Dog Estate, £5k for canine, boat tow and continental duties

[confused_buyer]

The 2.7/3.0 TDIs from the early (2004-2006ish) era can suffer with cam tensioners failing, EGR valves blocking up and injector failure. Later ones are better.

Nice engines when they work though and 10x nicer than the previous 2.5.

[TiminYorkshire]

TurboHatchback said:

My personal biased opinion would be towards a WK Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Overland. They have the best 4x4 system in the business and are noticeably faster and more refined than any other proper 4x4 at the price point.

Just has a more detailed look, power performance and even fuel consumption looks pretty good on these as far as proper 4x4s go, it looks like a nice compromise. How do you find yours in the real world?
Pros and cons of ownership?
Have you used it in the snow at all?

[TurboHatchback]

TiminYorkshire said:

TurboHatchback said:

My personal biased opinion would be towards a WK Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Overland. They have the best 4x4 system in the business and are noticeably faster and more refined than any other proper 4x4 at the price point.

Just has a more detailed look, power performance and even fuel consumption looks pretty good on these as far as proper 4x4s go, it looks like a nice compromise. How do you find yours in the real world?
Pros and cons of ownership?
Have you used it in the snow at all?

I really like mine, it makes a great real world car. The only downsides I have found are the top gear is a bit short (~2500rpm at 70mph) and it is a proper 4x4 with a live rear axle so it obviously won't handle like a sports car. The engine is the Mercedes OM642 engine (as found in 2006-onwards 320 CDI models) and so far I can't fault it, there is plenty of overtaking pace available and it idles and cruises very quietly for a diesel. The gearbox is a Mercedes 5-speed unit and is very solid and smooth. Economy wise it does exactly what it says on the tin, my average is exactly 28.8mpg at present, the gearing and aerodynamics means that figure doesn't change much between motorway and urban use.

I drove it to La Plagne and back in January so it's seen some snow, no problems at all. I fitted the chains as all the other cars had them on, realised fairly quickly that I didn't need them and took them off again. The Quadradrive 2 system has 3 electronically controlled clutch pack locking differentials that adjust on the fly between completely open and completely locked to maximise available traction, if there is any purchase to be had the Jeep will find it. The system works in both high and low range so is much better for snowy roads than more old fashioned systems with selectable 4x4 and manually switchable locking diffs.

[TiminYorkshire]

^ Thanks for that, very helpful.

[TobyLerone]

I had one of these, with 200k miles on it. The integrated metal folding down dog grate was a tidy little idea. A simple, but nice thing to have that I've missed on all my cars since.

The D5 engine is a tough engine, and didn't give me any issues. Parts are pricey if you need anything though.

Basic, AWD, good car. Id happily have another.

[TiminYorkshire]

TurboHatchback said:

I really like mine, it makes a great real world car.

Out of interest what tax band is this in, most Overlands are on a 56 reg or later, but being 06 is this cheaper to tax?

[TurboHatchback]

TiminYorkshire said:

TurboHatchback said:

I really like mine, it makes a great real world car.

Out of interest what tax band is this in, most Overlands are on a 56 reg or later, but being 06 is this cheaper to tax?

It's in the £500 band unfortunately, I'm not sure that it's possible to get Overlands which aren't. You can get Limited and Predator spec models in the £295 bracket but the interior is much less nice (and the wheels). An extra couple of hundred isn't that much in the grand scheme of running a large car (or that's how I justify it anyway).

[TiminYorkshire]

Thanks for that. Only £20 a month to pay or 7 pints of Black Sheep from the posh harbour pub or 12.5 pints of Bombardier from the cheaper secreted inland pub, it's grim oop north!

[TiminYorkshire]

TobyLerone said:

I had one of these, with 200k miles on it. The integrated metal folding down dog grate was a tidy little idea. A simple, but nice thing to have that I've missed on all my cars since.

The D5 engine is a tough engine, and didn't give me any issues. Parts are pricey if you need anything though.

Basic, AWD, good car. Id happily have another.

Only issue is that they're haldex type 4wd, and if getting 4wd I'd prefer something with a more full time system. I've mentioned D5 V70s of the fwd variety before, the girlfriend thinks they look like a hearse so although I'm a fan they may be off the menu...

[TiminYorkshire]

3.0 CRD gets the nod from the girlfriend, so just an MX5 to sell in May and then it's time to start looking around...

[TiminYorkshire]

I've looked at 3 Overland 3.0CRDs so far, two with oil leaks and one was just shabby in general, so finding a nice one that isn't at the other end of the country is proving difficult.

This has got me considering Disco TD5s again, but the chassis rot on them is putting me off even though I like their aesthetic/space/truck like appeal.

I'm also thing about Outback 3.0Rns, I like the idea of the panoramic sun roof, and probably adequate for launching the rib off a slipway if we go further afield (I have an old tractor for launching it on to its mooring at home now). The Subaru seems sensible with the added attraction of some performance.

3 different cars all with their pros and cons. The budget has crept up as I've saved more, although I don't want to spend it if I don't have to. Apologies for thinking out loud, I'm bored of checking the classifieds, I guess it's time to start travelling further afield to look at vehicles....

Edited by TiminYorkshire on Thursday 27th July 14:48

[ZX10R NIN]

If you can get past the looks the R Class ticks a lot of boxes being 4wd as well.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Subaru Tribeca

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[TiminYorkshire]

I can guarantee they won't pass the girlfriend's aesthetics requirement!

[mangos]

I have a Vizsla.

He is a big dog. (Not Great Dane size, but taller than a Labrador)

He also seems to be quite particular about the cars he goes in.

He hated the boot of the golf.
He likes the boot of a 3 series estate and X5.

[ZX10R NIN]

TiminYorkshire said:

I can guarantee they won't pass the girlfriend's aesthetics requirement!

they wouldn't pass most people's aesthetics requirements.

[TiminYorkshire]

Well I'm off to look at two TD5 Discos at the weekend, I may be stupid but as a 3rd car the aesthetics appeal too much to the girlfriend and I (plus the space, as my VW T4 is so full I can barely fir the girlfriend and the dog in...).

Fingers crossed.