300a vs 300b?

[Lightningquick]

I read the 'difference between...." thread and im confused on this model im looking at :confused: Ok lets start with it having Black valve covers, so that means its a 300a

but then in the trunk pic it has a mini spare so its a 300b and the made date is 1/03 so its not one of the mid year models that have a mix of the features on the 300 a and b. So........??? is this a A or B model?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=296074289&dealer_id=65560799&car_year=2003&systime=&doors=&model=MARAUDER&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=500&min_price=&rdm=1301520349224&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&color=&address=28451&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=MERC&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=417&standard=false&captcha=success

[Bluerauder]

I read the 'difference between...." thread and im confused on this model im looking at :confused: Ok lets start with it having Black valve covers, so that means its a 300a

Not ^^^^^ necessarily.

but then in the trunk pic it has a mini spare so its a 300b and the made date is 1/03 so its not one of the mid year models that have a mix of the features on the 300 a and b. So........??? is this a A or B model?

VIN 2MEHM75V63X672671

Must have been a late January 2003 build 'cause the VIN is after mine. So its likely an '03 MM 300B. I see part of the T/C button in one photo and notice no in-dash trim clock.

My MM is a 300B with black valve covers, donut spare, traction control, manual gas door with thumb lip, and no separate clock in the dash trim. I have the under hood light too.

I don't think the unpainted valve covers showed up until the 2004 MM model year (or VERY late in the 2003 run). Its not a good indicator of the 300A vs. 300B issue.

[Pat]

Sir;

Black valve covers do not define a 2003 A or a B model.

The 2004 all had unpainted aluminum valve covers.

Using the criteria outlined in the sticky post, tell us what this car your looking at has or does not have.

Regards,

[Lightningquick]

VIN 2MEHM75V63X672671

Must have been a late January 2003 build 'cause the VIN is after mine. So its likely an '03 MM 300B. I see part of the T/C button in one photo and notice no in-dash trim clock.

My MM is a 300B with black valve covers, donut spare, traction control, manual gas door with thumb lip, and no separate clock in the dash trim. I have the under hood light too.

I don't think the unpainted valve covers showed up until the 2004 MM model year (or VERY late in the 2003 run). Its not a good indicator of the 300A vs. 300B issue.
that sounds like this one then, it says it has traction control and it doesnt have the clock in dash trim. It also says it has heated mirrors so im guessing it has heated seats too??? I just wonder why it has the small spare tire?

[Bluerauder]

that sounds like this one then, it says it has traction control and it doesnt have the clock in dash trim. It also says it has heated mirrors so im guessing it has heated seats too??? I just wonder why it has the small spare tire?

I didn't see the "Heated Seat" button on the driver door in the pics. Besides, the heated mirror deal is linked to the defroster anyhow.

The donut spare was introduced with the '03 300B. This car is clearly a late January 2003 300B MM.

The heated seat button is just rear of the seat back button on the driver and passenger doors. Here's a pic from my car ....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/3/MarauderDoor.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7821)

[Lightningquick]

I didn't see the "Heated Seat" button on the driver door in the pics. Besides, the heated mirror deal is linked to the defroster anyhow.

The donut spare was introduced with the '03 300B. This car is clearly a late January 2003 300B MM.

The heated seat button is just rear of the seat back button on the driver and passenger doors. Here's a pic from my car ....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/3/MarauderDoor.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7821)
ahhh ok thanks for the clarification :beer:

[J-MAN]

I didn't see the "Heated Seat" button on the driver door in the pics. Besides, the heated mirror deal is linked to the defroster anyhow.

The donut spare was introduced with the '03 300B. This car is clearly a late January 2003 300B MM.

The heated seat button is just rear of the seat back button on the driver and passenger doors. Here's a pic from my car ....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/3/MarauderDoor.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7821)

Jeez Charlie...:shake: I see a speck of dust between the os mirror switch and the front window buttons...for shame...:shake:

[Bluerauder]

Jeez Charlie...:shake: I see a speck of dust between the os mirror switch and the front window buttons...for shame...:shake:

Its an old pic from April 2007. Must have been collecting dust in the Gallery. ;)

[rauder775]

I too still find the definitions blurry. My '03 is outfitted itdentically to Bluerauder yet mine does not have heated seats? Was that becoming an option or is mine one of the "odd ones"?

[SC Cheesehead]

I too still find the definitions blurry. My '03 is outfitted itdentically to Bluerauder yet mine does not have heated seats? Was that becoming an option or is mine one of the "odd ones"?

Heated seats were options in '03.

What are typcially known as "decontented" 300As are all black and were built early in the '03 run.

That said, mine was one of the last '03's built and has a full size spare; got to assume they were cleaning up the assembly line and had some stuff left over that went into the last builds before model changeover.

[Mr. Man]

I always thought the easiest way to tell was the 03 A's had the remote fuel filler door and the map pockets on the front of the seats. These are two easy things to spot w/o having o look to hard.

[SC Cheesehead]

I always thought the easiest way to tell was the 03 A's had the remote fuel filler door and the map pockets on the front of the seats. These are two easy things to spot w/o having o look to hard.

First thing I look for is the clock on the dash trim panel.

[Mr. Man]

First thing I look for is the clock on the dash trim panel.
That would be the third thing I'd look for as it would cause me to squint;)

[Bluerauder]

I too still find the definitions blurry. My '03 is outfitted itdentically to Bluerauder yet mine does not have heated seats? Was that becoming an option or is mine one of the "odd ones"?

Heated seats was a $295.00 option on my MM.

[Mr. Man]

Heated seats was a $295.00 option on my MM.
Careful you don't spill any champange and caviar on those seats:D