First drive of the CRD diesel

[Kiwi]

I've driven some diesels in my time and own an 04 2.7 CRD Grand Cherokee. I would have to say this new JK diesel would have to the worst I have ever driven. The whole package seems to be designed around a tractor. I booked the JK for an hours drive and had it back in 15 minutes.

I've been waiting for 18 months to drive the CRD thinking it would be a leap forward, but it's like going back in time. My wife and I was so disappointed.

The engine was very noisy and not the power I would have expected.

All I can say is stay with the petrol even though it is under powdered. There is a new 4lt petrol on its way.

[Bomber]

I presume it's similar to the KJ engine, and based on the KJs I've heard coming up the trails behind me it was never going to compare the WG 2.7, that motor (and the V6 replacement) is in a class of it's own - German engineering vs Italian engineering.....

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Bomber

I presume it's similar to the KJ engine, and based on the KJs I've heard coming up the trails behind me it was never going to compare the WG 2.7, that motor (and the V6 replacement) is in a class of it's own - German engineering vs Italian engineering.....

I had a VM before a 2.5 Cherokee for 4 years and even that was better. The whole package was poor.

[bismark]

I don't know what you drove in the past but I can tell you that I now own a 2door CRD since yesterday. I have owned one Toyota,2 Pajeros and 3 Patrol, the last one was a 2002 3L DT all Diesels, but the Wrangler is by far the quitest I was driving in the Bush 1,2 and 3 low range with the top off and loved every min of it. Must admit acceleration from start is not as good as I expexted, and startind in second gear not as good as Patrol 2.4 Tone against 1.9 Tone, but in normal trafic and on the freeway the Diesel is great.

[salesguy]

Auto's the way to go in the diesel.

I'm surprised that you found it noisy, kiwi, especially after the 2.7. Now, that was one noisy, rough running diesel. Plenty powerful though and very economical.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by salesguy

Auto's the way to go in the diesel.

I'm surprised that you found it noisy, kiwi, especially after the 2.7. Now, that was one noisy, rough running diesel. Plenty powerful though and very economical.

I should just let my wife say her bit. She's sitting here surprised at your commit about the 2.7. The JK engine was tiny, rattles a lot more than the 2.7 and had very bad pull over 90kph. The gearing was poor in the auto and having to pay $5,000 more than a petrol engine for this, you would have to have rocks in your head to buy one. Even in Australia with the price of diesel being so expensive compared to NZ.

I've had jeeps for 10 years and have enjoyed every year of ownership, but the engines they have installed in the JK are both poor. If Jeep want to sell these after the rush Jeep will have to do better than this.

Poor engines
Poor interior scratches easy
Sad radio
Very sharp metal under the seat trying to find adjustments
Seats cushions width small and very soft.
Rubbish rear license plate position
Hard to get into rear of the 2 door
Door exterior metal is like tin foil.

Sales Guy I believe the best ever standard allround Jeep manufactured in the past 10 years would have to be the Laredo 2.7 diesel.


That's it from me for the JK.

[doe818]

Interesting...

I have a manual diesel on order. I've only ever had diesels and some of the older ones have been very noisy and clunky and any newer engine for me has been better than the last. In the end, the noise doesn't bother me anyway. But what you say about the performance being poor I find a bit confusing because it is still a 130kw engine which is significantly higher than the new Patrol 3.0 at 118kw for eg. I conceed there will be differences in how/where that power and torque is available, n/less it should still be superior to the patrol given the extra power and weight advantages in the JK. I hear the electronic throttle takes a while to get used to, perhaps that has something to do with the initial feeling of poor performance? It sure felt strange when I test drove the V6. Also, its worth keeping in mind that all diesels improve as they wear in, my current cruiser took nearly 100000km's before it settled down. Perhaps our fuel has something to do with it as well, I think our sulphur content is higher than europe so perhaps the ecu needs an updated flash? Overall, I can't see it being that bad compared to other similar application engines out there.

As far as the other concerns go re plastic etc, it is a wrangler after all, if you're after flawless finishing etc then suggest you look at a volvo.