Am I crazy in thinking about getting a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Diesel

AussieKermit

New Member
Oct 25, 2018
6
2
3
Queanbeyan
We are looking at upgrading our current car later this year and the Jeep GC Limited Diesel is on the list. (Wanting to get a caravan)
What are peoples thoughts?
Obviously there is a lot of bad blood with Jeep over the past 10 or so years. Have heard lots of horror stories and really don’t see that many on the road.
I know all brands have lemons but it does seem a bit disproportionate with Jeep.
Really don’t want to be left out In the cold if we have any issues. So keen to hear current owner comments about the car
Thanks.
 

Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
13,971
113
Mentone, VIC
Continued recalls, world class shite customer service and support along with sales figures tanking horribly in Aus, I suspect your Jeep experiment could well bite a huge chunk out of your rear end .... and Jeep may well smile and say "your blocking the queue, move along looser ..... next buyer, step right up"
 

ash99

Member
Feb 1, 2016
62
81
18
Lysterfield
I purchased a 2016 Grand Cherokee new.

I have had zero mechanical issues with it. I have just clicked over 50000km btw.

I did have a small issue with an uneven wear spot on the carpet and also the leather on the steering wheel was slightly off. Both were fixed without issue by the dealer.

My car, which is a Laredo Diesel, has been great. I would definitely buy again. I have had no issue with the dealer and customer service has been great.

The bad.....
The servicing costs are high when i take into consideration 10000km intervals. I believe they are now 15000km.

The depreciation will be massive. This occurs with most cars. My argument around this is that the dealers discount the cars when push comes to shove so I am paying less for the car.

Otherwise, I think they are a great buy. I am a little biased as an owner but it fits my requirements perfectly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AussieKermit

JohngQld

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
104
246
43
65
Caboolture, Qld
Hi AussieKermit,
This is my second Grand Cherokee, my first was a 2012 model. I put 100,000 klm on it with relatively minor issues being sorted with the warrenty being transferred. The Jeep now has a 5 year warranty although still limited to 100,000. My only one issue is the windscreen leaked. It was replaced originally before delivery as it got a stone chip during transport. All sorted now. They are not as huge as the Toyotas so if you want a good sized vehicle, the Jeep is it. Level of standard equipment far better than most. I've had Toyotas and Holden Colorados at work and both their service networks leave much to be desired with Toyota being behind. I purchased my new van from Coffs Harbour and bought it up to Brisbane on it's maiden run at 13.8 lts per 100. Lined up any number of Colorados, Toyota's Mitsubishis can passed them with ease, the 3.0 ltre engine is amazing with it's 550 NM of torque. I don't go out of my way to knock others, but I'm more than happy with my choice, besides I spend two and a half hours a day going back and forth to work. The service intervals are 20,000 klm. Jeep are very fortunate as I think they have sold twice the numbers they think they have as it seems to be the ones that "a mate of a Mate owns" that have the issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AussieKermit

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,723
19,450
113
QLD
I like the Grands have had two of them but whatever new vehicle I would buy I wouldn't use a dealer to maintain them as I don't think they give value for money...100,000km service interval for autos is dumb.
 

DRW

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2013
2,644
4,293
113
69
Beautiful Burrum Heads QLD
Ours is a 2012 around 140k on it now, never had any real issues either except the dealer service costs but this can happen with any brand. They are class leading power 570nm torque with an 8 speed auto we only have the 5 speed and 550nm but it pulls well and we usually average 15-16lph towing. Other than a ute what else compares for under $60k? We would buy another one in a heartbeat and eventually will
 

BigSkiddy

Well-Known Member
May 7, 2013
888
1,198
93
45
Bargo NSW
Had mine for since October 2013, had some issues, which I've listed in a thread here. But overall very happy with the car and will keep it til it dies.

Jeep ownership is like having a hot girlfriend, she can cause you some dramas from time to time, but she's a lot of fun.
 
