Rojie

Is this intended to be a topic, or a gallery. If the consensus is a gallery, I can move it there.

Hello Bazzer, Welcome to the Forum. I would argue that, because of where you live, undersealing should be considered essential. I am lucky enough to live by the sea, all that lovely high humidity salty air ! Your quote seems high There is a major thread on this Forum regarding insurance; but the market seems to change quite quickly. Several insurance companies won't insure Alphard / Vellfire models; and if you have it converted the alternatives become even more limited. Your quote seems high I doubt I would be comfortable using used parts ( I am sure many members are) but I am lucky as I have a very (Alphard) friendly local Toyota main dealer who, unusually, is very willing to work on my machine. This is a key point; unless you are willing and able, finding a competent mechanic can be more problematic that finding the parts. Great machines, especially if you buy wisely. Good Luck.

I don't think Gen 1 head units use radio codes. I have never had to renter it in my 2006 MZG Alphie despite a flat battery on occasion.

This topic is covered in Head Unit / Radio Replacement threads

I have tried, as a Moderator, to edit the 'space' in the Title, as you have requested. No can do. I'll try another approach and hope I don't erase the thread !

Hi Tony, Yes you should not have had any trouble. As V is a 1999 plate, putting the older plate on a newer (2005) vehicle is OK. As plates signify a year of manufacture; DVLA will not allow a plate that is younger than the vehicle it is destined for.

Nice tabulation

Unforunately, LPG vehicles are not allowed to use the Channel Tunnel !

Hi, Welcome to the Forum Alphard will offer plenty of space, rearmost seats fold up sideways providing a huge boot. 2008 is a changeover year. Gen 1 3.0 litre is belt driven; but a non interference engine (if it snaps) Gen 2 has 3.5 litre and a chain drive, as does the 2.4. 3.0 has 5 speed, whereas 2.4 has a 4 speed. Other than different panels and interior, especially the seats, they are very similar.

Hello Pete, Welcome to the Forum. Tax is about £300 pa. Fuel, will be petrol and expensive ! LPG can be fitted but I would be very cautious about that where you live. Ensure LPG is available. Check out Mega Thread for consumption

Hello Liz, Getting the key cut is the very easy part. It is the programming that is the tricky bit ! Timsons cut mine, but couldn't / wouldn't program it. I found a local auto locksmith and all done correctly. I can PM you the company, but it is geographically close to me; WSM may be too far for them.

There are other 'murals'. I doubt your insurance company will be 'bothered' by bodywork vinyl, but window murals. perhaps yes.

Extremely good point IF you make any modifications to your vehicle, without disclosure your insurance could be invalidated. This includes, of course, conversions and the addition of non OEM wheel and tyre combinations.

Have not found anything yet. Eightseater.blogspot.com unhelpful (great site) too. I'll check my Japanese manuals later. Bound to be in there somewhere! If I find the correct page I'll try and contact a member who reads Japanese to help out.

Hello Becca, Welcome to the Forum. Has anyone been 'playing' with your head unit. Had it been replaced ? I'll check my JPNZ manual, you should buy one if you haven't already.

Commercial entries are not allowed on this Forum. They will be moderated. Recommendations are permitted, but overt promotion of a business by owners or employees isn't.

Some folks manage to achieve good results on their VWs, many don't imho ! There is a company that produces, what are best described as, murals ! You can see through them, from inside the vehicle. They are fitted to the rear or side windows. Certainly a way of customising you Alphie If interested take a look at Cuttothechase on Youtube

After a little more research, I believe you will need a different dash cluster; certainly the main one as that is where there the radar 'graphic symbols' appear. They is an additional LCD above the usual odometer.

I regret to admit that my approach to oiling the struts has not improved their operation. (Struts, not tailgate hinges; which did respond to WD40). I intend to use some silicone spray and hopefully that will cure the uneven opening. (I am considering disconnecting the linkage to test the motor response, but without a real load I am not sure the test is meaningful.) For those with deep pockets, my local Alphard friendly main dealer advises me that the K type units, as fitted to my Alphie, are still available.. Great news ? Not really ! Close to £200 each, but genuine Toyota OEM. I confess, I am so irritated by the juddering I may speak nicely to Santa.

Most official Toyota Dealers will not go near grey imports. That is why garages like Snows are so useful for routine planned work, because they will. I understand Plymouth is some way from you, but the Barbican is a nice place to visit while Snows work on your Van. Or Dyernostics are close to you (Bodmin), I am sure they can take care of routing servicing.

And of much more use !

I have lane assist, but I don't have radar. Strange, I do have what I thought were radar emitters but there are running lights !

??????

I respectfully suggest you send a PM to Picasso.

My guess would be front screen demister, which implies you have (at least part of ) a Cold Climate option fitted.