Best diesel SUV? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dunl · #1 01-04-2006, 11:13 PM

I'm looking to replace my Grand Cherokee, and I'm looking for a diesel SUV to replace it with. Just wondering what people consider to be a good diesel SUV in the 1990-ish range, as that's in my price range as well.

I'm NOT looking for comments from people who have issues with SUV's, SUV drivers, SUV driver's habits, SUV rollovers, or "SUV's aren't safer than cars, I have no idea why you would ever want to buy one" types of mindsets.

Just looking for what I asked - what people consider the best SUV diesels to get. I'm currently considering a Terrano (Nissan Pathfinder) or Hilux (Toyota 4Runner), both RHD's.

Thanks,
Dunl

t walgamuth · #2 01-05-2006, 12:13 AM

i have any knowledge of is the suburban 6.5 turbo diesel, which i think would not be too bad. very hard to find, though. might have more options in the great white north than we do here.

love canada. used to go to ontario every year to fish. would love to get out your way some time. its a long way though, prb cant get that far out til i am more retired than i am.

good luck

tom w

#3 01-05-2006, 08:34 AM

I'd hate to be the barer or bad news, but there are very few diesel SUV's native to North America from the 90's. Your only choice is a Suburban (as mentioned above), a Tahoe, and a Hummer H1. Unfortunately they all use the POS 6.5 TD from GM. That engine is probably the worst diesel ever produced, other than the GM diesels of the 80's.

You'd be much better off importing a Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan, or Mitsu SUV from Japan. There are tons of dealers in BC and AB that do this. The only catch is they're all RHD.

boneheaddoctor · #4 01-05-2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aamiggia

I'd hate to be the barer or bad news, but there are very few diesel SUV's native to North America from the 90's. Your only choice is a Suburban (as mentioned above), a Tahoe, and a Hummer H1. Unfortunately they all use the POS 6.5 TD from GM. That engine is probably the worst diesel ever produced, other than the GM diesels of the 80's.

You'd be much better off importing a Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan, or Mitsu SUV from Japan. There are tons of dealers in BC and AB that do this. The only catch is they're all RHD.

The 6.5 is a good engine....there are far worse diesels out there....

the sole weak point of the 6.5 was the driver module on the IP.......which is an easily corrected problem (install a heatsink)

TX76513 · #5 01-05-2006, 09:00 AM

You should be able to get the Isuzu with the 4JB1-T Diesel in Canada and for sure X the pond. I have one with the C223-T and its an incredible machine.

t walgamuth · #6 01-05-2006, 09:05 AM

with diesel power, i have never seen a diesel tahoe.

the 6.5 gm is not half the motor of a benz or cummins, but it is lots better than the typical gasser, especially gm gassers.

tom w

lefttownlance · #7 01-05-2006, 10:03 AM

Well I am not sure what diesel the last guy is talking about,but G.M. has a good diesel as long as it has been taken care of. There are some G.M. mec.
that love that engine and know it like the back of there hand!!! That new duramax is in my brother's truck "05" and WHAT A ENGINE!!! quit, smoooooth tranny shifting and PULL!!!!!!!!! fifth wheel 18 foot,long 900 bobcat, bucket,forktine, post hole auger, cement equipment and that thing can go up hills 70 mph. and gain speed!!!!!!!!! I had a 6.5 put 100,000 on it and never touched the engine

83-240D · #8 01-05-2006, 12:01 PM

well the jeep liberty crd comes to mind. smaller than the gc but a diesel and new to boot.

there is always the v-10 vw toureg diesel. 50g but a diesel.

o nyeah, there is a new international 4 door that is a bigger foot print than a h1 and can carry the h1 in the truck bed. can't recall the name but i saw one and was impressed. also look at the diesel truck thread for the f650.

300sdlguy · #9 01-05-2006, 01:01 PM

My Vote is for a Suburban with a 6.5 TD. I have a 98 Suburban 4x4 with a 6.5L Turbo Diesel and three other Suburban Diesel's with 6.2's. The 6.2's have never given me any trouble, and the 6.5 did require a new IP, but GM paid for it. I love the Suburban as it gets 20 mpg unless I am towing my 27 ft SeaRay, then it gets about 16 mpg. Yep, its large, but it's also very comfortable, safe and has 4 wd. I would drive my Mercedes Diesel, but I can't because its in the Shop getting the engine rebuilt.

