Hello from a potential Alphard/Vellfire owner

[jimcraiguk]

Hello folks, I'm considering replacing my 2004 Nissan Elgrand E51 with something similar and newer. I'd love to hear from anyone who has done this. I've just started on the journey and currently doing a lot of research. My Elgrand has LPG but this is getting harder and harder to find so I was thinking something hybrid might help reduce the running costs.

 

Is there a link to a table showing the dimensions, capacities, fuel consumption and so on please? This will help me do side-by-side comparisons. From what I've seen so far, it looks like there is no such thing as a standard Alphard/Vellfire spec, which is similar to the Elgrand. 

 

If anyone is in the Byfleet area and wouldn't mind me having a nose around your car that would be most welcome. The Estima has also come up on a number of searches and would I ne right in thinking this is a wee bit smaller than the Alphard and Vellfire? Cheers, Jim

[Rojie]

9 hours ago, jimcraiguk said:

Hello folks, I'm considering replacing my 2004 Nissan Elgrand E51 with something similar and newer. I'd love to hear from anyone who has done this. I've just started on the journey and currently doing a lot of research. My Elgrand has LPG but this is getting harder and harder to find so I was thinking something hybrid might help reduce the running costs.

 

Is there a link to a table showing the dimensions, capacities, fuel consumption and so on please? This will help me do side-by-side comparisons. From what I've seen so far, it looks like there is no such thing as a standard Alphard/Vellfire spec, which is similar to the Elgrand. 

 

If anyone is in the Byfleet area and wouldn't mind me having a nose around your car that would be most welcome. The Estima has also come up on a number of searches and would I ne right in thinking this is a wee bit smaller than the Alphard and Vellfire? Cheers, Jim

 

Hello Jim,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

[jimcraiguk]

Thanks Roger! It's nice to be here. 

[Catweazle]

Hi Jim,

I lurked on Elgrand forum for 3 years before buying an Alphard instead....think I know your name from there?

Estima is similar to Serena as in smaller version of big brother.

There seems to be mixed reviews about 2nd hand hybrid reliability, though hopefully Hybrid owners will chip in and allay that.

I have 7 seater 3 litre v6 gen 1 facelift from 2005. If it was 2006 it would be ulez comp.

It should be anyway as the emissions are well under, but the cut off is 2006.

I get 24-28 miles to the gallon depending on foot down or not. 340 miles from brim to warning light on 60 litres leaving 10 in reserve every 10 days. I only use posh fuel.

I've done about 50k since buying, and it's been great.

No Cat issue to worry about.

Stereo will need replacing to get rid of Japanese, but buttons are marked in english apart from toll reader. New stereo means you lose front and side cameras but not rear with a specific cable. I believe you can keep front cameras too with a considerably pricey cable and head unit.

You can get a speedo chip behind binacle to convert both odo and speedo to mph.

Mine has many options already as it's the mz v spec including most of the things you mentioned in your other thread.

All the electrics are sound as are the bodywork and mechanicals. it's better than most cars I've ever been in and still puts a smile on my face after almost 4 years of ownership, though I'm starting to get a few creaks and rattles from the rear seats and doors over Very rough roads.

Hopefully this completely biased report helps

[jimcraiguk]

Thanks @Catweazle this is a brilliant review and really helpful.