No more SUV shopping

[clyde]

Originally Posted by equ

- nearside A-pillar has a blind spot. I find myself leaning to see towards LH apexes (as well as potential pedestrians crossing)

This is becoming quite a common complaint for me in newer cars. Not sure how else they can efficiently fit airbags and meet rollover requirements without it, though.

[equ]

800 Mile Review

Likes:

- Engine. Smooth, torquey, efficient. A little slow and clattery sub-10mph and haven't really gone beyond 85-90. Generally likes to cruise around 70 to 75. 28-29mpg's on the highway. Pump calculated 25.6mpg on a combined mostly highway tank with 550mi range.

- Transmission. The 8-speed ZF is fantastic for an auto-box. I like how it downshifts matching revs into red lights. Other than at launches, it doesn't churn/hum much, seems to lock up to gear quickly. This is my third automatic car ever, after the 1986 Mercury POS and my failed 2011 x5d experiment. I use both D & S modes (S helps briskness just a bit and also lowers the car, the two are tied to each other). I haven't used the paddles.

- Air suspension. It's not sporty, but it rides decently and I can feel it adjusts for the load.

So while the JGC is an exceedingly common car, at least the Overland Ecodiesel specification is rather rare.

[robg]

Originally Posted by equ

800 Mile Review

Likes:

- Engine. Smooth, torquey, efficient. A little slow and clattery sub-10mph and haven't really gone beyond 85-90. Generally likes to cruise around 70 to 75. 28-29mpg's on the highway. Pump calculated 25.6mpg on a combined mostly highway tank with 550mi range.

- Transmission. The 8-speed ZF is fantastic for an auto-box. I like how it downshifts matching revs into red lights. Other than at launches, it doesn't churn/hum much, seems to lock up to gear quickly. This is my third automatic car ever, after the 1986 Mercury POS and my failed 2011 x5d experiment. I use both D & S modes (S helps briskness just a bit and also lowers the car, the two are tied to each other). I haven't used the paddles.

- Air suspension. It's not sporty, but it rides decently and I can feel it adjusts for the load.

So while the JGC is an exceedingly common car, at least the Overland Ecodiesel specification is rather rare.

Sounds great. Can't beat that mpg average in a vehicle that likley weighs close to 5k pounds.

I believe the x5 would've had the same ZF 8 speed, but BMW programs it a bit differently. What do you think of the Jeep version in comparison?

[rumatt]

Glad you're enjoying it. It's looks great in that color.

[equ]

Weighs 5200 to maybe 5400lbs most likely. If you are not demanding speedy moves, the engine feels more than comfortable for that weight. It has 7200lb tow rating and the same motor as in the Ram 1500 diesel.

Pretty sure my x5d had a 6-speed as well as the earlier bmw diesel engine. I never liked the throttle response nor the shifts but honestly don't remember much. That was four years ago and I only drove it for a couple thousand miles.

I think MB makes the smoothest diesel of the three (never drove the vw/audi/Porsche 3.0). The design and and system of the jeep are more appealing to me. Also no runflat and better brake feel. Funny, helping a friend buy that diesel ML got me looking into diesel Suvs in the first place.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by equ

Weighs 5200 to maybe 5400lbs most likely.

Interesting. I was guessing a touch over 5000. I believe the diesel adds about 500 lbs over the 6 cylinder. And 300 over the hemi.

If you are not demanding speedy moves, the engine feels more than comfortable for that weight.

What about turning? Does the outside front tire scream for the sweet release of death every time you round a mild corner?

[equ]

Originally Posted by rumatt

Interesting. I was guessing a touch over 5000. I believe the diesel adds about 500 lbs over the 6 cylinder. And 300 over the hemi.


What about turning? Does the outside front tire scream for the sweet release of death every time you round a mild corner?

I read some comparative reviews. Hemi seems to add 200lbs to the 6-cyl and the diesel seems to add 150ish to that. Note that hemi & diesel come with heavy duty brakes and towing package that is not as common on the 6. The hemi was decent and almost fun in a straight-line due to the soundtrack and response (if not the actual speed). It's likely quite reliable, but the archaic design and displacement mean that I'd be getting mid to low teens. And 200 to 250 on a tank.

The outside front? It probably would. There is either construction load or the dog in the car so I wouldn't know. It's not a car that encourages turning of that sort - at all. I have no intention on rolling it. I did just score a nearly new set of lighter Summit (higher trim) wheels that I put on, those are in the picture. The downside is that the tires are still the same, mediocre goodyear fortera's. So I will put together a winter set and take it easy in all 4 seasons.

I'm doing ok if I keep up with fast traffic. It does better on sweepers, once set up. And it powers out well, that audi/awd feeling. At least it's comfortable enough. But it's not meant to dominate the left lane let alone provide cornering delights. No large SUV I've driven can do that. The full-sized RR wouldn't be very different (smoother ride). The cayenne would be the only one and that is $$$ and I have a nice rwd 535i sedan anyway.

[lemming]

Good running updates. Thank you.

[lemming]

question for the group:

probably going to replace E61 with new Buick Regal TourX (I like it) --but the 2015 Wrangler Sahara is end of lease soon --but the buyout is super cheap. Vehicles on the market same year, same options same miles are all asking $30,000 or more --I should just buy this 2015 Jeep, shouldn't I?

[wdc330i]

Somehow I didn't know you even had a Jeep...But, yes, I'd probably buy the Jeep and sell it, if you want something more luxe.