Goodbye X5 Hello SRT8
 

A sorry day, but a good one as well, with my X5 8 years old it was time to trade for business reasons, and it has to be the most reluctant sale of a vehicle I've made to date. Looking at all of the high powered SAV's the Jeep for me won hands, an X5M in AUS is almost twice the price, and it's not twice the vehicle. So I now have a SRT8 ALPINE, fuel fortunately isn't an issue for me as I don't do enough Ks, but with 475 hp ( 344 kw ) that thrill takes away any pain.

You bastard, I'd trade the E53 in for an SRT8 any day of the week.

Enjoy :)

Nice. Pics or it didn't happen.

Agreed!

The new Srt-8's look pretty sliick if I do say so myself! :thumbup:

I'm personally not a big fan of American SUVs, but the SRT-8 is a hell of a looker...and boy does it sound great. I'm not sure I'd buy one, but I'd never scoff at one. Very cool truck.

Congrats!

SRT8 is a great truck inside and out. Nice upgrade.

Hope its Better than this......and you got SrT-8...
so im assuming its beefier on everything ..

Jeep Grand Cherokee moose test -- the full story - YouTube

BMW X5 - YouTube

I actually took a very brief look at that truck recently. I liked it but it didn't have any better reliability and much worse gas mileage. All in all, it's a mean truck and hauls serious ass. Enjoy.

Pics will follow, I'm removing all of the decals first, I saw a slightly modified version by Mopar and it looks far better. It sure sounds better than the diesel, keeping my foot off the pedal is going to be the problem. Thanks everyone.

I looked at the jeep also, I like it,interior is sweet, very pricey and fuel consumption is crasy , the engine is a wild bore ,and a bit of a pig also.
I would like to see the HP and Torgue that a 6.4L BMW engine would look like and what car /truck they put it in.
That svt 8 jeep is the fastest production vehicle they put out.
Maybe Alpina makes something with a giant engine like that.

Is it possible you posted on the wrong thread?

I'm thinking the warped discs would be easy to confirm. Take it to the shop and have them inspect them.

Better hope you don't have to do the moose move!

Very possible - how the hell that happened I don't know......

Same here, I wanted one (1st Gen) but couldn't find one in my price range, so I bought my 4.6is. I don't really care for the looks of the new model, it doesn't have that bad boy attitude look like the 1st gen model. I will definitely be getting one in the next two years though.

Coming from someone that has first hand experience with a 2012 GC and a 4.6, there is no comparison in terms of reliability. Other than a goofy keyless go issue, the Jeep has been EXCELLENT in the past 17k miles. On the other hand, my 4.6 has simply been a headache, and the E70s are no great shakes. I'm more than willing to sacrifice a little driving enjoyment for a car that runs, IMO.

OP, enjoy the car, the Alpine Edition looks badass. Don't fret over the 2014 either, as supposedly the 2015 SRT is going to have a supercharged 6.1, which will lay waste to most of the other fast SUVs.

Just curious but did you just do a reliability comparison of a used 2003 4.6 that maybe you're not the original owner with a 2012 GC (new or used when you bought)?

Maybe I missed something.

Reliability
 

I did some reliability research before I bought the Jeep, everyone I spoke to who owned one were more than satisified with that aspect, the same can be said for many X5 owners. The first 4 years of my X5s life was a total of 5gs in repairs, under warranty so all good, the last 4 years only a matter of hundreds spent, so obviously it can depend on when you purchase a vehicle, so whoever bought my X5 should have a good run ( hopefully ) either way I'm wrapped with the SRT, if there was one criticism I have with it, is the panel gapping on a couple of panels which they are going to fix otherwise it's a nice beast to drive, not sorry in the slightest. Yes I've heard their bringing out a more powerful SRT also a high performance diesel, you get that! Problem is how much power is enough and where do you use it, with 470HP in this one it's all good! the police where I live are numerous, so you have to pic your spots carefully. I think as they continue to develop this vehicle over the next few years it's going to pose a bigger threat to the current crop of performance SAVs which are way over priced, especially in AUS 180gs for an X5M NO THANKS! Thanks everyone for your comments.

hey huntertec, just out of interest how is the fuel economy, i have an old XJ cherokee that is fairly poor on fuel, but i love the old girl and couldnt part with it. i looked at the SRT before buying my diesel, i was just super concerned with the economy, i have done 100,000 km in 3 years with my X5 and have to say that the fuel economy is one of the main reasons i keep the car, i REALLy wanted a V8 as i havent owned one since the 80's

but my high yearly average k's held me back

Hi bigwave, the economy in urban driving is pretty poor to say the least, I haven't checked the figures (not game) If where you live is fairly flat then deactivation will have a chance to work, unlike where I am it's very hilly. With combined city/highway I'm averaging 16l/per100 which I think is fine for what it is. The deactivation comes into it's own on pure highway driving where I'm very impressed with the economy, again I haven't checked the figures but I did the same drive in the nineties in my Pajero 3.0 petrol ( same tank capacity 90l ) and no way it covered that distance on half a tank. If economy is an issue and your doing a lot of city driving forget it! I run mine through my business so it's not really a problem either way. As I mentioned in another post, the enjoyment of driving the beast takes away any fuel pains, it's like a mean mumma in Sport mode that wants to egg you on, so far it's winning the battle. :D

Thanks for the update....looking to ditch my 2006 4.4i but can't decide between
The 2010 GC SRT8 and the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet. (leaning towards the Audi)
So I am keeping MuffnTop healthy and running until I come to a decision.
http://img.turbo.fr/01961894-photo-s...-cabriolet.jpg

Thanks for the update....looking to ditch my 2006 4.4i but can't decide between
The 2010 GC SRT8 and the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet. (leaning towards the Audi)
So I am keeping MuffnTop healthy and running until I come to a decision.
http://img.turbo.fr/01961894-photo-s...-cabriolet.jpg

Nice Audi. Its funny but I keep seeing the same wheel theme recently. I just saw similar (370z type) looking wheels as those on a BMW too.

I personally am HATING Audi's lately! Their f***king LED tail lights have burned holes in my retinas. What on earth is wrong with that company??? I used to like them...

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT vs BMW X5 M vs Porsche Cayenne GTS 0-60

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT vs BMW X5 M vs Porsche Cayenne GTS 0-60 MPH Mashup Review - YouTube