Advice needed on model decision

[Damo4runner]

Hi guys first time poster so first up I would like to say hi. Now I have been a JEEP fan for sometime and thought I was going to purchase a new Grand Cherokee 3.0 Diesel BUT I may have taken a 2011 SDV6 SE for a test drive last week and now I am not prepared to put the money down on the JEEP, even the wife called it fantastic after I made her take it for a drive as well, which was more than she said about the JEEP.

The catch is that the 3.0 Discovery is a bit out of the price range I wanted to spend and I can't find a 2.7 here in Tasmania to test drive, so after reading the comparison article that was just posted on this site it got me thinking should I wait to find a 2.7 to try or keep searching for a cheaper 3.0. Having never driven a 2.7 I can't comment on its performance but the article says there isn't much between them. My last 4x4 was a 7 seater 3.0 GU Patrol so the newer more comfortable rocket ship that the Land Rover is would be appealing and the extra 2 seats that it offers over the JEEP is a big plus for my family. Anyone here bagged a 2.7 and regretted it? The sales guy was telling me the 2.7 is weighted differently and didn't give the car a balanced ride, I thought I could smell cow dung in the air while he was talking.

Anyone want to put a slant on my decision process...

[nat_89]

Hahaha I'm thinking of smelling cow dung to about the 2.7L being weighted differently I would say it would be a load of crap LR made the new 3L engine to replace and upgrade and there is many many forum members who have the 2.7 engine and love it so I couldn't see any problem at all with it.

As for the jeeps I can't comment to much although in the past week the town I live in I've seen 3 new Jeep Grand Cherokees on the back of tow trucks so I dunno what there like but I crossed shopped a new Summit Jeep against the SDV6 HSE and I'm so glad I went the disco really really glad I love the thing just steers and drives beautifully and it's just so comfortable and does everything perfect I love it!!

[shorty]

The 2.7 is fantastic. More is always better but really I don't think you'll find many 2.7 TDV6 Discovery owners who are unhappy with the performance.

Certainly miles ahead of the patrol / Prado diesels (haven't driven the Jeep).

[Bytemrk]

G'day Damo4runner,

I drive a 2012 3.0 SDV6...Love it!

That said... as the others have pointed out, there is nothing at all wrong with the 2.7. In fact if you are intending to use it offroad..the 2,7 may be better!

In the years you are looking at , the 2.7 runs 18" rims and the 3.0 runs 19" (LR 18's will not fit over the bigger brakes on the 3.0) So.. the 2.7 definitely has a better choice of tyre options if you want something rather than a road tyre..

Good luck..which ever you settle on I know you will be glad you didn't buy the Jeep ;)

[winaje]

My mate, who can afford anything he wants, lucky bugger, test drove a JGC Overland 2014 model. Loved it. Then test drove a 2013 SDV6 SE. He owns the D4. The D3/D4 in a 2.7 is beautifully balanced. The sales guy is aerating the manure.

[Greatsouthernland]

G'day Damo,

you seem like a smart bloke by not going blind into the jeep purchase.

Having owned both the 2.7 and the 3.0 myself, I can say it comes down to the torque...440Nm vs 600Nm, anyone saying it's not much difference is just blowin hot air.

BUT is one better than the other? Not for everything. If you want straight line drags, sure the 3.0, but off road, in most situations, they will both do it ahead of the jeep. Price is the second point, although you still get a heck of a lot of car in the 2.7, so if it's a stretch to get the 3 then don't, often I think I'd be just as comfortable in the old 2.7 (if it was repairable) and put the extra coin into the house, because depreciation is a cruel beast.

Good luck with the hunt and well done for seeing past the jeep :cool:

[Dagilmo]

Damo,

I was in the same position as you 12 months ago. I'd decided to wait till the 3.0 was in my price range. However after a bit of waiting, compulsory acquisition syndrome kicked in and I couldn't wait any longer. A 2.7 with all stuff I wanted came up so I bought it.

Do I still want a 3.0? Absolutely!

Do I regret buying the 2.7? Not a bit. Still love getting in it everyday.

IMO when it comes to performance. Buy the most KW and NM you can afford.

Cheers David.

[Moon]

What about the 3.0L TDV6? It's less than the SE and you can upgrade the specs so it's practically the same.

[PeterOZ]

Dont forget the basics

Service history
off road history if known

oh and Kms :cool:

Price is one thing to consider.

I have a D3, 2.7 TDV6 SE MY 08 and love it. 195k km so far. Bought it new and have been anal with it's servicing if not it's detailing :angel::wasntme:
I'd love the D4 3.0 top specced but as I'm single these days and still paying CSA it is beyond me.

Happy with the D3. ;)

[eddomak]

I have a MY10 3.0L myself and love it, but I think for the 2.7L versions there was a very reputable BAS remap available that significantly boosted power/torque/economy, for not a lot of $. Maybe it might close some of the performance difference if you feel as though you want it.

[Damo4runner]

Thanks for the feedback guys. The extra coin into the house isn't needed as that is paid for already, unfortunately I still like to be tight with my money. The 19 inch rims is an issue but I have already discovered GOE for 18 inch rims, offroad is where the car will spend about 20% of its time assuming the wife doesn't claim it as hers. The upgrade to the ECU for the extra power is something to consider, but as stated I can not find a dealer here in Tasmania with a 2.7 to try, there is one about 45 minutes away but it is a D3 and wouldn't give me a fair idea apart from power, this may be an option to gauge power alone.

Only things that are on the need to know list are cost of timing belt at 100,000klms seems to be the klms of the second hand versions on the mainland and the auto transmission pan with filter upgrade, the cost of an ARB bullbar with winch is about $4000. Lift kit not needed, Llams I would investigate if the need arose. I have put off the JEEP for now until I can answer these questions and become happy with a decision.

[kiwirich]

I have the 2.7 TDV6 in a D3 & after the BAS remap it's a lot more enthusiastic ...
Almost a different car to drive and almost ( Not quite) as good as the 3.0.

The 3.0 gets the 8 speed auto too.

Budget was also the issue for me & now after 3 years & another 80,000 Kms it's still an awesome car.

Which ever you choose, you won't be disappointed.Especially after the remap.
Richard

[Damo4runner]

So a BAS remap is the go I shall investigate into that a bit more, the TDV6 is an option if I can find one. The no warranty on an expensive parts car is a bit of a worry but I'm sure others have had things go wrong with cheaper cars. Now to start looking and eventually decide.

[rar110]

Wheel & tyre size is another consideration. Smaller rims and tyres with taller side walls are generally better off road. There is more tyre choice for 17" & 18" rims.

The 2.7 comes with 18" rims but you can fit 17" rims. On the 3.0 it's either 19" factory rims or 18" GOE rims.

[Dingmark Jim]

If you're not doing huge distances or pulling heavy loads, you may want to look at the petrol V8. Maintenance is a lot less on this sweet engine and purchase cost may cost so much less for the V8 that you never spend the difference in fuel prices - particularly at the current low price environment. On gentle highway drives I got around 12.5 litres/100km (calculated from the bowser, not the optimistic trip computer) and my 3.0 turbo-diesel gets around 10 litres/100km.

If you are indeed offroad 20% of the time, it is a big help to find one with the auto-locking rear diff. I found on sand dunes the extra power of the V8 just about offset the 180kw 3.0 turbo-diesel with a locking rear diff. The petrol V8 came with 19" rims but can happily take stock 18" rims, which helps a lot offroad.

Best of luck in the looking.

[theins]

I have had the D3 2.7TDV^ for 6 years and never found the power wanting, even with towing a camper trailer offroad... well, actually once, when I was climbing up a hill and the turbo hose blew.. :angry:

[PKD4]

.......assuming the wife doesn't claim it as hers. ...

Good luck with that. My wife always takes the D4 if there are 2 cars in the driveway when she leaves to go anywhere! Be it a 4 or 400km trip.


BTW: I (we) have the 2.7, and echo the others comments, I am sure that the 3.0L is great but I don't find the 2.7 lacking.

Pat

[Damo4runner]

Ok you have me convinced I am making it my mission to test drive a 2.7, worse case I will do it in a fortnight when I go to Melbourne for a quick visit.