My Intro Post

[tdipaul]

Hello!

I purchased a 2017 Nautical Blue model new in July 2017. It is about to turn 60k miles and has been trouble-free so far (to be expected!)

She's had a very easy life up to this point - no Congo trips, yet - so the service history so far is pretty straightforward:

• Oil/filter changes at 10K, 20K,30k, 40k, 50k and 55k. (20k, 40k and 50k were done by me.)
• Rear pads and rotors at 30k
• 4 tires at 35k (Cooper Discoverers, not recommended)
• Front pads and rotors at 55K
• New F&R wiper blades at 55k
• Airbag recall service at 55k
• 4 new tires at 57k. (for this set went with Michelin LTX's because they have a treadwear rating of 780. I hope to get to 100-120k with these)

Unfortunately due to Covid she's not being used much the last 8 months

Observations after three years of ownership:

• The engine seems to be just broken-in now, it's a gem
• Chassis feels like its built from a block of granite. No rattles, squeaks, etc. Well put together!
• The ride is surprisingly plush. So plush that I wouldn't mind some stiffer springs.
• ~13.5 mpg overall and I knew it was going to be this going in and is to be expected of a 5900lb truck. Wouldn't mind if the fuel tank was bigger though.
• Seats are very comfortable, and the leather is of very high quality
• Steering is over-assisted
• When loaded, the r susp wallows a bit at >70mph as if the rear shocks have lost their charge. At speeds higher it is out its comfort zone IMO. Too soft.
• Headroom is tight for a driver >6'1". My hair hits the headliner sometimes.
• Tows well. The heaviest tow so far has been a Farmall Cub on a HD 2-axle trailer (~2,600lb ) and it didn't even flinch.
• No signs of corrosion, except for a touch on the hitch, which I now clean and apply Fluid Film once per year
• Switching to "2nd Start" turns off "Eco" mode while cruising but per the mpg gauge, mpg goes up. I thought it would be the other way around?
• The sound system is excellent
• The rear entertainment monitors are never used and they are obtrusive. If they can be temporarily removed without major surgery LMK!
• This is a very rare vehicle - months go by without seeing another 200 on the road

Paul

 

[CharlieS]

Welcome!

The entertainment screens are easily removed and Trekboxx sells covers for the hole that is left.

 

[Sandroad]

Good to have you on Mud Nice summary. Crawl underneath a bit further than the hitch and you'll likely find some additional places that need fluid film. And be sure to grease up the KDSS valve screws behind the driver side frame under the second seat door. They are hidden by a cover but if you ever want to do suspension work it could help to not have those be a solid mass of rust. Good choice on the tires for your use. And by all means ditch the rear monitors. These are the covers mentioned by @CharlieS

200 series Screen Delete Cover — TrekboxX Expedition Systems

www.trekboxx.com

 

[tdipaul]

Thanks for the info guys.

An observation I did not mention above is that from Day One, the oil pressure gauge reads low. Not because oil pressure is actually low, but as if the gauge is calibrated wrong.

To me, "normal" should be at 1/2, not 3/8. Do yours exhibit this behavior too?

 

[JohnPW]

Thanks for the info guys.

An observation I did not mention above is that from Day One, the oil pressure gauge reads low. Not because oil pressure is actually low, but as if the gauge is calibrated wrong.

To me, "normal" should be at 1/2, not 3/8. Do yours exhibit this behavior too?

That’s how they all are. Oil pressure reads low on the guage in normal driving. When towing or in low range and revving the engine higher it may read in the middle, but for highway use it always reads low. Nothing is wrong with it.

 

[Markuson]

Thanks for the info guys.

An observation I did not mention above is that from Day One, the oil pressure gauge reads low. Not because oil pressure is actually low, but as if the gauge is calibrated wrong.

To me, "normal" should be at 1/2, not 3/8. Do yours exhibit this behavior too?

Warmed up at cruising speed, the oil will sit around 1/4 on the gauge. Weird, but normal.

Welcome!

 

[CGP]

Welcome!

The entertainment screens are easily removed and Trekboxx sells covers for the hole that is left.

Does that allow the seats to lay back flat enough for "boss yakuza mode" or whatever its called?

 

[CharlieS]

Not sure, i don't understand those words, I only speak "old guy", but I can ask my teenager... . They cover the gaping hole left after removing the screen. Those screens are a giant abomination.