Rojie

JPNZ are due to publish one next year.

Hello Welcome to this forum. This probably doesn't help at all but on the 10 series there is a boot courtesy light on the near side. It is a direct switched feed from the battery (so best not to leave it on.) I'll try tonight, but I don't think it is linked to the rear hatch. Maybe the Vellfires don't have them.

Hello again Ian, I can't advise you on your suspension issues. I do know that Alphies can suffer from rear end issues but I I have no experience in that area. I am a bit surprised how costly your quote is. I am sure others who have had this work done will advise you accordingly. The rear end on my Alphie was done prior to purchase so I have no idea about costs. Picasso may be able to give an authorative comment on your quote. Perhaps if he doesn't comment here you can send him a PM.

Thanks for the update Martin, very helpful.

Hi Martin, Welcome to this Forum. I, too, am looking for a winter cover. I tried this supplier; but mixed news. They seem to offer a 'garage' for the Gen 3 Alphies, but not the previous 2 Generations. What a shame. I have a late Gen 1 so need to check the similarity between Gen 3 and Gen 1 dimensionally. But I may get lucky. They do offer windscreen covers for all three generations (at very low cost).

Hi Starider, I now have my Alphie back from the convertor. I need to check again, but it would seem that the importer of my vehicle fitted rear fog lights (a legal MOT requirement) by replacing the reflectors (also a legal requirement)! Doesn't say much for the MOT station that performed the initial MOT on the newly imported vehicle. The good news is, I believe I have found a pair of reflective rear fog lights (or brake lights) specifically for the Alphard. Only £20 so I need to spend some pennies. Thank you so much for highlighting this requirement / anomaly. I can, as you did, fit mudflaps and add some reflectors which I may do if my plan doesn't work out well.

Hello, and Welcome to this Forum. As this section is only for introductions please start another thread about your fuel consumption and I, and others, will give you some assistance. It will be helpful if you can provide you model number ANH10, or something similar, as your year is at the cusp of a generation upgrade.

Hello Jason, Welcome to the Forum.

Hi Ian, I await everyone's replies as I need a couple of side light bulbs. I did get part number of the EPC data but haven't ordered any yet. About £8 each !!

Hi Graham, Welcome to the Forum. Radio / Sat Nav is one of the most common topics. I respectfully suggest you do some searching on here. There are loads of contributors on this subject.

I just called Aviva to notify them of add my camper modifications, which were professionally done, and they no longer want to insure my vehicle ! So, here we go again. I have seven days to reinsure with another company.

I expect this new topic could be awkward/controversial/troublesome ! I was invited to have a Pre Winter Inspection of my 2006 Alphard under the "Toyota For You" marketing program. The invitation was 'buried' in some Toyota Marketing information I received. I expect the invitation was the result of my purchases of small items (and value) from both the Toyota Direct website and my local Toyota dealer. I can anticipate that many Alphard owners will not receive such an invitation. As, I believe, many Toyota dealers are huffy (a polite term) about grey imports; I suggest that many dealers may not wish to participate in this Toyota initiative. I have little doubt that Toyota wish to generate more service sales. My view is that if your vehicle needs remedial work it is better to know about it, than not to know. It remains the owners choice as to whether they have the work done, or not. The inspection of my vehicle covered brakes, tyres, wipers, lights, fluids, etc., and a general quick look over the whole vehicle. I wish you all the very best of luck if you try to have this FREE inspection at your local dealer.

So, I have had my free (Toyota dealer) Pre Winter Inspection. (Toyota For You). Thinking about how I was invited for such a service; I remembered buying some parts from my local Toyota dealer (Snows) and I bought some parts from Toyota Direct. I assume this is how Toyota (or Snows) added me to their customer data base. Whatever... The 30 minute inspection took 90 minutes. This may have been because they had a backlog, or because they were extremely thorough. This time didn't include the normal wash which I had declined. When I bought my Alphard I had an AA (maybe it was RAC!) Inspection. Snows performed a similar inspection. Not at MOT level, nor AA/RAC level, but the documented report included lights, brakes, tyres, wipers, fluids, etc. After 90 minutes, I was extremely concerned !!!! My Alphie gained the All Clear, except for one front side light that was out (that I didn't know about). So, lots of relief, and no charge. If you are one of the owners whose local dealer is really huffy about grey imports, don't give up. Try another delaership. Snows (Group) have several dealerships. I have found their local branch very helpful. I have no financial interest in Snows (Paignton, or the Group); nor any incentive from them to promote their services. I value their interest in my Alphie, and they seem to value my custom. I feel sure there are many other smaller Toyota dealerships that are interested in your business.

