Rojie

1 hour ago, Teekay said:

Hi I've tried hard but can't find launch date of Alphard 350G Executive package. Can anyone help or point to some relevant sources to look up? Thanks 

January 2015.

There was a Gen 1 version too.

Gen 2? Don't know, probably.

On 12/15/2021 at 5:16 PM, dezufo said:

Apart from some minor changes like the Grille, the V on the tailgate denotes supplied by an Independant dealership and the G is a Toyota owned dealership, but there are also MZ "G editions" but that is shown on the chassis number

 

I have a MZ G with gold badges; but I think that is a dealer option coincidence, not a 'specification' difference.

1 hour ago, Teekay said:

So dvla said 10 year is from date of manufacture.

Very interesting.

I am glad you followed through on it.

In the case we discussed, it is very unusual for the gap to be so long.

1 hour ago, Teekay said:

Cheers Rojie if I can retain the car in as much original specs, that will be my preference. Making notes on plan of action.

 

Ideally would take it to the best person / establishment in UK who can do almost everything needed in one go. Install camera, fogs, usb points, 110v convertor, chip for speed etc. These contacts could all go into Alphie scribbles spreadsheet.

 

Anyone knows best place for this in or around Southampton? As soon car is delivered, try to get things done in one go

Do you mean a dash cam and rear fog lights ?

What do you mean 110v converter ?

There is an importer in Southampton, affiliated to the Uxbridge one I believe, who may be able to undertake the work for you.

There is also a campervan converter on the IOW which might consider the work, although it is not their main activity.

I have referred your spreadsheet idea to the Owner and await his response.

3 hours ago, OldWellhouse said:

I wasn't sure whether to go with Camphard or Campard, but felt dropping the h was best. 

I agree.

4 hours ago, Ian Thomson said:

Is this model suitable for LPG conversion? If so please could you direct me towards a recommended installer with some indication of the cost. Thanks  Ian

Hello Ian,

Welcome to the Forum

Hi TK,

Fits behind the head unit so you won't see it anyway.

Very fiddly job on a Gen 1. 

There are Youtube videos that cover the fitting. Cuttothechase

Not sure how easy, or if applicable, on a Gen 2

Hello Stewie,

Welcome to the Forum.

I think your description "Campard" is a fantastic term.

Please excuse me if I use it herein in future.

On 5/9/2022 at 1:29 PM, Teekay said:

TM trading seemed like genuine and large seller. Might be worth stopping by.

 

"Crystal Ball" question - with recession / slow down heading our way, is it possible we might be drop in prices in coming months / post summer months

Price drop ? Imho, no.

I believe we will see price pressure as more and more discover how good these vehicles are; a true luxury MPV.

If petrol prices go horrendous, that, imho, could depress prices by lowering demand.

2 hours ago, Teekay said:

Morning Rojie instead of one / few bearing the cross, community effort works best. It is not as hard as it looks. Example this can be freely edited by anyone and can be really good meeting ground -> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rclJkgZ2UZnSORT2u7Csl8w3lS8IQdIt9cau8p16R48/edit?usp=sharing

Please try let's see if it works 

Looks interesting.

Where is the data storage ? How is it Moderated ?

Although members would have write access, who would have delete access ?

I still can anticipate a potential proliferation issue as the Q&A base expands.

What do other members think ?

2 hours ago, ReepsNpeeps said:

On our van this enables the radio to be switched on without the keys in the ignition.

Very useful, provided you remember to switch it off when leaving the vehicle.

On 5/9/2022 at 8:36 AM, Teekay said:

Hi Chris/Moderation group, apologies if already exists, if not, I would like to suggest  creation of a compilation of the queries / answers / resources / FAQs, all into a shared spreadsheet or page. Usually a shared google spreadsheet with public link could work quite well. Or on an ongoing basis, important / interesting posts can be linked to a common landing page. Any thoughts?

Hi Teekay,

I'll pass this onto Alphard Club.

It sounds like a lot of work to me !

Are you volunteering ?

There are a few examples on this Forum; the main ones being the Insurers; head units and fuse locations

It can be very difficult to keep current, e.g. as Insurance Companies are changing their policies (pun intended) frequently.

One of the main issues, from my point of view, it that some members just start another thread rather than search the existing ones.

I know searching can be tedious, and unrewarding. Also, as is common with some search engines, if you aren't precise with the search, or previous threads had imprecise headings, the search will, effectively, fail !

It could be a good approach.

What do other members think.

23 minutes ago, Chris.ac said:

seems like the russian host of the gen 1 alphard maintenance manual has had their site cutoff

Looks like back to the search engines to find a copy, it would have had the info you needed, too.

Oh what a shame. After all that hard work you did !

Putin. Could be there still, but no access from The Allied countries !

1 hour ago, Teekay said:

Who is running the forum actually? Are there admins who can answer such questions? Also do they moderate? Don't mean anything.  .just curious 

My view is, it is the Membership that is running the Forum.

