Jeep Cherokee Ltd 3.0 liter diesel (Auto)

Hi Bidgee,
Might want to check out post 35992 before making that decision mate.

Avagoodn
Pezza

From my recent trip to Fraser they seem to struggle with ground clearance, particularly in soft sand.....

Like you, I'm too tall for them. Tried one for size at one of the shows and it was too cramped. The Pajero has heaps more space.

My oldies bought a Grand Cherokee 3.0 and have just got back from NW Western Australia. About 15000 km's in all and they reckon it is the best vehicle they have owned, which is a few now.
It has excellent economy, heaps of power for towing a van and is exceptionally comfortable. All in all, it makes an excellent tourer.
The Grands are made in the factory in Austria where as some other models like the Cherokee is made in Italy under license and the Austrian made gear is first class, the Italian job, not so, they have had one of them too. The fuel filters are from the M series Benz engines (well they are all Benz engines) and they could not fault it.
You will get lemons no matter what breed of vehicle you buy, it is up to the dealer you choose as to how they handle it if you are one of the unlucky ones.
I would have no hesitation in recommending them because if my old's like it, it must be good, they are quite particular.
Go for it.
Tim

Steve,

I would highly recommend that you get a hold of June 2006 Australian 4WD Monthly that compares the TD Grand Cherokee and Discovery.

I'll quote a section from "Parting Thought":

"As I have seen in previous models, if used off-road often enough, the Grand Cherokee will eventually crack where the front section meets the front firewall, as there is very little reinforcement to support heavy landings that force the front spring towers up.

On the plus side, the traction and stability control is great, and the V6 turbo-diesel engine is brilliant and far superior to the TDV6. It handles nicely on well-formed roads, but would benefit greatly from decent shock absorbers."

To me, the article has some serious criticisms of the Jeep; I think it is a great vehicle but very important to understand it's limits.

Peter

Hi Steve,

I have a 2005 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 3.0 CRD - picked it up on 31/8/2005 and have just had its 30,000km service done.

I tow a Supreme Getaway Off-road Caravan (2000kg) and an Aussie Swag Rover LX Campertrailer (1500kg) and of the 30000km have had one or the other on the back for 7900 km. Average fuel consumption from day 1 is 12.2 l/100km. Worst with the caravan is 15 l/100km and with the Aussie Swag is 14.3 l/100km. No problem at all with the tail gate clearing the treg hitch. Towing performance is simply outstanding - previous tow vehicle was a 2002 4.2TD GU Patrol ST and there is just no comparison, either on performance or fuel consumption. I can easily tow either at the posted speed limit whatever that may be. Around town I average in the low 11's and on freeway travel (110 kph) it gets down into the mid 10's. It's an awsome feeling being able to overtake slower vehicles up a hill on dual carriageways with a 2 tonne caravan on the back.

Servicing costs:- the 30k dealer service just cost me $470, of which $45 was the oil filter and $111 was the oil itself. Labour was $250. 20k service was a shocker ($700'ish) - the fuel filter alone was $170. That said, I have no complaints with my local dealer but do wish I had an alternative.

Only warranty issue came up just recently - a leak at the large electrical plug that controls the transmission. That was a 'known' potential problem and was fixed easily with two new 'O' rings.

Off road ability is compromised by ground clearance and I sourced a body lift kit from the USA which gave me about 55mm all round - problem solved. I know that King Springs have now developed replacement springs which they claim gives 25mm with the standard shocks. My kit kept the standard springs all round as well as the front shocks - the rear are new longer travel ones from Doetsch Tech in the USA. Ride is quite good on the road but it does wallow a bit - similar to the Patrol until I replaced the springs and shocks on it. A couple of companies have offered to make replacement shocks if I bring the vehicle in, which I might do one day.

Off-road performance is very good and I haven't found any grade that it can't handle easily. Engine braking in low first is better than in the Patrol which pleasantly surprised me. Being my first auto 4WD I was a bit apprehensive but now couldn't go back to a manual. I have lost the rear mudflaps a couple of times but was always losing the Patrol's front ones - no big deal. The front suspension is independent and the Jeep can easily lift a front wheel which looks quite spectacular at times but causes no problem - mostly I'm unaware of it until I get told later. The QuadraDrive II system is brilliant - no other word for it.

I am just under 6' tall and have no problem getting comfortable in the driver's seat but I do have a problem after a few hours (pins and needles in the butt) and have to get out for a stretch. Patrol's seats were better for me. Neither are as good as those in my first 4WD, a 1995 300Tdi Discovery.

At the rear I added coil-rite air helper springs. When towing the caravan I use a weight distribution hitch and set the bags to 10psi, with the Aussie Swag I set them at 15psi and all is level. That took a bit of experimintation after I added the lift kit.

There is no room under the bonnet for a second battery so I have removed the cargo area liner and located a second battery there with my fridge on a ply base. Over time I will add other storage options on the new base. Be aware that the tie downs on the plastic liner are plastic and a held in place with plastic rivets - not real good. Storage space is a challenge but I'm well on the way to solving it for me. Up top I've added a Rhino Roof Pod in which I can carry my large canvas tent and fly, under tent matting, two tables and two chairs and a few other bits and pieces - and just stay within the pod's 50kg limit. Tent poles are carried in a 100mm sewer pipe on the rack alonside the pod. The roof weight limit is 68kg and I am just over that at about 73kg - fingers crossed.

So all in all I'm pretty happy with the Jeep and can work around or live with its pecularities as they apply to me. As I did with the Patrol and the Discovery before it.

Hope this helps,

G'day Bidgee1
An observation, you are only seeking positive feedback it seems, so you have decided what you are going to buy and looking for re-inforcement.
There may not be a problem with that, just be aware, that is what is really happening here.
cheers and good luck
Rod