Rojie

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

I have a cupboard sized to take the industry standard sized compressor fridges. I specified front and rear opening doors in the fridge location to ensure the spare wheel mechanism is accessible from outside. If I do fit a fridge, in lieu of the cupboard, I will still have access. Some fridges have a sloped rear panel (for fitting in boat hulls); these provide those extra few millimetres needed for the socket wrench. What convertors do need to ensure is the the cabinetry does not lie directly above, or too close to, the bolt. On side conversions there is a similar issue. If your offside slide door fails access to the water and gas becomes problematic ! Worse, access to fix the door is obstructed by the cabinetry ! Same is true for the tail gate on a rear conversion but, I am told, disconnecting the battery (for a while) will release the tailgate. I hope this is true if my tailgate fails but I am considering how to creat access to the lock mechanism through the cupboard space just in case !

Yet another good point. I'll check my Gen 1 for SRS. I definitely have them in the A pillars. I have a rear conversion, so shouldn't matter.

Hi Chris, Thanks for this. I am being sent some replacements, hopefully they will fit 'snugly' I also bought a different type, cylindrical, from another vendor. If all that fails, I'll go with these. Thanks again. ps I bought some tiny rear reflectors. Will advise when I receive them !

Welcome to the Forum. No they don't. I am referring to the middle row seats. As far as I know, no rear seats swivel but they do 'swing up' out of the way. 2008 is the crossover year from Gen 1 to Gen 2. Many of the eight seater Gen 1 have seats that swivel. The Captains seats (in the seven seater) with the footrests don't. In the Gen 2, the 'aircraft' type seats (also known as 'first class') do not swivel. Hopefully you'll get more answers from other owners. Best bet is to try before you buy. Good Luck with your purchase.

Hi Guys, Just to be clear on this. I am not saying the problem is the PCV, just that it might be. I believe they are not expensive. Cuttothechase on Youtube, or Ldrego in this forum has made a video on Youtube about replacing a PCV. You may derive some benefit from viewing it. I sent you both a link to a parts database. At least if you do use eBay you should have the correct part number. Good Luck.

Thanks Nov, I appreciate your help. I have chosen not to use mine. If one fails out into the light unit I'll never get it out again ! I bought some from Halfords which fit fine, but are too dim. Oh what fun ..