Chrysler 300M

easyrider300m · September 2001

The Yokohama Avid is a nice tire for the price. The main reason I will most likely buy that brand when the Goodyears expire are: they are an all season tire which I need here in New England (I dont like changing over to specialty winter tires just for 4 months due to inconvenience and cost); reputation---Yokohamas are very good quality and have a miniscule amount of defective tires compared to some other brands); noise level---the Yokos are one of the quietest all season tires made-this is especially important in a car like the M which tends to be a noisy ride due to being underinsulated; wet and dry handling--for its price range and tire type the Yokos are hard to beat for road holding and braking performance. And a bonus is that they come with a 60,000 mile tread wear warranty, so if they wear out prematurely, you get a discount on your next set. This tire is not for everybody--if I lived in Arizona where snow is not an issue and if I were looking for top handling, perhaps I would look at a higher priced high performance tire like the Nittos. But for the price and especially in snow country, the Yokos are hard to beat. Read the reviews and test data at tirerack.com.

Peace to all,
Easyrider300M

beach15 · September 2001

Hey guys, watch out for the new Chrysler commercial. I was just sitting here on the computer and heard some music playing and the the word Chrysler. I looked over and there is a new silver 2002 300M Special speeding down the road, in a camera view from the side. Then they had a lady driving a new silver Sbring convertible with the top down going on the same road. Keep a look out and you might see it, I saw it on CNN. As for the production date, I can't remember where it was I saw it, but the official date is November 15, 2001.

ruski · September 2001

I found it, the mule that you saw a few days ago.

It is in the Motor Trend's August issue. 300M body on the future LX platform with the exhaust pipes way lower than the valance.

sdmike2 · September 2001

Dollar, as are several other rental agencies, are offering very low rental rates at the moment. Cars that used to be $59 are now in the $20 range. Since Dollar rents DC products I thought I'd try them. The Intrepid (full size) was $22, but the 300M (luxury class) was still $79 per day. Well, I couldn't justify the difference in price so I went with the Intrepid. I knew I'd be happy. When I got to the counter tonight in San Jose the nice woman asked me if I'd like to upgrade. I told her thanks, but not for the $50 per day difference. She said "no, for $8 per day more". SOLD! So now I'm renting an '01 silver M with taupe interior. It's a shame what people do to rental cars...this is a cosmetic mess inside. However, it's nice to drive a familiar set of wheels. It doesn't have the upgraded stereo, chrome wheels, PHG or luxury group, but it's nice anyway. However, missing those things really makes me miss Big Red.

sdmike2 · September 2001

Oh, one more thing that I noticed with the cars that I looked at. Single exhaust..and not an attractive exhaust pipe either. I was very disappointed in this. I hope it's because it was a prototype.

kamaloylee · September 2001

I have just received a Chrysler Magazine with pictures of 2002 300M special, the double muffler looks cool with one tube per muffler. Look like the one Jaguar has. I feel 4 tubes seem to be too much for this car, it is not a sport car after all. Production data is January 2002.
I hope they don't make entry level 300M, that is kind of stupid. I can see more and more 300M on the roads.

easyrider300m · September 2001

I agree that they should scrap any planning for a 300M entry level model in the 24K estimated price point. The present M is the flagship of the fleet and should stay at the present price and trim level---to cheapen it would cheapen the whole Chrysler image worse that it already is. You dont see Cadillac coming out with a barebones Deville at an entry level price point. If someone wants to buy an entry level Chrylser with the feel of the M, they can buy the Intrepid or Corcorde. Chrysler has made enough mistakes in the past--this would further cheapen the Chrysler image.

Easyrider300M

fastdriver · October 2001

fuzzywuzzy-

It is aggravating to go through this nonsense. When my rear floor was wet UNDER the passenger side mat and the spare tire area and trunk mat were soaked, it did turn out to be a body seam under the right rear wheel well area. However, in my case, the 3rd "award winning 5-STAR" DODGE dealer did fix it the first time!

