T180 Questions

[4-age]

Hello all

I'm a new member and I'd like to ask few of questions to help me choose the right Avensis.

Firstly I’ll tell a little about my current car, it’s a 2005 Honda Accord i-CTDi EX saloon. I’m averaging 45mpg, which I have no trouble achieving, it has been quite reliable requiring only servicing and brake work. It did have an exhaust manifold replaced by Honda (quite common)

OK, I need a 5 door hatch now and the Avensis seems to fit the bill. I want one were the spec is close to my Honda, and the T180 seems to be the closest. However a brief read of the forum tells me to expect mid thirties mpg, to be cleaning the EGR valve regularly and to fork out for a DPF as regular as new front tyres.

Yes I may be exaggerating a little. ;)

I understand that driving styles and journey types have a bearing on the above, but what is the true story. Could any T180 owners help with the following?

• What MPG are you actually getting in normal use?

• Have you changed the DPF while you have had the car?

• How long do tyres last? (Subjective I know but as a rough guide)

• If you could go back in time would you make the same purchase?

• Do I really need to clean the EGR?

Budget will be around £8.5k so I will be looking at three years old and 50-60000 on the mileage, would that be a problem?

Or have I got it all wrong and should get a 2.0vvti T4?

I’d like to thank you in advance for any help you can give.

John

[antred]

1) around town low 30's (winter)to high 30's on a run low 40's to high 40's depending how fast. (once had 58 mpg on the M1)

2) No, had the car over 2 years

3) Replaced front ones at 30000, rear ones still going at 38000

4) Yes definitely, brilliant car - it is also a clean car pollution wise compared to others of the same age, this is what sometimes hurts mpg.

5) I did at 30000 because of comments on this forum, dead easy to do, did I need to do it, I don't know!

[Mistermena]

1) around town low 30's (winter)to high 30's on a run low 40's to high 40's depending how fast. (once had 58 mpg on the M1)

2) No, had the car over 2 years

3) Replaced front ones at 30000, rear ones still going at 38000

4) Yes definitely, brilliant car - it is also a clean car pollution wise compared to others of the same age, this is what sometimes hurts mpg.

5) I did at 30000 because of comments on this forum, dead easy to do, did I need to do it, I don't know!

I've just bought a Avensis T-180 estate and love it. I was lucky because the engine was changed by Toyota about 4k ago! and so was the D-CAT and EGR valve. There was a big problem with some of the early models over heating causing the heads to go, plus they suffered with excessive oil consumption! So look out for one that has had a new "short or Full" engine if you can find one.

Make sure you use the correct oil in it! or the D-CAT will go. I went for Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 as it meet the C2 spec for the engine and CAT. I think thats maybe why people have had problems in the past as the wrong oil has been used. I even called 2 main dealers and they both said use any 5w-30 oil! But they were both wrong! I found this out by calling Opie Oils who informed me that even Castrol Edge (507 00) wasn't upto the spec after looking into it for me.

Watch out for the corrosion on the doors where the windows close. This is a big problem for the Avensis that Toyota is well aware of.

Putting some BG244 in the fuel helps to maintain the valve and get rid of the coking up. I get 38mpg round town, and 48mpg on the motorway at 60mph.

Using a K&N air filter helps to bring the mpg up to. I love how the car just seems to pull and pull all the way through the rev range. Really quiet as well. And with no less than 9 air bags (Two knee bags), its one of the safest cars you can get in! Thats why I went for one because I wanted to make sure my children were as safe as I could make them.

I've driven my brother-in-laws Honda CRV with the same 2.2 CTDI engine and the T-180 knocks spots off it in every way. Not sure how long the tyres last on them as mine were all new when I bought the car. But I would expect them to last about 30k on the front, and about 40k on the rear.

And as said... its got one of the lowest emisions engines out there! You wont be sorry if you bought one. I wasn't

[caveman_si]

1) I get 45+mpg on long runs, anything over 70 miles, short commute to the office 15-20 miles i get 35-45mpg depending on weather and traffic. Stop start around town 32-35mpg. Current getting about 33mpg for the commute with the proper cold we have had of late. As all cars knock off 1-2 mpg if usingg aircon constantly. Mine is a tourer but id expect slightly better mpg in a hatch.

2)Nope not touched the DPF

3) tyre- rear set I just changed at 40k miles front set did 28K ish I think both original fitted Eagle ncts, replacement fronts not doing so well currently I might only get 20K of them. but its more the tyre then the car.

4) Yup I would. In fact after having driven the new avensis the only things Id have from that is the heated seats and the panaoramic roof otherwise its mine hands down.

5) Yes clean the EGR do it every 10K you will notice the difference once you have cleaned it the car just pulls better. In fact did mine this weekend. Should only takes 15-30 mins depending on how handy you are on the spanners or how clean you really want to get it.

No idea about the 2.0vvt t4 but get a test drive in a t180 get it warm and then discover 3rd gear above 2k revs and try keeping the smile of your face.