Last edited:

AussieKermit

New Member
Oct 25, 2018
6
2
3
Queanbeyan
Thanks so much for all your comments. We are definitely leaning towards getting one. Wont be for a few months though so plenty of time to do more research.
 

AussieKermit

New Member
Oct 25, 2018
6
2
3
Queanbeyan
Had mine for since October 2013, had some issues, which I've listed in a thread here. But overall very happy with the car and will keep it til it dies.

Jeep ownership is like having a hot girlfriend, she can cause you some dramas from time to time, but she's a lot of fun.

Hey Mate,
Thanks for linking your thread, I loved reading through it all and hearing about your car. Looks great!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigSkiddy

BJM

Well-Known Member
Sep 29, 2018
485
549
93
Yamba
Had and worked on Jeeps for the last 20 years.Bought a demo 2010 WH diesel now 150000ks no problems other than a world wide recall stuff up for transfer case problems.It has towed for most of its life.Last year purchased a 2012 WK2 Overland diesel in NZ.Just finished nearly 10000ks around NZ on road and off road.No problems.If you are towing ,change fluids,oils etc at much shorter intervals. eg ATF at 30000.ks If buying second hand get a Bluedriver or equivalent OBD2 reader (works with Iphone .Ipad etc.) and plug it in to computer port to diagnose any fault codes etc.Jump on to the Ausjeepoffroad website,forum especially for 2011-19 Grand Cherokees.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,723
19,450
113
QLD
Had and worked on Jeeps for the last 20 years.Bought a demo 2010 WH diesel now 150000ks no problems other than a world wide recall stuff up for transfer case problems.It has towed for most of its life.Last year purchased a 2012 WK2 Overland diesel in NZ.Just finished nearly 10000ks around NZ on road and off road.No problems.If you are towing ,change fluids,oils etc at much shorter intervals. eg ATF at 30000.ks If buying second hand get a Bluedriver or equivalent OBD2 reader (works with Iphone .Ipad etc.) and plug it in to computer port to diagnose any fault codes etc.Jump on to the Ausjeepoffroad website,forum especially for 2011-19 Grand Cherokees.

Exactly @BJM certainly correct on fluid change, my 2 Grands were still going strong when I sold them at near 300,000km, tranny change 30 -40,000km and all good and Ausjeep is a fantastic place for info.
 

DRW

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2013
2,644
4,293
113
69
Beautiful Burrum Heads QLD
Our dealer refused to do a tranny oil change before 130,000 hence the dealer support network is less than great, I had it changed recently at 140,000K and it was clean and not sign of metal etc, made me a bit relieved I can tell you
 

BJM

Well-Known Member
Sep 29, 2018
485
549
93
Yamba
Go to any reputable auto transmission company and they will tell you horror stories re sealed for life,auto trans etc. eg an 8speed ZF in a 2013 on Grand Cherokee will cost around $10-12000 .00 to remove/ replace and rebuild. ATF can look clean ,however heat is a killer of ATF and it rapidly looses its protective lubricating qualities.140000 ks is a huge number before a change.!!
 

DRW

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2013
2,644
4,293
113
69
Beautiful Burrum Heads QLD
I agree but when flat out working in OZ and overseas for months on end all you can do is listen to the so called experts, last trip to Tamworth with the van it was as hot as hadies and the gearbox temp remained fairly normal (except over the big hill) and I actually commented to the bride if I didn't have a tacho I would never know it dropped down a gear, fingers crossed it keeps going for a while yet
 
  • Like
Reactions: Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,723
19,450
113
QLD
I've always worked on 106 deg being max temp for short periods, actually manage to keep below 100 mostly, this applies to all vehicles not just Jeeps, when they had Merc gear they had one if the best boxes and engines, these extended service times for all vehicles have more to with keeping service costs down because the syn oil is better but they over do it. Syn or mineral you still get loads of scum in an auto pan after 40K let alone 100K plus.
I reckon you'll be good @DRW....
 
  • Like
Reactions: DRW