When I heard about all the rain in FL, I was thinking of you. Hopefully they will find it this time around. This is one reason why I never wanted to do any mods to the car. I was afraid that if something went wrong with the car, they would blame me. I know about the Moss-Magnuson act, but I figured that they could come up with enough of their own excuses. I didn't want to give them any new ones. I even stopped going to Jiffy-Lube for oil changes. I had them all done at the "5-STAR". I had been using Jiffy-Lube since at least 1990 and maybe before with no problems.

Good luck.

fastdriver

bigmike5 · October 2001

DRPIXL--The color for blue listed and shown in the back of my 99 catalog is "Deep Amethyst Pearl." That is the only color that look anything blue and it was close to the saphire I have seen on later Ms.

All--Had the pin striping and racing stripe put on last Friday. Have sent some photos to SDMike to post for me. This stuff is called Aurora Red to Gold and it changes hue from what looks like maroon, thru burgundy to bronze and finally gold depending on the angle of view. Let me know what you think when he posts.

300michael · October 2001

I did a test, xenon versus halogen lamps using an Concorde headlamp and was disapointed in the results. The xenon gave a brighter center "hot spot" (thus there higher candle power rating) but the surrounding lit area was not as bright as the halogen lamp. The xenon give a whiter (slight blue tint) light when looking at them (very cool). For driving down Interstate 5 or 10 in California or Arizona they would be great, but for general lighting not so good.
I have a 300M head lamp assembly now so I could retest the two lamp types under the same (would take 5 seconds to change the lamps) conditions, and take some pictures if someone is interested, let me know.

easyrider300m · October 2001

the rubber grommet-plug located in the left wheelwell area has fallen out twice and both times was lost---anyone having trouble with this plug--(its the one that allows access to bolt holding on the front facia)-- I will see if the 2* will replace it on next visit for warranty work--

Easyrider300M

david53 · October 2001

Hi everyone,

I'm coming up to 33K on my 2000 300M (deep slate)and the only problem I have had with the car is severe paint chipping on the hood. I have had it re-painted twice, and it looks worse than ever - it almost looks polka dotted! This is not caused just by stones flying up on the highway, there is something more fundamental involved. If anyone can offer any advice, I'd sure appreciate it.

Also, since I'm almost at 36K, I'm going to need an extended warranty. Does anyone have any comments about the various Chrysler warranties vs. 3rd party extended warranties, such as Warrantybynet.com? Again, any advice would be great!

fuzzywuzzy · October 2001

Sorry about the paint issue.
On the warranty, which ever one you get be warned. They don't tell you that some things you expect to be covered aren't. Things like body moldings, exterior trim, interior trim, door seals, weather striping, leaks that aren't AC related, or moonroof related. Body seams, & basically anything that has to do with the body, or trim items. I have a Chrysler warranty btw.

fuzzywuzzy · October 2001

I'm a little Irate at chrysler right now, so if my posts seem like I'm bashing the M, or a little rude, bare with me. It's just the fustration.

rstilp · October 2001

Hey fuzzy; When were you in south bend? Should have given me a call. We could have met and compared notes. The Tirerack I mentioned is a couple mies from where you were. Kind of out in the boonies, but in a very upscale industrial park west of SB airport. Sorry about your water problem, keep a nose out for mildew and mold. You may require new carpet.Notre Dame Football is sad!!!!!!Rick/geezer300M

silverbullet4 · October 2001

It has happened before. After Chrysler had a long string of letter performance cars, the 300 model name was applied to lesser cars. Imagine if next year they slapped a 300 badge on a base Concorde to sell the image without the substance.
Well, that is kind of what happened. Chrysler is not the only one. Remember Ford put the Mustang in a Maverick body one year, and the Thunderbird in one of the midsize bodies. Sales no doubt tanked in all cases.

I have to send my notebook computer back to headquarters for a couple of days for repairs. The Nimda virus got me.

