Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: silly lily on January 28, 2008, 10:51:46 PM

Title: Running costs for GC ZJ
Post by: silly lily on January 28, 2008, 10:51:46 PM
Hi again! Well, since I'm thinking of getting a '99 ZJ, could you guys tell me what costs would lie ahead?
I.e: how much is a regular service? Changing the exhaust? Articulation bits?
How about a suspension lift some day?
Anything you can advise, please say it here.
Many thanks and good night!
Title:
Post by: greggmo on January 28, 2008, 11:53:35 PM
fuel=lots
service=nuf(unles ya do it yer self)
articulation? want more or are they able?
buy everythin for your jeep from the usa and pay half what you will here 8)
Title: Re: Running costs for GC ZJ
Post by: keeko on January 29, 2008, 01:11:40 AM
Quote from: "silly lily"
Hi again! Well, since I'm thinking of getting a '99 ZJ, could you guys tell me what costs would lie ahead?
I.e: how much is a regular service? Changing the exhaust? Articulation bits?
How about a suspension lift some day?
Anything you can advise, please say it here.
Many thanks and good night!


 Are you having a laugh?
Title:
Post by: keeko on January 29, 2008, 01:41:54 AM
hmmmmmmm,

 Jeeps are stinking on fuel (even the good ones) and even then, it depends on your driving habits and mileage (but you know that) Servicing from dealers is never cheap and neither are new parts from them. I don`t know any women that would consider modifying a 4x4 let alone think about trying the whole range so ermmm fair play. :wink:
Title:
Post by: Mike Pavelin on January 29, 2008, 07:46:56 AM
Fuel wise, You'll be looking around 20mpg if you don't go nuts. Servicing needn't cost the earth if you can get a reliable mechanic or do it yourself. Genuine service items like plugs and filters can actually be cheaper from a Jeep dealer than elsewhere so always shop around. A small 7500 dealer service is going to cost £100-150 depending on area, the major 600000 service well over £500-600.
Upgrades are scarce from the UK, most specialists will order them in from the US, so you can save by doing this yourself.
Title:
Post by: Bulldog67 on January 29, 2008, 07:53:18 AM
just got shot of mine as the next service wass quoted at £800 before they even started (yes - main dealer), as the service just two before that was £1700, i decided to call time. Did a lot of runs to Germany in it (600 miles), sitting on the road at 90mph, and it used half as much fuel again as my wifes 2.0l mondeo.

despite all that, best car i have ever owned for feeling like a big fat cat, you could do 600 miles in non stop and get out the other side without a twinge, do that in a mondeo and it feels like you have had the sort of kicking that 46stm hasd just benefited from.

So, when the lotto wins comes in i will be returning, but my advice would be that unless you have deep pockets, or a very cheap local mechanic, run for there them hills!
Title:
Post by: Mike Pavelin on January 29, 2008, 08:09:28 AM
They're not called 'Grand' Cherokees for nothing :wink:

Unfortunately Jeep is marketed as a premium brand in the UK, so although you can get one from £1000 up, your dealer is geared up for servicing £30K cars owned by customers with bank balances to match.  I'ts a bit like getting a £500 Porsche 924 and going to a Porsche main dealer for servicing. Don't get me wrong, it's a good car, but get one with problems and the bills can be frightening.
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on January 29, 2008, 08:35:28 AM
:werd:

Jeep gotta make back their money somehow.

Good. Cheap. Reliable. Pick two.

Jeep isn't so much about the car on your drive as a mindset. They're expensive to run, sometimes unreliable (though it will usually get you home) and like an inverse Tardis - big on the outside, small on the inside.

That said, we love 'em to bits and wouldn't be without them. Jeep's out of warranty aren't necessarily a vehicle for 'normals.' A Jeep owner doesn't care how much it costs to run it, they just must own one.
Title:
Post by: Bulldog67 on January 29, 2008, 08:50:40 AM
Quote from: "tim_aka_tim"
:werd:

A Jeep owner doesn't care how much it costs to run it, they just must own one.



there, i suspect, is a man who doesnt need to use a main dealer!  :lol:
Title:
Post by: silly lily on January 29, 2008, 11:59:46 AM
Quote from: "keeko"
hmmmmmmm,

  I don`t know any women that would consider modifying a 4x4 let alone think about trying the whole range so ermmm fair play. :wink:


Far too many assumptions here, my friend, based on nothing buta forum id; be careful please!
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Post by: tartanzj on January 29, 2008, 12:16:30 PM
When I first got mine I had it serviced at the dealers cos I didn't know anywhere that new much about jeeps. As a result I had a couple of big bills for changing standard stuff, filters, engine,diff and gearbox fluids, brake pads etc.

About 5 years ago it came back from the dealers with a list of requirements for next service (2 pages :twisted:

Go find a mechanic who would be willing to do the work and ask for his hourly rate and approx what a standard service would run to. Once you have that sorted the ownership is not that extreme.
Title:
Post by: keeko on January 29, 2008, 03:38:09 PM
Quote from: "silly lily"
Quote from: "keeko"
hmmmmmmm,

  I don`t know any women that would consider modifying a 4x4 let alone think about trying the whole range so ermmm fair play. :wink:

Far too many assumptions here, my friend, based on nothing buta forum id; be careful please!


 Ok, you`re a guy that calls himself Lily. I`m sorry.
Title:
Post by: Dave69 on January 29, 2008, 09:52:04 PM
Quote from: "tim_aka_tim"
A Jeep owner doesn't care how much it costs to run it, they just own one.


hitting the nail on the head there.


TBH a basic service is very simple to do yourself even women. just basic common sense is needed and it will save you a couple of hundred pounds. If unsure how tight to do the nuts etc buy a torque wrench and you wont go far wrong.