300A vs. Later Models

[tbone]

I'm trying to remeber all the features that were deleted after the 300A to offset the cost of the traction control feature that came on later models.

So far I have:
Full size spare
Remote gas release
Seperate clock in dash
Speaker grills at rear deck
Underhood light
Map pockets on front seats

What else am I missing?

[DOOM]

Overhead console.

[RF Overlord]

It's all in a sticky at the top of this forum.

[tbone]

It's all in a sticky at the top of this forum.

Never noticed that. My bad.:bigcry:

[JOEMERC]

Painted cam covers.

[RocsMerc]

Overhead console.

That was the 2004 models. 300B 2003 has the large console.

[fastblackmerc]

That was the 2004 models. 300B 2003 has the large console.

Correct, to make way for the moonroof option.

[RoyLPita]

300Bs have the underhood light.

[Red91LX]

Painted cam covers.


The 300B has painted cam covers...

[computertech]

300Bs have the underhood light.


True and it comes in very handy :burnout:

[computertech]

The 300B has painted cam covers...

Painted of powder-coated?

[hwy73]

Automatic Parking Brake Release :mad2:

[Tyrone Minto]

The sharp seat frame that put a small rip in all 300A drivers seats on the left side

[tbone]

Well, it seems like a lot of guys prefer later versions of the Marauder. Personally, I would not give up all the features of my "original" just to gain a very slightly improved tranny and traction control.

[03blackmerc]

front seat pockets, in dash clock, heated seats???,

[johnnyrauder]

300Bs have the underhood light.
my 300a also has a under the hood light . and full size spare

[jeffrt]

Another curve ball for you. :)
Canadian 300A's have traction control and the underhood light.

[BurpyTurtle]

Personally, I'd rather not have the clock in the middle of the dash trim panel. ANd the seats without front pockets also look "cleaner" to me.

I could have done without traction control though. That particular feature limits tire options.

In the end, it's all good. Just happy I got a Marauder.

[FordNut]

Another curve ball for you. :)
Canadian 300A's have traction control and the underhood light.

Yeah, but there was no Canadian MM available when the American 300A was being produced, the Canadian 300A went on the market the same time as the American 300B. So it's really a 300B.

[Rockettman]

What about the locking gas-cap cover?
I know the '04's don't have it - not sure about the 300B.

[FordNut]

What about the locking gas-cap cover?
I know the '04's don't have it - not sure about the 300B.

300B does not have it.

[sweetair]

Can't believe everyone forgot that 300 B's are the quickest.:beer:

[SC Cheesehead]

300Bs have the underhood light.

Don't think mine does. Need to check next time I'm home.

[Paul T. Casey]

Can't believe everyone forgot that 300 B's are the quickest.:beer:

I'll counter your untrue statement with a fact. The '03 300A's have the coolest drivers.

[tbone]

Yeah, but there was no Canadian MM available when the American 300A was being produced, the Canadian 300A went on the market the same time as the American 300B. So it's really a 300B.

Even though I started a post already covered, :bigcry:you can still learn some interesting new facts in rehashing an old topic. And it's more fun than using the crummy search feature.

[MrBluGruv]

I like everything about my 300A except for one thing, which I hate with a passion:

**** PAINT.


To me the trans is fine if you don't use it wrong/abuse it awkward ways. Everything else is small stuff that's largely irrelevant.

[jeffrt]

What about the locking gas-cap cover?
I know the '04's don't have it - not sure about the 300B.

Mine has the locking gas door, which I thought was a 300A feature.

[tbone]

I like everything about my 300A except for one thing, which I hate with a passion:

**** PAINT.


To me the trans is fine if you don't use it wrong/abuse it awkward ways. Everything else is small stuff that's largely irrelevant.


The paint issue is not limited to the 300A's. BradleyG has a 2004 and he has it too.:confused: Currently being fixed.

[tbone]

I had a 1998 Chevy Blazer. Mechanically, this vehicle was a complete and total piece of GM trash. Ironically though, it had the most perfect silver metallic paint job I've ever seen. Go figure.

