Verso T180 Ownership Experiences

February 3, 2010

Hi all,

My thoughts after 3 years of ownership, including any mods done etc. May be a bit of a diatribe! Obviously this applies to the older 2005 model, as there isn't a t180 new one!

Overall very happy, and as yet even though i`ve had itchy pockets to get another car nothing has come close as a total package.

We bought 2nd hand from steven eagell milton keynes after part exing a lexus is200 (lovely, lovely car) and paid about 18k for a black fully specced motor, all cameras leather satnav etc.

We've had it dealer serviced ever since via Jonathan at Steven Eagell and he bends over backwards to help out--so don't go anywhere else!

We had a few niggly things replaced prior to warranty expiry such as creaking doorpanels and missing trim bits but all minor stuff.

The car (touch wood!) has never had anything go wrong or started making any odd noises. Much like the lexus you turn the key and go, arriving with no stress. That is worth a premium in my book!

As i live in MK we get through front tyres quite quickly, used to go National Tyres for the tesco points but they stopped doing them so have now gone to the mobile people such as e-tyres.

One of the major irritants with the car is that it's looks don't do its performance justice, and unfortunately there is absolutely nothing out there that you can buy to upgrade the look.

Brakes! Fade quite quickly after "enthusiastic" driving, but there are only EBC greenstuff replacements. Bizarrely you can get ceramic brakes but only for the models below T180 spec!!!!!!!!! :o

Had pattern disc and pads fitted but they corrode really quickly looking very sh*tty, so went back to OEM as apparently these have a coatingthat resists this problem.

Fitted a tunit unit (from the avensis t180) and this has improved response, although fuel consumption is a bit meh.

Also fitted HIDS; not the cheapo crap from fleabay which dazzle like all buggery but the ones from hids4u which are adpated for reflector headlights----big difference to the insipid OEM lights!

Removed most of the badging from the car too, as all that plastic DCat etc labelling looked naff. Have considered blacking the lights out to persuade BMW drivers to get the hell outta the way.....

Roofbox.

It's funny how many people try racing my Dad-Wagon, i`ve kept up easily with mini coopers and type Rs, although that has a lot to do with driving style as much as bhp as i`m generally a lot more experienced than those boy racers..... B) :D

We've driven round france twice, and been up and down the uk plenty of times and it hasn't missed a beat.

So what would i change?

Fuel economy ofc, the positon of the DVD player, the positon of the cigarette socket (try charging your stuff on long drives and all the cables etc get in the way!), it needs more storage, it needs a sunroof, after market accessories particulalry from Toyota themselves--it's your flagship range topper ffs! Also for an mpv it needs rear airbags for the rear seats in case of rear shunt.....

Is there anything out there that is as versatile and as quick--not on your nelly! Looked at the Ford SMax etc and the build quality is not in the same league. TBH i don't think we'll change the car unless economics/taxation etc change drastically.