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Should I go V6 or Diesel?

12K views 70 replies 24 participants last post by  ENFORCER 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone,

I'm new here at the Garage and have been reading the forums, great info here.

Hoping some of you can help me with my Dilemma. I am looking at purchasing a GC Laredo or Limited, have decided as yet - but my question is around the engine and what I will need for my purposes.

I test drove the Diesel and the V6 and the Diesel definitely felt like a much stronger engine so i am leaning towards that but I am not sure if it will suit my needs and if there will be any issues with what I am using it for.

- I would rarely use the vehicle for towing.
- I would do mainly a lot of short trips dropping kids to school, shopping centres etc.
- I would do Family trips of 50-100kms once a month or so.

I have read there may be problems with Diesel doing shorts trips and not long ones - if anyone could elaborate a little more on the 'Modern' Diesel engine used in the Wk2 2012 that would be appreciated as well as thoughts on the V6 - i.e. is it just too underpowered for the GC??

I've also read things about having to leave the Diesel engine to cool before shutting off etc........I've never owned a Diesel so am appealing for your help in my decision. Thanks!
 
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#2 ·
Don't get to hung up about the cooling down thing.
Most around town driving it will col the turbo and slow it spinning by the time you park the car. Not like a manual were some will rev the guts out of it trying to ride the clutch parking.
Plenty use them for short runs and don't have any problems. Long run every now and then will do it no harm.
My wife now uses my old diesel GC to work and back less than 2 km each way. (800m if she was to walk out the back gate) No problems.
 
#3 ·
Hi mshiranui

Welcome! It's a hard question b/c everyone has different tastes and needs. I personally chose the diesel b/c I like the torque and pick up. I won't be doing much if any towing. The torque also suit me when occasionally 4wding. I like the pentastar as a town cruiser it will get you everywhere you want to go. I don't think it is underpowered comparing it to other family cruisers but you aren't going to beat many people off the lights. you can always stick the boot in and it will do what you need. If you want more driving fun then the diesel is better (or the Hemi).

The new technology for the diesel engine includes a diesel particulate filter or DPF that collects soot from the exhaust. To clear the filter a blast of unburnt diesel is sent down the exhaust to ignite the collected soot. The reason longer trips are desirable is so the exhaust system gets hot enough to ignite the diesel. I understand that a trip of at least 30 minute duration once a week would be sufficient to keep the filter clean. I have also read that the placement of the DPF on this fiat engine will ensure better ignition than other engines using the DPF tech that sometimes have problems but this remains to be seen. I haven't heard of any DPF related issues for this engine yet whereas other manufacturers have had some problems.

Other considerations.
Diesel is 10% or $5k more expensive and this won't be recouped in fuel savings for at least 60,000 - 80,000ks.
The diesels tend to have better resale value
You could pick up a petrol v6 tomorrow, it might take you 3-4 months to pick up a diesel you want.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
#5 ·
Being a first time owner of a CRD, I feel it is still th ebest choice for a motor.
As far as the short trips, this is what our is used for 99%. We have had no problems in the 3,500km we have done so far.
The DFP system is right after the turbo, so it heats up much quicker than older DFP systems. This reduces the burn off time for the soot. Modern diesels are used more as shopping trollies, so the car makers ensure their short range durability in urban uses.
As others have said, the CRD's biggest problem is demand. You would be lucky to buy a CRD here before Feb.
As for the cost of fuel, Diesel was 2c p/l more than ULP today and I have seen it cheaper than ULP many times. With the 95lt tank, we only fill up every month.
 
#6 ·
fuark, 95L and fill up every month. Thats awesome!

BTW, I would definitely go for the diesel over the V6. I've been considering the diesel while I wait for my Hemi, but I'm looking forward to my V8. (haven't owned anything less than 8cyl since my first car (2001 Mazda Tribute V6 lol)
 
#7 ·
For what my opinion is worth, I tend to agree with what the previous posters have said.
It is mainly a personal matter as both have advantages and disadvantages.

For short city trips, without any towing, I would suggest petrol is the way to go.
For persons wanting to do long trips and go to the outback, Do towing, Diesel.
 
#9 ·
I agree with ally, i have a Diesel X5, (changing to a jeep petrol) it is great for freeway driving but just as expensive for short trips. Diesel at the pump is 10c and more above petrol at some places. Diesel is not faster than petrol it might pick up from low quicker due to the torque but sometimes you need to wait for the turbo to kick in so there can be a lag.
I guess all in all like everyone says it is a personal choice there’s pros and cons for both..

