FULL REVIEW: How The Hell Do You Go From Driving a BMW 335i to a 2018 Chevy Suburban

[K2xxSteve]

10 minutes ago, SS502 said:

Sorry, that was misleading on my part. I fill up at Sam's Club where today regular is $2.11 and Premium is $2.45 for a $.34 difference. At the Tom Thumb its a $.71 difference, same at Cefco and Shell. So you are more right than I am

Oh, yeah, that makes a difference. Unfortunately our local Costco doesn't have a gas station, but if we head over to the outlets in Leesburg, VA I always make sure the tank is dry to hit the Costco there. Last time we were there, $1.93 for regular and $2.29 for premium. I tried a tank of premium just for the hell of it and didn't notice any difference.  

 

If I had regular access to gas that cheap, and that little price differential between regular and premium, I'd probably have been more gung ho about the 6.2L and tried to grab a Suburban RST I'd had my eyes on.

 

There's one Exxon station where I live with super cheap gas and it's not cash only. Tried it once, and it's obviously "watered down". Fuel mileage went down, and also noticed a lot of engine stumbling and hesitation. Sometimes it's tough to hear knocking, but you can definitely feel timing getting retarded from bad gas, and that's definitely what was happening. The L83 definitely needs "top tier" regular grade fuel. I'll just stick with my Shell stations.  

Edited February 5, 2019 by S P

[SS502]

3 minutes ago, S P said:

Oh, yeah, that makes a difference. Unfortunately our local Costco doesn't have a gas station, but if we head over to the outlets in Leesburg, VA I always make sure the tank is dry. Last time we were there, $1.93 for regular and $2.29 for premium. I tried a tank of premium just for the hell of it and didn't notice any difference.  

 

If I had regular access to gas that cheap, and that little price differential between regular and premium, I'd probably have been more gung ho about the 6.2L and tried to grab a Suburban RST I'd had my eyes on. 

It is convenient, it's the closest gas station to my house...that and I work on Eglin AFB and their gas is more in line with the Sam's Club. 

[Mandalorian]

3 hours ago, S P said:

I was actually considering getting a used GLS450 a year or two ago to see how we liked it while also waiting for the BMW X7. The X7 is what my wife really wanted and would have driven, but $80-90k to "start" for a brand spanking new model that will probably have a ton of issues and still wouldn't be nearly big enough for us, and no discounts off of MSRP for now, uhhhhh, no thanks.

 

That vehicle isn't even on the road yet. I think first deliveries are starting in April. We waited to see what the cargo space looked like, and it was even worse than the GLS. My BMW sales person kept swearing up and down that the X7 was going to be "Suburban sized" and to wait. Uhh, no.

 

Actually looking forward to FCA getting into this game with the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, coming in 2021? I always wondered why Chrysler didn't have a vehicle in this space. Well, with FCA leading things, now they do.

 

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15098149/the-2021-jeep-wagoneer-and-grand-wagoneer-are-cars-worth-waiting-for-feature/ 

 

The X7 looks interesting, if you can get past the giant grille.

 

As for the Grand Wagoneer, I'm skeptical. Chrysler has been squeamish about making a full sized SUV on the Ram chassis for 20 years. I hope it pans out, the new Ram is pretty amazing, but there's a strong chance it either keeps getting pushed back or doesn't happen.

 

 

[K2xxSteve]

23 hours ago, Mandalorian said:

 

The X7 looks interesting, if you can get past the giant grille.

 

As for the Grand Wagoneer, I'm skeptical. Chrysler has been squeamish about making a full sized SUV on the Ram chassis for 20 years. I hope it pans out, the new Ram is pretty amazing, but there's a strong chance it either keeps getting pushed back or doesn't happen.

 

 

I wonder why? I guess it wasn't politically correct or feasible for awhile when the economy was lousy and they were getting bailed out, but sales are sales. GM sold 275k Suburbans, Tahoes, Yukons, and Escalades last year. That's a lot of metal. Ford only did 73k Expeditions and Navigators, and that's with brand spanking new models out, so maybe they think the market is too entrenched in GM's favor? I hope they make one. More competition and choice is a good thing.   

