Go with the 2026 or the 2025?

[Sfhatfield]

Hi folks. I'm waffling like crazy and could use some help from the experienced Grenadier owners. I spent the afternoon in the '26 the other day and the new steering and HVAC are great! I was sold and ready to purchase. However, I really want the Wolfbox mirror and front and rear cameras for better blind spot, better visibility, etc.. All was set, but then I saw the '26 has a camera in the rearview mirror so if I replace it or cover it, I will get a warning message that endlessly pops up saying "limited visibility" on the center screen as well as a warning light. This will drive me crazy.

I then went back to the '25 and thought, ok not all is lost, I'll get one at a significantly reduced price and just do the steering damper with some of the money saved and I'm good. The problem I see here is with the HVAC issues. I live in Maryland and have to have a dependable HVAC. I'm too old and am spending too much money not to.

So what do I do? Do I get the '26 and live without the Wolfbox that after driving for a few hours, I feel I need or do I get a '25 and roll the dice on the HVAC because maybe it's not as bad as I keep reading?

Side rant, I absolutely hate US laws requiring yet another nanny....

I own a 2024 Fieldmaster with the Rough Pack option, which includes the BFG K02 tires. After I test drove the vehicle and expressed some concern about the steering, I asked the dealer to provide me a printout of the results of the wheel alignment they said they had performed. Sure enough, the alignment was out of spec, especially the caster setting, which they corrected. This adjustment helped with steering stability at highway speeds. My first modifications to the vehicle were to install a Fox Steering stabilizer (the non-adjustable version) and adjust the steering bump stops. The new steering stabilizer works great, allowing the steering wheel to mostly return to center and the adjusted bump stops provide for a slightly tighter turning radius.

I have had no issues at all with the HVAC system. I've made sure that the coolant tanks are topped off to the max level and the HVAC system was fully bled of air.

I also installed a Wolfbox and I am pleased with the rearview visibility. To improve the driver's and passenger's sideview, I installed the Suma mirrors...they are excellent. With the combination of the Wolfbox and the Suma mirrors, I have virtually eliminated any blind spots.

 

[Sammyd]

How often are you took topping off the coolant?

 

[Shopkeep]

Take the 2025 and spend the savings on making it the vehicle you want. Get an aftermarket stabilizer, get a decent alignment, make sure the dealer has bled the coolant system and then bleed it yourself after getting some miles on it.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

How often are you took topping off the coolant?

Is your coolant expansion tank leaking? There will be white crusty residue along the seam of the plastic tanks

 

[Sammyd]

Is your coolant expansion tank leaking? There will be white crusty residue along the seam of the plastic tanks

I’m not an owner yet. Just doing my due diligence. Not sure what coolant and purging everyone is referring to and how often does it need to be filled? Seems quite troublesome and inconvenient.

 

[Shopkeep]

I’m not an owner yet. Just doing my due diligence. Not sure what coolant and purging everyone is referring to and how often does it need to be filled? Seems quite troublesome and inconvenient.

Easy peasey. You may be lucky and get one where the dealer has done it properly pre delivery. If not you should not have to do it but it is what it is. Five minutes of your time, once done and settled down you may not have to do again. It’s a BMW engine quirk, the thing that delivers so much of the pleasure also deals out a little bit of pain now and then.

You need to realize these vehicles have their quirks and require a bit of patience and an inquisitive mind to get right. It may not be the right vehicle for you.

 

[Roadking01]

I don’t think the USA requires ADAS until 2029

 

[HeavyFoot]

Hi folks. I'm waffling like crazy and could use some help from the experienced Grenadier owners. I spent the afternoon in the '26 the other day and the new steering and HVAC are great! I was sold and ready to purchase. However, I really want the Wolfbox mirror and front and rear cameras for better blind spot, better visibility, etc.. All was set, but then I saw the '26 has a camera in the rearview mirror so if I replace it or cover it, I will get a warning message that endlessly pops up saying "limited visibility" on the center screen as well as a warning light. This will drive me crazy.

I then went back to the '25 and thought, ok not all is lost, I'll get one at a significantly reduced price and just do

I don’t think the USA requires ADAS until 2029

Correct - Which is why NA spec can disable ADAS.

 

[RossL]

First off, thank you all for sharing your feedback and perspectives. It's been very helpful.

Next question, with the HVAC issues, does this also lead to the window fogging up?

 

[Dokatd]

First off, thank you all for sharing your feedback and perspectives. It's been very helpful.

