Chrysler 300M

fastdriver · September 2001

scotian-

Great clock faces! I do like the one with both flags waving in the wind. I'm sure the group appreciates it.

Glad that everyone here is safe and doing what they can to support the hoardes of volunteers in NY and the families of the vistims. It is also heartening to see the major corporations donating millions to the cause also. There is still no word about my cousin's husband. Things look bleak. He is only 31 years old.

I'm happy to see the renewed fervor for our country's flag. It wasn't that long ago that people in this country were burning it! Wonder where they are now? Most likely still enjoying the freedom we have in this country.

My hat is off to AV for his efforts in NY and phases78 for his part too.

God Bless America.

fastdriver

phases78 · September 2001

thank you.. it has been a @#%^^@> i just got of a 30 straight hour shift this morning, i have another tomorrow, have the remainder of the next day off, and come in the folling day for yet ANOTHER one...

yay.

jona57 · September 2001

The decision depends upon what you want in a car. The 300M is among the best handling and braking large sedans in the world (especially when equipped with the performance package). It is more upscale in terms of interior appointments and comfort. For 2001+, the luxury group with real wood trim is very nice. IMHO, the 300M is a beautiful and distinctive piece of automotive artwork in terms of both interior and exterior styling- I believe it will never look "dated". Those front-drive Chrysler LH body sedans are also good in snow (I had a Dodge Intrepid before trading up to the 300M). On the other hand, straight line acceleration is good but not nearly up to TransAm standards (stock 0-60 & 1/4 mi times of 7.7/15.9 sec vs the 6spd manual Trans Am's 5.0/13.5 sec- Motor Trend data). Many more parts are available to "hot rod" a Trans Am. In short, these are 2 different cars which excel in different areas. I love my 300M but I still have a boyhood dream of owning a TransAm. If I did buy one, though, it would have to be as a 3rd car because neither my wife nor I would choose it as our daily driver in an urban lifestyle.

Just my 2 cents.

Jon in Indy
2001 300M

300michael · September 2001

go to www.300mclub.org and click on chat room remember to start you name with a letter, not a number, and join in.

300michael · September 2001

have you checked that the cowl drain holes are not pluged up (so that the water goes into the vent system and leakes into the car? The wireing cables that go through the fire wall are sealed and besides if the car was sitting there the only area is the glass areas door seals and cowl intakes where the water can get in.

dubbed · September 2001

join the club!! then you can see our posts which have not been to many lately unfortunately, and u can see pics of my car if you dont feel like waiting till the az meet. lol j/k. if you want to see the pics and cant get em from the club let me know ill send em to you. chat tonight everyone better be there!!!!!!!!!

tom
(DUBS)
phtrde1@aol.com
dubson300m@yahoo.com

ajpiii · September 2001

Dont bother wasting your time racing an Audi A4 1.8T... Pulled up to a stop light, got the look, light turned green, last I saw of him... Although I did hear his engine staining in the beginning... Of course that ended when I drove by him...

It was a present for my M for turning 50,000 miles with no major problems today...

ruski · September 2001

Russia started its antiterrorist operation against Chechnya a couple of years ago (radical muslim fundamentalists supported by the same Osama bin Laden and his mercenaries there). That's after the terrorists blew up two big apartment buildings in Moscow, one more in another city, and started invading neighboring republics. So Russia brought in heavy artillery, tanks, aircraft, vacuum bombs and destroyed a lot of towns and infrastructure in Chechnya. Somehow all that did not hurt the Chechen fighters. They disappeared into mountains or into population. During the day they look like normal people, at night they shoot you in your back. Going after them and bombing more towns turned peacefull Chechens against Russians. How can you win such a war?

This also was the case back in Afganistan in the 80's.

silverbullet4 · September 2001

To add insult to injury, it even left a "readme.exe" icon on my desktop. Our company's mail system is not accepting any mail with attachments for the time being. Bummer! I am reduced to sending hard copy by snail mail to customers and prospects. These attacks are costing business millions of dollars in lost productivity. It took 4-5 hours to clean my pc.

Silver

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

"Cowl drian holes"
What, & where are those?? I didn't think the M had any.