[MrBluGruv]

Was it just an issue with the clear coat or does it go beyond into the paint?

[tbone]

He has the exact same issues as the 300A's. All the way into the paint. Blisters everywhere. His hood even made mine look nice.

[MrBluGruv]

I think my problem has stayed with the clearcoat, but I am completely clueless how to tell. I do know that the roof is the only place that has anything more than just those scaly lines and swirls. There is a spot on the roof that looks like someone sprayed clearcoat over sheet metal, but at the same time any time I wash the car all those fade spots look like perfectly smooth and shiny black paint, so that's where I'm confused and think the problem only lies in the clear coat.

I DO know, however, a new paint job will be in the car's future, which shortly after I hope I'll be able to remove it from DD duty to weekender/time capsule status. ;)

[TFB]

Even though I started a post already covered, :bigcry:you can still learn some interesting new facts in rehashing an old topic. And it's more fun than using the crummy search feature.

There is a sticky on the subject, mid year builds have been known to have a combination of features...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31102

BTW if anyone wants wants to delete the belly button clock on a '03 the factory radio has the clock feature, just have to clip one wire in the harness at the back of the unit(yes I'll look up the link)...

[MrBluGruv]

There is a sticky on the subject, mid year builds have been known to have a combination of features...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31102

BTW if anyone wants wants to delete the belly button clock on a '03 the factory radio has the clock feature, just have to clip one wire in the harness at the back of the unit(yes I'll look up the link)...

What's funny is if it was REALLY dark, I could see the faint look of the clock on my 300A radio when I still had the factory one. These radios are TERRIBLE though. :(

[FordNut]

Mine has the locking gas door, which I thought was a 300A feature.

Some transition period cars we refer to as pre-decontented models may have a mixture of 300A and 300B features.

[tbone]

What's funny is if it was REALLY dark, I could see the faint look of the clock on my 300A radio when I still had the factory one. These radios are TERRIBLE though. :(

I love my stock stereo.

[MrBluGruv]

I love my stock stereo.

I didn't mean for sound quality, sound quality they are pretty decent for a Ford vehicle. I meant for reliability. Before I finally had enough, the phase lock loop of my FM band went out, the 6-disc changer become more finicky than would actually work, it ATE a cassette-to-cd adapter tape, so all that would reasonably work was AM band and the in-dash CD. My Kenwood I think was a great affordable replacement, of course you can't beat the '06 (?) Explorer radio swap for affordable factory replacement.

[babbage]

A Ford employee at STAP was looking at my MM (300A) and VIN and said I had one of the "good ones..."

I do have a small rip (patched) on the left of the drivers side seat.

[SC Cheesehead]

A Ford employee at STAP was looking at my MM (300A) and VIN and said I had one of the "good ones..."

I do have a small rip (patched) on the left of the drivers side seat.

IIRC, there were exactly 11,052 of the good ones that came out of STAP...;)

[tbone]

I didn't mean for sound quality, sound quality they are pretty decent for a Ford vehicle. I meant for reliability. Before I finally had enough, the phase lock loop of my FM band went out, the 6-disc changer become more finicky than would actually work, it ATE a cassette-to-cd adapter tape, so all that would reasonably work was AM band and the in-dash CD. My Kenwood I think was a great affordable replacement, of course you can't beat the '06 (?) Explorer radio swap for affordable factory replacement.


My radio has been perfect so far. If it breaks, I'll get the all in one unit so I can watch Predator while I'm driving!:coolman:

"My Kenwood I think was a great affordable replacement, of course you can't beat the '06 (?) Explorer radio swap for affordable factory replacement."


Are you saying you put the Explorer radio in your MM for a while? I have an 06 Explorer and replaced the so-so stereo with a Sony.

[JOEMERC]

Another differance between years 2003 had green anti-freeze ,2004 had gold colored anti-freeze,that i noticed......could be wrong.