Silver

ottowrkr · October 2001

Intrepidspirit- the dodge is the entry level LH car, if you want low volume car by a Ferrari or something else. You cant make money making low volume cars selling at 20 000 $.The LH car line was made to be a high volume vehicle thats what keeps the price down.If it was a low volume car costing 70 000 would you buy it ?

sdmike2 - could you post the link to the newsletter site.

intrepidspirit · October 2001

When I leased my Intrepid ES in 1998, there were 2 models. The base had a 2.7L engine and the ES was more upscale and had the 3.2L engine.

One year later, the ES was downgraded to a 2.7L engine with the 3.2L as an option. There was also a SE model which fell somewhere in between the ES and the base.

When I leased my Intrepid, they were not cheap -- my MSRP was over $24,000. One year later they were selling new base Intrepids (I mean REALLY base) at less than $17,000.

My point is that it had some exclusivity in 1998 when I leased it. If I had known that one year later they would be downscaled to rental/fleet type cars, then no -- I would not have leased it.

I just don't want the same thing to happen to the 300M. Or worse yet, how about the LHS -- it is now an "upscale" Concorde! Heaven forbid that the 300M should become an "upscale" Intrepid!

sdmike2 · October 2001

Here are some pictures of Big Mike's racing stripes that he asked me to post.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

sdmike2 · October 2001

Here is the link:

http://www.vaxxine.com/cweb/bramalea/newsletters.html

Issue 16 (June 7) of the newsletter had that quote about the 300N

bigmike5 · October 2001

Thanks to SDMike for posting the pics. I had the Auto Trim Design folks in Elizabethtown,KY do the work and put on Aurora Red to Gold material--altho to me the red looks more maroon. Looking straight on at the car from the back it looks maroon, as you move around the car it changes to burgundy, then dark bronze and finally gold. Thought it would look better than just one color. So far the comments have been complimentary, except from the SO who doesn't understand the "Why" of doing it. Wanted to go with a "300M" in the same material in NASCAR slanted letters on the front window at the top but my decal for entering post is there and so it would not work. Probably just as well. The pin striping is the same material and its color shifts in the same manner. Next are the directional mirrors or new tires. Maybe next month.

fuzzywuzzy · October 2001

Sorry man, I also don't understand the why part. And I think it looks very out of place on the 300M. It just doesn't have those looks. Also don't like the back, with the wing, & the 300 on the brake light. Just looks too cluttered for my tastes anyway.

russklass · October 2001

We're still waiting for the "thank you" letter from the Chargers for Doug Flutie.
The Bills game in SD later this month should be interesting!

fastdriver · October 2001

fuzzywuzzy-

Any word on the leak yet? Do you know if they did look at the body seams? Hope they find it soon.

fastdriver

denverm · October 2001

While I also personally prefer the clean and simple look, the stripe looks to be very well done, and if you like it, that's what counts. Roger has some video clips of his signal mirrors that are now posted on the Club web site.

sdmike2 · October 2001

I'd thank Buffalo for Flutie, but they made that decision themselves.

However, I'd like to thank John Butler for bringing Flutie, Marcellus Wiley, Sam Rogers...and for trading away the first pick to get LaDanian Tomlinson. I agree that game will be interesting though. I'm sure the Bill's president is gunning for Butler. However, look what happened when the Redskins gunned for Norv Turner (ex. coach).

300michael · October 2001

does it stll have the heater function?, on the mirrors. I will keep with the side marker lights. I should have my Alpine 852 Navigation by the end of the week. Just contemplating of I want to use a 4" screen and put it where the center AC (under the clock) vent is, or go with a 7" motorized unit. I lost out on the Projector lamps again for the LHS, but will keep trying.

sdmike2 · October 2001

I'm with you on the clean and simple look.

sdmike2 · October 2001

How was the installation? Did you take any pictures? Does the tilt down still work?

rogor2k · October 2001

Everything works just as before - heating, tilt, everything. I had them professinally installed. Sorry - no pics, but the downloadable install manual is full of great color pics.

http://www.kwmuth.com/TechSupport/PDFs/21000190.pdf

It's not too hard, but I just didn't want to mess with it.