[magnum74]

On 2/5/2019 at 7:51 AM, SS502 said:

Those people have no business buying a 6.2L!  While it's certainly not for everyone and in most cases not even needed why even consider buying one (spending the extra money) if you can't stomach the premium fuel requirement? Get the 5.3L and use regular and/or the Flex fuel option. It's only $90 to fill up now (assuming a 31 gallon tank capacity) @ $2.90 a gallon for premium vs $74 for regular @ $2.50 a gallon. Sorry, it always sort of boggles my mind how someone can drop $70K or more on a vehicle and then cringe at the pump. People should use the recommended fuel, especially in a high compression (11.5:1 for the L-86 not sure on the 2019 L-87) engine to get the optimum performance and fuel economy. Don't get me wrong, I currently have the 6.2 but I was happy with the 5.3 in my 2008 Avalanche. Live within your means!

I had a 2015 and while it would run on regular octane it was immediately noticable in drivability and noticable later at the pump with reduced economy. If you're going to run a 6.2 on regular you might as well save the money and get the 5.3. 

[The Beagleman]

I just had my new '19 Tahoe build this past Monday, 5.3 & 3.42 gears, and I 'cringe' at the pumps just due to the fact I know I'm getting screwed by our illustrious Government taxes, our regular fuel here in British Columbia is over $5.00/ a US gallon and Premium is $7.00, but as a good Canadian I take the butt kicking, because I really want this truck, and I did work hard to have it, so a $90.00 fill up is a great deal from where I sit.... PREMIUM Fuel for $ 2.90 a gallon................ where can I find THAT deal, sign me up !!!

Edited February 7, 2019 by The Beagleman
spelling

[KMGZ400]

On 2/5/2019 at 10:28 AM, Mandalorian said:

There's a new GLS due for 2020, so it'll be interesting to see how that stacks up. It's about time too, that interior looks and feels OLD, especially compared to the updated interiors in a lot of the newer Benzes. The updated C-Class, S-Class, G-Class, E-Class, all have fantastically good interiors. 

 

The GLS has been due for an update for quite a few years.. I will say after spending some time behind a GLS550, it is really fun vehicle to drive. Shame the 4.7l TT V8 won't carry over!

[mookdoc6]

On ‎2‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 11:45 AM, S P said:

LOL. Yup! Former 'ahole' BMW driver, first time Chevy and "dumbestic" owner, and loving my new truck.

Finally got a nice blog and lengthy review written on my website of my 2018 Suburban Premier 4x4, so hope you guys enjoy it and prospective buyers find it useful.

http://www.stevepake.com/life/2019/2/2/bmw-335i-to-chevy-suburban

 

Also of interest in here are some side-by-side luggage capacity photos of the Suburban vs the Ford Expedition Max (no contest, the Burb has way more space despite the specs), and some other driving impressions of the new Expedition from having rented it for a weekend a few months before finally pulling the trigger on the Burban.

 

My website is mostly about my experiences as a survivor of a young adult cancer, but it's fun to write about other things too.
 

 

Now  you know why it's the longest running name plate in da business!  BMW..mehh have absolutely no need for it

[K2xxSteve]

20 hours ago, The Beagleman said:

I just had my new '19 Tahoe build this past Monday, 5.3 & 3.42 gears, and I 'cringe' at the pumps just due to the fact I know I'm getting screwed by our illustrious Government taxes, our regular fuel here in British Columbia is over $5.00/ a US gallon and Premium is $7.00, but as a good Canadian I take the butt kicking, because I really want this truck, and I did work hard to have it, so a $90.00 fill up is a great deal from where I sit.... PREMIUM Fuel for $ 2.90 a gallon................ where can I find THAT deal, sign me up !!!

OUCH! Yeah silly Americans complaining about their gas prices! LOL 

[K2xxSteve]

19 hours ago, KMGZ400 said:

 

The GLS has been due for an update for quite a few years.. I will say after spending some time behind a GLS550, it is really fun vehicle to drive. Shame the 4.7l TT V8 won't carry over!

I'm guessing their new turbocharged Inline-6 will find its way into the new one.

 

What's next on the V8 front? Do they have a 4.0L TT V8 to replace it?

[The Beagleman]

57 minutes ago, S P said:

OUCH! Yeah silly Americans complaining about their gas prices! LOL 

Yeah, Steve, I struggle with that, and we have LOTS of oil here in Canada, but we get gouged beyond belief, due to our silly tax system. I wish we were like Alaska, and get a 'dividend' for our oil, but we export a lot of it and it has to be refined in other places ( USA) and sent back and we PAY........ I kind of don't get that logic.....and they didn't ask me anyway..... BUT I am still looking forward to my new big truck, and I guess it will be 'the cost of doing business' as they say......I still have another 6 weeks or so to wait..... I'm like a little kid...