Right the firewall holes are sealed, but I cut one open when I got the M to get my 4guage power wire to the battery. I used some sealent after that. It was fine for over a year. This only started in June. I thought it was the windshield, because that did get replaced. I had the glass company come back & reseal it. It seemed to stop leaking after that. It's coming from the firewall area, that I know. The floor mat is never wet. Just under the mat on the carpet it's self. & only on the drivers side. I'm sure the door seals are good too. Of course the monkey's see a big red wire that's not "supposed" to be there & think it's that.

cmyers300m · September 2001

Man, be careful everyone. I tried to access my fantasy football site this morning and it tried to feed me the Nimda virus! So I guess my football league is toast for now. Last night I downloaded the latest McAfee DAT file to prevent this on my home PC. If anyone out there hasn't I would strongly suggest it! My V.P of I/T dept at work received the virus and his laptop is toast!!!

grunschev · September 2001

It's a new kind of war, that's for sure. I think we need to get really nasty and send the IRS after them. I'm only slightly joking - we need to remove their means to conduct such attacks. Bin Laden has been able to get where he is today by buying friends (building roads and infrastructure in Sudan and Afganistan). It is also expensive operating a world-wide network like that.

Igor

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

Reading about all this, & how the ruling parties came about reminds me alot of how WWII went. Hitler came to power, the world & US didn't care much he got stronger over a few years decided he was the perfect race, started invading others because the were not this perfect race etc etc ect.... Alot of simliar things are happening. I was reading how the Taliban were forcing their ways on other people. Taking Islam to the extreams. Tring to condone killing people for Faith reasons. Taking extream measures for Women who now can't work, can't drive, can't get a ride from a male, Men get jailed for talking to a women who is not related, Men not shaving, things like that. Those are extream to me. They are humans not cattle. Thier whole point of view is not Islam. It's Better convert to Islam or die, & anyone who is not Islam or is against it dies. I'm not saying that's part of Islam, it is not. I know a little of it, from by schooling. It's just these people are twisting it to gain there own power & self rightness, not the glory of alah. Afganistan is a country war has been in for decades. Everything I read suggests that the taliban only came to power becuase of this, & spread it's propoganda to the people by force. & rounded up, or killed most that were opposed. Very Hitler like. At any rate if we do attack Afganistan I think it will be as quick as the gulf war was. But it will not stop the terrorism unless the whole world unites & makes it a point to hunt these people down. There are these traning camps all over the world the US & the major goverments know this, & they know what they train people to do. Problems have been getting the haboring country, & backing countries to shut them down. The US cannot be the worlds peace keeper. The entire world needs to be invloved. I really think killing more people is not the soultion. Eye for an Eye days are over, & if we kill poeple simply because they did it to us, then that's just wrong on both sides. Taliban does it it's a "holy war" We do it, It's ridding the wold of terrorism. No one wins. IMHO. If anyone takes offense It was not my attention. Sorry!

avalanche165 · September 2001

got home a few hours ago, all new team came in last night. about 500 ppl, all in white suits, kinda freaky. took my damn camera film..its ok i had 3 other in the car. said there is now contamination and i'm not properly trained. plus i can't see outta one eye, i was even wearing glasses. you should see my hard hat tho, i'll take some pics and post'em. anyway i dont even wanna go outside anymore, its hard to sit here and think about all this. that was the main reason i had to get up and go. Jason, bro...if there was more ppl like you around man...this problem prolly would of never happened. mike, your email made me tear up. we've met once, talk online a lot, but we're still the closest of friends. actually we're family, we all our. jason what you said...this is NOT islam everyone, take it from a muslim you all know...its not. the taliban are a group of warped minds..they call this "Jihad". "If you are not true with Islam, you must die." is what they say Jihad is...on the contrary...surah23, ayah 4 : "as a Muslim, you MUST let others practice their beliefs and not discriminate or hold them from prayer in ANY way."
that is definitely not what the taliban are doing. they have a different vision of Jihad. a made up one. one ran by money and greed. a very wrong one. those ppl on tv, the palestinians celebrating and all that...there stupid but you just have to understand THEIR perspective...i've been there many times, same with afghanistan, pakistan, india. me, an american, being there for just a month and i have a different perspective about america when i come back, not a good one either. there are some things ppl just dont know. i love america, always have, always will. i stay a pakistani as well tho. just one more thing...the media...remember that "news" first goes thru the eyes of the guy who gets it..then he writes it down..then sends it to a journalist, who then writes what he/she wants (and its not very hard to put different meanings in words), then it goes to the reporter. i took speech class one year, for business 250, just the emphasis on different words can change the meaning of something. sry but the reason i'm stressing is few of close friends got hurt last week. broken ribs, shatter ankles, because there muslim. This poor man in chicago got shot and killed, he wasnt even muslims he was a Seek Hindu with a Turban. Pat i jsut wanted to say to you also that i know we've exchanged some emails basically with me bashing you about these and those rules on here, but sincerely from my heart thank you for your emails. and forgive me for all the nonsense before. this is one hell of a group, its really a privelage to be able to talk to all of you. my prayers are with you.

