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Comments
http://www.autoshowny.com/html/body_ny_debuts_p.html
Mr. Vivona
Here is a good view of the front:
http://popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars_trucks/2003/4/ny_- - auto_show_live_rep4/images/lg_diamante-lg.jpg
Here is a detailed story:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2003/04/16/159485.html?NEWS
Here is the Mitsubishi press release with pictures:
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/inter/NEWS/0304-09/0326.html
I haven't found any pictures of the rear end yet.
Mr. Vivona
traits of this vehicle. I would say: steer clear.
TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title SR-00-003 JUN 00 Recall - Parking Brake
Service Bulletins
TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title 02-54-009 NOV 02 Audio System - CD Player Functional Problems
02-11-001R OCT 02 Engine - Testing for Excessive Oil Consumption
02-23-004 JUL 02 A/T - Revised Bolt Torque Values
02-42A-009 JUN 02 Body/Frame - Dripline Weatherstrip Loose
02-11-003 JUN 02 Engine - Replacement Piston Selection
02-42A-001 JAN 02 Door Glass - Adjustment Revision
01-31-004 NOV 01 Tires - Goodyear(R) Product Service Locations
01-00-021 OCT 01 Scan Tool - Multi-Use Tester II Warranty Coverage
01-23-010 JUL 01 A/T - Shudder/Surge/Vibration
01-37A-002 JUL 01 Steering Rack - Overhaul Procedure Revision
01-00-011R JUL 01 Tool - Battery/Starting/Charging System Analyzer
01-11-002 MAY 01 Engine - Block Heater Update
01-54-006 MAY 01 Speedometer/Odometer - Replacement/Mileage Setting
01-31-001 APR 01 Tire Chains - Usage Precautions
01-00-007 FEB 01 Trunklid/Defroster - Operation
00-17-001 NOV 00 Cruise Control Switch - Voltage Check Revision
00-00-016 NOV 00 Payload/Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Information
00-54-010 NOV 00 Wiring Configuration Diagrams - Manual Revisions
00-42A-008 OCT 00 Remote Keyless Entry - Identification/Programming
00-13-005 AUG 00 OBD II Monitor Readiness - Drive Cycle Procedures
00-23-005 JUL 00 A/T, Remanufactured - Program Update
99-23-010 OCT 99 A/T - Recommended Maintenance
99-23-011 OCT 99 A/T Oil Cooler - Backflush Alternative
99-54-008 OCT 99 Antitheft - Immobilizer Override Codes Missing
99-54-010 OCT 99 Antitheft - Procedure For No Start Problem
99-51-002 OCT 99 Paint - Color Codes/Applications
99-31-004 OCT 99 Wheel - Balancing Accuracy Tips
99-54-007 SEP 99 Entertainment Device - CD Changer Installation
99-31-003 AUG 99 Tires - Updated Rotation Recommendations
99-00-003R JUN 99 Antitheft - Engine Immobilizer System PDI & Service
99-11-006 JUN 99 Engine - Valve Lash Adjuster Cleaning Procedure
99-00-004 JUN 99 VIN - Decoding Chart
99-00-002 FEB 99 Sealant/Adhesive/Chemical - Interchange Information
98-42A-008 OCT 98 Remote Keyless Entry - Update
98-00-00A SEP 98 Fluids, Refrigerants and Materials (Genuine Mitsubishi)
98-23-004 APR 98 A/T - Perform Cooler Flow Test When Replacing A/T
98-54-001 FEB 98 Audio System - Diagnosis
97-35-004 SEP 97 Brakes - Judder (vibration) Diagnosis and Repair
97-42A-012 SEP 97 Interior - Buzz, Squeak, and Rattle Kit
97-00-006 JUL 97 Body - Removing RAP Film From Body Surfaces
97-00-002 MAR 97 Tools - Enhanced Diagnostic Testing & Feature Software
97-52B-001 FEB 97 Air Bag - Minimizing Deployment Risk
97-42A-001 FEB 97 Interior - Wind Noise Diagnosis
91-00-015 OCT 91 Tools - Multi-Use Tester Warranty
Yes, the Diamante isn't holding its value in the last few models years, but that is as much a function of the same body style on the market for several years as much as anything. Also too high MSRP's.
