TommyM

8 minutes ago, Tony Prodigy said:

You never know, your G6E might become a collectors item the way stupid car prices are going lol !

LOL i mean.... unlike the FG-X's mines an authentic german made ZF 6HP26. Perks of an FG MKII i guess.... they perfected it then ruined it with a very controversial refresh & Chinese clone of a ZF with a much lower torque handling capacity. I still might just keep it because i can. It's never really let me down besides the intermittent misfire i was having (coils breaking down after 150k), common FG thing. Not as bad compared to B-Series though. So i replaced'em with genuine Ford **cough cough** VDO & called it a day. Needless to say the ZF was not happy, god it played up big time haha !

But an ES300 with under 100k on it, so hard not to haha !

3 minutes ago, Tony Prodigy said:

I just very recently swapped out the Ryco air filter for a Wesfil unit and from what I can see, the Wesfill item looks to be well made and possibly more surface area, ie taller pleat block ? I think, although I didn't measure them. Not sure why they put a pre filter media over it though. I'm going to monitor it to see if it starts to affect air flow.

 

If i knew i'd tell you. But in my opinion the factory one doesn't have a pre-filter, so why add partial restriction ?

Also when it comes to trans gaskets, Hylomar is your friend. If it can stop rolls-royce's leaking, it can definitely stop a Toyota haha !

I actually contemplated swapping my G6E for a 05' Lexus ES300 tbh 😂😂

20 minutes ago, Novicebutnice said:

I also prefer the Ryco cabin filter over the genuine 🙂

I put k&n panel filters in my yota & G6E

Just alot easier on maintenance, reusable, washable & much better seal !

1 minute ago, Tony Prodigy said:

I'm in Western Sydney, Blacktown council.

Quad figure state, how are you holding up ?

4 minutes ago, Novicebutnice said:

I stopped using Ryco oil filters a number of years ago, when they started being made in China...

Exception of cabin filters still being good, wesfil restrict too much flow. And genuine ?, don't even get me started 😂😂

My mechanic of 30+ years has had less issues with Wesfil/NipponMax (different manufacturing plants) than Ryco themselves.

Where abouts are you based Tony ?

16 minutes ago, Tony Prodigy said:

Hi Tommy, all ok on the Western Front, despite being in lockdown and cerfew'd too. 

Bit surprised to hear about the Ryco product. They are usually the first port of call for aftermarket choice. I guess they aren't immune to declining quality control we've been accustomed to lately. I don't know why this is really. It's such a shame.

I haven't searched out Mann filters for the Aurion, but I have heard they are exceptional quality. I have always used the Mahle brand oil filters for my M3 and they are just supreme quality. You have to love German attention to detail. Quality is second to none.

During my transmission service I used the cork gasket that came with the kit and later had me thinking that wasn't a good idea. I think the service kit was a waste of money to be honest. The original strainer was perfectly fine as was the original Toyota gasket. Not that I would re use an old gasket, but I should've just bought another Toyota original gasket. I have done so since and it's in storage awaiting my next pan drain service. I'm going to toss the cork gasket in the rubbish.

As for Fuel filters, 50 series owners have extremely little choice. It's either Genuine Toyota or Coopers, who it seems has the sole right to reproduce the 50 series item. Ryco and the rest don't have one in their catalogue. I found out the hard way and I've documented this in the Aurion forum. Very frustrating stuff, so I feel your pain having to do things twice.

 

I do use ryco microshield cabin filters though where applicable. They're solid in that regard. Mann-Hummel & Mahle are just consistent quality. Yeah i checked my replacement strainer which i replaced genuine last trans service, there was nothing wrong with it. So i used it. I'd probably replace it after 80k - 100k though just as a preventative. Cooper ?, you mean Wesfil haha, NipponMax are great filters funny enough, but i just stick to my Mann. The weight difference between a Z516 & Mann equivalent is actually quite shocking with how much thicker the case & how much more filter media there is.

I'm also fitting a Mann (provent) catch can to the Yota & G6E.

I use mann because half of the price of ryco is marketing, most of the profit is ryco, i've seen the pricing structure internally. It's beyond a joke

Mann-Hummel oil filter for your aurion will be i'd guess a "HU 7019 Z"

Cabin - "CUK 1919"

Hope everyone is well, not much is new besides going insane with Victoria's ridiculous curfew. Done some more work to the Toyota recently. Transmission service (which ended up with a slight leak due to a dodgy seal), so i have to drop the clean fluid & use a GENUINE gasket. What a pain in the ***** honestly haha !