sdmike2 · September 2001

Fuzzy - I saw a program on Afghanistan last night on PBS and I echo what you way. I had no idea that the Taliban was such a radical and oppressive group. It made me sick to see how the Afghanistan people live, and how the Taliban keep them from rebuilding, getting an education, or even socializing. They even banned flying kites! Using a camera will land you in jail. They rule through terror and oppression, and even though I also believe that we should target terrorist organizations directly, I feel that Afghanistan would be a heck of a lot better off without the Taliban in power.

Av buddy, welcome home. Please take care of yourself. I think we should get together as a group and buy Av a gaudy red white and blue shirt with "I'M AMERICAN, DAMMIT!" on it.

silverbullet4 · September 2001

Thanks for the thoughtful words. Pretty mature for one so young. I imagine your trips to the Middle East did give you a new insight on how the "third world" views America. There have been many unexpected consequences to our government's past actions due to a lack of a long term strategy. And not just geopolitical-how about a national energy policy? We are often in react mode, just letting things happen to us. Sometimes those reactions hurt the innocent, like your friends. (I can't believe someone could mistake a Sikh for anything else). I have worked around many Pakistani people in the telecommunications industry and find them very capable engineers and marketing pros.

God willing, we can get back to our mundane lives soon, although nothing can ever be the same.

Silver

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

Well my dealer called & said there was another hole next to the rubber grommet I used for the power cable. I didn't put it there! I asked how it got there & the dealer said by me. I have never messed with anything on the firewall besides that gromet I used. So I don't know. I can try to fight it, but I still have to pay them the $380 then fight Chrsyler to get it back. Such a pain, I'll maybe just leave it. They said they sealed everything up. My 4.5* dealer is getting worse, now it's about 2*. They screwed up my door panel the guy said. The monkey put a screwdriver hole in it by accident! That's just stupid! They said the had a new panel in stock in Agate, & swapped it in. I'll see later tonight if it matches, or if the screw holes are cracked, & what happed to the wood kit piece that covered the window switches. I hope they didn't through that out. If that happened, they are a 1*. I guess all the cutbacks effect them. They used to be a very good real 5*. Next car will not be American I can say that!! It's not the quailty, it's the service. There's NO WAY a BMW/Lexus/MB/Audi/ or Acura service guy would have put a hole in a door panel!

scotian · September 2001

http://www.daveandgeri.com/thebinch.txt

sdmike2 · September 2001

I'm afraid I agree with you on that one to some degree. It's not the cars, it's the people. If a dealer mostly sells and services cars under $15k you hire certain types of people, train them certain ways, and institute policies appropriate for their mix of cars and customers. $30k plus cars and customers are different. Acura, Lexus, Audi and BMW don't have $15k cars and customers, and they handle things a bit differently.

rstilp · September 2001

Some time ago someone mentioned about what should be performed at the 30k service. They warned of unnecessary items being done. What actually must be done to maintain warranty? Last oil change, 5* said should drop and drain oil pan at 30k. Is that necessary? Not that I don't trust them.lol Any suggestions, so I can be prepared. Thanks.RickGeezer300M

funroads · September 2001

TOMS99 - Thanks for the TSB pointers (post #9384)
Where did you find them? I do not see 232598 on the AllData site. Also, are paying $25 to AllData or going to a dealship the only ways to get the full detail of a TSB?