Welcome the Forum from Torbay, and throughout the UK. I'm almost in Brixham.

Hi Jason, Yes I know Dunkeswell, it always seems to be quite bleak there ! So the ride should be better with your winter tyres as they are the original size. I have an MZ, lovely ride. Hopefully you get accustomed to it and become very happy, and safe.

Joeko, Hi again, Search for Alphard Insurance in the search box on this Forum. There are loads of comments, including my own. You're certain to get on the right track with all the help from the Forum members. I'm still unsure whether you have an Alphard or Vellfire, and whether it is Gen 1 or Gen2. Gen 2 if it has the 3.5l, Gen 1 if it has the 3.0l.

Hello Shane Welcome to this Forum. I agree with Ian24, and there are plenty to choose from directly from Japan via ebay. Be careful though, there are different seat options available. Ensure you order the correct version for your machine.

As an aside; over 20 years ago I lived in Denver, Colorado. Many routes were designated as Snow Routes with very restricted parking, similar to London's Red Routes. Parking in the path of snow ploughs could result in your car being literally ploughed off the through road. Even worse, perhaps, on the main freeway travelling west from Denver, up through the Rockies, there were areas where snow chains were mandatory. You had to stop in all weathers and fit your chains. Failure to do so resulted in you being rescued as you were sure to not make it over the mountain passes. Your car was seized and impounded for 30 days I think it was. Apart from the Wreckers bill, the impound bill you got a massive fine. A very expensive mistake to make. Jason, as you live in Taunton, in the glorious South West, like myself and Starider, do you really need winter tyres? Are you fitting them for grip, or to prevent your alloy wheels being attacked by salt corrosion. Studded tyres can work well in the UK, but are not much use unless on ice and compacted snow.

Hello, Is yours a 3.5 ?

Hi Jason, Please remind us all what machine you have, and what tyres you have on the winter wheels ?

Sorry. I didn't mean call Adrian Flux on the phone; I meant the other companies. I would not be able to recommend Adrian Flux. AF did quote me for my 2006 Alphard, silly, and I mean silly price. Shop around. There is very little difference between a Vellfire and an Alphard. Those differences are mainly, if not all, cosmetic. Different grills, and maybe a lowered suspension and larger wheels. Get a quote for a Vellfire (from AF, if you must. The Vellfire is a more sporty (in marketing terms) version of an Alphard. (Same engine, same gearbox). Once you have that quote call around and negotiate. Someone will recognise the 2008 or later Alphard as the main brand of this vehicle. This problem should ease soon as there are plenty of Gen 2 vehicles 'on the water' journeying to the UK ! The Vellfire was only introduced in 2008, so you must have an early version. Did you find the page on this forum where other owners have recommended their insurance companies ?

I, and a lot of other owners, have discovered that Toyota dealers can be very huffy about imports. My local dealer is the Snows Group. They have several branches. I am going for mine this afternoon. See what happens. I only need my antifreeze concentration testing; but it is a sales opportunity for them to make some sales. But I will appreciate the peace of mind.

I guess this depends on how many people and bikes you need to carry. If you take the rear seats out you will have room for a rear kitchen or small bikes inside; and still four seats. With a rear kitchen and bikes outside you still have a very comfortable 4 seater. However, you will only be able to sleep two adults, and maybe one child across the rear (kitchen) bench seats (if you use the front seats down for sleeping). If you use the middle seats and rear bench seats for sleeping, you could have one child across the front seats Unless you go for a pop top; which offers many more permutations. Hopefully you can understand all this gibberish. Otherwise send me a PM. Of course, you can always consider a side kitchen which give far more storage, usually at the cost of a narrow sleeping area.

It's really nice, I have 2006 MZG V version with leather upholstery everywhere, which I am about to clean properly. Hopefully get it looking like new. Only needs the drivers squab and all the piping on the armrests. I just put a kitchen in mine and have ordered some fancy seat cushions. Nor slept in her yet. Waiting for my locking wheel nuts and rubber matting. (My never clean Collie just does not know how lucky he is). Having got the kitchen fitted ; storage is a real challenge; especially when camped overnight. I have included a fridge in the design, but will probably use a cooler instead. I enjoy the Project as much as the driving. I am aware of Stuart Spencer, he has nice vehicles on offer. I have been looking at another MZG he has.

Hi Catweazle, That steering wheel looks great, and I love those cushions. How are you getting on with the cargo net ? I fancied one then began to think it was too small; but yours looks perfect. Are those car seat covers I can see, or just an upholstery upgrade? I like the piping and the footrests. A very nice looking interior. One of the best I have seen. Thanks for the photos.