Goodbye Audi, Hello Jeep

[iamweasel]

Hey guys,
After wanting one for years, I've decided to swap my Audi A3 to a Cherkoee KJ and have a couple of questions that hopefully you can answer for me.
Probably gonna get an '05/'06 depending on budget.
60 000km to 120 000km (max)
Either a Limited or Renegade. (are there any manual Renegades??)
Questions:
1) Apart from the obvious, external differences between the two, what are the standard differences between the two?
been reading on here and in other fourms and I can't seem to find a difinitive answer. I did read somewhere that the Renegade is basically a Sport with a body kit. any truth to that?

2) How reliable are the CRD engines (and turbos)? After +- 100 000km my audi TDI's turbo was in need of an overhaul

3) Anything I should pay particular attention to when looking?

Thanks!
Adam

 

[twack]

well if it makes you feel better ive got 225,300km on my 2002 and shes going strong

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome Iamweisel.
There is a specific section for the diesel KJ Liberty known as a CRD
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=228
I would say that regardless of any Diesel, they do require more maintenance and some mods are required to make em run right. You are best to post CRD questions in link above as you will find helpful diesel owners there.
Purchasing a Kj with low Km is a very good idea. I bought mine with 54K and then you have lots of good miles ahead, with less to go wrong. Around here there are quite a few CRD's for sale but they are more $ way more.
Limited's generally came with all the goodies like sunroof and leather seats, but the renegade's were a limited with exterior body kit including different hood,fenders,rims, different rack rail & lightbar etc.

 

[AlexKJ]

Welcome Iamweisel. (welcome)

Limited's generally came with all the goodies like sunroof and leather seats, but the renegade's were a limited with exterior body kit including different hood,fenders,rims, different rack rail & lightbar etc.

Leather and sunroof were also an option in Rennys... A Limited also got EVIC, interior floor lights and tinted windows... The main difference between '05-'07 KJs is the flat hood... fog lights, rock rails, skid plates... even the light bar became an option...

In '02-'05 KJs at least the light bar were standard... I think that a Renny is closer to a Sport rather than a Limited...

Cheers! :burnout:

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Welcome!

Generally, Limiteds are better equipped than Renegades. If you'd like a manual, but with the comfort of a Limited, look for a Renegade with leather/ sunroof, rare, but they exist. Limiteds, AFAIK, were all auto's, but that might be different for export models.

 

[iamweasel]

Hi guys, thanks for all the responses. I've only been looking online so far, but haven't seen many Renegades with listed options. Would like leather and sunroof, but I do love the look of the Renegade, so we'll see.
Just need to get the Audi a new home and I'll get out there and test drive a few.

I've seen a fair amount of Manual LTDs here in South Africa, but no Manual Renegades.

Any known issues I should look out for on a 4/5yr-old Jeep?
I've heard some mention of recalls - anything in particular I should ask when looking?

Thanks again
Cheers
Adam

 

[SurfGuitar141]

The only recall I got on my '05 Renegade was for upper ball joints, I believe some also got recalls for lower ball joints, but I did not.

The later model Renegades are more like a Sport with riveted fenders, rock rail, and bumper mounted fog lights, some came with the roof mounted lights, and ugly plastic roof rails. Don't know why, but skid plates were an option, however I think Jeep dropped the ball on this one as the Renegade was "supposed" to be the rugged off road version of the KJ, the Renegade package was more of an appearance package than anything else.
For what it's worth, you can modify any KJ into a qualified off road contender with after market parts, there's a few options for suspension lifts, steel front winch bumpers, roof racks, skid plates and rock sliders...etc....

Just find one you like with low miles, and be prepared to....Just Empty Every Pocket.......

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Surf...let me rephrase that...Just Empty Every Pocket as in mods....these Jeeps are pretty reliable. Nothing major to avoid, except for the 2wd one.

 

[SurfGuitar141]

Surf...let me rephrase that...Just Empty Every Pocket as in mods....these Jeeps are pretty reliable. Nothing major to avoid, except for the 2wd one.

That's pretty much what I meant HJ....just phrased it wrong......

 

[calbear]

I also switched from Audi A3 to Liberty (Cherokee over here)

In order to have SOME luxuries of Audi I got the Limited CRD with 5sp Auto. You can always put the renegade bumpers,flares and the roof light but not the flat hood. (who wants one anyways says the jealous me inside )

You will miss the quick 3 but you can do sooo many more things with a Jeep.

only issue I am having with my CRD is the heater plugs going bad all the time. they are yet to identify the problem so check vehicle history carefuly.

 

[ptsb5a]

Generally, Limiteds are better equipped than Renegades.

For what HJ? Mallcrawling?

Hey Weasel, whatever you decide to purchase, I am certain that you'll be more than pleased. Except with the mileage.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

For what HJ? Mallcrawling?

Hey Weasel, whatever you decide to purchase, I am certain that you'll be more than pleased. Except with the mileage.

Nope...Leather is more rugged than cloth....oop:

x2.....well he's looking at a CRD, so not even that.

 

[Moab]

Welcome, I went from my second TJ to a KJ and I am totally happy with the change.
Get some good shocks and it will be worth it. Certainly you can lift with great results with the OME. Others have done various mods to the suspension with excellent results.

If you want a lift with the luxury Import SUV ride on and off road you can get a phenomenal ride if you go with the JBA Adjust a Struts and UCA's.
After 2 different lifts I couldn't be happier than with the JBA lift.

But stock these KJ's are excellent but I would get a set of high quality shocks it will be well worth the investment.

I bought mine with 84K and I have been on quite a few long trips and some great offroad fun (not extreme) and I'm extremely happy with the ride and durability so far.

Hope you find one that suits your needs. Post some pics when you do.

 

[J-Thompson]

Let me put my .02 in on this one
We went from an '03 LTD to a VW Tiguan SE
from what I understand the A3 has the 2.0T ,200HP 205lbft torque, with a 6 speed auto
which is shared in several Audi and VW models
Night and day
up for the KJ
-real 4wd not AWD ,low range
-Rear drive
-can go off road
see where this is going...
up for the VW
great MPG ,comparably ,I get near double under some conditions like 85mph on the highway = 26 in the VW but 15 in the KJ
the VW rides better
and has the same options

now granted I have a mildly modified TJ for off roading so we had no use for the KJ
other than DDing and this is why we sold it
poor thing is now delivering pizza

 

[Clyde Frog]

I must be special. My Renny has more options than any limited I've seen to date...

 

[tjkj2002]

I must be special. My Renny has more options than any limited I've seen to date...

More options just means more to break:happy175:

 

[Clyde Frog]

Too true lmao

 

[Porkchop]

More options just means more to break:happy175:

My wife knows how true you are I told her but she had to learn the hard way

 

[J-Thompson]

I must be special. My Renny has more options than any limited I've seen to date...

Like what?
ours ,'03 had every thing offered in a LTD ,less trash lock and heated seats
the Renny could not get Full leather and IIRC Heated seats either
Yeah the Renny came with the plastic that ours did not but that was a looks
thing not a function thing

 

[iamweasel]

So at LOOOONG last it really is goodbye Audi, Hello Jeep :icon_razz:

Found myself an 07 Renegade with 50 000km in nice condition.
Need to get some new beefier rubber on it. Maybe look at doing the WesWay lift. Maybe an aftermarket exhaust so I can hear that V6 tune a little better
As much as I'd love to spend a heap of money on suspension and bull bars etc, my two other projects will pretty much mean it's gonna stay quite standard...