Had to scratch the itch!

[Bigkevschopshop]

After years of wanting one, I finally found one for a good price and clean up to my standards. I grabbed a 17 platinum. Yes I know the 8 speed woes but this one shifts like butter at 70k, and the carfax shows fluid changes and all good service records at dealers only.

Loved the burb for sure but I have wanted one of these for a long time so decided this is the time due to the market getting soft and dealers willing to play. Thinking maybe some lowering is in order, maybe just some leveling springs for the rear. Who knows. Still just impressed by it as it sits...

Hardest move is from the XL/Burb/ESV platform, to the short. BUT I have been wanting to downsize honestly, kids dont need toting etc so might as well downsize a bit.

 

[jets]

Looking good. Drop it you’ll love it.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

Looking good. Drop it you’ll love it.

Yeah, Loved the burb dropped, Should love this even more!

 

[Miami-Dade]

Excellent choice!

Out of curiosity did your 2015 Suburban give you any major issues?

 

[Seamus]

Congrats!! We just picked up a 2018 ESV and love it. We had Burbs and yukons and Denalis in the past, and have to admit we never considered a Caddy....but honestly its better than out 2017 Yukon Denali we had in the same generation. Enjoy

 

[stevepd0906]

I don't know you, but Congratulations! Happy for you. Merry Christmas!

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

Excellent choice!

Out of curiosity did your 2015 Suburban give you any major issues?

Thanks,

Honestly the only issue it had was 73k lifters started to make noise, replaced them before wiping a cam out, 2 front MRC struts, and general maintenance. Traded in at 97700 and still good as ever.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

Congrats!! We just picked up a 2018 ESV and love it. We had Burbs and yukons and Denalis in the past, and have to admit we never considered a Caddy....but honestly its better than out 2017 Yukon Denali we had in the same generation. Enjoy

Congrats to yall too, yeah I think the only thing I will miss is the trailer brake controller. But I will add a Redarc to this one and it will be fine. The adjustability of the seats is down right amazing...

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

I don't know you, but Congratulations! Happy for you. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas man...

 

[Seamus]

Congrats to yall too, yeah I think the only thing I will miss is the trailer brake controller. But I will add a Redarc to this one and it will be fine. The adjustability of the seats is down right amazing...

Yeah, I was really surprised it didnt have a brake controller?? My 17' Denali had it! Yet it says right on the sticker trailering equipment!!! So does it take a special Controller?? No biggie as its the wifes truck I have my 3.0 Sierra for the trailer.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

LOL Im with you 100% - Downsizing! Traded burb for MDX, and 3 days later gave it to better half - just not my bag baby. Then I picked up a clean Denali. Lost 2 feet, but gained all the options plus the beast L86. I cant believe how much faster the short 6.2 is vs the long 5.3; this engine does not strain EVER - need to pass someone? BOOM! You just gotta pack shit a little better, but the shorty is still plenty big for hauling family of 4 and 4 dawgs; if you need more, the hitch will pull a trailer of 8200...

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

Yeah, I was really surprised it didnt have a brake controller?? My 17' Denali had it! Yet it says right on the sticker trailering equipment!!! So does it take a special Controller?? No biggie as its the wifes truck I have my 3.0 Sierra for the trailer.

Yeah, the caddy doesn't get it like the GMC and Chevy twins... It's got the provisions for it electrically but it's fine. Yeah your Sierra will do the job for sure.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

LOL Im with you 100% - Downsizing! Traded burb for MDX, and 3 days later gave it to better half - just not my bag baby. Then I picked up a clean Denali. Lost 2 feet, but gained all the options plus the beast L86. I cant believe how much faster the short 6.2 is vs the long 5.3; this engine does not strain EVER - need to pass someone? BOOM! You just gotta pack shit a little better, but the shorty is still plenty big for hauling family of 4 and 4 dawgs; if you need more, the hitch will pull a trailer of 8200...

Damn, MDX is a bit small for sure, but the better half got something good and you did to then. Denali is the way to go for sure, the 6.2 pulls epic for sure. Just put the foot in it and it pulls instead of downshifting. Wait till you haul with it! Its a great experience for sure. Congrats to yall for sure!

 

[CMoore711]

My wife has a '19 Escalade ESV Premium and admittedly it does have a few nice features over my old '15 GMC Yukon XL Denali and that I still don't think are offered on equivalent MY GMC Denali's:
Front Camera - Front bumper camera for parking
360 Degree Overhead Camera View
The ability to switch between ACC and standard cruise control (this is really nice)

However, I'm still not a huge fan of the QUE system and controls. Not a fan of the touch sensitive controls vs. buttons, and getting through the menu for certain features takes longer; ie. rear HVAC control. On the GMC Denali there's dedicated button(s) for quick rear HVAC adjustment settings. On the Escalade you have to scroll through the QUE menu to get to the rear HVAC settings. Maybe I would get more accustomed to using the QUE system if I spent more seat time driving it, but it's primarily the wife's ride.

