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Here are frequently asked questions about the 300M, and information we've gathered from experience and comments by members and others. The questions are organized by category, so you may either scroll down or jump to:
Buying a 300M | Operating Tips | Aftermarket Parts | Extended Warranties | Troubleshooting
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FAQ About Buying a 300M
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Q: Should I buy a 300M?
A: Of course! The M is a terrific combination of styling, performance, roominess, and luxury features at a great price! A poll on our message board, How Satisfied are you with your 300M?, shows owners overwhelmingly say Drive=Love!
Q: What about PHG/PHP?
A: The Performance Handling Group/Package (PHG or PHP) includes stiffer suspension, firm feel steering, improved brakes, V-rated Michelins, and no 118 mph top speed limiter. Pros: a good set of handling upgrades for the price, and some owners of non-PHP cars have reported vibration problems from the Goodyear tires ('01 M's without PHP now also come with Michelins). Cons: a more jarring ride over bumps. If a smooth ride is important to you, test drive both before you buy PHP.
Q: How can I tell if a used 300M has PHG/PHP?
A: Here are three possible methods: (1) '99s and early '00s with PHP came with 16" wheels (beginning mid-year '00, all M's came with 17" wheels), and PHP M's should have V-rated tires; (2) The cooling fins on the front brake rotors on PHP M's exit close to the wheel studs, so if you look at the outer side of the rotor and see a circular opening near the wheel studs it's a PHP M (see this photo of a PHP front rotor); (3) see if it will go over 118 mph ;-).
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FAQ About Operating Tips
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Q: What tire pressure do you recommend?
A: Most of us believe that 32 or 34 psi improves tire wear and handling.
Q: What grade of gas should I use?
A: A poll on our message board What do you feed your M? shows that most owners use mid-grade gas, and many use regular, and few use premium. Some owners report better gas mileage and performance using mid-grade gas instead of regular. Others report no difference.
Q: What is normal gas mileage?
A: This varies considerably with traffic conditions and driving styles. Owners generally report 18 to 22 mpg in city driving, 22-26 mpg on the highway. See above questions re: grade of gas and tire pressure. A poll on gas mileage can be found on our message board What are you getting for gas mileage?
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FAQ About Aftermarket Parts & Accessories
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Q: Who sells a performance chip for the M?
A: Kenne Bell Performance Products will custom
program your PCM with a performance enhanced program, they call the
Optimizer II. You have to remove your PCM and send it to them
and they return it in a couple of days.
Jet Chip Performance Products once made an aftermarket performance chip. However, one of the first owners to install it has reported that his 0-60 times average about .4 seconds slower with the chip. Visit Edmunds 300M message board, and go to post
#1098. He later reported that his dealer told him a MAP sensor
problem in his car was caused by the Jet module, so it wouldn't be
covered under warranty, and that Jet refuses to give him a refund
(posts #4430 and #4483).
Q: What about aftermarket interior trim parts for the M?
A: See the links in our Other Useful Sites page.
Q: Why should I put dual exhaust on my M?
A: Owners who have done it report increased power and gas mileage, and it looks and sounds cool.
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| FAQ About Extended Warranties
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Q: Where should I buy an extended warranty?
A: Purchasing an official DaimlerChrysler extended warranty is probably a safer bet than buying a service contract from a third party provider. You may obtain information directly from DaimlerChrysler, or here are two DC dealers who sell DC extended warranties online at discounted prices: Des Moines Chrysler-Plymouth and Melton Sales.
Q: When can I buy an extended warranty?
A: The DC extended warranties may be purchased at any time during the factory warranty period, but there is an extra charge if you purchase it after the first year.
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FAQ About Troubleshooting
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Q: My car is stuck in second gear.
A: You are in "limp" mode to allow you to drive
to a dealer. Several owners have had this happen when the input speed sensor fails (roughly $100 parts & labor if not under warranty). Input Speed Sensor part # 4800878 (Sensor TR 8037155). If your speedometer also isn't working, then it's probably the Output Speed Sensor part # 4800879.
Q: My front suspension makes a crunching sound going over bumps.
A: Ask your dealer to perform the fix that is described in TSB 020100. Many owners have reported that this cured the problem, and not all dealers seem to be aware of it.
Q: Why does my M drift or have front end vibration?
A: It seems that most of the owners who report this problem have Goodyear tires. For drift, try switching the front tires from side to side to see if the drift changes direction. Try balancing or rotating the tires, or consider another brand when you replace the tires. Some owners have cured persistent problems by having their tires balanced with a Hunter GSP 9700 balancing machine (find one near you at: http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/balancer/Balancer.htm.
Q: Do M's have window motor problems?
A: Some owners of '99 M's experienced window motor failure. We understand that DC changed vendors for window motors, and newer models do not seem to have this problem. If you are considering buying a '99 M, you might want to check whether the window motors have been replaced.
Q: How do I buy a service manual?
A: Order online at http://www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.com/. To order by phone with credit card, call 1-800-423-7915 during business hours. Or send a written, detailed description of your order by mail to Tech Authority, P.O. Box 360450, Strongsville, OH 44136
Q: My front seat moves when stopping or starting
A: One member described how to fix this problem in this post on Edmunds.
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