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

Don't worry about warranty. No dealer can void it if you don't get the maintance done. Besides you can get it done anywhere. Doesn't matter. The feeling is that the oil should be changed, & the tranny fluid/filter should also be changed. There's also some diff fluid that should also be changed. Some like me change it every 15K miles, & the airfilter(you can do that yourself) You do not need a raditor flush(the 300M coolant is good for 100K miles) You do not need a fuel injection service. That's about it.

scotian · September 2001

I think maintenance schedule B has power steering fluid change listed. My dealership doesn't even remember having done that before.

russklass · September 2001

You did not say what year your M is.
My '99 owners manual called for a trans fluid change at 30K, but my '01 doesn't.
Look at the owner's manual and do what is called for...dealers are making a lot of $ recommending unnecessary service at 30K.

99_300m_ric_va · September 2001

I looked several times in my owners manual and cannot find reference to the type of power steering fluid we should be using. Can we use the ATF+4? or another kind of fluid? I've used the Amsoil ATF in power steering units for years. Got it in everything my family owns except the M, wasn't sure, so I've been holding tight.

Yeah, the dealers make money on Service not Sales, so what do we expect them to do. Next time they will probably recommend changing the spark plugs at 30k, when they know it's a 100k service engine. Sadly, many people would probably have it done.

pat · September 2001

Welcome back - you know we are very glad to hear from you and grateful for your perspective. And we all are sincerely grateful for your safety.

Personal comments follow:

I am totally enraged at the reports I'm hearing of Muslims being threatened, verbally and physically abused, mosques being bombed, etc. I guess I am being smacked in the face (once again) by my naiveté in my total shock that somehow some of us as humans, as Americans, as just "regular folks" who go to work every day, come home to our families and lead relatively quiet lives CANNOT seem to stop characterizing others by their skin color, their religion, their ethnic backgrounds, their lifestyles. Do these hate-filled people really not understand the origins of this country?? Where do they get the idea that they have the right to judge, convict and punish folks who they don't even KNOW??

In my area, a university Islamic house has been vandalized, someone tried (and thankfully failed) to bomb a mosque with a gasoline nail-filled container, and folks on the street are being verbally harrassed (and possibly physically, but I haven't heard reports of that).

This is disgusting beyond words.

Av, your dedication and committment to do everything you possibly could at the ground zero site despite the very painful physical and verbal penalties you have paid for nothing more than your religious beliefs is simply incredible to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing up for your belief in our country, when some hate-filled people in yours and my country tried to blame you for what has happened. You simply said I will not accept the blame, and I WILL do what I can for my country despite the prejudice and hate you people are demonstrating.

I'm not sure that I would have that same courage, and I deeply admire you for yours.

I am honored to "know" you, and I am certain that your friends here in Town Hall feel the same way. Thank you very much for what you have done in New York, and thanks for being our friend.

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

easyrider300m · September 2001

I have never ever changed the differential fluids in other cars I have owned. Why does this car call for a diff fluid change? How many of you guys have changed yours?

I did however change my tranny fluid at 17k as I believe it helps prolong the tranny life. Tranny's are expensive to repair or replace and I consider changing it often is cheap insurance.

scotian · September 2001

I changed mine at 30K, and I think also at 15K, when I had my transmission fluid changed.

Since our FWD car has a north/south engine, we have a differential that has fluid that needs changing.

intrepidspirit · September 2001

Everything seems so unimportant since the events of last week. My heart goes out to those in this forum that have had personal losses in this tragedy and my thanks go out to those that have been personally involved in the aftermath -- both in the rescue/cleanup at WTC and in preparing to defend our freedom. God bless all of you!

Now on to more mundane things...

I bought 4 Yokahama Avid T-4's and had them installed last weekend. Handling is good, there is NO drifting (left or right) and the ride seems quieter. I thought bumps seemed a little harsher, but I don't know what PSI they set. I'll have to check that this weekend. My wife drove my M to work today and she says it handles much better than it did -- more like her 2001 M (with Michelins). Bottom line, I don't really notice the tires and that might be the best praise for them! Anyway, I don't feel like I've lost anything by installing them and they have a 60,000 mile treadware warranty...a real good buy!

