I'll get the new part next week.
Unfortunately, I can't keep my old parts for warranty work, otherwise I'd see if anyone wanted to experiment with a steering wheel or door panel.
Comments
I'm glad you too are ok. I cannot imagine the horror you describe or what you have seen firsthand. I'm still in shock and awe of what has happened. It brings the kind of things the Isrealis see regularly into prospective.
I'll never think of the terrible things that go on half a world away the same again. I'm just so sad, yet angry, as most americans are. I want justice, which doesn't necessarialy mean death, but if that's what it takes to see that they can NEVER do this again, then so be it.
I appreciate the wonderful club members and Edmunds posters here that have shared their thoughts, prayers, and shoulders. They have helped me deal with this tragedy.
God Bless America
The Land of the Free, The Home of the Brave
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1280646&a=13764864&f=0
Thank You.
You've done a great job with the clock logos for the 300M owners. Maybe you can design one with an American flag too. I bet a lot of people would like that.
fastdriver
All--Finally, saw a 2002 at the local dealer. He had 3--stone white, inferno red and the other was on a test drive, so I don't know what color it was. They knew nothing of a "Special" coming in Nov. Reaction to the 2002--don't like the chrome around the windows [salesman said you can get it without the chrome trim] and the wheels IMHO were lame compared to the razorstars on the 99. Didn't care for the convex curve on the rims. The center discs did look flat enough to handle the medallions some of us have been putting on. Otherwise, the 2002s looked ok, and already there was a $1K rebate being offered on the 2002. What is with that!?
The battery really should be in the trunk.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1280646&a=13765981&f=0
If anyone wants one, send a request to sjensen666@hotmail.com, describing which one. If anyone has more interesting flag graphics other than the flat/rectangular version, tell me where to find it. Thanks!
Bullseye, how well do your Yokos do in cornering and wet handling?
I will be buying a set when my Goodyears bite the dust in a bout 10,000 more miles.
Easyrider
We will pick up the tab for dynomomter testing for a Club member who's willing to take the modification plunge.
Check out the details of this program on the 300M Enthusiasts Club web site at http://www.300mclub.org.
When finished, we'll publish the benchmark results for everyone to use.
Go for it!
Silver
I'm contemplating selling Big Red depending upon my job situation in the next couple of months. I'm trying to reconcile some conflicting information. I know the 2002s are priced cheaper than the 2001s by about $1,500. I also know that cars depreciate significantly when driven off the lot. However, on autotrader I see used 2001 Ms listed for substantially more than I paid for Big Red, even without the spoiler and dual exhaust mods. There's one in my area the same color listed for $32k. Kelley Blue Book lists the value as over $29,500 too. What gives? Can I actually MAKE money selling Big Red right now? There's a piece missing to this puzzle.
If water was such a problem, you'd think that the fender air hole would be higher up.
I was planning on having part of the inner fender wall and the wheel well cover serve as two of my air box's walls. I'm wondering if I should make the whole box, and have it sealed to the fender hole like it is now. I would still have a drain hole, though, but no other source of air.
As far as avoiding water goes, the OEM filter, being quite high in the air box, is always better than any cone filter would be, especially those that just hang there in the engine compartment.
Incidentally, you can instantly give your OEM air box a small additional amount of cool air by cutting off the tips of the rubber inserts that go over the ends of the two "feet" that go into the fender above the air intake hole.
GBeye@att.net
with solution by YOUR dealer-if any, and what the problem was.....hate to put any pressure on anyone, but will be going Bck TO DEALER TOMORROW A.M.
Am STILL home from work..prob. best place to be.....building operating on gner8tors..no aC, no phones, no pc's......for club officers reading this part of the message--I will have to wait until return to work to complete and send out membership packages...to Brent good idea--as usual--to put MemberOmeter on the home page--why didn't I think of that?.....am heavy-hearted over this WTC horror story.....have spoken with many of my friends who feel the same way.......is it me, or am I losing it?......sigh..here's my post to valhs:
=====================================================================
Regarding dash light problem: I have a 2000 300m which has been exhibiting a 'light show' over the past few weeks. The dash lights--gear indicator and all radio lights--have been flashing/flickering on and off, along with the door locks going up and down PLUS--as a special bonusd attraction--the headlights going on and off. I DID NOT HIT the PAnic button.