Iam sure this has not helped :lol:
 
#10 · (Edited)
I agree with ally, i have a Diesel X5, (changing to a jeep petrol) it is great for freeway driving but just as expensive for short trips. Diesel at the pump is 10c and more above petrol at some places. Diesel is not faster than petrol it might pick up from low quicker due to the torque but sometimes you need to wait for the turbo to kick in so there can be a lag.
I guess all in all like everyone says it is a personal choice there’s pros and cons for both..

Iam sure this has not helped :lol:
The 0-100 for the Diesel is much quicker than the v6 petrol from memory, its the same if not quicker than the V8 Hemi

Edit: CRD Diesel 0-100 is 8.2s
V6 Petrol is 9.1sec
Hemi is 8.7sec

so yeah the quickest
 
#11 ·
Quicker? seams to be, Much? not really.
Not sure about those stats, i read , 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (V-6) 0-60 mph 8.0 Quarter Mile 16.2. 60mph is about 97kph..
They do make great diesel engines these days..
 
#16 ·
From the same site, the diesel has 550 Nm of torque at 1,800-2,800 rpm whereas the 5.7L Hemi has just 520 Nm and that's not till 4,200 rpm. I can well imagine the diesel would out accelerate the Hemi. However the diesel is down on power at 177kW as against the V6 at 210 and the Hemi at 259kW. So overtaking at speed may not be the diesel's forte.

From what I can glean, the GC has a 93.1L tank. With the diesel's fuel consumption at 8.3L/100km on the combined cycle, the theoretical range is 1,120km. That is Sydney to Melbourne easily.
 
#17 ·
We average about 14.5 on a only short trip cycle. Our Turbo Territory got 19l/100km.
While they are not exceptional figures, as soon as you start to drive any distances, the consumption plummets.
The Jeep also overtakes fine, we did 8 cars and a truck, got to 170km/h in a short time and the overtake was easily dispatched. The CRD is the motor of choice, it is faster thana Hemi with better fuel consumption than the V6, what else do you need to decide ?
 
#22 ·
CRD vs V8.
Not that I know either way with so many varying 0-60MPH, quarter mile times out there stating ones quicker than the other, I figure they both go pretty well.... The "it is faster thana Hemi" statement, are you sure about that, cause I haven't seen a back to back test yet and that would be a good read if its out there someplace....
 
#18 ·
Like to See the two side by side in a drag race to 100km then to 150km.
With similar drivers same age vehicle.
And after the HEMI has been driven aggressively for 200km. It makes a big difference in performance.
There is to many conflicting reports and technique to how they came to the results.
 
#19 ·
Thankyou everyone for your overwhelming responses. All the responses have been very education for me.

I think the Diesel would be my preferred choice, however I am hearing reports now that we are looking at a March - April Timeframe.

Will have to go and chat to some dealers - but I hope to be a GC owner real soon.

Please continue the discussion though!
 
#20 ·
Mshiranui.. there are a few Diesel ones around. There is a White Laredo landing in Aus in early december that is still up for grabs.

If you wanted a limited there was a fair few on carsales both new and exdemo.. so tehre is a few around, but if you want a specific colour etc you may need to wait till Feb
 
#21 ·
I spoke to some of the dealers why they were on car sales.
They explained that their system auto loads their inventory on car sales until they find it and remove it.

so car sales is not that accurate.
 
#31 ·
According to Jeep Oz, and these are driveaway prices, so ther factors are included,
Limited Petrol is $59,971
Limited CRD/Hemi $66,513
Since AUD is Close to parity, the US equiv would be similar. i.e. $6552
Diff is only $5,250 for Laredo
 
#33 ·
I have got to the verge of ordering a Diesel this week the wait seems to be about 5 months so I am trying to find out the earliest we will get the 2013 models that will come out with the new ZF 8 speed box. If it is like this year the 2012 models started production by October
 
#34 ·
Redfin - As far as i know, there is no confirmation of getting the 8sp in the 2013 models, so you may be waiting for nothing. I am only going to end up waiting 1 month for my CRD, and thats because i wanted a 2012 and a new colour. There are some other ones around, depends on your options and choices.
 
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