Next question, with the HVAC issues, does this also lead to the window fogging up?

For what it's worth, my dealer suggested that a software update is coming at some point for the pre 2026 HVAC. Who knows how long that will take, but we will see.

I'd be torn on a 26 or a pre. My guess is a 27 will be the sweet spot.

And I can appreciate the Wolfbox, but I drive so many large trucks without any mirror at all. I just haven't been able to justify a Wolf for my Gren thus far. Haven't backed into anything yet.

 

[Shopkeep]

First off, thank you all for sharing your feedback and perspectives. It's been very helpful.

Next question, with the HVAC issues, does this also lead to the window fogging up?

‘Cos it blows an excessive amount of extreme heat or cold through a relatively narrow outlet on the centre of the windshield. In certain conditions this causes condensation to form on the outside of the windscreen (and maybe has contributed to excessive windshield cracking in this area). On my vehicle I don’t use auto to avoid this in humid conditions, I only use front facing or feet outlets. Others seem to be able to use auto effectively, so it can be confusing to the uninitiated. I think the climate you live in can result in different usage patterns.

 

[Random-Grenadier]

I'd be torn on a 26 or a pre. My guess is a 27 will be the sweet spot.

That logic still doesn’t add up to me.

If 24 and 25 were basically the same, and 26 was the “refresh” meant to address the biggest complaints, why would we suddenly expect something profoundly different with 27?

 

[Sfhatfield]

I'll check the level of the coolant and top it off, if necessary, every few months.

 

[Roadking01]

That logic still doesn’t add up to me.

If 24 and 25 were basically the same, and 26 was the “refresh” meant to address the biggest complaints, why would we suddenly expect something profoundly different with 27?

Exactly

 

[Sammyd]

I'll check the level of the coolant and top it off, if necessary, every few months.

Same coolant as the radiator or completely different for hvac?

 

[RossL]

Update for the folks curious about ADAS and the warning signs. If you disable ADAS completely, you get a warning on the screen that you can remove (good), but you get 3 or 4 yellow indicators on the dash

 

[Zimm]

You can mount a camera screen anywhere. You’re not weeded to the rear view mirror. Get the better steering and hvac. The old hvac can go south at any time, not just when new.

Besides, I have massive time with a without a wolf box. It’s convenient, but not a big deal. How do you think people drove vans for 100 years?

 

[Zimm]

MileOne but RDS is only 2 hours away. MileOne let me test drive a '26 for the afternoon and evening last week and it went great. I was sold till the wolf box issue. If you cover the new mirror you will get a notice that pops up every 10 seconds or so on the bottom left of the screen that says "limited visibility". You also get a yellow warning light on the dash. I just asked the dealer if you get these notifications if you disable ADAS all together and will report back what I hear.

Thanks all for the tips on the '25. The discounts do make it very appealing, but the HVAC thread in particular is what had me concerned.

Don’t take this too hard, but, learn to drive and set the side mirrors correctly. It has a backup and sensors cam if you’re one of those that can’t judge distance in a side mirror.

 

[RossL]

I'm pretty familiar with how to drive with mirrors only as a UPS driver many moons ago

I see the Wolf box or similar as a very nice to have for the following reasons, front camera, reduced blind spot issues, and #1 of all, making it easier for my wife and kid to drive when needed. As a bonus, being able to see out the back when the interior is full.

 

[HeavyFoot]

I'm pretty familiar with how to drive with mirrors only as a UPS driver many moons ago

I see the Wolf box or similar as a very nice to have for the following reasons, front camera, reduced blind spot issues, and #1 of all, making it easier for my wife and kid to drive when needed. As a bonus, being able to see out the back when the interior is full.

To me, the wolf is worth it. Seeing out the back when loaded up is nice and it helps with the blind spots as well, due to the wide angle. I can drive without a rear view mirror just fine, but it has been nice to have. I’m an anti-rear view mirror camera guy as well (looking at you GM). I hate that moving your head doesn’t change the angle, I can’t see what my kids in the back are doing, etc. But, in my opinion, on this particular vehicle and how I use it, and with a Bison rear cargo shelf, I’m glad I have one. I don’t have the Soma mirrors and don’t plan to, as this is good enough for me. The slightly annoying thing with the wolfbox is that I change the brightness of the screen down when it’s dark, and brighter when it’s light outside. That’s it and that’s a very minor things. Literally two touches. No complaints otherwise.