Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 14:12
jomah,
I'm on my second Jeep I currently have a 2007 CRD, have not had any problems with it. It is a very high performance vehicle and handles exceptionally
well. It is tow rated at 3500kg ball weight is 375kg. These vehicles are luxury class and consequently have lighter shocks. I tow a 6m boat and prior to that a
Penguin 13 Jayco Off Road, no issues with bottoming out but I have put Rancho RSX shocks on the rear for towing.
My previous Jeep was a 2002 Laredo 4.7 V8. I had it for 5 years and did some extensive travelling put just under 140,000k on it. Never had one problem with it. No electrical problems no steering problems nothing. I did put air bags on the rear springs and Rancho RSX shocks all round, but I probably didn't need to.
In terms of fuel consumption towing my boat which weights just under 3 tonne it averaged around 18l/100k, towing my Jayco 14l/100k. I live in the Noosa hinterland and regularly travelled to
Brisbane basically 110k most of the way and it averaged 10.5l/100k consistently. Around town 12l/100k.
The engines in the V8's has always been Mercedes ever since they were introduced back in 2000 I think it was.
I always towed out of overdrive if I didn't the engine would do a bit of searching in a headwind or up slight hills as the overdrive gearing is not meant to pull loads.
The latest V8 and I think it will be the same with the 07 model has a tow switch which gets the vehicle down a lower gear for towing...also the latest 4.7 develops a bit more horsepower and torque than the V8 I had. Check www.jeep.com.au and you'll get the latest specs, if you haven't already done so. The new V8 is suppose to get better fuel consumption than the previous 4.7.
I thought the engine was excellant for towing it just loafed along and did have a sports sytem on it, the V8 rumble is a sweet sound. I do miss that sound in my CRD.
It is a V8 and if you drive it it will such fuel as will a V8 cruiser and any other vehicle with a large capacity engine.
Before I bought my first Jeep I spend quite a lot of time talking to Jeep owners whenever I had the opportunity and I can honestly say I never came across anyone who was not happy with their vehicle or it's reliability. I heard about these alleged electrical problems and it did concern me, but when I started talking to them none had ever had such a problem.
AnswerID:
303051
Follow Up By: Stu-k - Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 15:32
Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 15:32
Sure are a great thing the merc CRD`s, I now have a new hilux and really miss that great motor.
The bottom out that I mentioned was off road on pot hole/corrugations type terrain. The front upper control arms came up so far that they hit the inner guards, but then I do tend to drive a bit quick.
FollowupID:
569210