Are jeep grand cherokees reliable?

[m3jappa]

Looking at the newer shape grand cherokees, i think 1999 onwards.

I would mainly use it for road use, towing but may partake in some green lane useage.

I reckon the v8 with lpg would take my fancy but what about the 4ltr 6 and then the diesels? is there a best/worst model?

And are they reliable? A v8 with lpg conversion can be had for very reasonable money....

cheers

[jo'bo]

ive got an earlier st 6 with lpg and its been just fine and very economical

go for it

[OllieWinchester]

Heard mutterings about rear diff problems, I think you have to reverse on full lock and if they clonk then they are knackered.

[jgguinness]

I thought the later diesel ones had a merc diesel engine in them? May be wrong though.

I had a 1998 S plate 4.0ltr on LPG Cherokee, enjoyed it. Was pretty nippy for what it was. Was tail happy in the wet in 2wd, as you could select 2wd/4wd manually. I did enjoy it, although it wasnt the biggest thing in the world. Had a flowmaster exhaust fitted which sounded the dogs danglies.

Plastic I felt was a little cheap, dash area though.

Jonathan

[300bhp/ton]

I think they often get knocked for reliability same as LR do, but its usually for silly things. Overall very tough durable trucks. Millions of Jeeps sold in the US and many going strong despite being decades old.

My only complant would be Jeep UK - they are total and utter ste! And are still the main reason why I won't buy a new Wrangler.

Parts supply is very very poor, dealers are usless and over charge. Find yourself a good American importer and buy parts from them instead. An easy fix but one UK customers shouldn't really resort to.

I like diesels, but none sold in US so parts will be dealer only. Straight 6 is a classic and very stout, much like the Rover V8, but maybe a tad out dated now. The V8 is very good and well worth a butchers.

[Viper]

ive had a 2000 V8 for a number of years, 40K miles on it now, very reliable, heater must be checked as the are known to fail but theres a cheap fix if you find one without a working heater, heated wires in the seats have failed a few times, clonking diff just really needs a thicker fluid

i fitted some larger rims and lower profile tyres as i dont off road very often and that sharpened up the handling quite a bit, tows beautifully and is a good load lugger

(a very thirsty drag to Spain via the Millau bridge)

Edited by Viper on Wednesday 1st April 22:08

[430Devil]

I have a 99 GC 4.7 and im more than impressed.

Reliable, comfortable and quick! Loads of load space. Great all-rounder.

[jeepman]

I've got a 98 R Orvis with 123K on the clock. Gave a grand for it and it has been the best grand i've ever spent. Leaves my L200 covered in dust. It tows, goes off road, carries dogs and guns, cruses steady and will give most a go off the lights. Many are right about the price of UK parts and the fact that 100% of Jeep dealers here are total idiots who think the sun shines out of their backsides. There are a few very good Jeep breakers/ex Jeep mechanics around if you need them.
All in all, forget the Landrover and Buy Jeep!!

[haircutmike]

Get a Land Rover, it's the real thing.
(waiting for the s**t to fly)!

[IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/haircutmike/exmoor15206002.jpg[/IMP.

P.

[m3jappa]

Thanks for the input guys.

I,d like the v8 but am concerned about 15mpg

I hear the 2.7 crd is good though with good economy.

What do they actually drive like? Obviosuly there no sports car but are they ok?

[nev996]