#10 01-05-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aamiggia

I'd hate to be the barer or bad news, but there are very few diesel SUV's native to North America from the 90's. Your only choice is a Suburban (as mentioned above), a Tahoe, and a Hummer H1. Unfortunately they all use the POS 6.5 TD from GM. That engine is probably the worst diesel ever produced, other than the GM diesels of the 80's.

You'd be much better off importing a Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan, or Mitsu SUV from Japan. There are tons of dealers in BC and AB that do this. The only catch is they're all RHD.

I agree with you about the 6.5. The thing of it is, this is basically the same engine as those Olds diesels of the 80's that you talked about. They don't want you to know that, but it is just an improved version of that same old POS.

I'm sure that it is indeed improved because it will actually run for awhile which is more than you can say for the Olds engine. After the improvements, they came up with the fancy Dura Max name to try to make everyone think that it was something completely different but it was the same old crap. It was an improved version of the same old crap, but still the same old crap.

The main reason that I despise the GM V8 diesel so much is what it, in effect, did to the MB diesels. Up until the time that GM started pawning off that POS, MB was having fantastic success selling the diesel 115's, 116's and 126's. In the early 80's these cars made up some 80% of the US sold MB's. After GM got through with their diesel car charade, the poor reputation of THEIR diesel spoiled the ENTIRE diesel car market in the US.

My $0.02,

Oilbrnr · #11 01-05-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I agree with you about the 6.5. The thing of it is, this is basically the same engine as those Olds diesels of the 80's that you talked about. They don't want you to know that, but it is just an improved version of that same old POS.

I'm sure that it is indeed improved because it will actually run for awhile which is more than you can say for the Olds engine. After the improvements, they came up with the fancy Dura Max name to try to make everyone think that it was something completely different but it was the same old crap. It was an improved version of the same old crap, but still the same old crap.

The main reason that I despise the GM V8 diesel so much is what it, in effect, did to the MB diesels. Up until the time that GM started pawning off that POS, MB was having fantastic success selling the diesel 115's, 116's and 126's. In the early 80's these cars made up some 80% of the US sold MB's. After GM got through with their diesel car charade, the poor reputation of THEIR diesel spoiled the ENTIRE diesel car market in the US.

My $0.02,

What a total load of crap!

redassag00 · #12 01-05-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I agree with you about the 6.5. The thing of it is, this is basically the same engine as those Olds diesels of the 80's that you talked about. They don't want you to know that, but it is just an improved version of that same old POS.

I'm sure that it is indeed improved because it will actually run for awhile which is more than you can say for the Olds engine. After the improvements, they came up with the fancy Dura Max name to try to make everyone think that it was something completely different but it was the same old crap. It was an improved version of the same old crap, but still the same old crap.

The main reason that I despise the GM V8 diesel so much is what it, in effect, did to the MB diesels. Up until the time that GM started pawning off that POS, MB was having fantastic success selling the diesel 115's, 116's and 126's. In the early 80's these cars made up some 80% of the US sold MB's. After GM got through with their diesel car charade, the poor reputation of THEIR diesel spoiled the ENTIRE diesel car market in the US.

My $0.02,

Wasnt the duramax (LB7 and LLY) designed by Isuzu? To me, it is LOADS better than the 6.2 and 6.5L Diesels. Quieter, more efficient and more power. I dont think the Duramax has any roots to the old one.

The Duramax has Common Rail Bosch Injection, which wasnt a feature on the 6.5L Turbo......

Oilbrnr · #13 01-05-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redassag00

Wasnt the duramax (LB7 and LLY) designed by Isuzu? To me, it is LOADS better than the 6.2 and 6.5L Diesels. Quieter, more efficient and more power. I dont think the Duramax has any roots to the old one.

The Duramax has Common Rail Bosch Injection, which wasnt a feature on the 6.5L Turbo......

Exactly.

greasybenz · #14 05-07-2006, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

After the improvements, they came up with the fancy Dura Max name to try to make everyone think that it was something completely different but it was the same old crap. It was an improved version of the same old crap, but still the same old crap.

Uh the duramax engine isnt a chevy made engine. isuzu makes the engine and its very efficient and quiet. Overpowers the cummins and powerstroke as well. And isuzu is the only company that still mass produces diesel engines in the US. Sure they are in box vans or the duramax but they have a great reputation on power, reliability, and cost over many other big diesel brands (cummins,international,volvo,etc.)

Gurkha · #15 05-07-2006, 01:53 AM

How bout diesel G Wagen,extremely durable and true off road utility vehicle?