Last week-end my wife made a trip to see her son 85 miles away. I was anxious to see what her gas mileage would be, since I installed K&N air filters in both our M's a few weeks ago. She called me when she got there and told me she got 24.1 MPG. I was disappointed because I got 26.2 a few months ago in my M with 3 adults in it. Then she told me she covered the 85 miles in 1 hour flat and I understood why her MPG was low!

Here's the part I can't figure -- she drove home at 70 MPH on cruise control and the computer read 29.9 MPG when she got home. This was combined with the 24.1 earlier, so she actually got 35.75 MPG on the return trip! In my previous trip, I got identical mileage coming and going (26.2), so I don't think it's an uphill/downhill thing.

Does it seem reasonable to get 35.75 MPG for an 85 mile freeway drive? These K&N filters must really be fantastic!

toms99 · September 2001

Forget AllData's site.

Here's the link I use:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/

jona57 · September 2001

Av- Your words, again, are wise indeed. Americans can be quite ignorant. Most have no idea who the Sikhs are. This self-centered ignorance is one reason why many in the world, including Western Europeans, tend to dislike us. Unfortunately, our educational system does not seem to value teaching our children about the world, its inhabitants, and their beliefs/customs. (Of course, they don't even learn about US history any more-but that's another story)

Ruski- I generally agree with your thoughts on the Russian experiences in Afghanistan and Chechnya. The British also had a bad go-round in Afghanistan in the 19th century. I hope and pray that the (apparent) US experience will be different. Ironically, the largest source of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan last year was from the US ($170 million). All that resulted in was the Taliban harboring the world's worst terrorists to organize his group's attack on US soil. Perhaps we can field our own as small mobile task-oriented units to track down these thugs. At least it would be a different approach. We also need to be clear to the world (inc. Russia and China) that we do NOT want to occupy that nation- just round up some thugs and leave.

Personally, I believe that the extremist violence will continue to get worse until the world community (Christian, Islamic, Hindu....all the civilized world) decides to pay the price to clean it up. That means diplomatically, economically, and yes militarily. I agree with the Hitler analogy in that the ultimate price will just keep getting higher the longer the world waits. Our capitol and our largest city has been struck with the worst loss of life by foreign attack in our modern history. Every nation has a UN-chartered right to self-defense, and the US must excercise that right.

jona57 · September 2001

The NHTSA site, while useful, only lists the TSB's with a brief description. ALLDATA and the DC dealers are the only sources I know of for the complete text of the TSB's.
FYI- I've used that NHTSA list to show my 5* that a TSB existed for a problem with my Dodge minivan. They essentially told me I 'needed an enema' (i.e. I was FOS) until I printed out the NHTSA info from the web.........Only then did they say "Oh, THAT TSB

Jon

ruski · September 2001

I think my Ac is going South. It does still blow somewhat cool air, but it is the same no matter how much I crank the temperature down. Also since it does not cool the car enough for the sensor to get satisfied, it keeps blowing full blast.

2 months 'till the end of the lease...

maybe I will take it in...

ruski · September 2001

weather forecast for Kabul:

partly cloudy and 3,000 degrees

300michael · September 2001

I was talking about the right cowl (passanger side) between the hood and the windshild. I tend to believe it is the winshild seal (or lack of) is the problem. I was thinking of using colored water to test for leak locations. I have used food coloring in the past. I use different colors for different parts of the car. Use a tissue to see the color leak.

300michael · September 2001

Well I got to talk to Ken from Chrysler (Detroit Area) about haveing a tour of the AZ Chrysler Proving Grounds. Simply put, no go. I explaned Insurance issues (as if we were going to drive our 300M's on the track) if some one got hurt, and that they have sensitive vehicles there (meaning they don't want us to see). Of course some of our 300M's might show up the new ones, I think is the real reason. Maybe we will park just outside it.
Well I will keep trying.

sdmike2 · September 2001

Maybe a tour of the local 5* repair bays....they can show us what our $100 for flushing the differential buys us.