just on my 4th jeep now,had a diesel classic shape then a 4ltr classic that had been lpg converted[had it 5 yrs an the longest ive ever owned a car for] then a 2001 grand cherokee petrol but sold it to a friend as i got a golf but hav just got a new one this week from auction[but i knew who had owned it from new an anly 68000] its another grand cherokee 4ltr petrol in silver an i just love the quirkiness of them. they look great[quite butch lookin] an they are very american if u know what i mean. they have all the luxuries of any prestige car. everyones got a mondeo or vectra but how many people do u know with a jeep??? they make u stand out a bit from the norm. touch wood i havent had a major problem with any of them. i also hav a gorgeous jag xk8 but i love the jeep as much but in different ways. if u get a gas conv just choose one thats recommended or have experience of jeeps. the 2.8 diesel is merc engine as is the new 3litre in the new shape. nearly had a new shape diesel an most owners love them. most owners said the interiors were bit plasticy but also very well built and strong and for value for monet they cant be beaten, the down side was that even the diesels are very thirsty[low 20s rnd town] but the plus side is that u have a vehicle that will do almost anything. would hurry up though as used cars may get more pricey as the new ones arent sellin too well at moment. try and get a 1 owner car with good history and thatt will pay dividends in the long run. good luck

[300bhp/ton]

haircutmike said:

Get a Land Rover, it's the real thing.
(waiting for the s**t to fly)!


P.

A Landy is the real thing (got 2), but remember the Land Rover prototype was built on a Jeep chassis. So as much an LR fan as I am you have to accept the LR is the copy and not the original.

[haircutmike]

300bhp/ton said:

haircutmike said:

Get a Land Rover, it's the real thing.
(waiting for the s**t to fly)!


P.

A Landy is the real thing (got 2), but remember the Land Rover prototype was built on a Jeep chassis. So as much an LR fan as I am you have to accept the LR is the copy and not the original.

Keep it quiet!

[Lanby]

Viper said:

... heater must be checked as the are known to fail but theres a cheap fix if you find one without a working heater, h

what's the cheap fix, I thought it was a disconnect everything and dashboard out job?

[jesta1865]

300bhp/ton said:

haircutmike said:

Get a Land Rover, it's the real thing.
(waiting for the s**t to fly)!


P.

A Landy is the real thing (got 2), but remember the Land Rover prototype was built on a Jeep chassis. So as much an LR fan as I am you have to accept the LR is the copy and not the original.

blimey when are the jeep lot going to give this up, yes the prototype was, but they made so many changes and upgrades it was miles better when it went into production

[Viper]

Quinny said:

Lanby said:

Viper said:

... heater must be checked as the are known to fail but theres a cheap fix if you find one without a working heater, h

what's the cheap fix, I thought it was a disconnect everything and dashboard out job?

Go to ebay and look for "Blen dor"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Blen-Dor-Jeep-Grand...

Mate of mines just fitted one of these kits on the silver one in my post above.

He said it was easy enough, and its done the trick

thats it an easy and cheap fix, about 30 mins to do the job and had to buy myself a dremel to cut open the heater box, you remove the glove box to get access to it

where as Jeep wanted over £1000 !

Edited by Viper on Friday 17th April 07:56

[Celt]

Have been known to have some slight over heating problems!


http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/07/01/jeep....

[Lanby]

I wish I'd known about that a year ago, our Overland was
great apart from the drivers side heater not working

[Lanby]

I did, and although there were plenty of references to the blend door
issues, they all said it was a dash out fix and as I couldn't be arsed
to do that we waited until it was warmer and got rid.

[mackenzie]

I'm on my second both VBs and just love them. No reliability issues whatsever and very capable vehicle. The V8 sounds wonderful (mind you my weekend car is a 5 litre TVR!!) I have always fancied a RR but coundln't risk the unreliability that is so well documented but optimistically tried a new Disco 3. Unfortunately it was not a good experience. Great car and definitely better on road than the Jeep but just could not rely on it. A software problem which L/Rover tried to fix on 9 different occasions, saw it grind to a halt on a mountain track, 25 miles from the main road - useless. This is in support of Grand Cherokee and not a L/R knocking session and befote you say it, the irony of a TVR driver criticising a.n.other manufacturer is not lost on me - difference is that a 4 x 4s must, in my mind, be reliable to qualify as a proper 4x4.Finally re value for money - my most recent purchase is a 2005 absolutely mint Limited XS version of the Grand Cherokee, 2 previous owners and serviced every 6 months, 25K miles and it cost me £5.5K. The stereo, sat nav, and armchairs are worth that on their own!!