A bunch of questions.

[Steve_NC]

For starters I would like to say hello to all of my fellow gear heads. I have posted a short intro over on the Carolina Marauders forum. I am new to the boards and I have a few basic questions.

I have a 2003 MM 300A (300A as best as I can tell at least). How concerned should I be with the possibility of someone stealing the car? Should I spend the green for an aftermarket anti-theft system? I am thinking of some locking lug nuts to keep my rims safe. What brand would you all recommend?

Window tinting. I would like some darker tint then the stock, but what should I be looking for? I know NC is strict on how much the windows can be tinted. Any brand or specific type I should look for?

I am taking the car in for an alignment Thursday. I know the MM has its own spec, but how do I make sure the dealer is using the correct spec without sounding like an arse? I spoke with the service department today, and I asked for all the work that had been done on the car. The service rep told me some junk about privacy issues. WTH is that? I need a come back for this. The dealer I bought the car from is the same dealer that sold the car new, and claims to have done all the service on the car. My MM has 34k miles on it, and I want to make sure the tranny fluid, gas filter, and coolant have all been changed. Otherwise I need to start working on having this done. I also need another key to the car made. How much will an additional key cost me?

I know this is some basic stuff, but thanks for info you can share with me.



Steve_NC

[sailsmen]

If they use a regular alignment equip there us a good chance they will scratch the wheels.

The shop that did mine was extra careful but still left a few small marks on the "lip" of the wheel.

Roy L Pita maybe able to run an OASIS witht he VIN.

[Tallboy]

Recommended alignment specs are here...http://www.mercurymarauder.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/34/sort/2/cat/19/page/1

My choice for wheel locks are the Gorilla Wheel Lock System, you can read about them here...http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=GOR%2D71683N&N=115&autoview=sku

Sending a PM to RoyLPita with the vin number will shed some light on warranty repair history. Any local tint shop should be able to do a good and legal job on the tint, I'd just be sure to get a quality tint [titanium].

Welcome Aboard! :welcome:

[jimlam56]

Recommended alignment specs are here...http://www.mercurymarauder.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/34/sort/2/cat/19/page/1

My choice for wheel locks are the Gorilla Wheel Lock System, you can read about them here...http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=GOR%2D71683N&N=115&autoview=sku

Sending a PM to RoyLPita with the vin number will shed some light on warranty repair history. Any local tint shop should be able to do a good and legal job on the tint, I'd just be sure to get a quality tint [titanium].

Welcome Aboard! :welcome:

When I got mine done,I just printed the thread Tallboy provided above, and brought it with me to give to the alignment guy.
I made him read the whole thing, so he understood the situation.
Good luck, and welcome!

[Rider90]

A bunch of questions.
By golly, you're right.






.........

I think 35% is fairly dark for tint laws and 50% should be a happy medium. Ask some Florida guys, I'm sure they know all about tint. I would avoid the dealer at all costs, thats just me, and I still have not found one I would ever want to take my car to. Ask some CAM members about a good shop...

[jawz101]

I don't think you'd be happy w/ 50 pct tint. (do they even make that?)
The store I went to only sold 5(limo), 20, & 35. 35 is legal limit here.
I went ahead and got 20 and it is great.

I'd go w/ 35 if anything. If you go under 35 they probably don't honor a warranty on the film.

I've never heard of a police officer actually carrying a photographer's light meter and testing your tint so I wouldn't let that be a drawback.

Something else to check is to ask the tint dealer if they have ceramic or non-ceramic tint. I can't remember the which one has these pros/cons- but it has to do w/ reflectiveness, temperature inside the car, and 1 may have drawbacks w/ cars w/ radio antennas or defrosters in back window.

[Marauderman]

For starters I would like to say hello to all of my fellow gear heads. I have posted a short intro over on the Carolina Marauders forum. I am new to the boards and I have a few basic questions.

I have a 2003 MM 300A (300A as best as I can tell at least). How concerned should I be with the possibility of someone stealing the car? Should I spend the green for an aftermarket anti-theft system? I am thinking of some locking lug nuts to keep my rims safe. What brand would you all recommend?

Window tinting. I would like some darker tint then the stock, but what should I be looking for? I know NC is strict on how much the windows can be tinted. Any brand or specific type I should look for?

I am taking the car in for an alignment Thursday. I know the MM has its own spec, but how do I make sure the dealer is using the correct spec without sounding like an arse? I spoke with the service department today, and I asked for all the work that had been done on the car. The service rep told me some junk about privacy issues. WTH is that? I need a come back for this. The dealer I bought the car from is the same dealer that sold the car new, and claims to have done all the service on the car. My MM has 34k miles on it, and I want to make sure the tranny fluid, gas filter, and coolant have all been changed. Otherwise I need to start working on having this done. I also need another key to the car made. How much will an additional key cost me?

I know this is some basic stuff, but thanks for info you can share with me.



Steve_NC

Steve--Just LIke the response here for you-- they are great answers--However--In NC -The Tint Law Max is 35%--so do it -I did--and you will like it--no problems--

Tallboys's reply for the Gorillas locks is BEST--I and another MM'er , fastblackmerc also have them--they provide each lug nut as a lock--go with that-->>

Check with Roy L. Pita --here on the board--give him your Vin--He can tell you what has been done to your MM if in Dealers hands ..

Use the alignment spec given earlier above-- it is correct--if they (whoever) is doing it doesn't have a special tool to protect your rims--DON"T let them do it-- also a knock off plate should have been knocked off with the first alignment ( set there from the factory).

As to the normal fluids and stuff--kinda earily--but I would do it to get a "start" line to go from if you got the $$$$$$......Tom

[Hotrauder]

Steve, All good advise. Welcome to the site. You will be happy with the max LEGAL tint. More than that in NC and lots of other places can be a problem. Carfixer's alignment specs are right on. The privacy issues is :bs: big time. If necesary go to your salesman, who wants to sell you your next car and ask him to get it for you. Make a friend of the service writer and ask who the Master Cert. Tech he writes for is and use only him, again making friends. The writer and tech at my dealer test drive my car after service work, with me as a passenger; on the way to a free lunch. They love to see me coming as I expect spirited driving and expert caring service and I get both. Brian will get you an Oasis report if you send him the VIN. Roylpita. Good luck and enjoy the site and the Marauder. Dennis:beer:

[drwhy]

If they use a regular alignment equip there us a good chance they will scratch the wheels.

The shop that did mine was extra careful but still left a few small marks on the "lip" of the wheel.



So how do you get a good alignment without gettings scratches on the wheels?

Tom

[FordNut]

So how do you get a good alignment without gettings scratches on the wheels?

Tom
There are special adapters. They have delrin spacers so they don't make marks on the rims and they attach with a sort of meat-hook looking device which holds onto the tire tread instead of clamping onto the rims. It's a relatively expensive adapter so many shops don't have it. Look up frdwrnch, the L/M dealer where he worked in Charlotte has it and they know how to do a good job on the Marauder.