I'm happy with the result.

bigmike5 · October 2001

Fuzzy--DenverM has it right. You have to be happy with the way it looks and to heck with those who would do something else. Anyway, I wanted to do the stripe after seeing a viper at the Dream Cruise with large stripes down the hood. [I hope we go back for that again next year and perhaps then go to Brampton for a tour of the plant, etc. But, if I did go back, it would be with the intent to actually participate in the "cruise" rather than watching it.] The stripes on the Viper were a little too big for my taste, but that, plus seeing the PPG Harlequin paint at the National Street Rod Show in L-ville got me thinking about doing it. The cost of the paint [$60 an ounce]got me off paint and into the vinyl stripes, and once I saw the Aurora visual effect that was all she wrote. My only worry now is not to scuff the lower front end on a parking block and to care for and protect the stripes like one would with a vinyl top. Going to a lower profile tire may move the front end down even more. And, I think the stripe does add some speed to car. My 0-60 times have dropped a second and a half since I put the stripe on;) This may be the only mod to truly improve performance;) As for the cluttered back end, this discussion has been had before. Some like it clean, some like it cluttered, but I have personally had any number of people tell me that really like the "300" on the center brake light and the Chrysler wing as well. Like I said earlier when I did it, the "300" was an experiment and could have come out better in getting the "M" off it, but my limited shop skills made that a tough proposition.

Whoever put the post up about having to replace 2 Badyears and a Razorstar--what was wrong with the Razorstar rim?

I was going to go with the directional mirrors next, but after reviewing Roger's photo essay of what has to be done to get them in, there is no way I am tearing my doors apart to do that. And, I didn't see anything about "sealing" or "re-sealing" the mirror area to prevent water from coming in where all the work was done?

fuzzywuzzy · October 2001

Thanks man

No word on the leak yet. I should know something today.

sdmike2 · October 2001

That PDF makes it look like a lot of work...but it's great reference for how to take the door panel off our Ms! I didn't know that the part is just a replacement mirror, not the whole assembly. Interesting.

drpixel · October 2001

Big Mike, I'm with sdmike2 and denverm: YOU have to be happy with the way YOUR M looks. Remember Opnions are like sphincters: EVERY body has one! Its what makes this country great---you think in Afghanistan you can tell your neighbor you don't like to color of his camel?..ha, I theenk not!
Besdes, eMily has a stripe on her side, about an 1 1/2 above the body sculpting line (?) and closer to the weendows...I LOVE it because I have yet to see another M with one.
Roger, it looks like we have our FIRST 2002 owner though I'm still confused as to his first name-- member info shows it as Arthur, but he sent me email with a first name Tom!....PLUS he says his color is Bright Platinum Metallic...maybe its the smoke I've been inhaling....what say you, fine minds fof the edmunds.com Forum?....Is Bright Platinum Metallic a 2002 color? My inquiring mind needs to know...BTW when Oswama trashed the Trade Center, he took out the only downtown Krispie Kreme Donut place....a small thing in comaprison to 5,500-6,000 people I know..

Hope you are all doing fine...
(cough, hack...wheez..) Doc

bigmike5 · October 2001

drpixl--I have looked at the 2002 catalog last time I was at the dealer, and I am sure that they are not doing Platinum anymore. I think they [DC]are holding it out as a color until my Chronos or Hemi C is ready for delivery. On the pin stripes the guy gave me two options but he said on 300Ms he likes to run the stripe like it was coming out of the emblem on the side. I just told him to go with it, and I am happy with the result. But, if the stripe had been less "tied" to the emblem I might have tried to get Russ Klass' eagle design for the front end of the stripe.

russklass · October 2001

Mike,

You mean this eagle?