The owner is Alphard Club.

He is assisted by two Moderators

MonsterS and myself (fairly recently).

We do Moderate, censor, delete, edit and take other actions; such as (trying) to keep threads focused on topic.

The 'free style' of this Forum can make that quite a challenge.

On membership, there have been over 750 New Introductions.

There were about 500 when I joined last June.

So reasonable growth, imho, considering the relative rarity of Alphies and Vellies.

My guess is we have many more members who, to date, have chosen not to formally introduce themselves.

I will try to discover the number of (active) members; that is not to say I will disclose it !

I even have to censor myself sometimes !

As this Forum is not for Commercial purposes, that is my normal area of Moderation, and that is very infrequently.

Thanks for your interests, and those of all other members.

Happy Advanturing,  Rojie.

Relax. It will be great.

Can't wait for Friday. Can you ?

2 hours ago, Oddcouple said:

As far as I can make out it increases throttle response, almost as if you’ve pushed an extra inch without pushing an extra inch. It certainly makes it shift with a very light foot. Doesn’t actually increase speed or torque, just makes it a whole lot more responsive. Looks like 4 different modes from eco to sport which will change throttle response times. Looks as if it’s fitted somewhere in the loom, so really don’t want to drag it out. Might help with fuel consumption a little, but doesn’t seem to cause any harm.

No. I would leave it well alone.

I rather like the slower shifts.

I have active suspension settings on mine.

I don't use them on the Alphie; trying for the smoothest ride.

I have another car with sports response settings.

Goes like hell but the shifts are not smooth, just 'sporty' !

Good luck with it.

Hopefully it will be 'trouble free'.

23 minutes ago, Oddcouple said:

Been all over their site, lots of great info but as I said, no instructions on how to use it.

I confess, I didn't read it.

Never come across it before.

A prime example of modifications / additions that Japanese owners fit.

Do you need it, whatever it does ?

5 minutes ago, Teekay said:

I keep wondering how can we increase membership of this forum..

Hi again,

The membership is increasing steadily; especially as the importation of Alphard seems to be booming.

They are, as most of us know, very good value.

The prime purpose of the Forum is self help, and mutual help.

The Forum is not a commercial site, and does not promote itself (yet, at least).

As the Handbooks published by Toyota are all in Japanese there is a real need for mutual help.

Google translate can be used on the Toyota Handbooks, but it is extremely tedious; and the manuals are so, so comprehensive.

Just understanding the head unit can be a major challenge for all new owners, including me. 

Their are no English language Maintenance Manuals available (yet).

Chris.ac is very adept at searching out maintenance information from Russia, Malaysia and other territories where Alphards are sold by Toyota.

I would strongly advise ALL members, new and 'older', to purchase the appropriate English language Owners Manual by JPNZ via ebay.

They are about £25 each.

I am assured I will be one of the first to know when Maintenance Manuals by JPNZ are available.

Thanks for your thoughts on growing the membership, all suggestions considered !

As a footnote, I'll try and find out what the membership actually is.

Search for Tom's Linear Throttle System on Google.

There is quite a bit of info on their site

2 hours ago, Teekay said:

Thanks but looking at the paperwork, taxes and prices I'm thinking I'm also unlikely to go for such a new vehicle. 10-12 years old is the sweet spot it seems 👍

Ten years old (or more) is what most of us do.

Plenty of choice too.

1 hour ago, Oddcouple said:

For some reason the link won’t work for me, just says link broken and does nothing, I’ll try to find it using the details..cheers..

Try the Castle Coombe website direct to see their events calendar.

I did and it was OK.

4 hours ago, Teekay said:

Indeed only couple of years back. It is highly unlikely someone in this group has LM 350 or LM 300h but not assuming 

 

I'll be over the top if can grab a 2015 Alphard model.. Let's see. I'm thinking rather save stretch and buy once this..

There's a dealer near Heathrow that tends to import the later models of Alphards and other JDM (including European made vehicles)

Send me a PM if you need to know.

5 hours ago, Oddcouple said:

That’s all I wanted to know. As a club we won’t be there as a group. Thank you.

if anyone else is going, please let us know!

Hi, just to be clear.

When I said I, I meant personally.

I am not aware of any 'organised' official event for Alphies organised through this Forum (and I read all topics and responses).

If you go, have fun, and let us all know how appropriate it is for Alphie owners.

5 hours ago, Teekay said:

I've been hearing about 10 year old vehicle and rule -> IVA check is needed if it is lesser than 10 year old. I have a question - is it 10 year from date of manufacture

or 10 year from date of registration in Japan

 

Related question - the number plate we get in UK, is it decided by manufacture date or registration date in Japan 🎌. Thanks

Hi Teekay,

Both these are very good questions.

I don't know the answer to either !

Otherwise, I respectfully suggest, you phone the DVLA for the definitive answer.

Good Luck.