ThuMentaliss

I would be interested to know if owners of Alphard's and Vellfires who have converted their vehicles to camper van's have had their vehicles weighed ?

22 minutes ago, Arthur said:

I have a 2007 3.0 AWD with full side conversion. Visiting Cornwall last year fully loaded for a week’s camping and 350 miles each way via M53, M6 andM5 (with a heavy foot) we returned 23 mpg.

Exactly right, we travel down to our caravan located on the Spanish Med' coast every year for three months utilising toll roads and countryside roads never been able to achieve more than 22-28mpg..the secret to even achieving this mileage is to try to keep your engine rev's under 3000rpm ( Alphard 2005 3.0ltr cash cow )

44 minutes ago, big_boz said:

Springs brake, try owning a Merc Vito/viano, the fronts are an annual service item, heater not working is probably a sticking thermostat, oil leak seems more invasive but at worst a used replacement head can't be that much, few being broken on eBay.

 

To add Just Japanese undertook mechanical work to mine prior to purchase and after in terms of warranty work, collecting and returning the car from Leeds (to Wigan), new springs all round, sorted the steering box worm gear, numerous electrical bits and bobs. Not all importers are equal.

 

You don't mention how old yours is, the mileage, or how long you have had it, it's a used car though, they do tend to need maintaining, some more than others depending on what kind of life they have led. 

you ve picked the wrong person to preach to,  I Have owned a Merc, Jag, Corba,  Several fords. plus in the good old days raced with Surtees............ suspect Ive been around a bit longer than you..😁

On 1/15/2024 at 3:41 PM, ThuMentaliss said:

Let's be clear there is no such thing as an TOYOTA Supported ALPHARD/VELLFIRE dealership in this country or for that matter in Europe, the majority of ALPHARD. VELLFIRE Vehicles imported into this country are from private business who have never owned a vehicle Manufacture  supported Dealership most of them do not employ mechanic's and from my experience, they tend to shy away from this subject so in the majority of cases you could be on your own when problems occur however the 'Alphardclub' forums must be commended for their support and helpful advice.

  JUST an update to this cash cow !    Vehicle just failed its MOT.. broken rear suspension spring which was fitted Thirteen months (1020 miles) ago to replace the lowered springs (causing the vehicle to bottom out at every pot-hole) and now we have an engine oil leak, (camshaft housing to the Cylinder head )... The interior heater does not heat up. Sorry the love affair has ended, the previous Japanese owners probably had the best time with it !  As a retired IMI Master craftsman I should have known better Not a good investment, anyone interested in purchasing this ?

Let's be clear there is no such thing as an TOYOTA Supported ALPHARD/VELLFIRE dealership in this country or for that matter in Europe, the majority of ALPHARD. VELLFIRE Vehicles imported into this country are from private business who have never owned a vehicle Manufacture  supported Dealership most of them do not employ mechanic's and from my experience, they tend to shy away from this subject so in the majority of cases you could be on your own when problems occur however the 'Alphardclub' forums must be commended for their support and helpful advice.

16 hours ago, Nuvolablue said:

@cookie9561 did you go ahead and get this service done ? Did you use a Garage or DIY ? I've also been trying to get answers to this question in my separate thread here, to no avail. Like you I have no written proof of it ever being done on my car.

 

I'm surprised this topic isn't talked about more on this forum, given the importance of it, particularly on the  2AZ-FE engine.

DURING MY PERIOD many years ago AS a master craftsman mechanic with a speciality in overhauling hydraulic auto transmissions,  changing the transmission fluid was never considered a priority, indeed it could only be carried out successfully if the 'fluid Torque' convertor had a drain screw plug built into it and one processed the very expensive special drainage suction pump...

Have you a campervan  conversion, if so check out the split relay unit that might be taking too much of its share of voltage to your start battery.

15 hours ago, big_boz said:

Yeah seen plenty of em, I am a dubber (air-cooled) so i see alot of camper chat, I can't square the value proposition on the Alphard S10, I get why they are converted, base van price is cheap if you are importing them, they aren't big so you can get a huge conversion in so the profit margin must be super if you are converting to sell on with such high retail prices.

 

 

 

 

     Yeah, the space inside once the seats, runners etc are removed is in fact only slightly bigger than a Mazda Bongo the depth of the Alphard floor to ceiling is misleading from when the vehicle is (viewed from outside) my point is the so called converters are making a nice healthy profit.

3 hours ago, big_boz said:

 

 

Personally I can't understand the rationale of anyone who will pay £20k for a 20+ year old van (any van) that's been converted to a camper. 

 

Pre COVID only VWs commanded scene tax, van or camper alike, seemingly since COVID the price a vehical with a bed in it has sky rocketed no matter who made the base vehical.

