Im considering chopping my e36 328i convertible for one.

I've only had the BMW a few months but summers been crap and I really need something with a better storage capacity. I've also decided that air con is better than roof down in the blazing heat!

Been looking at Grand Cherokee's (WJ Shape).


I've fancied a 4x4 for a while but was put off with the unreliability of the range rover.

From what I've gathered these are pretty well made, excellent specs but they drop in value massivly! (hence they are a pretty good bargin to buy).

They've got a few common issues but none too major except a blend doors issue (dual zone climate), the doors that direct the air flow break a clip or something and its an ENTIRE dash out job to replace!!! - A pain but not an expensive fix if you do it your self.

I've gathered that if things do go wrong however, parts are bloody expensive! (£1500+ for a gearbox, £900 for radiator!). Second hand parts are around but not that common - so its main dealer for most parts. (hopefully a sign that not many go wrong!).

Im looking at the 2.7 CRD engines (im looking running it on biodiesel) should save heaps in fuel bills.

I've been to see a few and am really impressed with what I've seen so far but havent driven one yet!

Anyone actually owned one? Comments? It will be my daily driver doing around 12 - 15k a year (almost all motorway miles!).

 

Alot of car for the cash. Lots of toys but a very 'cheap' feeling car inside.

Great value though and look ok too.

 

Cheers porkie!

Anyone else had any experience with them?

 

My mates dad had the earlier shape TD and loved it , was a really minted machine and really liked it maself ,never gave them any grief or unexpected bills

Think he would have another any day no problems

 

a friend has a diesel one it was before they used merc engines think it was a pug engine tbh was ok i thought.

would love a cherokee srt !!

J

 

Father in law has had a 3 litre TD Merc engined one for 5 months,paid £8200 for it,just got £5000 part ex for it against a Shogun

He hated it,was an auto.
I only went in it once,seemed gutless,and quite small inside really

 

If it was the 3.1 Litre I dont think these use the Merc engines (they are CRD 2.7 Litre).

Depreciation seems about right, they dont hold value at all - but it makes them very cheap to buy!

 

Oh right,didn't take much notice of it under the bonnet when I was changing the battery

Just goin by what the sales man had told the father in law

It was a Y reg

 

Yeh Y reg was definately the 3.1 Engines.

Cheers for opinions though dude, everything appreciated. Luckly no ones said they are notoriously unreliable or anything like that which is mainly what Im looking for!

 

we hired one when in america - Typically boring plasticy dash, went alright, was pretty comfy. Really wouldn't say it had anything particularly 'wow' about it, and i definately wouldnt aspire to own one!

 

the 3.1 is terrible, not driven the 2.7 though? straight six merc engine i assume?

the v8 petrol looks good on paper, really isn't all that good on the road, parts prices are hefty though, £350 for a mirror.

 

buy a shogun instead

 

personally i'm not a fan of the current shape shogun!

landcruiser is the daddy though!

 

My dad had W plate 4.7 V8 petrol model as a company car (With fuel card thankfully)

Nice car, huge leather armchairs for seats but the dash was just too plasticcy and cheap looking which didnt do the rest of the car justice.

Loaded with kit though...even the vanity mirror lights had dimmer switches on

If you get one, put a bit of black tape over the real time fuel consumption display. Seeing it drop from 15mpg to 5mpg when you put your foot down is heartbraking

Considered a Kia Sorento? Nice looking as 4x4's go (looks like a lexus imo) and they're full of kit, engines are decent too...if you can see past the badge. A mate of mine's wife has one and it's a lovely car

Other than that, i can't think of anything else that hasnt already been mentioned. Other than a Mercedes ML, but MB's infamous reliability in recent years would put most people off

Lexus RX? nor the best looking but with it being a Lexus i'd assume it's pretty much bomb-proof