New Member Avensis Questions - Coachwork, Engine

[daws]

Hi Guys

I bought an avensis tourer 04 plate D4 carlo blue, from a dealership about 6 weeks ago I have two questions:

When I bought it the coachwork seemed to be very good but as the rains come in I notice litle scratches and scrapes appearing. It is obvious that the dealership used a some sort of "scuff coat" on it - can anybody offer advice?

Also when cold the engine rattles particularly when revving gently in 3rd or 4th gear at low speed - is that usual for the D4

cheers

daws

[T600]

In the first instance I'd ask the dealer whether they'll repair it FOC. My Lexus developed some scratches shortly after I got it - i.e. I think they were there when I bought it but I didn't see them because they were waxed over; dealer fixed that and a number of other issues without any charge. Not sure whether Toyota dealers will do the same as I've never bought a second hand Toyota from one.

And in any case, ask them what's on there. It could be a sealant coat or it could be scratches in the clear coat that were perhaps covered by wax.

If it's scratches in the top coat then personally I'd polish them out and apply a good coat of wax on a regular basis. But beware - if you're not careful and don't know what you're doing you can cause more damage if you do it yourself, in which case it's better to find a local detailer to do a professional job on it.

And try not to add any new ones by using good cleaning technique - i.e. by hand using the two bucket method. See the detailing thread for more info on this.

Sorry don't know the answer to your other question; but as far as I'm aware Diesels rattle lots, so how you distinguish one type of rattle from another I don't know ;)

[daws]

In the first instance I'd ask the dealer whether they'll repair it FOC. My Lexus developed some scratches shortly after I got it - i.e. I think they were there when I bought it but I didn't see them because they were waxed over; dealer fixed that and a number of other issues without any charge. Not sure whether Toyota dealers will do the same as I've never bought a second hand Toyota from one.

And in any case, ask them what's on there. It could be a sealant coat or it could be scratches in the clear coat that were perhaps covered by wax.

If it's scratches in the top coat then personally I'd polish them out and apply a good coat of wax on a regular basis. But beware - if you're not careful and don't know what you're doing you can cause more damage if you do it yourself, in which case it's better to find a local detailer to do a professional job on it.

And try not to add any new ones by using good cleaning technique - i.e. by hand using the two bucket method. See the detailing thread for more info on this.

Sorry don't know the answer to your other question; but as far as I'm aware Diesels rattle lots, so how you distinguish one type of rattle from another I don't know ;)

Many thanks T600