Rojie

Yes, but what do I do about the width difference ? Styrofoam sheets will do it. I have decided on an articulated trailer, then I'll have room for everything, including my spa bath.

Looking at the first of these, it seems very suitable. It looks like you erect the tent and than reverse into it. I particularly like what appears to be 'rain deflectors' at the bottom of each tent face. Thinking about it, without checking VW measurements, I seem to recall they are wider and less tall than an Alphie.

Good Luck with Halfords. Please report your choice and success.

Hi Shawn, They are more suitable assuming they fit an Alphie. I have considered the possibility of abrading the paint on windy days. I have been looking at neoprene to cover the headlights when not in use, to prevent yellowing. I could use neoprene to stop abrasion of the tail gate but then I have another item to find a space for ! More research needed !

Well Mike, There's some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the lower glove box box comes off easily. Open it, put hand under bottom edge and pull up gently. The plastic hinges will give way and the glove box can be jiggled outwards. There is a small plastic piston system which unclips very easily. The glove box and the piston will be in your hand now. Reassemble in reverse, remembering to re connect the piston. The bad news ? I found a million wires and a loads of connectors. I'm too chicken to touch any. I did not see any obvious fuse box. After putting it back together I checked my manual again. IF correct, it shows the fuse box to the upper rhs inside where the glove box was. Good luck, I think you may be needing it. Roger I have seen a switched feed taken from the cigarette lighter before, but the dash console has to come out. I have been too chicken to try that either.

Hi Mike, You have to remove the lower glove box. Supposed to be easy, but I have never tried! Empty glove box ! I believe their is a small catch at the side of the lowered box which van be pushed to release the glove box. Then you should be able to get at the fuses more easily. Good luck, I'll go check my 3.0 see how easy it is, or isn't.

Who's Rosie ? The manual only says it is by the drivers seat. My guess is it is under the dash somewhere. Quite small. Only 10 fuses (plus some relays I think).

"The price is right". It's a Spring purchase for me. Plenty of time for more research! If I find a unit that fits over the hatch I'll be in touch with you.

Hi Mike, You have not said what vehicle you have. The 2.4 and 3.0 engines have different fuses. I believe one of the fuse boxes is behind the lower glove box on the passenger side. There is another one near the drivers seat.

Thanks, Looks good for summer use. I haven't yet got to checking all the measurements yet; with winter coming it is not a high priority. I was hoping to get one that fits over the tailgate while it's open. I have seen some at silly prices (£1200!) but nothing that meets the good fit / price compromise. Riemo do some; in fact everyone does them for VWs. One of the major benefits of VW ownership. But. I love my Alphie.

Hi Charlie, I think the G and V are different distribution channels in Japan. Each offered slightly different vehicles (eightseaterblog.com for details) to differentiate their products. I think the MZ, MX, MS, AX. AS, etc are the basic trim levels before the many options that can be specified.

I believe he is. I still haven't found ours yet ! Also in a (large) garage

To add to starider's detailed info The 'other' handbook', FRO3035 covers all the above. Without having a copy of FRO396, I can only assume the content is the same. These handbooks are ONLY for 2002 to 2008. To complicate matters the page numbering FRO3035 is not quite perfect. The page numbering begins Hybrid 1 through Hybrid 67. Then begins from page 1 on the normal (non Hybrid) models. Page numbering ends at 304, but, the pages continue. I hope you are all following this as there is a test at the end ! Page numbering resumes at 333 and ends again at 353 But pages 303 through 332 are there, just not numbered ! The specification pages cover 14 4wd models and 14 2wd models. And no, I am not going to list them all ! So, if you don't have a Hybrid go for FRO396 If you do have a Hybrid go for FRO3035 These handbooks are ONLY for 2002 to 2008. Other manuals are available for 2008 onwards.

Have you contacted him ? I got the impression he does more than one type. Maybe it is worth risking £20 or so with one of the other people who claim they can solve the issue. Nothing ventured ....

