300 Observations from an Aussie just returned from US Trip

[Hemi57]

Well, I just got back home from my 10 day road trip vacation to CA, AZ & NV.

I was over there September last year but this time I saw so many more magnificent 300s. All models.

By far the most popular colour based on my observations is Cool Vanilla. My wife and I reckon it looks just great but, as those members who saw my post on the Aussie 300c Specs, we will not get that here in OZ. Second would be Silver which has been my favoured colour. The OZ silver for the 300 is called "Bright Silver". Not sure if that is the same as the US models?

I am just so impressed with the proportion of owners who have done mods. I saw so many grille and wheel updates. You should be proud.

[Mr.DJ]

Originally Posted by Hemi57

Well, I just got back home from my 10 day road trip vacation to CA, AZ & NV.

I was over there September last year but this time I saw so many more magnificent 300s. All models.

By far the most popular colour based on my observations is Cool Vanilla. My wife and I reckon it looks just great but, as those members who saw my post on the Aussie 300c Specs, we will not get that here in OZ. Second would be Silver which has been my favoured colour. The OZ silver for the 300 is called "Bright Silver". Not sure if that is the same as the US models?

I am just so impressed with the proportion of owners who have done mods. I saw so many grille and wheel updates. You should be proud.

We're you able to make arrangements for the grill and those wheels that you had been interested in? Hopefully, you had found a vendor more than willing to ship these items to the 'Land of Oz'. Also, how did your '300C' rental experience go?

[Hemi57]

Mr DJ, I am sorry to report that I wimped out on the 300C rental. No.1 reason was, I ran out of time to really research and the No. 2 reason was the great deal I get through the company I work for on Hertz. Luxury category (Town Car (yep a bit yuck)) for 10 days unlimited miles for around $450 including some insurances.

On the grille, I think you are referring to the other Aussie who recently joined the forum. I have the grille which I received in December from Wyckoff in the cupboard. The wheels I am still looking into. The local OZ cost in astronomical for larger diameter wheels and the tyres (20" and above) seem to be impossible to get here. If I import from US the tyres may not be approved for use in OZ either which can waive insurance cover and potentially get you a "canary" (unroadworthy vehicles get a yellow sticker attached to the windscreen, hence the nickname "canary").

Does any member happen to know if the 20" tyres you get in the US have a sidewall marking "DOT" (Department of Transport) approval??

[Mr.DJ]

Originally Posted by Hemi57

Mr DJ, I am sorry to report that I wimped out on the 300C rental. No.1 reason was, I ran out of time to really research and the No. 2 reason was the great deal I get through the company I work for on Hertz. Luxury category (Town Car (yep a bit yuck)) for 10 days unlimited miles for around $450 including some insurances.

On the grille, I think you are referring to the other Aussie who recently joined the forum. I have the grille which I received in December from Wyckoff in the cupboard. The wheels I am still looking into. The local OZ cost in astronomical for larger diameter wheels and the tyres (20" and above) seem to be impossible to get here. If I import from US the tyres may not be approved for use in OZ either which can waive insurance cover and potentially get you a "canary" (unroadworthy vehicles get a yellow sticker attached to the windscreen, hence the nickname "canary").

Does any member happen to know if the 20" tyres you get in the US have a sidewall marking "DOT" (Department of Transport) approval??

I can't fault you on the rental deal, and I do mean deal...that was very inexpensive for a nice car, length of rental time, and unlimited mileage.

As far as the DOT markings go, all tires which will be legally utilized on public roadways must be DOT approved and have this identification stamped (molded) into the tire's sidewall area. This DOT code includes letters/numbers which represent tire manufacturer, tire plant location, and month/year of actual manufacture, etc.

[Dutch]

How did our desert compare with your desert?

[Hemi57]

Originally Posted by Dutch

How did our desert compare with your desert?

Dutch, actually I have travelled much more widely in the US than I have here in my own backyard, typical :o

The middle of Australia is called the "Red Centre". I have flown over a lot of times and it really is bright red (ochre). We also have Salt Lakes much like the US where there has been World Record land speed records broken over the years.

Here in the state I live, Victoria, we have the Little Desert and the Great Sandy Desert. As the 2nd name implies, sand deserts with almost no vegetation.