My experiences with 2 Diamantes have been 100% free of issues so far. I don't think the Diamante has 'lemon' status.
The list you posted is not just for the 2000 Diamante. Look at the dates. You have listed TSB's even back to 1991. The vast majority of the TSB's you listed are merely notices of changes in service procedures or specifications. Very few are for actual problems. Without actually reading the details of each item on the list, it appears that only 3 to 5 of the TSB's are related to actual problems. That is very good compared to many other cars.
I see no evidence of poor fit and finish in any Diamante I have owned or looked at. Carpoint gives the Diamante an excellent reliability rating.
Mr. Vivona
I haven't been here in a while, but I'm going in for service and have a question. My wipers operate very slow. Slower than what I am accustomed. Dealer has comment that they all do that, and I'm looking for a confirmation before I start checking out new one's on their lot. BTW, I have had a blown wiper system fuse on this new car already...thought that was a bit unusual.
Best Regards
Ed
Best Regards.
Ray
Let's start by comparing wiper speed. While it is raining steadily (or while someone sprays the glass with a hose) measure with a stopwatch how many seconds it takes for the wiper blades to wipe 10 times in low speed and 10 times in high speed and post the results. Other Diamante owners and I can post our results and see if your wipers are indeed slower.
Mr. Vivona
Best Regards
Ed
According to the reliability records on autos.msn.com, all reported years of the Diamante have an excellent reliability record, with no reported trouble areas.
See http://autos.msn.com/vip/usedoverview.aspx?make=Mitsubishi&mo- del=Diamante&src=LeftNav
New14
I am going to my third year since I bought my 1999 Diamante and so far the experiance has ben a pleasant one.
I currently live only 5 miles to work so I have only clocked 34,000 miles on the car.
So far here is what I experienced on the car.
1. On year 2:Faulty Oxygen sensor.
Problem: Check Engine Light went lit.
Resolution: Replaced under warranty. Part cost $80.
2. On year 2: Replaced Exhaust header.
Problem: Extreme rattling noise in the main exhaust header, especially after cold starts and when at high RPM. part cost was $250
Resolution: Replaced under warranty.
3.On year 4: Replaced Fuel Single Injector.
Problem: Engine stalls at low RPM.
Resolution: Surprisingly it was after 3 year manufacturers warranty but Mitsi still fixed it for free :-) . Part cost was $250 for the single injector kit.
I even had the 5 year extended warranty (paid $900) but they just paid for my tow!
I have replaced my front brakes myself one time around a year and a half ago. Though Mr. Vivona "cringed" :-) when I elected to use a non-Mitsi semi-metallic option I bought off a website for $17. I so far have had no problems and my braking performance is smooth and I have not experienced any rotor warping at all.
My only negative comments on the car is on the vehicles finish. The rubber weather stripping on the bottom of the front windshield is deterioting. As well, the black paint on the rear window stripping is flaking off, making it look odd. I am wondering if there is a corrosive substance in the windshield washer fluid that would make it deteriote like that or may acid rain in my area?
Also the paint job on the very edge of the doors glob'd up at spots and that came off to reveal the undercoat primer - but no biggie!
On a side note, though I am very happy at the D's acceleration from a complete stop.
The 'blah' area is around 40-55 MPH when you want to accelerate quickly the response is a bit slow. At times I would drive like a maniac stomping on the gas pedal to 'tune' the tranny up to make it more responsive. So I would have wished that the Diamante had a manual Over-Drive switch like some cars do so I wouldn't have to do that. I hope they do offer a 'tiptronic' in the newer models.
Hope this info helps some folks...
-C-
I realize this is not a place to sell a car so, this is not an offer to sell, but respond if you would like to talk about it.
Frank
The All New 2004 Diamante
Coming to you this fall...