300michael · September 2001

I don't think my M wants to go anywhere near one of those places.

300michael · September 2001

Would any of you be interested in having your non PHP computers reprogramed? Limiter removed for example? The cost would be $40. If enough of you are interested I could have him bring his DRBIII to do it at the meet. He is checking into the possiblty of what can be done. I would need to get his OK and your PCM and Trans Numbers to see what actually can be done.

sdmike2 · September 2001

maybe firebird raceway in Chandler, or Phoenix International. If they won't let us in for a parade lap, they're at least sure to have big parking lots.

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

I change mine in the M every 15K with the tranny fluid. My 4X4 truck gets front/rear differential's changed every 30K. I chnaged them when I bought, it at 55K. I will change after 30k.

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

I heard that too.

Maybe it's this south FL weather. Down here it's not just hot, it's humid. The temp sensor doesn't seem to like that combo. My AC still cools good for never turning it off

Really, I had it off maybe 10 days in almost 2 years. And 7 of those were because I was in a NYC, & didn't need it or needed heat. If you could live with it I'd say just wait. At least you get a good breeze doing 90

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

Well I don't think it's that then. It's coming from the drivers side. Everything on the passanger side is dry. I did look at it, but mine is sealed good, & it's dry too.

cmyers300m · September 2001

Some poor shmuck in a BMW 323i tried to challenge me this morning at a stop light. Needless to say he lost BADLY. I would have to admit the car looked sharp,it had all the extras to make it look fast, but it wasn't. Well, I'll have to say the 300M isn't the fastest car in the world, but it sure puts a smile on my face when I can challenge people and WIN most of the time. I've actually encountered people out there that are intimidated by the 300M(the looks especially) in that they think it's some 'Supercharged' or superfast sedan...I'll just let'em keep thinking that. In the meantime I'll keep trying to make it faster............well just thought I'd share my bit of fun this morning with everyone. Have a great day all !!!!

jj300m · September 2001

easyrider-- For the 2000 model year, the actual differential factory fill was 25 ounces, not 32 ounces as stated in the owner's manual and service manual for 2000. According to TSB # 21-17-99 of October 1999, this predicates a change every 15,000 miles. The price of the recommended Mopar 75-W-90 is about $9.00 per quart; synthetics are explicitly not recommended.

ric_va-- For the 1999-2000 model years, the recommended power steering fluid is part number 05010304AA. The TSB that announced this change, #19-06-98 of October 1998, explicitly states to not use any type of ATF.

God Bless America

easyrider300m · September 2001

did you have the fluids changed by the dealer? how expensive is the diff fluid change? And did you have a total tranny flush or just drop the pan?---I did my tranny at 17k (complete flush) and also filter---I think the first tranny flush is the most important as it gets rid of possible small particles from breakin period--- havent done the diff yet and I have 21k on the dial--maybe I will do it next time its in for warranty work at the dealer---

fuzzywuzzy · September 2001

Yes I did. Just because it's easier to let them do it, they are closer then the garage I go to for other things. The first 15K cahnge I did a comlete flush. At 30K I just chnaged the fluid/filter. I think after that first one, it's ok. I also got the diff fluid changed at the same time. They didn't charge me for the labor, but did for the lube. Both times I paid $203.74. It's expensive, but so is the ATF+4 fluid.

jj300m · September 2001

Yes, the ATF+4 fluid is relatively expensive: list is $8.05 per quart. But, if you are planning on flushing the Power steering fluid at 30K, that will set you back $15.75 per quart!

300michael · September 2001

into those and a few others too. Just waiting to be contacted. Will let you know.

silverbullet4 · September 2001

Can the differential fluid be changed without messing with the transmission? I just had a transmission purge at 16k miles (all fluid changed). Will the shop have to drop the tranny pan? Thanks in advance.

MPG-Last tank was worst ever. All around town; stop and go. Only 174 miles till the fuel warning light came on. I'm guessing about 14 mpg. And I don't race 323's. The weather has been cooler, so I can't blame the heat.

Silver

Chrysler 300M

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