Hi Clive, Welcome to Alphie ownership. There are loads of threads on here regarding Alphie radios. Many of the replacement units will not restore the steering wheel controls. Sounds lie you already have a replacement unit if the steering controls don't work. It may be helpful to others if you give more details of your vehicle and the current head unit. Many 'upgrade' to Xtron units. Have a good read of this forum and you will soon discover which work well (and keep steering controls) and which don't. If you have front cameras you are likely to lose them with most replacement units. Try Ben Hau in Birmingham. he is on ebay, does a conversion for £400 or so. Good Luck

Hi Jenny, Well it seems you are making progress ...... Beware the "can be reset to English". If it IS in English that is a different matter. Good news is that you have achieved that already. Just the password problem to overcome now ! Did you scan youtube for Basharat Ahmad yet ? He is the author of a video where he can, I think, provide you with the radio key (for free). I would not be rushing to Halfords either. Their interest will be to sell you one of their units. IHMO, there are far more suitable units available elsewhere if you choose to upgrade. Again, I suggest you invest some time on this forum, as the radio replacement is a VERY common topic.

If you have two switches, you will have two separate fuses. Check my 'history' as somewhere in there it identifies the location of the separate fuses.

Thank you Picasso. This should help other owners order the right one. Mine does have loads of Hybrid info, but, I suspect, all the same info as the 396 version on the petrols. Perhaps Picasso could comment on this. Apart from the inclusion of the Hybrid, are the two manuals identical ?

How many door switches do you have in the console ? Mine has one per door. Not all Alphies have two electric sliding doors.

Hi Jenny, It seems you are right, the radio code id locked. This is all new ground for me. There seems to be several (at least) youtube videos that can help you. Most of them have a charge; surprising ! However, I found one, that appears not to. Scan youtube for Basharat Ahmad. If your unit is a NDDN-W57 he seems to offer a method for unlocking your unit. Good Luck, hope it works for you. Please let me know.

Hello Jenny, The last photo may be very useful. Maybe someone on the forum will recognise it. It have heard talk of the aux input. Unfortunately, it is not the same as the one I have fitted. It looks quite modern unit. Referring to my ever present English Owner's manual doesn't help either. There are several units in it, but this isn't one of them. I can't quite read the type number in the lower rhs, but am assuming it is 76032. I assume, if this weren't locked, it will have a CD / DVD player (and maybe a MD0 once the screen is lowered. Be patient. Pressing the open button is getting you nowhere I assume. I'll see what else I can come up with. Best for now.

I have one published by JPNZ Manuals and the part number I have for the 2002 to 2008 is FRO 3035. About £25, and worth ever penny.

Jenny, IF it is a radio, and I can't imagine what else it is, it won't work in the UK without a Frequency Expender. If it is a GPS, that won't work either. If it is a bluetooth unit, you may be able to get GPS and Radio though your phone. Do you have a VTR input on the rear of the centre floor mounted console ? I recently saw someone hooking up through the RCA inputs, but you need a cheap adapter and a USB supply.

Wow Jenny, Not seen one of these before. Is it branded Toyota ? Is there a type number on the front bezel. I can see W57' what is the whole number ? At least you have an Aux input ! Is this screen the start up screen ? Is this the only screen you can get ?

Mine was a 3.5 C C before Naeem 'tarted' it up ! I am REALLY pleased with it, irrespective of rating. I have found some very minor niggles that Naeem was cleverly concealing. I have had a quote to correct the trivial leather marks. My main disappointment was the keys. The Master key had no 'inards'; which I thought was very 'sneaky'. All fixed now though. I am more than satisfied. I am aware of the Royal Lounge, and the later models, and, frankly, I find the 2005 to 2008 MZG the best of all of them. Some of the newer models have features, whether you like them or not, that limit the scope for conversion. IF I was removing the middle seats, that bureau in the Royal Lounge would be VERY desirable. I will send you photos, privately, when my conversion is completed. Got any new wheels yet ? Enjoy your Alphie. Rojie