[4-age]

Thanks for the replies so far,really helpful.

I'm beginning to think I 'm going to make the right decision.

How are you finding the paint? I'm asking because the Honda stuff is softer than brie on a warm day. I'm forever 'de-swirling' it.

The EGR, is the a guide on doing this, I'm OK on the DIY, so no problem there.

Again thanks for all the help.

[Mistermena]

Thanks for the replies so far,really helpful.

I'm beginning to think I 'm going to make the right decision.

How are you finding the paint? I'm asking because the Honda stuff is softer than brie on a warm day. I'm forever 'de-swirling' it.

The EGR, is the a guide on doing this, I'm OK on the DIY, so no problem there.

Again thanks for all the help.

The paint job on mine seems to be very good. I cant wait for the warmer weather so I get out there and use my Autoglym HD on her. There are posts on here on how to clean the EGR, also some on the Lexus site to. Same engine is used in the 220d

[rawly]

The car is great apart from 1 thing !!!! its rubbish fuel consumption i get on average 34mpg , mainly motorway miles . its had the exhaust valve replaced and according to the garage everything else is fine .

Sorry but i wouldnt have another . I know its a sport model but all other diesils i have had do a lot more mpg .

Rawly

[mattwprice]

I concur with the below.. I am now up to 36MPG where I was previously on 32/33 just by renewing the air filter. I have cleaned the EGR and dont drive with a heavy right foot. Tyres are OK so far, but I have only had the car for around 10k miles. Mine is a 2007 T180 with 60k miles on the clock with full main dealer service history. I'm waiting for someone to come out with a DPF removal and remap as without one I cant see me keeping the car. Would I get another one? Nope.. Not sure what I would get instead but been thinking of a 159 Saab 93 BMW 1 or 3 or VW Jetta or Passat.

The car is great apart from 1 thing !!!! its rubbish fuel consumption i get on average 34mpg , mainly motorway miles . its had the exhaust valve replaced and according to the garage everything else is fine .

Sorry but i wouldnt have another . I know its a sport model but all other diesils i have had do a lot more mpg .

Rawly

[Ave Jo]

I concur with the below.. I am now up to 36MPG where I was previously on 32/33 just by renewing the air filter. I have cleaned the EGR and dont drive with a heavy right foot. Tyres are OK so far, but I have only had the car for around 10k miles. Mine is a 2007 T180 with 60k miles on the clock with full main dealer service history. I'm waiting for someone to come out with a DPF removal and remap as without one I cant see me keeping the car. Would I get another one? Nope.. Not sure what I would get instead but been thinking of a 159 Saab 93 BMW 1 or 3 or VW Jetta or Passat.

The car is great apart from 1 thing !!!! its rubbish fuel consumption i get on average 34mpg , mainly motorway miles . its had the exhaust valve replaced and according to the garage everything else is fine .

Sorry but i wouldnt have another . I know its a sport model but all other diesils i have had do a lot more mpg .

Rawly

I have just purchased an Avensis T180 Tourer on a 07 plate with 44k on the clock from Toyota dealer. I previously had a petrol Golf GTI mk5 bought brand new and it was the worst buy ever with endless problems that cost hundreds when the warranty ran out. I went for Toyota because people I work with who run Toyota never fault them. The Avensis T180 is far better equipped than the golf, has loads more room and feels quick for a diesel. That 3rd gear really is impressive and leaves an amazed look on other drivers when you leave them behind. It does actually pull away in every high gear. Im not heavy with the right foot and the mpg reads between 40 and 50 on the m/way, if I put it in 6th gear and set the cruise control at 65/70 then it shows 50+ on the display, around town reads 28 to 34 mpg. If the display is true then im happy. I can tell that im not using as much fuel as I am visiting the pumps far less than I was with the 2.0 golf. I got 240 miles out of a half full tank (30 ltrs).

At work I drive a BMW 330 diesel and it has been back to BMW numerous times including uneven wear on the rear tyres electic faults and a recall for brake pipes. Now the suspension is knocking with 14k on the clock and in the recent icy wet weather it was hell to drive. Run flats don`t help. Its quick though. In fact its very quick and the mpg is compared to a petrol sports with very poor return. Full tank 300 mls at most.

As for tyres I cant help with that as I have not had it long enough and ive not seen any black smoke from its rear yet. ( Thats gonna happen now ive wrote it)

Only concerns for me are the dire headlights. They are not bright enough and I have read some horror stories that changing can make the units melt. My other concern is the clutch which I read can suddenly go and can cost £1000+ to repair. With 44k on the clock im wondering if this is going to happen with me????.

In general the T180 drives and certainly looks best in tourer guise. The interior is just as good as the golf and better with electric seats, much better stereo with sat nav, loads more room inside and more economical. If you get one get the tourer in a dark colour. I would never go back to German as they cost to much, servicing is more costly, German engineering is not what it was and everyone I know never as probs with Jap motors..