Buy A Sr180, Xt-R Or Other?

[Hardtailhero]

All - Looking to join the RAV4 fraternity!

Had a good scout about and fancy a SR180 (bout 08 reg), found some decent buys but . . . . .there is always a but!!

I believe they have run flat tyres and that is an expensive route to go? Is this true??

Would like some suggestions as I'm sure some of you guys have been here before, do I buy a lesser BHP (XTR maybe?) and chip it or should I stick with the SR180?

All suggestions/comments/pro's/con's welcome!!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Peter - welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

Topic moved to Rav4 club.

Also see. http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/132178-charliefarlies-guide-to-the-toyota-2ad-diesel-engine-and-its-issues/

[Madasafish]

You are aware of the engine issues? £££££s if more than 7 years old/poor service history.

Run flats are the spawn of the devil: expensive and harsh ride. You can sort it out - search the forum.

As for the engine issues, I decided that engine issues AND runflats meant the 180 series are a no go.. too many expensive things to go wrong.. and probably will.

[philip42h]

I bought an SR180 from new in 2009 and ran it for 4.5 years without any issues at all - a great car.

Yes it's on run-flats and they are a tad more expensive that the equivalent Bridgestone Duellers without the run-flat symbol, but they last a long time (good mileage) and work well (on the one occasion that I had a puncture). The ride is fine - nothing to complain about there though folk who've removed them do say the ride without the support rings is better.

The real problem is that they need to go back to a Toyota dealer to have the tyre changed because it takes a special machine to do the job. My local Mr T provided the service so that was no problem for me ... you just need to be aware of the restriction. At the end of the day, Toyota decided that the BSR system wasn't such a great idea, largely because it was unique to the RAV, and stopped using it ...

[mick1020]

Ive had both and much prefer the 180 . Smoother and a lot more powerful . I also tried a chip in the 140 but never felt as nice as the standard 180 .

[Hardtailhero]

Got a 08 64k miles sr180 in my sights. Looking at the tyre makes (All sports & Nancock) I believe the "donut" from the wheels have already been removed. In addition spoke to my local T dealer and they confirmed there is one "special machine" per county and our "Special machine" is not working and they were sending people to my regular tyre dealer (who already confirmed they are happy to cut the donuts out) to have the issue resolved. T dealer then stated they would be happy to sell me a tin of sealing foam and a compressor.

Thing is do I go for the 08 64k miles standard spec (suspected) non run flats for x amount or the 09 77k miles sat nav blue tooth and side bars with run flats (which I will convert) for x- £1.3k. First sr180 is 10 mins away second is 7 hrs round trip! !

I'm swaying for the less miles on clock option!

Ps thanks for the replies!!

[Hardtailhero]

Less miles on clock option and slowly add to like tow bar, side rails, not too bothere by sat nav as all phones have it and tom toms are plentiful in the family. Bit also believe the sat nav is same as that in my audi A3 and have to pay for the updates, which I won't do!!

Chipping the xt-r was in the back of the mind but not looked into it.

[Blooboy]

Hi, I'm a fairly advanced person and have always liked cars, especially ones that have been customised. This uniqueness always had me interested and back in the day we would have modded our cars(shhhh). Have been bitten by the T bug, and have had several over the last few years.

Daughter has a Yaris vvti in red

Son has a 02 Corolla 2.0 D4D in Blue

Wife has a 06 Corolla 2.0 D4D in black

Me have a 08 Auris sr180 in black

Without a doubt the Auris 180 is the smoothest car I have ever owned and driven, have had Camry 2.0 petrol, Avensis 2.0 D4D, early Corolla with 2.0 diesel, also had a few Bluebirds.

Even though the sr is not a performance car it has everything upgraded, the engine being 2.2 standard.

I have owned it 2 years now, and still love driving it. Some friends or family reckon I'm reliving my youth, but I still like when I put my foot down for things to start happening. I'm having fun with it but am always aware of proper road use and laws.

Toyota have it rated for 130mph and it goes straight to it, (so I am told, me being 60+ years on this planet)

So if this has helped you to choose, great. I would have no problems in buying another one,

HTH Dee

[mick1020]

Peter I've had mine for 5 years and the Runflats have been a help not a hindrance in my case, but when they wear down I will be fitting normal tyres still just purely on cost and convenience .

Think I would view the closer one first also.

With the seats dropped you can fit 3 Mtb's in too !!! ;)

[Hardtailhero]

Thanks gents. I'm am swaying towards the less miles and pre converted run flats and stomach the increase on cost! Still to sell the Mrs beetle first!!

And still to try fitting my 29er and 26 with seats down!! 😆😆

[dwilson]

Less likely to have the engine issues with the newer car. Ok to take the risk and have a punt if you have a spare £3k or £4k .....

[Hardtailhero]

Hmm I don't. But off 9 a 6 hr round trip to have a look today. Here's hoping!!

[mick1020]

Hmm I don't. But off 9 a 6 hr round trip to have a look today. Here's hoping!!

How did you get on m8 and Was it worth the trip?

[Hardtailhero]

Nope was a poor show. Described as imaculate, never in the memory of man! Understanding it was a 6yr old car there were chips of paint missing with rust starting, the log book had service history all stamped and dated up to last four yrs which were hand wrote with same handwriting and colour of pen with no Toyota stamp. Not suspicious at all??!!

Had a drive (drove 7 hrs round trip to view it) and each time changed direction of steering a clunk could be heard and felt!! Left not a happy chappy! Rough ride back home for the mrs!!

Bit the bullet and bought the local one today, pick up tomorrow! Sr180 08 62 miles with run flats changed to standard tyres.

Anybody got any suggestions on where to get running rails??

Again thanks for the advice gents!

[mick1020]

Shocking some peoples idea of immaculate .

Glad you got one sorted in the end .

What colour ? Maybe eBay for the steps ;)

[Hardtailhero]

Black good condition for a 6yr old vehicle!

[Hardtailhero]

Well got it and v happy. Got a 300 mile round road trip this weekend to put it through its paces!

Anybody know how to reset mpg??

[mick1020]

Looks very nice Peter good choice . When in MPG display mode press and hold down the right button ( i think )

[Hardtailhero]

I'll give it a try cheers

[Hardtailhero]

Get some better pics if rain let's up tomorrow

[Hardtailhero]

What mpg are you guys getting from the rs 180's?? Other car is an audi and has brilliant mpg, been to glasgow today and only got 30mpg, is that average. Journey was with an empty vehicle and 3 people!!

[mick1020]

I get around 40 mpg now but when I first bought it was mid 30's . I found that learning to take your foot off the accelerator and flooring it at the right time helps loads and keeping an eye on the Instant mpg indicator helps .

Did you fill the tank back up to get your mpg or off the on board computer?

[Hardtailhero]

Got size 13 feet so hard to keep the right hand side pedal ☺ taking the reading from on board comp.

[philip42h]

Over 56,000 miles with my SR180 I averaged 37.5 mpg using the brim-to-brim method - effectively total miles driven divided by total fuel purchased. I rarely got over 40mpg from a single tank and rarely below 35mpg but the actual results will depend very much on how the car is driven. I've never trusted the OBC readings and didn't make use of them though others seemed to have mastered the art.

[Hardtailhero]

Does the 08 sr180 have belts or a chain?? Garage suggested chain but who believes a car sales man? ?