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Australia: WH vs WK ??

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australia
10K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  SNUKE 
#1 ·
Guys,

Please, doing my research before a purchase and want to check what I think I've learned about the Diesel GC's sold in Australia:

- WH - Engine & Auto-Trans were German (Mercedes-Benz??) and from 2005 vehicles were assembled in Austria (Graz?) by ??? Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, ???

- WK - Engine is Italian (VM-Motori + Fiat) and there have been 2 Auto-Trans types - first was 5 Speed (manufactured by who ??? Is this still the MB Box??) for 2011 - 2012 models, second for 2013 till now is an 8 Speed (manufactured by who ???)

- Are the WK models now sold in Australia still manufactured in Austria?

- German vs Italian Engines: I understand the current Italian 6 cylinder Diesel engine is a bit more powerful and a bit more fuel efficient. What has been the experience in the field with reliability/maintain-ability/spare parts supply?

- Apart from the number of cogs what has been the experience in the field with the 5 Speed Auto-Trans vs the 8 Speed?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm upgrading my caravan towing vehicle from a Mitsubishi NP Pajero 3.2L CRD Diesel - Auto-Trans and I'm attracted to the JGC CRD Diesel option but want to get the decision right - its a lot of money.

Thanks,

Nick
 
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#2 ·
Can't answer all your questions,

But i will assist where i can.

WK Grand Cherokees are all manufactured in USA only Detroit only.
For all markets

German v italian motor

From what i have read the VM diesel is a well manufactured and very strong motor and well respected in the market place on fact the motor is being used in much bigger vehicles in the USA as well as going into a new lamborghini shortly.


Sent from my iPad using JeepGarage
 
#3 ·
- WH - Engine & Auto-Trans were German (Mercedes-Benz??) and from 2005 vehicles were assembled in Austria (Graz?) by ??? Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, ???
The 2005 - 2010 model is classified as WK. It was built in Detroit, Graz and Venezuela. It used the MB diesel.

- WK - Engine is Italian (VM-Motori + Fiat) and there have been 2 Auto-Trans types - first was 5 Speed (manufactured by who ??? Is this still the MB Box??) for 2011 - 2012 models, second for 2013 till now is an 8 Speed (manufactured by who ???)
From MY11, the car is still actually classed as WK, but because of this website, is actually referred to as WK2 by most.
MY11-MY13 5sp Auto from MB (W5A580)
MY14 - is the 8SP built by ZF (8HP70) in Germany.

- Are the WK models now sold in Australia still manufactured in Austria?
No, all GC's ar now built in Detroit. The last car to still be built on Motor City.

- German vs Italian Engines: I understand the current Italian 6 cylinder Diesel engine is a bit more powerful and a bit more fuel efficient. What has been the experience in the field with reliability/maintain-ability/spare parts supply?
The VM Motori 3.0 is a lot more powerful and fuel efficient, although in fairness the 8SP has helped a lot. So far there are very few reports of any issues. Parts can be an issue as Jeep Aus suck donkey balls (and not in a good way) in regards to carrying spares.

- Apart from the number of cogs what has been the experience in the field with the 5 Speed Auto-Trans vs the 8 Speed?
There are a few threads on here about this, it seems most who have updated their cars, and love the difference.


Sorry for all the questions but I'm upgrading my caravan towing vehicle from a Mitsubishi NP Pajero 3.2L CRD Diesel - Auto-Trans and I'm attracted to the JGC CRD Diesel option but want to get the decision right - its a lot of money.
It will be night and day. I came from a 2005 Pajero Exceed with the 3.8 petrol and we tow horses. I was not super impressed with the diesel compared to our petrol when I tried it, sure it had more low down torque which helped, but only a little more torque than my LPG Falcon.
Mitsubishi leave Jeep Aus for dead when it comes to service and spares; they air freighted out a fuel pump I needed so I was off the road for only two days. Jeep Aus don't air freight, and don't hold enough parts.
However, the Pajero you but today is basically the same one as you purchased when released in 1999. I planned on getting a new Exceed, but it is just soooooo old.

Anyone that says they can barely feel or worse, don't notice that they're towing anything, is either a moron or not in tune with their car. However with the CRD GC, it pulls with such ease that it is never in your mind that you're hauling the weight. It is just never stressed, it just goes with such ridiculous ease.
 
#4 ·
Thanks guys, much clearer.

Snuke, from what you're saying it sounds like I'm not going to see much difference moving from my Pajero to a JGC in terms of towing and in addition the parts supply situation is worse. Maybe I should stick with the Pajero then? I also have a Ford Fairmont but I'd not thought to compare the torque with the JGC, I'll do that.
 
#5 ·
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I said I didn't see much difference between my petrol Pajero and the diesel Pajero that I drove only once.

I said it will be a night and day difference between your Pajero and the GC. There are other ex Pajero owners on here that will say the same thing.

Petrol or diesel, the Pajero was always having to work when towing. Of course it was far more noticeable in the petrol, with constant revs around peak torque about 3,800rpm.

There is no competition between the two. The Pajero will win out in service cost, spares availability and Mits Aus was very helpful the one time I had an issue. Compared to Jeep Aus no knowledge of the term "customer service".

I planned on a new Pajero, but I just couldn't do it, it's buying the same car as released in 1999. Only now it has bluetooth and a less shit nav system. I decided the risk on waiting for parts if there was an issue was worth it compared to buying a dinosaur. 8 months into ownership, and I am very happy with my decision. When the new Pajero comes out in 2016 then I will look at that again, but right now, it's not only not in the same ball game, it's not in the same league.
 
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