Just returned from 1 1/2 star dealer, who was 'unable to duplicate the problem'. Well, why not?....it was daylight, and even with switch in AUTO position--which several members have told me THIS problem ocurrs in--how would the lights come on? Will return to dealer tomorrow morning, and he tells me they will pull dash apart and find out what problem is....
Home email re: this problem is
GBeye@att.net
=====================================================================
I will check mail later this evening if you want to reply/comment about whether or not YOUR dealer (a) replaced the module or (b) whether they did anything at all
send help!
Doc
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1280646&a=13764864&p=54236782&f=0
Doc (Glen) please don't feel you're alone friend and no you're not losing it. I feel a lot like you and I'm over here on the left coast. I know the vast majority of Americans feel as we do. Not being able to go back to work (since you work near the site), I'm sure is affecting you more than most. It's important to get as back to as normal a life as possible. Try and get away from the immediate situation if you can, do something distracting for a while, try and do something fun... if that's possible...
Bottom line, be strong, and remember we're all in this together.
Pat, sorry to go off topic again, but I hope you'll understand.
Rick
Im about to work on my next M Mod... Its a statement against terrorism...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=595478652&r=0&t=0
Calvin will be peeing on terrorism on the back of my M, holding the american Flag
I cant wait for retaliation !
Anyway, keep up the good work and dialog and get us some good pics on what you come up with to get good cool air in there. I haven't done anything yet obviously. I got distracted by some recent safety mods (DRLs and 2001 Taillamps).
I think the media needed to not only show some compassion for the tragedy, but for people who wanted something else to watch on television.
When a network has ten cable/satellite channels, and all ten are showing the same thing, people are bound to get depressed about it.
I know by Thursday I was just looking for some programming at which to just laugh, instead of feeling depressed and angry at the whole thing, if only for a half-hour. I don't feel I'm cold hearted, or not caring, but after a while it dosn't become annoying, just enormously depressing.
In the end I walked around my neighborhood counting the flags and contemplating how lucky we truly are... and I've gone out walking every night since then.
-m
Many times I have silently thanked God for a more or less decent job, for two beautiful girls who are the apples of my eye; and for so many other things.
I've thanked Him for friends both physically in my home state and for the 'virtual' friends--like you mykem and rscheller and so many others-- that I have made here in THIS forum and through OUR club who have offered their kind support and words during such a horrible time.
I thank God and whatever lucky stars I have for my "schweetie" Linda, for without her kindness and understanding over the past weeks, I would not have made it through the blackness I found myself in each day since this happened.
I look forward to seeing you in the chatroom this evening,
Your friend,
Glenn
well, im off to a 24 hour duty, ill talk to you all tomorrow, good luck and stay safe
http://phases78.homestead.com/300m.html
phases
They welcome death for their cause. The destruction of Buddhist idols by the Taliban shows the medieval depth of intolerance by religious extremists. These problems exist in modern countries as well. Northern Ireland, what was formerly known as Yugoslavia (home of great cars) :>), and going back in time, the Inquisition. In our own country, an armed band of zealots massacred another group of settlers in their state because they were not of their belief.
How to feel better? As a start, I went to my place of worship, donated money to the Red Cross, spent more time with the family. Last Friday we went to my daughter's high school football game, the first step back to normalcy. I pretty much ceased all selling activity for a week, but we need to resume so commerce (and jobs)can provide for a strong economic base. sdmike2, good luck with your situation. I could be in the same boat if I can't travel to see prospects in other states.
Sorry to be so long winded. Glenn, stay strong.
Silver
Unfortunately, I can't keep my old parts for warranty work, otherwise I'd see if anyone wanted to experiment with a steering wheel or door panel.