Congrats on the purchase! Definitely a huge difference in the 5.3L/6 speed vs. the 6.2L/10 speed. You'll never be able to go back now.

 

[Seamus]

My wife has a '19 Escalade ESV Premium and admittedly it does have a few nice features over my old '15 GMC Yukon XL Denali and that I still don't think are offered on equivalent MY GMC Denali's:
Front Camera - Front bumper camera for parking
360 Degree Overhead Camera View
The ability to switch between ACC and standard cruise control (this is really nice)

However, I'm still not a huge fan of the QUE system and controls. Not a fan of the touch sensitive controls vs. buttons, and getting through the menu for certain features takes longer; ie. rear HVAC control. On the GMC Denali there's dedicated button(s) for quick rear HVAC adjustment settings. On the Escalade you have to scroll through the QUE menu to get to the rear HVAC settings. Maybe I would get more accustomed to using the QUE system if I spent more seat time driving it, but it's primarily the wife's ride.

Congrats on the purchase! Definitely a huge difference in the 5.3L/6 speed vs. the 6.2L/10 speed. You'll never be able to go back now.

I completely agree having had both. There is no getting used to the CUE system! Touch controls are a pain. The Denali was better and faster to use with dedicated buttons...which was my reason back then for the Denali purchase. Hated the seats though..terrible. We have had several trucks since 2017 and now we needed the full size again. Wife wanted the 360 camera so we searched for the ESV. Seats are better and front suspension/steering is greatly improved for 2018/ Love the 10 speed. CUE stinks. We are in Florida and you constantly are adjusting the AC and when the dogs go in the back the rear AC is a pain using CUE. I also like to put running boards out when parking to fend off door dings...that takes a few steps in CUE. Very annoying. Would still get the caddy again though, great truck for the money since it depreciated.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

My wife has a '19 Escalade ESV Premium and admittedly it does have a few nice features over my old '15 GMC Yukon XL Denali and that I still don't think are offered on equivalent MY GMC Denali's:
Front Camera - Front bumper camera for parking
360 Degree Overhead Camera View
The ability to switch between ACC and standard cruise control (this is really nice)

However, I'm still not a huge fan of the QUE system and controls. Not a fan of the touch sensitive controls vs. buttons, and getting through the menu for certain features takes longer; ie. rear HVAC control. On the GMC Denali there's dedicated button(s) for quick rear HVAC adjustment settings. On the Escalade you have to scroll through the QUE menu to get to the rear HVAC settings. Maybe I would get more accustomed to using the QUE system if I spent more seat time driving it, but it's primarily the wife's ride.

Congrats on the purchase! Definitely a huge difference in the 5.3L/6 speed vs. the 6.2L/10 speed. You'll never be able to go back now.

Thanks man. Yeah the cue leaves alot to be desired for sure. I know why they ditched it now! haha. There are a few things I miss from the Burb/Yukon platform but the love of this vs the missing of the little things still keep me planted here now. Yeah the 6.2 is a game changer, I have had 2 other 6.2, One was a 11 silverado LTZ and the other was a 10 Yukon Denali, Both of those made me want another. I found the regular AC screen on the CUE, you can tap the button on the middle of the screen that says rear and get there that way instead of going for the other menu.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

Cant complain with this view and seeing this outside while I grab a bite to eat...

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Nice! Not much of a downsize, to me, at least, but nice truck!!

Gonna have to update your avatar!!

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

Did the first 3 mods,
Removed front license plate bracket, Superior trans cooler reprogram and threw the airaid MIT I had on the burban on the 6.2 now... Worked like a charm....

Next few coming up will be puddle light projectors and replacing the cue screen is more Maintenace than anything.

Stay tuned for update photos!!!

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

I was out and about last night after cleaning her up.. While the wife was in the store I decided to snap some pictures in the parking lot. I will say this, the front bumper looks so much better without the license plate bracket. I need to replace the CUE screen as it tries to make some adjustments itself. I will say this, these headlights are the best stock headlights I have ever had hands down.

So If you have been debating the swap out to one of these, I will say it is worth it... GET WHAT YOU WANT though and don't settle. I miss the suburban some days. She did us real well through the years we had her. So far we both love this one though. I am finally getting used to the extra gears.... It's funny, I don't buy vehicles for impressing anyone else, never have, never will, I buy or build them for my driving pleasure. The one major thing that swayed me on this platform is the Sport mode, it's amazing hitting the button, truck transforms into much more fun, less luxury and more bite...

So without more paragraphs... Here ya go a few cool shots... Hope everyone is doing well...

Stay tuned, I am thinking 2/4 drop may come up soon!