Disco 2 Td5 vs Jeep Cherokee 2.8 crd LTD

**quingt** · 2009/12/30, 12:36 AM

Hi there, some advise please. I currently drive a Disci 1 Tdi, I have been looking at the Jeep, and also the Disco 2. The Jeep is a 2005 model with about 120k on the clockfor R160k, the Disco is a 2005 model, with about 160k on the clock for R110k, both look in good nick, still have to test drive though. I know i am opening up a can of worms here

, but need some advice, which would you guys prefer, please provide constructive reasons why I need to choose either vehicle.
Looking forward to the responses

.

Quinton

**rules** · 2009/12/30, 06:43 AM

Hi q (that sounds familiar

)

Honestly, although I would love to have either (almost bought a Disco TD5 once), I would not buy any one of those. From everything I have read on this forum to things I have heard outside the "matrix" suggest that those are high maintenance motors that will cost you an arm and a leg (or maybe your house) to keep running once things start to go bad. Don't get me wrong, I love diesels, just not those 2

I have heard/seen figures quoted when those motors go and it ranges from R50k to R100k.

Please anyone, if I'm wrong, feel free to chime in.

ps. I'm not a "brandist" and believe if something is good it's good, no matter what the badge, so I believe my views to be unbiased (I know you guys are checking my sig and saying "ya right, mitsu fan"

).

Cheers.

**LS d2** · 2009/12/30, 09:14 AM

quingt
can't comment on the Jeep although i was also looking at them just before i bought my Landy, i never test drove one but the Jeep seemed like a really nice vehicle
either way i'm not gonna try and convince you to buy the Disco just because i have one and think they're better than anything else - i bought it because i'm a Land Rover lover(once they're in your blood you're hooked) and found them very comfortable and suits my needs & got a good deal with low mileage

my advise would be, whichever one you decide on - take it to an independent specialist to have it checked out and see if you can contact the previous owner to get some history on the vehicle, also especially on a diesel get an extended aftermarket warranty and service it regularly

and don't be too scared of the TD5 - just take care of it and it will take care of you.........and stay away from the stealers(dealers)

**Biggles** · 2009/12/30, 09:55 AM

Looks like the Td5 is as bad as the 2.8CRD (IIRC the 2.8CRD is a VM diesel not the Merc diesel). Stay clear of the VM diesels. Very good engines but cannot take day to day punishment). The Liberty (or Cherokee) as it was branded in SA is a very capable vehicle but suffers from low ground clearance. I would imagine the Td5 is a more capable offroader.

The IFS on the Cherokee made it very comfortable on the road. And ground clearance issues with the Cherokee push it too close to softroader territory.

**Zombicon** · 2009/12/30, 10:05 AM

HI, quingt

With regards' to the landy's I can't say anything.. but with the Jeep.. It's a nice 4x4, decent low range, and really good 4x4 capabilities. It's really nice on road with cruise control and you can either hammer it down the high way with no real effort or just go on a Sunday cruise. It's comfortable, with less packing space than what you might have thought.

Service from jeep is prompt and decent, however you can only extend you maintenance plan till 5 years. There is a decent Jeep mechie in Highveld Centurion I will use him once the car is out of warranty. I averaged about 8.5L/100kms for my trip to the coast and back up to KBY.

Things to look out for when test-driving:
Gear change is smooth and there are no noises coming from the gearbox.
No Excessive smoke when accelerating hard.
radiator is clean, no mud clogged between fins
Then all the other things as well!
Hope this helps!

Cheers
Van

**gunhog** · 2009/12/30, 10:07 AM

Hi Quinton

Friend of mine who works on Jeeps (not a stealer) stated that the 2.8 Jeep CRD is a motor to steer clear of due to high maintenance. The Merc enjin is much more reliable. Maybe try to get the 4.0l 6 cylinder Petrol XJ that you can pick up for under 80k and then spend the remaining 30k on beefing up the suspension and tyres. Biggles, XJ Junkie to name a few are all driving the XJ model and Biggles even drives the diesel.

As for the DISCO 2 my father drives one and its a beauty, he takes great care of his cars also TD5 think its the 2002/03 model but it has let us down a few times but any vehicle does have its moments. As for off road comfort, space, I would go DISCO. For sheer off road madness I would get an XJ and spend some money on it and enjoy the fear in the guy in porche infront of me at the traffic lights and the off road madness they provide.

Go test drive both but I would steer clear of the 2.8 CRD rather look for another model.

My 2c