T180 - First Impressions...impressed!

[stv1x]

Took delivery of the T180 just a couple of days ago and have to say that initial impressions are very good.

It has more gadgets than my previous BMW M3 which is saying a lot as I'd spent £13k on options to bring that car up to spec

The only two minor negatives are a/ the shortness of the seat base and b/ the rather odd rear mud flaps.

As far as a) is concerned it's not a huge complaint but being 6'2" the shortness of them is rather noticeable and possibly more so on a long journey which I have yet to complete. I'm afraid that in this area I have been used to having my legs supported further towards the knee so we'll have to see how this issue progresses as I use the car more.

Issue 'b' still baffles me. I bought the mud-flaps and fitted them myself and after viewing the car from the rear, took them off again! On telephoning the 'parts' department of my local dealer I was told that even he thought that they 'should' be the same size but offered to have a look at other RAV 4's in stock and report back. On the return call it does indeed appear that they are different to allow for the exhaust....all the same it is still odd! I've put them back on for now

Delighted with the colour I chose and pretty much everything else about the car although I have been told that the 'driving lights' cannot yet be ordered as there is a 'wiring' issue with them. This is again strange as I have definitely seen another T180 that was on the Toyota Used site with them fitted. Anyone else got them?

Steve

[anchorman]

Hi

Nice looking motor

I had a BMW 3 series and it was the most comfortable car I have ever owned. The seats were superb. I have driven from Derbyshire all the way to the channel tunnel in my RAV (which has the same seats as yours) and I started to get uncomfortable after a while. Then you get concious of it and then it becomes a pain.

My mudflaps are the same as yours. I can see why they have done it but it would have made more sense to bring the exhaust out a bit nearer the middle of the car??? There is a twin tailpipe kit that I think does come out nearer the middle and would look good on your T180. It is on the accessory website. Mine is only 6 months old and has done 6000 miles and I am surprised just how rust spotted the exhaust is. I hope it lasts OK.

I have never seen a 4.3 with driving lights, only 4.2's so I'll watch out for them.

Anyway enjoy the motor. My 140 has just loosened up and goes really well. I can't imagine what that thing will go like!

Good luck

[sywy]

Nice car :) What colour is it? Can't remember the exact description, but carbon something or other?

Oh, and and your other car's not bad either ;)

[Manxrav]

Nice car :) What colour is it? Can't remember the exact description, but carbon something or other?

Oh, and and your other car's not bad either ;)

Wecome to another T180 owner. They are one class motor, had mine 8 months and luv it to bits. Must make a comment about your other motor, here on the Isle Of Man would you believe there are more Aston Martins on the roads than T180,s, I,ve only ever seen one (T180) on the roads besides mine.Exclusive or what!!!!

Clare

[stv1x]

Nice car :) What colour is it? Can't remember the exact description, but carbon something or other?

Carbon Quartz. It changes colour from grey to black depending on the light and as I said, I'm really pleased with it. Generally, and imho, I'm not a fan of either silver or grey, having owned a steel grey R32 before, but this seems to work well.

Originally, the car was specced up for my better half as I'd probably have chosen black but a change of mind, on her part, to wanting an EOS convertible left me taking the car instead.

My opinion is that I came out with the better car :D

Steve

Must make a comment about your other motor, here on the Isle Of Man would you believe there are more Aston Martins on the roads than T180,s, I,ve only ever seen one (T180) on the roads besides mine.Exclusive or what!!!!

Clare

Thanks Clare, I'll remember which car to travel in if I'm ever in your neck of the woods :D

Actually, I haven't seen another T180 around Warwickshire either other than at the local dealership so looks like I made the right decision to limit the miles on the AM to 6k per year.

Steve

[Sussex_Paul]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum!!

I've had my T180 for the past 5 months and have been nothing but impressed with it, I hope things go well for you with yours too.

My neighbours bought a T180 a few months after mine in Carbon Quartz and I have to say, it's a great choice of colour, especially when it's polished up there's a really deep shine to it.

In the 1st picture of your Rav, it looks like the rear offside passenger window doesn't have any tint in it!!!??? Is this just a photographic illusion???

Lastly, I was going to tell you not to worry too much about the fuel consumption (as it will improve as the miles build), but having seen your beautiful 'other' car, I don't think you'll be too bothered!!!

Paul.

[stv1x]

In the 1st picture of your Rav, it looks like the rear offside passenger window doesn't have any tint in it!!!??? Is this just a photographic illusion???

Hi Paul, Thanks for the welcome!

It is just an optical illusion as the tint is where it should be :)

I was wondering about the fuel consumption particularly the 'Range' on a full tank. I was expecting it to show at least 400 miles on a full tank but it's not showing much more than about 380. I'm not overly concerned as fuel saving is, as you've identified, a bonus as I've done well to get 20mpg from most of my previous cars

400 miles into ownership and have to say that I'm so far enjoying the experience.

[anchorman]

In the 1st picture of your Rav, it looks like the rear offside passenger window doesn't have any tint in it!!!??? Is this just a photographic illusion???

Hi Paul, Thanks for the welcome!

It is just an optical illusion as the tint is where it should be :)

I was wondering about the fuel consumption particularly the 'Range' on a full tank. I was expecting it to show at least 400 miles on a full tank but it's not showing much more than about 380. I'm not overly concerned as fuel saving is, as you've identified, a bonus as I've done well to get 20mpg from most of my previous cars

400 miles into ownership and have to say that I'm so far enjoying the experience.

You won't get brilliant fuel consumption because every time you get in it you'll grow horns and cane it :D

[Steve@Aberdeen]

I was wondering about the fuel consumption particularly the 'Range' on a full tank. I was expecting it to show at least 400 miles on a full tank but it's not showing much more than about 380. I'm not overly concerned as fuel saving is, as you've identified, a bonus as I've done well to get 20mpg from most of my previous cars

I suspect (based on experience rather than a knowledge of the algorithms used) that the range figure will depend on the recent mpg you've been getting - which should improve after you've done more miles and settle into a regular driving pattern (not experimenting with a new car, blasting it to see what it will do, etc). My XT4 initially showed around 450 miles pulling away from a fill-up, it now tends to be just over 490 (and I tend to use the same garage, pump and fill level each week).

[Sussex_Paul]

I suspect there is a difference between the two settings in the fuel computer.

The first which gives you your current average at the time or for as long as you want until you reset it.

The second, on the range, which I think works cumulatively, averaging out over a longer period and gradually improves over time.

Certainly mine didn't show anymore than 380 miles on a full tank initially, but is showing 420 now, and I don't drive to maximise my economy!!!!

On a related issue, I have heard that the new Shell Diesel V Power suits our engine as it gives both an increase in performance AND Fuel economy too (which is nice).

Just got to wait for them to start selling it down my way now.... :ffs: