Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel

[parker1158]

Been looking this weekend for a tow car to replace our trusty CR-V. Looked at the Shogun and Isuzu Trooper but were particularly taken with the Jeep when we tried it.The one we tried was an 02 reg(We have also seen an 03 we like as well). When we got home I did some Googling and it turns out they are allegedly a bit unreliable which was disappointing.

Can anyone give any feed back with their experience with Jeeps in general and how they tow. I only tow a 1350Kg fully loaded van but I need the off-road capabilities to tow a box trailer over parks, fields and down unmade roads in conection with my business.

 

[CRUSADER2801]

Maryn - not had a look to see if the model you are looking at is the current or previous model?

I tow with a current model 3.0l diesel which tows great and drives pretty good on tarmac as well. Obviously not up to the off road standards of Landrover but is more than match for the off road and towing conditions you require. I tow a van which is 1900kg fully loaded and the outfit handles well. Only criticism is that the interior could be better - either use less plastic or a better quality. Thats said it is pretty hard wearing and easy to clean.

PC Mag done a review of the Grand Cherokee towards the end of last year and gave it a similar review.

A neighbour had the previous model and whilst he liked the car he did not like how it handled on the road. That said he changed from an Audi A6 to a Grand Cherokee so may not have been making a fair comparison.

 

[mcghee]

As you may know I tow a Hobby 635 with a Grand Cherokee.

Stability is the best I've experienced.

Comfort is second only to the likes of Bentley.

But I tow with an LPG converted petrol. The reason for this is that the 2.5 and 2.7 diesel models tend to eat a cylinder head roughly every 60k mls.

There will be some owners who'll tell you they've had no problems, but they are the lucky few.

That information comes from a friend of mine who has been a Jeep specialist for over twenty years.

The only other thing you must do with a Jeep is use the Jeep friction modifier in the rear diff, if you don't you'll destroy it.

The newer 3.0 diesel seems to be a far better unit, although as SPG says, the interior is a bit plasticky in the new models.

In terms of on road handling the Grand Cherokee was considered to be one of the best as it's built in a tub rather than a separate chassis.

 

[Del_374232870]

Been towing with a 3.0 CRD for over a year now and it is an excellent vehicle both solo and towing, the auto box is recognised as being the finest on the market (it is the same as in the merc ML) only problems I have found is that twice last year it was off the road for nearly a month each time waiting for parts (turbo went and also an oil valve went bothh very rare) . In December some idiot hit us and whilst it was in the body shop we had a Land Rover TDV6 as a courtesy car. The Land Rover was nice but no match to the Grand Cherokee (a lot slower) and we were glad to get the Grand back.

The interior is a bit plasticy, but the seats very comfy.

Fuel consumption is around 21mpg towing and 27 - 32 solo. servicing is the highest cost.

 

[parker1158]

As you may know I tow a Hobby 635 with a Grand Cherokee.

Stability is the best I've experienced.

Comfort is second only to the likes of Bentley.

But I tow with an LPG converted petrol. The reason for this is that the 2.5 and 2.7 diesel models tend to eat a cylinder head roughly every 60k mls.

There will be some owners who'll tell you they've had no problems, but they are the lucky few.

That information comes from a friend of mine who has been a Jeep specialist for over twenty years.

The only other thing you must do with a Jeep is use the Jeep friction modifier in the rear diff, if you don't you'll destroy it.

The newer 3.0 diesel seems to be a far better unit, although as SPG says, the interior is a bit plasticky in the new models.

In terms of on road handling the Grand Cherokee was considered to be one of the best as it's built in a tub rather than a separate chassis.

Would it be insensitive of me to ask how much the gas conversion cost and how long you estimate it will take to pay for itself. Also does it infringe on boot space to much? I know on some vehicles they utilise the spare wheel well. how do they do it on the Jeep.

 

[mcghee]

Martyn

The conversion on the Grand Cherokee will cost about

 

[Lee.C]

Hi Martyn

We have had a 04 Grand 2.7 Ltd from new and are curretly towing a Super Sirocco at 1900kgs and found it tows brilliant and even with that weight behind it stills pulls with loads of torque and returns around 22 towing and around 24/26 around town. Have had 34 on a solo motorway run with steady right foot.

Up to press we have done 24500 miles in it and had no bother with it apart from wheels which were replaced under warranty a year ago with corrosion around the tyre valves and heated front seats were changed due to a recall.Last service was done at main dealer and cost

 

[Roy2]

I have the 3.0 crd overland,what a car would not swap it for anything.Have owned 3 previous jeeps but this beats them all hands down.It has the merc engine and auto box (ml320) towing mpg 19.5 with abbey spectum 2007 535 23 round town 29 ish on run.It has only just started to loosen (3k) and its realy shifts even with the lump on the back.Previous grand diesels not so good as you can read.Waiting for 12 months and then its chipable!!.Agree interror could be better but I would rather have a better drive/engine for the cash 34k ish.Been back once for computer upgrade some problems with warning indicators but will wait and see how it fairs for reliability.

 

[Del_374232870]

Hi Roy

Having had our 3.0 CRD for over a year now, the engine has loosened up fuel consumption varies from 19 - 21 towing. I did concider the Mopar chip but as the car has plenty of power even with a 1700kg Lunar Delta on its tail I decided against it as the dealer said they had fitted one to one of their cars and whilst the extra power was noticed so was the extra fuel consumption, so I think I will stick to the factory set up.

We have had quite a few little niggly faults, which in several instances took time to resolve, as they were unknown to Jeep so we had to wait until they managed to come up with solutions. As an example we had a problem with the memory seats and also the demisters and airconditioning. All of these were software problems and updates have been written. I have to say Jeep UK and our dealer have been fantastic .

would I have another 3.0 CRD, most definatley.

 

[blu]

Hi Roy

Having had our 3.0 CRD for over a year now, the engine has loosened up fuel consumption varies from 19 - 21 towing. I did concider the Mopar chip but as the car has plenty of power even with a 1700kg Lunar Delta on its tail I decided against it as the dealer said they had fitted one to one of their cars and whilst the extra power was noticed so was the extra fuel consumption, so I think I will stick to the factory set up.

We have had quite a few little niggly faults, which in several instances took time to resolve, as they were unknown to Jeep so we had to wait until they managed to come up with solutions. As an example we had a problem with the memory seats and also the demisters and airconditioning. All of these were software problems and updates have been written. I have to say Jeep UK and our dealer have been fantastic .

would I have another 3.0 CRD, most definatley.

Hi

Reported reliability for jeeps is shocking but i am on my second.The first i had for four years and 45000 miles and had to do nothing more than routine servicing and change discs and pads.This one has so far been superb and not missed a beat.It is a 4 litre petrol with an lpg.The only thing i would suggest is staying away from main dealers for servicing.

Other than that i recommend the grand cherokee.

Regards

Sean