I'm looking to buy the Jeep SRT8 and am wondering about overall build quality and service.

I have a BMW 5 series now that I think is great. I like the interior, build, service from BMW, etc.

I'm sure i'll be very happy with the way the SRT8 runs and handles and love the way it looks from the outside, however it's possible I could still be disappointed with it overall.

Looking at the interior, it's ok, but there's still some cheapy looking plastic which I have no idea why they allow that. I would pay a few grand more to have the interior of any German car quality. This is a big gripe of mine for every single American car maker. The interiors really are no comparison to German cars.

I will have to get over that, which is probably fine. But then there's still the service, etc. so what are your thoughts on the general build quailty, fit and finish, experience with the dealer and general customer service of Chrysler?

What do you other luxury brand owners think about Chrysler?

I agree with you on the interiors, my wife has a BMW 330Ci and you can't beat those cars for quailty. Overall the interior is ok but I would pay more for an upgrade if it was offered, but then this Jeep could have dirt floors and a cardboard dash and I would still want it.

I'm looking to buy the Jeep SRT8 and am wondering about overall build quality and service.

I have a BMW 5 series now that I think is great. I like the interior, build, service from BMW, etc.

I'm sure i'll be very happy with the way the SRT8 runs and handles and love the way it looks from the outside, however it's possible I could still be disappointed with it overall.

Looking at the interior, it's ok, but there's still some cheapy looking plastic which I have no idea why they allow that. I would pay a few grand more to have the interior of any German car quality. This is a big gripe of mine for every single American car maker. The interiors really are no comparison to German cars.

I will have to get over that, which is probably fine. But then there's still the service, etc. so what are your thoughts on the general build quailty, fit and finish, experience with the dealer and general customer service of Chrysler?

What do you other luxury brand owners think about Chrysler?I've owned 3 MB's: S500, ML430, & ML55AMG, 2 Porsche's: 911 & Boxster, an H2, an Infiniti '03 FX45, 2 BMW's: M5 & M3 'Vert, a Miata SE, a Denali XL, 2 Vette's: 00 Coupe, & '03 Z06, an 02 SVT Lightning, an 06 Odyssey, and my 06 GC SRT8 all bought new since 1999.

I had good purchase experiences with all but the 00 Vette, & superb with the Boxster, Odyssey, Jeep, & M3.

Service was exceptional with the MB's (Good thing as they required a lot), the Infiniti (a recall only), but best with the H2. BMW's overall service was excellent with one exception. When I took the M3 in for the SECOND rod bearing recall the loaner they attempted to give me was a 3 Series Wagon with cloth seats that smelled so strongly of cigarettes I could hardly breathe. I had told the writer when I called for the appointment I did not smoke & due to allergy needs would require a non-smoking vehicle. I was told that all of their loaners were non-smoking, no exceptions. After hashing it out with the service writer for 10 minutes, being told 5 times they had nothing else available the service manager came by & the writer called him over. The manager came out & sat in the wagon for 5 seconds. He got out, apologised for my trouble & hooked me up with his provided driver, a Mini Cooper S with less than 50 miles on it. Turned out OK in the end, but a hassle overall. Service has been good with the others, except the Lightning. 2 different Ford dealerships had problems diagnosing a couple of issues & seemed unconcerned with resolving the problems, "Hey we don't see many of these what do you expect?". Well, I expected them to train the Tech's to service & repair every vehicle they sell, apparently that was too much to ask. Neither of the Vette's, the Miata, or the Honda have required a trip to the dealer for any reason.

My experience with DCX's service department is limited, they took part in securing my Jeep SRT8 owner's manual, as mine came with a standard GC manual. They got it & overnighted it to me, I had it less than a week after contacting them. The only other time I was there was for a "complimentary" oil change my dealer provides with every new car purchase. I called on Wednesday for a Saturday appointment for 10:00 AM. I arrived @ 9:45, the service writer seemed knowledgeable & was keenly aware of the specific oil needs of the SRT vehicles. The Tech came in the "Owner's Lounge" & spoke to me prior to the work & assured me they used Mobil 1 0-40 in the SRT8's & stated they would also be checking for any TSB's, etc applicable to my vehicle. I was out & on the road @ 10:55. The oil change & a TSB Reflash were taken care of.

I'm looking to buy the Jeep SRT8 and am wondering about overall build quality and service.