May 22, 2003
Mitsubishi's flagship Diamante sedan gets a thorough reskin for the 2004 model year. Exterior changes include new grille, headlamps, and tail lamps. Front-drive continues and three models will be offered. The value-leading ES has cloth upholstery, auto climate control, power sunroof, and 140-watt AM/FM/CD player. LS adds leather interior trim, power driver's seat, electro-luminescent gauges, redwood-style interior trim, and 270-watt stereo with steering wheel-mounted controls. VR-X has sport suspension tuning, traction control, white-face gauges, and metallic-style console trim. All have a 4-speed automatic transmission and are powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 found in the current Diamante, however the VR-X's less restrictive exhaust system ups horsepower from 201 to 210. The redesigned Diamante goes on sale this fall. Prices were not announced
The new front fascia carries the company's international signature with sweeping triangulated headlights, a split grille faired into a smoothly integrated bumper and the triple diamond logo taking a more prominent position on the vehicle's leading edge. It's a stronger, more substantial look. And as final details, there are new fog lights and side marker lights are artfully spliced into the bumper's upper cut-line.
At the rear of the 2004 Diamante, character lines are eliminated in favor of smooth contours, the trunk lid makes a softer transition into the bumper and the taillights have more contemporary lenses. The style is more organic and less angular, to compliment the new front-end design.
As with last year, there are three Diamante trim lines, starting with the ES. Inside, the center instrument panel and console have been updated and new ES trim fabric is tailored for a more stylish impression. Newly designed multi-spoke 16” alloy wheels are standard.
Diamante LS now is equipped with Mitsubishi's Sportronic® auto/manual transmission and a cranked-up 270-watt Mitsubishi/Infinity premium audio system with steering wheel mounted controls.
For 2004, the athletic VR-X is equipped with a unique grille, black-out bezel headlights, sport taillights, 10-spoke alloy wheels and a new rear spoiler. The VR-X model also features the 270-watt Mitsubishi/Infinity® premium audio system with steering wheel mounted controls and a center instrument panel and console finished in silver. Also new to VR-X is Mitsubishi’s Sportronic® automatic/manual transmission.
With a high-torque 3.5-liter engine, lush ride quality, international styling and fully equipped interior, Diamante offers an uncommon alternative to the common names in luxury sedans. And for some drivers, uniqueness is a luxury of its own.
Does anyone have an answer to the problem in the link? I am having trouble with my sunroof buttons on a 95 Diamante LS. It seems that the buttons no longer perform the functions pictured on them. I sometimes have to use the tilt open button to shut the roof and the close buttons to open. It seems there is no method to the madness, any help would be appreciated.
Galant is all new.
After reading through some of the post on this board, I have gathered some info for issues I am experiencing such the tires (Eagles GA) and the vibrations.
1.) I read on previous post about balancing and the possibility the tires may need replacing all together. My question I guess would be should I check with my local dealer wether or not they have that GSP9700 (or something like that) to balance tires or should I just get the tires balanced and rotated without mention of the vibrations and noise in order to see what they can find without trying to sell me some tires?
2.) If the tires are found to be defective and I decide to replace them does anyone have any opinions on the Continental ContiExtreme Contact, I read on Mr. Vivona's earlier message about some of his choices but these are less expensive and seem to be better rated or surveyed by the Tire Rack folks. On top of that has anyone plus sized their car and has it affected their vehicle in a negative manner?? I am considering either sticking to the 16 in or going up to a 17" wheel.
3.) Is it normal for these cars to have a hesitation or slow tranny shift between 3rd and 4th gear? Is this something which may be addressed by re programming or is it a mechanical, drop to the ground only solution??
4.) Finally can anyone recommend where to buy a front end bra for these cars, the dealer tells me I have a 4 week wait which I find hard to believe and I'm about to hit the road on my first road trip.
Thank you all for any help you can provide, I truly hope this vehicle works out. I got a good deal( basically $1/mile on the odometer) and want to take care of any problems early in order to enjoy my investment.
This makes 12 Mitsubishis that I have owned, all of which have been outstanding automobiles. This is my second Diamante, the other was a 97. I also own a 2000 Mirage DE and a 2000 Mirage LS, both great cars.
Before you try anything else, you may want to wrap some peel-and-stick foam weatherstripping around the power steering hose that runs between the passenger side of your engine and the inside fender wall. You will see it by looking down towards the serpentine belt area. If the hose is bouncing and hitting the timing belt cover it might make the noise you describe. Move the hose back and forth and see if it hits anything and wrap the foam weatherstripping in that area. It's a long-shot but an inexpensive thing to try before trying anything else.
I seem to remember someone else describing a faint thumping sound at low speeds, but I don't recall if they ever posted what solved the problem. I would be interested in what you find so I can add your experience to my personal "knowledge base".
