kwach10

better use for our shopping centres :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_KIqdS1SO0...feature=channel

one for K was 28+20 pounds, delivered. Do your sums on the exchange rate and extra charges for o/s card transaction (paypal is free but gets conversion bonus) and it comes close for just one. So not worth the trouble.

Nope, not really. These are only good for fresh, wet snow and roads that have been salted and/or sanded (not done in OZ), i.e. when they can dig in through to the road. Once you are on compacted snow, or ice - these are useless, and on normal road very noisy. However, if you have them fitted with spikes, than it is a different story for use on ice. But we do not get these type of conditions here. Roads are cleared within a day. So chains are emergency only, unlike in EU, US or Canada. By the way, my Toyos have very deep thread so I anticipate they will do nicely in a fresh snow, the most likely emergency around Kosciuszko.

OK, these can be good fit but......there may be an issue with the space between the tyre and the strut (very narrow in Kluger). I would ask or even test it before buying. Koenig make one for a narrow space (12mm) which should be fine.

Two brands of chains are: http://www.autotecnica.com.au/snow_chains.html and http://www.konig.it/SchedaProd.aspx?ID=818 Either are available through different stores in OZ. Problem: none are matching Kluger 19 wheel/tyre size, but the first one is very close. Hill descent function is not reserved for off-road use (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_Descent_Control_system) but can be very helpful when going down on a slippery road, when sudden breaking can cause a nasty surprise - have seen few of these with heavy 4x4s or a truck

Anyone within a Sydney/south coast/ACT area wanting to part with their factory wheels (4x100) due to an upgrade - let me know :)

By law, we must carry chains even for 4wd cars, although normally will not need them nor would we be stopped to put them on. I never used to put chains on Magna 4wd (same constant 50% split) and did very well, even when "real" 4wd were having problems. Its the way you drive that makes the difference, mostly. Softly and smoothly does it!!! and using engine to slow and brake is a must!!! We also have an option of putting it into a snow drive mode (a button), and a descent mode (a button), which should help. Kluger should do fine except the factory tyres may not be very grippy in a slush or deep snow. I would also like to get chains for my car, just to be on the safe side. B)

In that case swv11n you should visit the K&N website (http://www.knfilters.com/default.htm) and tell them so ;) They have done a bit of testing and for some of the elements (not pods of full intakes) they claim interesting improvements. But for me just not binning $50 every so often will be a good enough outcome, as will be the ability to maintain a well breathing engine with a periodical clean. OK, RICE here are some links for you (and others): the UK shop - http://www.filterpower.co.uk/index.htm and the element for new K: http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=33-2260 (Highlander) You can search the site for other applications, but in some cases their filters do not match with OZ model cars so need to ask or go by the factory part number. Lesley from Kinnor Services (sales@filterpower.co.uk) is very helpful particularly if you want to get a few, as I did. It will cost you 20 pounds to ship one, or three, or possibly more, so the economy of scale works well in this case. Even for a single one, the total cost will be under the local cost, even if you get a discount (20% from Repco until the end of this month)

I just ordered (from UK) a K&N air filter for my K and other 2 cars. $50 for a bit of paper mache, or even more for another car, is just a bit too rich for me. So for a little bit more, I will get one that last forever and apparently offers other benefits. Pretty much half price (compared with Repco) for each including postage!!!. Clearly - this is still a penal colony Will let you know any performance/economy benefits.

That is odd. I thought my 19 inch was only 103, and compliant? How about bit more off road: http://www.toyo.com.au/OPAT.htm

Why not investigate toyos (http://www.toyo.com.au/OPHT.htm) - very happy with them on Grande 4wd, and they probably out-rate M on wear and performance. I have decided to never fit M based on really bad past experience - crap!

A friend bough a set for RAV4 and was very happy with the next day delivery to Melbourne and the way these fit the car. Personally, I see no need but I am tall

Not complaining just stating obvious! This ain't your Beetle/Lucas-style cartridge-type filter - have look before making an assumption. If folded, it will fit in a 20 cigarette box. 1. What has a limited but captive market to do with major savings in the cost and complexity of the manufacture??? Particularly, as there is no alternative for these cars, and the car manufacturer controls the supply until major re-tooling of after market competitors. In fact, every filter will be sold by Toyota probably for years to come. As the Toyota fleet is renewed Ryco and others will face a major challenge with obsolete lines of parts. 2. So you can't see how making and then scraping/damping 1000s of tons of steel will effect the environment???

In case you have not looked yet, from Kluger/Aurion onwards, Toyota have followed the lead of some Germans and the oil filter is now an insert - basically a bit of origami (http://dev.origami.com/diagram.cfm). A similar case for an air filter element, though this time its flat and frame-less. One would expect a major "environmental" applause for that move, but media are silent about that, and I did not see Toyota trumpeting it either. Instead, they push nonsensical overall benefits of the hybrid technology, as do others with similar designs. Have a look at what a certain driving expert had to say about the latest Honda offering: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/j...icle6294116.ece Considering the cost of materials and manufacturing complexity of standard filters, and transportation costs, one would expect a major price benefit. Hope is .... <_<

try ebay - should be about $400 with delivery from Sydney ;)

here is the most recent review of the new RX: http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...=62533&vf=2 to me an overall conclusion: Kluger at current prices is a steal Even if you pay well over 60K for a Grande 4wd, you are saving over 30K and get a better car, even without 6spd box. The Germans are also not up to scratch in my book :) But consider this, as discussed in another topic, in US one can get an equivalent of a new RX as Toyota Venza for about a half the price (our money)!!! http://www.toyota.com/venza/demos.html?gal.../v6-engine.html Life sucks in a colony Well, lets hope Rome burns soon

