Michael Brown

When Iused to have my previous Estima's MOT'd as well as the MOT certificate you always got a sheet with emissions and other Data on. Not Now, all I got was the MOT Certificate

I only ever used to listen to Radio 4 or Radio 4 digital. but on the 2007 Japanese fitted radio I have in my Alphard Hybrid now, I can only get Radio 2 and I am enjoying it. I have not gotten round to fitting an aerial expander yet or an add on digital radio which will transmit the sound to the radio unit fitted

I get 33 - 40 mpg, if I eased off on the excellerator on trunk an M roads, I'd probably get more

I had this probem on 2 of the Estima's I have owned I went to a Toyota main dealer and asked. I was told about £240, inc the key. I did not argue and arranged to have it done. Over the years of Estima ownership I went to that Toyota dealer again and again. Listers Toyota in Stratford Upon Avon.

You have to expect a 16 year old Alphard to have some faults, they cannot all be perfect. There is a time limit how long major parts last. For instance my Inverter packed up and my mechanic could not source spare parts for it. He looked into importing one from Japan an they are available for £5,200. including VAT and delivery. I was not going to get rid of Alfie that cost me £9,500. last August, so I took out a bank loan to buy the Inverter and I have had 6 months trouble frree motoring. I expect it to last at least 10 years ( the Inverter )

So if you breakdown as I have twice, insist the recovery people provide a vehicle transporter, flatbed car transporter where your vehicle can pulled up onto. I joined the RAC in 1982, the best thing I ever did.

Is that a 4 or 6 seater

Sorry, I meant Ignition off

Since I had the Inverter changed for a brand new one imported from Japan around 6 months ago, I have changed my driving style. Where as before I would turn my engine off if I stopped for lunch in a layby. Now I don't, sometimes parked up for 10 - 15 minutes. I hear what sounds like a fan, ( cooling the Inverter perhaps ) Then when I drive off, I put it in drive and away I go, less stress on the engine ? or is one supposed to drive a hybrid like that ?

Hello Aftab Now that pod is neat, do you have a web site link to it you can share with us and approximate cost of it please

My 2007 Hybrid is ULEZ compliant. I went to the DVLA website and put in my registration # and it said mine was compliant. Also I am getting 35 - 40 mpg. I have never heard of Alphard Pioneer, enlighten us.

A month or so on and Alfie drives well, Been to Scotland and back last week too. Yes it cost a lot to fix but well worth it. I hope to keep Alfie for many years. So I will look after it.

Thank you Lee, I will give that a try

Is there anyway one can turn off this autolocking of the doors ?

Try ABD in Southampton, they sell the 28" blades etc also headlamp bulbs etc

I get 35 - 40 mpg on mine, I am happy. I keep to limits, but put my foot down on dual arriageways, but under 80. I had a brand new Inverter fitted (£5,200.) Eye watering I know 5 months ago, imported from Japan. But Alfie runs really well now.

Shame his insurance company did not cough up to repair it for him.

The Hybrid comes into its own in slow moving traffic when one has edge forward. Looking at the screen showing where the power is coming from and its on the hybrid battery is pleasing and the hybrid battery charges up going down steep hills in a lower gear. Usually the engine kicks in silently at around 10mph, impressed.

As I have reported before, I am getting 35 -40 MPG with E10. Which I am pleased with. My 3 Estima's before I was getting 32 MPG on E10, they were'nt Hybrids. Doing the max speed on motorways and main dual carriage ways. I am impressed with what I get from my 2.4 Hybrid E4. I keep to the speed limits through the villages etc. I am 75% of the time on my own. I have the 3rd row of seats stowed away. I like the carry capacity of Alfie and still have the ability to carry 4 passengers in comfort plus myself.

It's really nice to see that the original Japanese owner really looked after it, tis why the Alphards are so popular in the UK.

As far as fuel consumption I am getting no less than 35 mpg and the best is 40. Since I had a brand new Inverter fitted a few months ago I am getting high 30's. It depends how heavy I on the excellerator. But its being able to drive on the battery in heavy traffic, edging along slowly as one does.

it was 12 years ago, I will see if I can find the details

The BIMTA check came back that the ODO read on the dockside Japan, 179,000Km, so it must have been done in UK

Back in 2011, I bought my 1st Mk2 Estima G Grade with around 65,000 miles on it. I belonged to the Toyota Estima Owners Club. It was not till 3 years later someone in the club reported that she thought her Estima had been clocked, so she paid for a BIMTA mileage check and found her vehicle had had the clock showing travel had been wound back. The lower the reading the more the dealer can charge for it. So after 3 yrs ownership I paid around £10. and had a BIMTA test done on mine, my ODO read in Km which on 65,000 miles read 105,625 Km, on day of purchase, I was the 1st UK owner other than the dealer from who I bought from. The BIMTA check came back it should have read 179,000Km. Too late for me to do anything about it and anyway in 2018 whilst on my way to go camping with TEOC the engine went and I had to be ferried home on a transporter via RAC. Estima needed a new engine , so was later scrapped. So getting a BIMTA check done on any prospective purchase in the future is a good thing. BIMTA ( British Independant Motor Trades Association )

I had a puncture in my last vehicle, an 04 Estima and had the space saver wheel put on. I travelled 50 miles on it to get home before I replaced it with a new tyre.