By the way, I noted you have owned 12 Mitsubishis. My family has owned 7 and they all have been outstanding. We currently have a 1999 and 2002 Diamante and they both have been excellent just like the Galants, Eclipses and Mirage owned previously.
Mr. Vivona
I would appreciate some help with my newest Diamante Problem. I have a 2001 LS with 46,000 miles on it. Recently I have been hearing a squeeling from the rear of the car when driving at slow (30 and below) speeds in the city. The noises are very easy to hear when you are riding next to buildings or other cars. I took it to the dealer, showed them how to reproduce the problem and I was told the rear brakes were 'glazed' and were the source of the noise.
My problem with their diagnosis is the following:
1. How come the make noise when the brakes are NOT applied?
2. Why is the noise not more accessive when the brakes are applied.
3. Why do the brakes otherwise still feel/operate normal?
If anyone can assist with what this noise might be, I would be more then grateful. I have an extended warranty on the car and I was hoping this failure may be covered. I was told I have just about 50% of the rear pads left, and I do only mostly highway driving.
thanks,
Matt
Annoyances are another thing. I hate the tranny! It shifts annoyingly at the weirdest times and won't down-shift fairly often if I trounce the accelerator. My trunk sometimes won't open with the release that's in the door or with the keyless remote and I have to use the key...most of the time they work...strange! When I need to get up and go it sounds like the engine is revving at 9,000 rpm even though I know it's not.
But the biggest annoyance of all is the horn! It sounds like the horn on a Vespa! Does anyone here know where I can get a replacement horn that sounds like a nice, luxury car horn?
Art
NJ
reagrding the transmission, the d tranny is 'adaptive', it adjusts to the drivers style.
i can attest to this.....with each of our two diamantes (My leadfoot wife drives them 95% of the time), i have noticed a vast improvment in kickdown and acceleration over time. sometimes too, it ishow the car feels on a particular day. but now it doesn't take much to get the car to kick down immediately and smoothly and accelerate very well.
my adivce is to start driving very aggresively and over time the tranny will learn your style and hasten the downshifts and hold gears longer.
if that doesn't do it, get a 2004 Diamante with manumatic shifting!
I was driving my 99 diamante (42 K miles) on the high way cruising about 70-75 mph, when all the sudden I started feeling hesitation, I pulled over and the car started to really sputter and white smoke was comming out of the back like there was no tommorow, the check engine light (service engine soon light) came on and then the car died, I looked at the oil stick and there was no anti-freeze sign being mixed with the oil, then I looked at the level of the anti-freeze level and it seemed to be OK, the car never overheated, I was able restart the car (got alot of white smoke) and I was able to drive it back home but it seems to be wanting to die unless I keep the engine RPM above 3000 or so ( no skmoke when the car is Idling high), I made it home and afew hours later I restarted it, it started so easy and no white smoke and it was idling so smooth, any one have any idea what just went wrong, help please.
Regards,
time Mitsubishi owner. If anyone has any "tips"
or knows any "must do's" , your information
would be greatly appreciated. I've read lots of
the info.posted on this site (and some of it
scares me a little!!). I hope it will be a reliable car (I've previously owned Honda's). So
far I love it - only problem noted is a "splotch"
of paint on the hood. thanks
thanks for the input
Mr. Vivona
Also, anytime a mechanic touches the brakes he has to remove and replace the wheel. Make sure they use hand tools to remove and replace the wheel lug nuts and that they use a hand torque wrench only to torque the lug nuts to 80 ft. lbs. in a crisscross pattern. If the mechanic uses an air powered impact wrench he will grossly overtighten the lug nuts and warp your rotors, causing braking pulsation about 5,000 miles later. Check out my article at http://www.geocities.com/diamanteowner/article2.htm
Your trunk may not be reliably releasing due to the “Locked-Unlocked” switch on the trunk latch not being fully in the Unlocked position. You could also have a binding cable that runs from the latch to the trunk actuator, or a defective trunk actuator relay or motor. The actuator is located behind the trim panel on the left side of the trunk, near the power antenna motor. If your Diamante is still under warranty, have the dealer replace the trunk actuator relay or motor. Since the problem is intermittent, they may replace both the relay and motor rather than spend time trying to figure which one is intermittent.