50K this week will service at a trusted shop with a swap from fully synthetic 10-40 to 5-30 (castrol @ $52 for 5L) , for winter driving to the snow and -10C morning starts

dream on unless you want a 4 cyl version although new box may be a reality http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com...-highlander.htm and how about the prices - looks like the yen did not go up against the US$ at all http://www.internetautoguide.com/new-cars/...nder/index.html they rob us blind here!

Well, how long would you want me to wait? With the fronts (now on back) after 7K, I am very happy. Perhaps the only minor issue may be marginally increased noise, but I may be imagining since it is the road (with rough topping) that is most responsible. On a new smooth surface on the Hume - silent! Just took it for a spin to Melb but via the coast route, and through the h-way of 1000 turns (Bombala/Delegate/Orbost). Normally I take an easy and fast Cann River H-way, but the alternative looked attractive particularly as a test on gravel and mountain descents. Both the car and tyres passed with flying colours, although the family almost decorated the road - lucky the principal driver chose to fly. Put through some corners up to the limit (with a few mid corner corrections required), there was not a noise from tyres and the grip was fantastic. There was not enough gravel to get an impression but the car felt stable up to 80+ in some sections. Obviously the Wheels staff can not drive! (Top Gear Mag opinion too) Will do some more testing this w-end on the way to Bega Fuel economy for about 1700 km round trip to Melb - 10.7 L/100 - not bad, considering I got stuck for 1/2h in very heavy traffic in Melb from Kew to St.Kilda (@17 L/100)

Having recently put new toyos on front only at first, I did get wheel alignment at a place which I though would do a good job. As I reported previously, they said my toe was out on the front and the camber (not adjustable) was OK, being -0.8 on the left and -0.5 on the right. I took it back once since the wheel was off the center and the car did pull slightly left - they apparently fixed it with no extra charge. Then I put a pair of new toyos on the back, and that upset the alignment somewhat, with wheel off center again and more pronounced pull to the left. Decided to spend more money at a more reputable establishment. This time, this suspension specialist outfit appears to have come up with different figures. Front toe was marginally out on each front wheel, but more importantly the front camber figures were different: left -0.35 and right -0.40, thus not as good for road camber! The rear camber was L:-0.45; R:-0.30 so OK. They set rear toe in marginally at +0.2 on each wheel - this reduces over steer should I get .... Asked if they recommend camber bolts - they said - no need. Buy the way, Whiteline do offer both front (17mm) and rear (15mm) camber bolts for Kluger, but ask for Aurion or late camry since they have no listing under kluger. Moral of this story: do not trust one mob with wheel alignment, if they do not get it right the first time!

Well, I would have to disagree (partly ;) with you again and we could argue for ever, so briefly... I do not know how close is your estimate on that 90% parts sharing between x5 & x6, but I agree they attract a totally different buyer since: "in its intended function the X6 does brilliantly well, handling more like a sports car than a soft-roader. Our test car was aided by optional Adaptive Drive, which combines active stabiliser bars and dampers." Engine choice for X6 is limited to high performance only unlike that for x5, and so on. In contrast, venza differs only marginally, and only in an exterior wrapper, particularly against the new RX, with which it shares the interior space and 6-sd g-box, although not 4wd system (apparently). Performance wise, kluger, venza and rx are virtually identical - same engine choice. OK, rx typically attracts a different buyer, particularly in Oz because of idiotic luxury tax-linked benefits, i.e., as an ego boosting device (champagne, free service and valet parking at opera) and as a tax deduction benefit highly relevant for a certain group of tax office victims. Yet, should Venza appear in Oz, with the price advantage evident in the US over top spec Kluger and lexus, many (including lexus-seeking tax "victims") would consider it as an alternative. In my case, you are correct, it would be to kluger, because I have no need for more than 5 seats and would welcome a real middle seat, although a hatch is a minor detractor. I could probably live with a funny gear stick well? :)

Well, did you check the specs? Obviously its not a replacement, being sold along the Highlander, but all the relevant diameters are virtually identical. Mechanically it is the same. The body is clearly a Lexus RX with more edges and with the same seat configuration and a very similar interior. Value for money appears to be exceptional for a normal size family. Unlikely to come here since Lexus RX would be decimated!

I would try this mob :o http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-2008-T...%3A1|240%3A1318

Firstly lets get the name right! :D But .... why bother since it may not be relevant for much longer: A new Kluger may be renamed to Venza: http://www.toyota.com/venza/ http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/ve...ience/?exp=true well, how do you like it? what is the price you were given? - new lexus went up by 14%! On a second look, it appears that this new model is a significantly cheaper car (a dream in our colony!) but with better performance and closely based on lexus!!! 5 seater only (I like that!)

Before going to all that trouble I would explore US and Canadian ebay for an original replacement - you might be surprised by the cost