I have a BMW 5 series now that I think is great. I like the interior, build, service from BMW, etc.

I'm sure i'll be very happy with the way the SRT8 runs and handles and love the way it looks from the outside, however it's possible I could still be disappointed with it overall.

Looking at the interior, it's ok, but there's still some cheapy looking plastic which I have no idea why they allow that. I would pay a few grand more to have the interior of any German car quality. This is a big gripe of mine for every single American car maker. The interiors really are no comparison to German cars.

I will have to get over that, which is probably fine. But then there's still the service, etc. so what are your thoughts on the general build quailty, fit and finish, experience with the dealer and general customer service of Chrysler?

What do you other luxury brand owners think about Chrysler?

Like ARH1956, have owned many other different luxury brands over the years. Current other semi-high dollar ride is an 05 M3. Will agree with you both on the interior, but after 7000 miles on the Jeep in the last 3 months, which equates to a lot of time, I have gotten used to the "plastic" environment, and don't notice any more. In fact still smile when I look at the fake carbon fiber look of the wheel, the "aluminum" trim, and the blue rings on guages. No rattles or squeaks. Only thing I am keeping my eye on is the creasing effect on the left seat, left cheek, outer bolster from getting in and out. Due to height of this piece it is kind of hard to get in and out without sliding across it.
As for service, have bought other Chrysler products from this dealer, and have a good relationship with service mgr., two writers, and two techs. I believe it is important to be a reasonable customer, but get on their good side without necessarily major tipping or a.. kissing. I am treated correctly, similar to ARH the tech keeps me informed and they listen.
Two examples. Getting mirror reversing tilt done. Didn't charge or put it on R.O, but simply said it only took a few minutes, try it and if you don't like it, stop back and we will deactivate it. 2ndly, after taking delivery, I noticed on my first washing and detailing that the stainless looking trim on right rear window, and two wheel center caps were defective. Svc. manager simply said that since I didn't have these noted on delivery sheet, he had to take some digital pics, email DCX, and tell them to warranty it. No problem.
Sorry this is so long, but I understand your concerns, and can only say that I personally am pleased and strongly believe in getting the personal thing going.

As for the M3, great dealer, great techs, and after 24,000 on that ride in a year, no problems of any kind.

Oh yeah...Also told both dealers on purchase, drive it off the truck, no wash no wax, PDI and I'm taking it home and I'll detail it. (except for the M3 where I told them clean off the cosmoline) Both manufacturers have a fair amount of intrinsic orange peel in their paint, but I am a claybar, Zaino freak, and honestly, the Jeep has a better quality paint job in terms of overall appearance reflective optic depth. Deep shine, and my Inferno red pops more in th sun. DCX has made some inprovments in paint quality. Exact same color 5 years ago would chip when a bug hit it.
Oh yeah...and for a few grand, you would be surprised what a quality upholstry (sp) guy could do with your dash, and door panels. My 2cents.

Regarding the interior: ditto. Leaves much to be desired. Especially if your coming from a 5 series. You get over it once you think about how much you paid for the car and how it feels when you haul 5 passengers to un-Godly speeds in short amounts of time from light to light.

With past history of Jeeps aside (from reading only about roughly pre 2000 model years, not my own experience), I took a risk on an '02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland in 2001. All the problems I ever had were covered under standard warranty and service contract (the latter I added at time of purchase). The problems I did have included:
- water pump failure at 17,000 miles
- major transmission failure at 30,000 miles; rental car paid for
- 10 CD player stopped accepting disc at slot 1 and 10; started at about 50,000 miles
All the way to 62,000 miles not a creak and still love that truck to this day!

I bought a second Jeep. Enough said ; )

A lot of your service and warranty will really depend on the dealer you take it to. Especially for warranty items some dealers go to bat for you more than others. But from my past experience with Hondas, Toyotas, BMWs and Mercedes, I was impressed with Jeep. Of course, I think I had a low expectation to start with and this mentally prepared me.

I will say that the repair/maintenance parts for the Jeep almost rival the Honda! They are cheap! BMW and Mercedes...yikes. For the SRT though (due to the special engine), I am expecting the parts to get expensive...nothing you haven't experienced on your Bimmer, though.

Just keep in mind the sticker price...this is a 45K truck...but it's one hell of a truck.