 

I usually keep an old Volvo in the stable for dirty duties (dogs, tip runs etc....) currently I have a mint (when I can bothered to clean it) 04 v70 with all the toys, it cost me a grand and causes me no issues and can seat 7 if needs be. When I see these early S10 Alphard that are the same age or older running a price tag north of £8k it blows my mind, then the same vehical with a camper conversion running £20k.... farcical and frankly you are asking for (financial) trouble.

 

 

I actually paid just over £6000 for the van it came with chrome wheels quite something at the time , most Alphards and Vellfires conversions with pop-tops are selling from so-called dealers around £19500-25000.......

On 10/28/2023 at 9:38 PM, Kerryn said:

So much info, thank you!

 

Yes the amount they vary from one to another seems to be huge and it doesn't seem to tally with the models all that much, I have found it very confusing. The power doors is definitely something I want but I thought they all had that so really useful to know that's something to look out for.

 

As for the head unit I will hopefully get that changed if it hasn't been done already. There is a place near me that I believe can sort that.

 

Poptops I am in conversation with northstar at the moment, I will see what they recommend. I definitely want lighting in it as it will be used as a bedroom.

 

My next step now is to wait for a decent one to come up. If that does happen I will try contacting some importers. The above is really useful to check the car over to make sure it's what I want.

 

Hopefully I will have one by spring so we can start using it!

                   _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

My disappointment

Put it this way I've spent (including side conversion ) over £21000 on my Alphard. series one,    Today I managed to find what was causing the interior front heater to only blow cool air, (another money drain problem)... from my checks it appears there's a problem with the control unit and the flap device... although this vehicle considering its age looks better than most people carriers out there however ask yourself this would you go out and purchase a 16-17 year old European car with over 70,000 miles of use.. most people wouldn't  this is what we call in the trade A cash cow

I believe you may have the wheels offset incorrect  also 20" wheel might be too close to the rear nearside front edge of the bodywork,   (I have same year vehicle)

Best quality (adhesive doubled - sided IBM)  is from my experience nigh on impossible to shift without the use of a heat gun, how do I know this ? because I've applied this knowledge to three vehicles number plates (customers)

Anyone?

Also, where does it stipulate within the general servicing requirements that the Auto transmission oil must be changed ?

Lithium batteries are generally not recommended for use as an engine start battery (Burstner source)

As above were their issues involved

Look through your On-line Browser there are many sellers offering different products for cleaning plastic headlamp lenses, for instance 'Halfords'... you might get lucky and find a new lens for sale be (careful)  as the part may only be available by shipment from Japan...you could try Toyota Breakers for a complete light unit..I have used several manufactures deglaze solvent products over the last three years, all worked but the glaze issue on old Alphards comes back especially if you live in a Sunny environment

 (South Coast)

To be clear i've fitted coilovers to several racing touring cars when situated at Brands Hatch in kent ..they are not designed for the alphard type vehicle ,, they are designed t to be a

repacement adjustable coil/spring suspension for the standard suspension of saloon cars and single seater race cars

nice photo, lowered vehicle with skinny depth wheels definately a no no if your considering camping  in some of the awlfull 'field type' campsite's in the UK

To get by you can of course always use Goole maps off your phone ...Taxi drivers now mainly use this tech'

AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE  BUY A 'FIN' DAB AERIAL MOUNT IT ON THE ROOF REAR MOST AWAY FROM THE DASH AREA... THEIR EXPENSIVE!!!

20 hours ago, glarhzilla said:

Hi all hope you're well. New here. Recently noticed a few alphards on the road and decided they're mega and potentially a great choice for my needs. Currently have 2014 seat Leon estate and need something bigger. Anyway does anyone know of any reputable importers/dealers in the midlands? Preferably west mids but willing to travel. 

 

Thank you in advance

G.

Sorry glarhzilla but i think if you measured storage space of your Leon against the Alphard you will find there very litte in it,  having done several conversion myself over the years the actual storage ( if campervan converted) is no better than a Bongo or a VW Transporter  but of course the Alphard build quality in most cases is far better.

On 8/22/2023 at 8:09 AM, Rojie said:

 

Chris.ac posted a very useful thread on this topic.

 

I suggest you search through all his postings (there are a lot) to find it.

Bought mine at Halfords, right size, good quality 'turn over' on screen correctly not cheap but I own 3 vehicles always renew my w.w from Halfords☺️

...and the tyre load is......

Alphard series one 2005 3.0ltr  Fitted my tow-bar nearly three years ago, never been queried by any law enforcement officers here in this country or Europe

Nobody does any reserching anymore !!

Highlight your request with your mouse right click , click on the box up come's some answers pick the one you want  this case YOU TUBE