Rojie

Welcome to the Club, and this Forum. We hope you get all the info you may come to need. Much to read during these wintery evenings !

Hi Debbie, Welcome to the Forum. Many, if not most, of Alphie owners will understand your concern. It's known as Post Purchase Dissonance. Most of us get it. However, you have come to the right place to get informed opinion and advice. I am confident some of the members will be able to offer useful advice. I am not a Hybrid owner, but am left thinking "What is the Warranty on the new battery". I am not sure which battery you are having trouble with? I am assuming the Hybrid battery. If it is your (normal) 12V battery to power the car, and start it, make sure you are turning everything off when parking the vehicle. Make sure the room lights are off, etc. With the cold weather we have been having recently, it could be true you are not running the vehicle enough to keep the (normal) battery sufficiently charged so, go for a medium run, or get your battery fully charged. These are simple things; but should be checked before more complicated alternatives are pursued. Regarding your dealer. Go for a long run, several if necessary, and keep returning to them, if the problem persists, before your warranty runs out. Let us all know how you get on.

Hi Stuart, Like all things, It's a matter of risk versus pocket ! I have a converted late Gen 1, but I believe the cost of conversion is much the same independent of Gen; albeit not the cost of the base vehicle. As Charlie, and others, say, some of the later models are not quite as simple to convert. Depending on your conversion, rear or side, you do not have to pay £15k; especially if you forgo a pop top. As ever, quality of conversion tends to significantly impact cost. Convertors need to make a profit and, the dreaded, VAT has to be paid. The 2008 and later models are becoming more common now. They have more gears and I assume more efficient engines, resulting in better fuel economy. Some owners convert to supplementary LPG, but availability of gas (currently) can be an issue in some parts of the UK. There are plenty of variables to consider as all current owners have done. Shop around at the experienced dealers / importers. Due to the increasing popularity of these vehicles there is, in my opinion, an increasing number of opportunist sellers who may not have a satisfactory track record with Alphies, especially the later models. As you have already realised owning a converted Alphie is not cheap; but then nor is a VW California ! What we Alphie owners can assure you is you won't be disappointed. There are not many MPV limousines available at affordable prices. Good Luck, let us all know how you progress,

Oh well. There are other suppliers, I'm sure, but they may be all made by the same company. There are some universal swivels. I would be very careful, and precise, with your measurements if you go down that route. Pay attention to where all the mounting holes are, and necessary mounting brackets etc. As other members have pointed out, you need to be clear about what height will be added to the seat; especially if your passenger is quite tall. Are you aware you will also need to remove the centre console and provide a cover for your 100v invertor

Hi Phil, If your Alphie is Gen 1, as 2007 would suggest, you should have a wiper arm in the middle of the lower edge of the rear window.

Any news for us all on the Maintenance Manual from JPNZ ?

Hi Phil, Most of us are new to this Alphard ownership. Join the Club. Oh, you have ! The DVLA have, in my opinion, a very good website regarding MOT requirements. You should check it to reassure yourself. Many of us find ourselves referring to it frequently. Rear foglights and rear retroreflectors are a current MOT topic. (even if you have a current MOT !!! ). Not all importer / dealers, including mine, are meeting all the MOT requirements even though the vehicles have MOTs !

Hi Picasso, Nice to hear from you. You seem to spending quite heavily on your new machine just recently. Getting ready for Spring, as we all are ? Presumably these curtains are for just behind the front seats ? How about you Viv, just behind the front seats too ?

Welcome to the Forum. Yes you are fortunate having North Star so close. Keep us all posted on your progress.

Hi Viv, Welcome to the Forum

Hi Phil, This news to me ! A rear wiper is not an MOT requirement in the UK, but I have yet to see an Alphie without one. Has your importer only imported it for you, or have they registered it and had an MOT done? Toyotaalphardepc.com is a place to look for part numbers. Then try Snows, they will probably get it for you. Snows will also (probably) get the part number from the EPC for you. I find my local branch of Snows very helpful. They are not 'huffy' like many about grey imports

I think you will find that most don't come with alarms, but they do have immobilisers. Thatcham Certified businesses probably can offer you what you need. Let us all know your progress.

Welcome to the Forum

Try North Star Conversions. Cower, IOW.

Most (but not all) 99 Octane in the UK is E0; no ethanol ! According to Exxon (Esso) and Shell. I previously posted an extract from an American scientific study into E10. One of the engines used was a 3 litre Camry; a 1MZ FE, the engine fitted to Alphards; albeit and old engine from 1995(?) That study showed there was no (observable) difference in engine wear. Despite the recent findings above, re fuel economy, many of us run Super Unleaded E5 just in case.

Happy ending. Good to hear. Thanks for sharing the solution.

Welcome to the Forum. For your budget you should be able to get a nice vehicle with much less than 120k miles. Do you want a 3litre V6, or a 2.4l 4 cylinder ? Be wary of the mileage when looking at Alphards as the OEM speedometer is in Km. If the machine is a recent import, ask to see the auction sheet which will declare the Km when it was auctioned. When imported many are converted to miles; the odometer can be 'adjusted'. So its worth seeing the auction sheet. These vehicles are becoming very popular, and, in my opinion, many are being imported by persons / companies that don't have experience with them. Try and look for a supplier that does have a track record with Alphards. Good luck, and Happy Motoring

Very useful reference information. Thank you.

Welcome to the Forum

I wouldn't know. I suggest you send a PM to Picasso. He should be able to help you.

The problem with Amayama is shipping costs. Now you have the part number try Toyota Direct. They can only say yes or no. Shipping will be more reasonable.

I don't think there are any problems with the chinese made rear light units. No one, as far as I am aware, has yet identified a light unit that includes retroreflective lenses ! The light units I have seen are fine if, as you do, have separate reflectors. Some have rear lights, and brake lights and reversing lights; but not reflectors ! If members are hoping they include reflectors they will almost certainly be disappointed. My new reflectors cost less than £5, so i'll find a use for them somewhere. Maybe my Grandson's bicycle !

On this topic of reflectors ! I am still active on this. Some members have raised the point about visibility of any reflectors fitted; hence their concern about my minimalistic approach. My Alphie is White, so I am less concerned that I would be it it were Black. I have now received my tiny reflectors which, subject to approval from my MOT guy, I will fit to meet the minimum MOT requirements. BUT .... And I need to read the regulations again, and consult with my MOT guy. IF satisfactory reflectors ARE fitted that meet the dimensional requirements, there does not appear to be any dimensional requirements on any additional reflectors ! If true, interesting. If not true, unhelpful. It is such a shame that those RDN units appear to be non reflective !!

Welcome to the Forum

I have a 2006 MNH10. If you have a Theatre System there will not be any room under the passenger seat. I don't have a Theatre system, but there is still a some framework under the passenger seat. Removeable ? I don't know. My drivers seat is powered, so there are motors under there. Both my seats have heaters, so lots for you to overcome. . Good Luck