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1501794&a=11408326&p=40150653&f=0

illini4 · October 2001

Otto - would you mind repeating the differential fill info you posted some time ago? My 2000M was built in 11/99. I'm wondering if it has the 25 oz fill and if I should drain it and refil to 32 oz. I'm at about 18,000 mi. Thanks.

drpixel · October 2001

fuzzywuzzy, you'll appreciate (?) this.....just had a bomb threat/suspicious package on Maiden Lane and William Street, the intersection that the Bank sits on/near. With half the NYPD in the building having lunch, yet even more police showed up, including the bomb-sniffing remote controlled robot. turns out it was just a suspicious package. They had people pushed back past Louse Nevilson Park in one direction, a collection of 'modern' sculptures; and back up to Nassau Street. Sheesh..... so much for the NY update....
Scotian.... can you make me a clock face using type 4, hold the wings and using your font for "eMily", hold the quotes? This wil be my first 'mod', so be gentle!

Doc

laurasdada · October 2001

Well, I'm gettting the interior "light show" now. I believe the fix is a sensor or light switch? I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but this started shortly after my visit to my 5* (who treated me very well) to have my tranny speed sensor replaced and loose driver door trim tightened up.
I've been on this board since mid '99, reading about problems with window motors, tires, speed sensors, light sensors, etc. But until recently, I thought I had a special M, few problems. Oh, well. Wrong again! Luckily, still under warranty and still really enjoying this fine auto. However, with less than 8,000 miles of warranty left, my warm and fuzzy feelings towards the M are just a tad cooler...
And thanks to the stock market, no new car anytime soon

Be well, my friends.

sdmike2 · October 2001

2002 M Exterior Colors:
Bright Silver Metallic
Black
Cinnamon Glaze
Deep Sapphire Blue
Dark Garnet Red
Inferno Red (yay!)
Lt. Almond Metallic
Onyx Green
Steel Blue
White

Interior Colors:
Dark Slate Gray
Taupe

jedi_knight · October 2001

Well, seeing those photos got me to thinking again (dangerous thing) about the large white stripes that Dadge has used on a number of vehicles such as the R/T Ram. I think those type of stripes would look great up the hood of my saphire blue M.

Now the hard part would be getting the better half to agree.

Oh, well.....

Keith

bigmike5 · October 2001

RussKlass--Yes that is the eagle. I thought that looked cool on your car when I saw it in Detroit. A nice touch on the stripe.

Jedi-Knight--I always use "safety upgrade" as my excuse. Like "cars/helocopters,etc. can see you better from...[whatever angle]..." [front, back, side, above, below, etc.] you need to justify. Piece of cake once you roll in a safety improvement. Got me my backing monitor, and gonna get me the new tires, and was gonna get me the mirrors til I saw what that takes to do.

scotian · October 2001

And always, no matter how little sense it might make, end your lobbying for mods with the words, "It's for the children!"

rstilp · October 2001

My bad razorstar was warped, side to side. It wobbled on the Hunter balancer. Was Very surprised that 5* took my word that tirerack said it was bad, but they did and ordered a new one. I've had good luck with my 5*. They were the first dealership to get on the club discount program. Its funny though, they keep sending me coupons for oil changes which puts the cost under our discount price. Rick/geezer300M

sdmike2 · October 2001

That worked for when I got the M (needed room for the children), but not for the dual exhaust and spoiler. lol. Maybe if I convinced my wife that the spoiler increases traction (even though the car is front wheel drive) and that the dual exhaust makes it easier for people to hear me and get out of the way. haha

denverm · October 2001

Then you can tell her you need a Harley - - "Loud pipes save lives."

ruski · October 2001

remember when a few years ago they were making the Die Hard 3 movie right near the Federal Reserve? They even built a fake subway station and then blew it up.

I used to work at 125 Maiden Lane as well as 160 Water back then.

scotian · October 2001

What exactly does this tube do -- suck air in or vent it (& oil) for recirculation?

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1280646&a=13764864&p=54456839&f=0

If it sucks, then there's no problem, but if it vents oil, then the plenum acts as an oil spill catch. Is this what's going on?

300michael · October 2001

why not use shelf paper, it comes in white and other colors, to see if you like it. You can easly remove it if it doesn't look good, or, doesn't cut at least a second and a half off your 0-60 times

Right bigmike?????

300michael · October 2001

I too hope the market starts climbing before the Hemi's come out.

Chrysler 300M

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