Grand Cherokee WK 3.0 CRD vs Discovery TD5
Discussion
Ok, to cut a long story short, I thought I'd narrowed down our future dog vehicle/boat towing/snow vehicle as a Jeep Grand Cherokee WK 3.0 CRD.
However now I've the cash I'm struggling to find decent ones in Overland spec to look at that aren't at the other end of the country. Either they've seats that are falling apart, dodgy mileage history or oil leaks. So my thoughts keep going back to TD5 Discoveries...
So thinking out loud through my pros and cons am I missing anything:
Engine
GC has a 3.0 CRD 215bhp vs 135ish of TD5
GC has swirl issues and a few seem to be getting oil leaks. Easily remapped for more power. Longevity?
TD5 can have exhaust manifold issues, limited remap potential (up to 170 ish with intercooler?)
Rust
GCs don't seem rusty
Disco rear chassis extensions rust and sunroofs leak
Electronic
GCs have a few minor issues, Lo ratio select being common
Three Amigos on the disco
Availability
Lots of Discos to choose from
Less GCs about
Parts
Disco parts easy to get and cheap (but may need more of them?)
Jeep parts harder/more expensive to get
Specialists
Loads of people used to working on Discos
Jeep specialists who also understand the Merc motor are less common
Cost
Jeep is more expensive £5-7k typically
Disco in nice condition seems to be £4-6k
Aesthetics
We (the girlfriend and I) both prefer the aesthetics of the Disco. The Disco has more classic appeal
Interior
Leather Disco interiors seem to where well, they often have 7 seats which is a bonus when we have visiting family
The GC interior is more modern, but can look a little cheap.
Unsure on comfort of seats in either for a long trip
On road
Disco is live axle front and rear, slower and probably more ponderous, is it less comfy on a long trip?
GC is swifter, better for cruising/higher cruising speed, IFS so slightly comfier?
Off Road
GC has auto locking diffs front, centre and rear, Disco may have locking centre diff depending on year/model/options and relies on traction control to a degree, both are probably adequate for our needs (beach/slip ways and snow).
So what am I missing? And what should I go for? I'm probably going to continue looking at both locally (<100 miles) for now.
However now I've the cash I'm struggling to find decent ones in Overland spec to look at that aren't at the other end of the country. Either they've seats that are falling apart, dodgy mileage history or oil leaks. So my thoughts keep going back to TD5 Discoveries...
So thinking out loud through my pros and cons am I missing anything:
Engine
GC has a 3.0 CRD 215bhp vs 135ish of TD5
GC has swirl issues and a few seem to be getting oil leaks. Easily remapped for more power. Longevity?
TD5 can have exhaust manifold issues, limited remap potential (up to 170 ish with intercooler?)
Rust
GCs don't seem rusty
Disco rear chassis extensions rust and sunroofs leak
Electronic
GCs have a few minor issues, Lo ratio select being common
Three Amigos on the disco
Availability
Lots of Discos to choose from
Less GCs about
Parts
Disco parts easy to get and cheap (but may need more of them?)
Jeep parts harder/more expensive to get
Specialists
Loads of people used to working on Discos
Jeep specialists who also understand the Merc motor are less common
Cost
Jeep is more expensive £5-7k typically
Disco in nice condition seems to be £4-6k
Aesthetics
We (the girlfriend and I) both prefer the aesthetics of the Disco. The Disco has more classic appeal
Interior
Leather Disco interiors seem to where well, they often have 7 seats which is a bonus when we have visiting family
The GC interior is more modern, but can look a little cheap.
Unsure on comfort of seats in either for a long trip
On road
Disco is live axle front and rear, slower and probably more ponderous, is it less comfy on a long trip?
GC is swifter, better for cruising/higher cruising speed, IFS so slightly comfier?
Off Road
GC has auto locking diffs front, centre and rear, Disco may have locking centre diff depending on year/model/options and relies on traction control to a degree, both are probably adequate for our needs (beach/slip ways and snow).
So what am I missing? And what should I go for? I'm probably going to continue looking at both locally (<100 miles) for now.
There really isn't any right or wrong answer here.
As for off road ability, the D2 is perfectly capable in stock form. The TCS and ground clearance will make it easy and capable in stock trim.
The WK, there are two different AWD systems. One does have locking diffs (I think 2011+ models don't have the front locker) and another system that uses TCS much like the D2 does.
Off road, on slippery stuff the WK will perform fine, although they do ride a little lower in stock trim. And due to IFS don't have the wheel travel of the Land Rover. But if all your off roading is just pulling up on a grassy car park, then both will be equally fine.
On road, it's a mixed bag too. The WK is lighter, lower and has IFS. So in many ways should ride and handle better than a D2. But the ACE system on the D2 is truly very impressive, so while the D2 might feel bigger and heavier. It'll probably have less body roll.
The Td5 is nice engine, but it won't be speedy, but will probably be more frugal than the Jeep.
On this note, how many miles a year will you be doing? If you are doing 4000-6000 miles a year, then I'd highly recommend looking for a 5.7 V8 Jeep. Rarer, but more likely to be higher spec and arguably better looked after. It will be less frugal, but maybe not by as much as you think when you look at the monthly/annual running costs.
Likewise, there are V8 D2's as well. If you aren't doing heavy town work, then a manual 4.0 V8 will probably return not so different mpg figures from an auto Td5. Manual Td5's are much better on fuel than the autos.
Overall I like both vehicles. But really comes down to how much searching you want to do for the right one.
As for off road ability, the D2 is perfectly capable in stock form. The TCS and ground clearance will make it easy and capable in stock trim.
The WK, there are two different AWD systems. One does have locking diffs (I think 2011+ models don't have the front locker) and another system that uses TCS much like the D2 does.
Off road, on slippery stuff the WK will perform fine, although they do ride a little lower in stock trim. And due to IFS don't have the wheel travel of the Land Rover. But if all your off roading is just pulling up on a grassy car park, then both will be equally fine.
On road, it's a mixed bag too. The WK is lighter, lower and has IFS. So in many ways should ride and handle better than a D2. But the ACE system on the D2 is truly very impressive, so while the D2 might feel bigger and heavier. It'll probably have less body roll.
The Td5 is nice engine, but it won't be speedy, but will probably be more frugal than the Jeep.
On this note, how many miles a year will you be doing? If you are doing 4000-6000 miles a year, then I'd highly recommend looking for a 5.7 V8 Jeep. Rarer, but more likely to be higher spec and arguably better looked after. It will be less frugal, but maybe not by as much as you think when you look at the monthly/annual running costs.
Likewise, there are V8 D2's as well. If you aren't doing heavy town work, then a manual 4.0 V8 will probably return not so different mpg figures from an auto Td5. Manual Td5's are much better on fuel than the autos.
Overall I like both vehicles. But really comes down to how much searching you want to do for the right one.
popeyewhite said:
Jeep has more character, look for an Overland. Diesel engine has injector issues. I now own a D3, and I still pine after my Jeep. The D3 is the better car though, not owned a D2 but can't imagine it's better than the D3!
D2 is quite a different vehicle to a D3. Probably dynamically inferior. But feels completely different that they are hard to directly compare. A D2 will feel far more 4x4 like if you know what I mean. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff