charliec

ULEZ COMPLIANT FULL HISTORY, DATING BACK TO PURCHASE INVOICE FROM JAPAN.  No I'm not a dealer, just need to take some proper photos and replace these ones ahaha (but part exchange is welcome! something ULEZ and cool, wagons preferably)

Here is the family's 2008 Toyota Alphard MZ-G edition 3.0l v6. Its a beautiful spec from factory. literally top of the top range. There's not another one in the UK of the exact same specification. I believe the MZ-G is the trim underneath the Royal Lounge. which was basically a presidential van. so this is the "bijou businessman spec". it has literally everything you could ever need in a car, and keeps up with ones being made now. Way ahead of its time! It was imported in 2021, and we are the first owners. The speedo has been converted to mph! Again, hard to come by on these.

And I know I'm going to forget so many things but the spec list consists of, cream leather (top model), heated seats in the front and captain chairs in the middle, with three foldable seats at the back. Curtains on all windows except the front of course, 5% tint all round (standard from factory) and the front windscreen is privacy glass, can see out but not in ! Interior lights, that make you feel like your in a first class jet! It has a double sunroof, one in front, one in back, the boot is openable by key, it's got a tv in the back. It's got the theatre surround system, which is absolutely amazing. honestly the best sound system I've ever had in a car. It's got this beautiful factory black paint with a purple and green flake to it almost. electric drivers seat. everything in the car can be controlled by the driver. Also has the really rare factory bodykit and black grille, which are both awesome; and adjustable suspension too. It has been absolutely babied since we've had it.

Never had a single problem with it. it really is the car of dreams for someone who wants a van that can be used for camping, but also road trips. There's so much I've probably forgotten.

 But honestly, you've got to come see it in person to experience the true magic of the Alphard! ITS A MUST SEE don't want to see it go, but needs must,

MOT until 26 July 2024. Mileage 79k.

Genuine sale please drop a message if interested, asking around the 12k mark but offers more than welcome!

Located North West London

you can contact me by facebook: charlie carter. profile picture is a blue mini, or you can look it up on marketplace 

email: charliebcarter@icloud.com (not great at replying)

number: 07888949758 (more likely to reply to a message!)

Or just message me on the Forum, no guarantee ill reply quick!

1 hour ago, Mary999 said:

Thank you so much for your reply. I will definitely look into the one you have suggested

Cheers Mary 

Hey mary

Theres this one guy based in brum called ben hau, its about £250 for him to install apple car play/ android auto into your alphards original headunit without messing with any of the original screens or features, its just applied to the video channel screen, so you can tap in and out when you want. You can find him on facebook 

Hope this helps in some way

Charlie

Sounds like fun! 

Show and shine would be cool and i love the idea of a convoy!

Hey guys, im looking to lower my alphie, but i am unsure on what suspension/coilovers to get. Maybe some bags?? 

If anyone knows a company let me know

58 minutes ago, Alphard Club said:

there is an interface you can get that plugs in Apple Car Play and Android. Keeps all the remaining functions of the radio as well, but has a display for Apple car play

I can put you in touch with the person who fits them

Could you send me a link/profile too??

On 4/26/2022 at 11:17 AM, calimba said:

 

She tells you the day/date when you first start the car that day, except for when she wishes you a Merry Christmas / Happy New Year on those days

@calimbamine only tells me i need to install my etc card. Do you know how to get all the other announcements?? i love it, its a cool quirk that all jap cars have. everyone that gets in the van and hears it and wishes their cars did the same

I find the shouting when parking amusing if i say so myself

On 4/21/2022 at 10:38 PM, Rojie said:

Hi Charlie,

 

You have the Theatre System, don't you ?

 

You sure you haven't blown a speaker ?

They emit a buzzing sound, which can be very quiet to very loud depending on any damage.

Too much bass might sound good, but it is a speaker killer.

 

If it is a plastic panel (why start now) but it could be caused by resonance.

It could be harmonic vibration where the bass speaker is actually causing the plastic panel to vibrate and behave like a speaker.

 

Try a piece of tape across the seat back panel to test if that prevents and or dampens it.

 

Otherwise, turn down the volume !!

 

Good Luck.

yeah I do have the theatre system, And no its not a blown speaker. 

Currently ive just placed a piece of fabric in-between the rear gap at the bottom of the seat. That has seemed to do the job

Thanks for this info

Charlie

Hey everyone, 

Recently when ive been playing music, I have noticed a vibration sound when bass is played through the speakers above 10 vol. I have checked out this rattling and it is the plastic on the rear of the drivers seat. Is there anyone that knows what could be causing this vibration/rattle?? and if so, how to fix it 

I do have my bass adjusted above the normal audio standard with the headunit

2 hours ago, stuartmc said:

Was just wondering how people decided on the age of the vehicle to base a camper conversion on. I see lots of 2003-2008 used but am wondering about paying £6000-£8000 for the car then adding £15000 worth of upgrade for conversion. Wouldn't it be better to pay a bit more for a newer base of say 2010-2011 which might cost as much as the conversion itself.

Some of the newer bases have fixed pilot seats in the rear that are a pain to get out. The gen 1s are more common and easier to convert. you could always go for a later model gen 1. The 2s do have more features, but you could get a fully spec'd out 08 gen 1 for the same price as a base model 2010 gen 2

Hope this helps in some way

The alphards 06 and above gen 1s are ULEZ, even though they have the same engines as the originals.

All the other gens are also ulez. Hope this helps 

(Forgot to mention ALL the hybrids no matter the year are ULEZ)

@Rojie @Chrisalphard @Trefor L

Just got a message from the guy, He said they're suitable and he would be be more than happy to have me try them on! He will have a look at the offsets and compare them for me. Think they're good 2 go if i like them

3 hours ago, Rojie said:

Hey Charlie,

 

How are you doing ?

Some time now, no speak.

 

I got my beauty back from conversion a few days ago, starting to fit her out now.

 

Alloy wheels in winter, and you do a ton of miles.

You were going to buy some summer alloys.

Presumably because you want to preserve your summer wheels, and avoid them getting 'salted'; maybe winter tyres too; hence looking at these.

 

You need to check offsets. The wheels aren't even Toyota.

Your original wheels will use flatheaded wheel nuts, what are the Hondas? Are they conical ?

Is the stud pattern the same? PCD.

Are the stud thread sizes the same? 

 

By very careful Charlie.

 

If I were you I would buy some second hand Alphard wheels and tyres. That way all your geometry etc, should remain the same.

The only thing between you and an accident are your wheels and tyres !

 

Good Luck, and be patient

 

2003 Honda CRV do have the same PCD and bolt size.

 

 

Yeah, most hondas have similar bolt sizes and PCDs... AND bolt patterns 

My mate has a 05 CRV and the offset is almost identical. Sent them an email on eBay.. Got some summer wheels (work eurolines!!! exactly what i wanted) just thought these were pretty cheap and might work with my mini if they don't work with the Alphard. Would need some new tyres though. 

Thanks for the advice

Charlie

PS: I'm doing great! getting apple car play fitted well for the van for Christmas! (Very excited) 

Hope your loving your conversion, been a while in the making huh? 

How are you? i assume quite happy haha 

Saw these on ebay and thought they looked pretty good... Great for the price

What do you guys think?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255016542752

On 11/16/2021 at 4:29 PM, Ian S said:

Thanks very much. I have watched two of these on Youtube.

These look quite technical, possibly a challenge for me.

Do you know any companies who could work on this, perhaps using these videos as guidance?

Thanks

Ian

Hey ian, 

The best person to get new modern head unit functions with is ben hau from Birmingham. He is on Facebook, eBay and YouTube. He basically fits apple car play into the original head unit and retains all the original Japanese menus and functions. The apple car play is connected through the video channel, but that is the only channel that will be interfered with. AND you will be able to get radio. I will send a link to a video of him using it

5 hours ago, Alfie said:

Hi Vellfire1, I've just ordered some off of eBay that look about right so will let you know if they fit.

could you send a link? looking for some for mine too

1 hour ago, Rojie said:

There is a post on this Forum, somewhere, that provides a website to check if your Alphie needs a recall.

I'll try and find it.

 

Basically, through the website you can request full service history from Toyota Japan.

There is a small fee.

 

I was told by my local Toyota dealer that they can make the recall enquiry on my behalf.

If the vehicle is subject to a recall that has not been performed; Toyota UK make a request to Toyota Japan and, despite your vehicle being a grey import, Toyota Japan will authorise the work AND pay for it ! The process can take quite some time !

I expect all this to happen during my first official Toyota UK service.

 

Have a safe journey.

Do toyota pay for they new airbags?? 

13 hours ago, Rojie said:

Hi Charlie, I'll get you some photos of the outside. It goes in for conversion tomorrow ! I hope.

The only non standard part on the outside is a chrome edge protection trim down each drivers door.

I'm not fussed about them, one way or the other.

I think my rear silencer box is probably non standard too.

I have the MZ G version, as you know, with a white grill, which I prefer over chrome.

My 'camper' should be a 'stealth' version; not obvious at all externally.

Mains hookup out of sight too. Not sure how to achieve a stealth TV aerial yet.

 

I have a black car. A real pig to keep clean and shiny.

 

Have you got your wheels and tyres sorted yet ?

no not yet sadly. Other things to pay for and cover. My other cars headgasket has gone, so most of the money is going to that. Hopefully ill get some wheels and tyres sorted for christmas...

Yeah i thought white was bad for dirt... didnt even think about black

Ohhh exciting! well hope you love your conversion when its finished... 

Thanks for the pics

3 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

Hi Charlie, just rereading this. I believe I did send you photos privately. Please confirm.

But on the topic of pictures. I never got to see the exterior.. do you mind sending a couple photos? im trying to figure out all the different possible exterior trims with the car.. mines got a blacked out grille, so i cant see the trim on it haaha. Beginning to regret buying a black one! also the more i look around the more aftermarket items i find. Lots of funny VIP visual upgrades. Got a complete dechrome. The toyota badge has been debadged. and a couple funny LED light up toyota and alphard logos

3 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

Hi Charlie, just rereading this. I believe I did send you photos privately. Please confirm.

Yeah you did. Its funny looking back at this topic. I literally knew nothing 2 months ago. Crazy how quick you learn!

2 minutes ago, Jenny Smedley said:

I'm not fit to drive all the way to Birmingham, sad but true.

maybe someone you know could do it for you?

If your trustworthy enough, someone in Birmingham in the Alphard forum might be able to pick it up or someone near you could take it down. 

I'm afraid I couldn't, I'm down in London, so wouldn't work

1 hour ago, Jenny Smedley said:

The guy I just spoke to here says if it's asking for my pet's name then 100% not a product lock out, but a personal password. He's having a look at photos etc and if he can sort it he'll come here - he's mobile. Get satnav from Auto Installations (auto-installations.co.uk) Have a look.

 

 

Hey jenny! 

Hope all is well and your making SOME progress.

Id just like to say this guy might be able to sort it out for you, but most people wont be able to retain the original functions of the unit  AND keep the reverse cameras and steering wheel buttons.. 

Due to the alphies being imports, there is a low chance head unit fitters who arent specialists, wont be able to do the best job possible. People who specialise in Cars that were made in the uk will probably mess up something with the japanese wiring .now, im not saying this guy will be a bad decision, but ben knows his way around an alphard headunit hahah!

Ben in an alphard specialist, and i assure you his price will be cheaper than this mobile guy. 

He charges 260 quid for apple carplay on a headunit, and this includes changing the japanese language on the original screens to english 

He does some sort of unlocking for 70 pounds, so if your not bothered about all the fancy gadgets, Go to ben for a cheap unlock 

Ben is great and you wont find anyone better than him. It might be a painfull trip, but i would wait it out until you can go. I would rather wait a month until i could go see ben and unlock my screen for 70 pounds than pay 500-1k to get the screen replaced potentially badly

You Wont regret it

Charlie

Hey @Jenny Smedley i have found out your headunit is from a toyota estima!

Not sure how that worked/fitted.. but it did

Hope this helps in some way

charlie (this is the stock headunit from an 01 estima aeras)

5 minutes ago, Jenny Smedley said:

I've always been confused! The reason we're now saying HDD is because we found the manual for it tucked away in an unnoticed storage nook. Great idea about Malaysia thank you. I will also look up the chap you mentioned in Birmingham although it's a long way!

the guy in birmingham (ben) is great! 

You can find him on facebook too @benhau

He might be able to actually change your whole headunit into an apple car play or android headunit, without changing the headunit. He can only do particular headunits... but i think he can do most japanese ones

Good Luck

Charlie 

32 minutes ago, Rojie said:

Charlie,

 

Please remind me which 2008 model you have ?

What is the model number ?

 

MH ?

 

I think you have 6.5J wheels; I am just trying to check.

The wheels will be stamped (on the inside !).

MNH10W

alright ill go on the website now

The tyres i have now SHOULD work with the wheels i might get.

Thanks for all the info 

Charlie