[K2xxSteve]

1 hour ago, The Beagleman said:

Yeah, Steve, I struggle with that, and we have LOTS of oil here in Canada, but we get gouged beyond belief, due to our silly tax system. I wish we were like Alaska, and get a 'dividend' for our oil, but we export a lot of it and it has to be refined in other places ( USA) and sent back and we PAY........ I kind of don't get that logic.....and they didn't ask me anyway..... BUT I am still looking forward to my new big truck, and I guess it will be 'the cost of doing business' as they say......I still have another 6 weeks or so to wait..... I'm like a little kid...

It's all politics. 

 

Enjoy your new truck! 

 

 

[The Beagleman]

3 minutes ago, S P said:

It's all politics. 

 

Enjoy your new truck! 

 

 

No Kidding.................... Thanks Steve, I am getting excited for sure....

[KMGZ400]

2 hours ago, S P said:

I'm guessing their new turbocharged Inline-6 will find its way into the new one.

 

What's next on the V8 front? Do they have a 4.0L TT V8 to replace it?

yes, I heard it will have the same engines available as the S-class so the inline 6 and the 4.0.

[K2xxSteve]

Hit 5000 miles on the truck over the weekend. So far very pleased and no major complaints, just minor nit-picks.

• The A/C Recirc mode doesn't filter out enough odors. From what I've read on here, it's only 60% recirculated air versus 80%? Whatever it is, it's not enough to keep odors from smelly cars and smokers out, which is annoying, and probably my single biggest complaint.
   
• Love the "Enhanced DIC" display, but there's way too many info pages to scroll through, none of which really display all that I want to see at any given time. It seems like there's a lot of wasted space, and that a lot of these info pages could be combined. Why do I have to have a big digital speed display just to see the main odometer, for example? Couldn't that be displayed permanently at the bottom along with Trip A or Trip B mileage while displaying other things? Just seems odd that I can't see Trip A miles and total odometer miles while also on the live fuel economy display, and that I have to keep switching menus. Also, when you enable the navigation mode in that central display, it should be able to use much more of the display than just the tiny square they give you, with no ability to zoom in or out. Love the display itself, but just seems not well organized and a lot of wasted potential.
   
• The stock engine sound and exhaust note is very "truckish" sounding and not the least bit exciting. Wasn't expecting anything else, but the L83 is just begging for an aftermarket exhaust of some sort. If I did a custom order, I was going to get the factory Borla setup as an option, but ended up buying off the lot. I'll have to put a mild exhaust on this thing at some point.
   
• The ride could be better, but it is what it is with the factory 22" Bridgestones. Nobody has any major complaints serious enough to warrant any corrective action, and no major body resonance or buffeting issues on this truck, thankfully. Just going to ride out the Bridgestone tires until they wear out, and then replace with the Michelins.
   
• If you're stuck behind slower traffic with Adaptive Cruise and switch lanes, it tries to recover speed waaaay too aggressively, as in multiple downshifts and near full throttle. LOL! Dude it's a Suburban, it's okay if it takes a little longer to get back up to speed. It's pretty obvious that the Adaptive Cruise speed recovery algorithm was probably calibrated for a much smaller (and lighter) vehicle where the speed recovery rate it's trying to achieve might have been more reasonable. But overall I do like Adaptive Cruise, and it definitely takes a lot of the fatigue out of long distance driving, I just need to remember to disengage it when maneuvering and then hit resume once in the clear again.
   
• If GM can make good on the supposed benefits of an independent rear suspension for a next generation Suburban, with an inch or two lower load floor for a bit taller vertical rear hatch cargo opening area, that would be a very meaningful improvement. Love all the cargo space, but yeah the high load floor and narrower cargo opening area does inhibit loading some things. 
   

And that's pretty much it. Love the truck! It's working great for us and was a great purchase. It'll really come into its own when spring arrives, and we start doing more weekend trips with all 5 of us plus the dog. Will also load our bikes into the back for some stuff.

Edited March 11, 2019 by S P
added Adaptive Cruise complaint