Did the fuel filter (in-tank), used an aftermarket "quality" filter. And guess what ?, issues with that too. Car runs fine, but shut the car off... minute later the pressure bleeds back into the tank because it isn't sealing properly, so again, had to go genuine for that one too. 

This is why i use Mann-Hummel filters where i can, because Ryco and associates just aren't up to scratch. Having come from Mercedes, i know basically 90% of "genuine filters" are actually made by Mann-Hummel. And truth ?, they're a much more solid built filter with the added European certified. Bit overkill. Made in Germany too !

Now Mann-Hummel don't do every single filter, but oil, fuel & air i can get for my Toyota. Same with the G6E, etc.

11 hours ago, ZZT86 said:

Yep more work involved in servicing either, Lexus would be fairly simple & not a huge load more than an Aurion whereas the BMW would just cost more in parts alone. Then there's insurance & fuel use. All the reasons why I don't own one yet, especially for a daily.

LS400, 430 & 460 are great, old school 90's style, solid construction/engineering & that wonderful V8. Chris Bangles E60 has always been a favourite, M5 would be awesome ///

Aurion - Timing Chain, she'll be right 

Avalon - Timing Belt, s**t i have to tear half the engine apart every 150k 😂😂

But hey, atleast it gets done. Can't exactly not do a timing belt on a 4.0L/4.3L V8 Lexus (interference design), if that belt snaps...... bye bye engine

Nothing wrong with old school Japanese. I'd take old school Japan over the s**t Toyota's coming out with, they're nothing like they once were sadly.

14 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

Well for a 5 series, it will have to be undoubtedly an E39 or E60 ///M5.

E39's were great minus the few issues they had. Undeniably the last decent interior from BMW !

On 7/31/2021 at 11:06 PM, ZZT86 said:

Noticed a few Mark3 Avalon Grandes for sale recently - oh if I only had plenty $$$ & space. Then again if I had $$ & space I'd get an R32GTR in pristine condition & a lovely Lexus LS for a daily or sweet 5 series Bimma. I also wouldn't mind a Porsche Boxster but now I'm getting carried away into dreamland 😐

Yeah look at the service history by comparison 😂😂

A Lexus LS430 would have been a very nice daily though. What series bimma ?

3 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

All Toyota parts are pretty stupid expensive. I have made a few enquires through Toyota recently for parts seldom seen on ebay and they will leave you with a face like this 

That was my face when they told me there was 200+ of each headlight lol still available. 

You'd be suprised at the price of some things lol

Power steering pump is around $850

Climate control blower resistor is around $900

Water pumps are reasonable $140 (Aisin) on the 1MZ, dunno what Toyota used in the 2GR-FE, but waterpumps are somewhat common 😂😂

5 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

Chances are you most likely won't find a decent set mainly due to the age of the car now and limited units sold I guess. If you are planning to keep the car long term, I'd invest in brand new genuine lights. I was able to purchase a brand new Genuine set for my Aurion ( I never mentioned it here yet) but I did try looking for a long while for a decent pair, but all the ones I came across were crap. 

At the moment I am getting away with periodic polishing, but there will come a time when they will become too funky and I will swap them out.

Yeah considering the low production figures of the Mark 3, getting certain parts is next to impossible. But in all honesty i might just buy them new & call it a day. Atleast it will transform the front end. Some things on the Avalon though i will admit are stupidly expensive 😂😂

Suppose it's expected when you have cross shared Lexus parts.

E.g window regulators are Grande specific. Etc

3 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

Have you tried to polish them ? If you have access to a machine polisher you could buff them back up to like new condition Tommy.

Nope the plastic/polycarbonate lense is actually sun damaged. Otherwise i would have polished them. Anymore and i'll start eating through the lense. But figured i'd ask around otherwise i'll fork out the $600 for the pair (mind you that's my price) retail from Toyota is $450+ each, there's plenty around funny enough. 

I'm actually well below trade because i know the boys down at Ferntree Gully Toyota 😉😝

I can still get them new, except they aren't cheap. but if anyone has ANY complete headlights that aren't severely faded i'd appreciate it. Mine have some mild discolouration but it's annoying me haha !

It ruins an otherwise very good condition car 😂

Offers & photos would be appreciated.

A power steering reservoir would be nice too provided it's not severly discoloured otherwise i'll just get one new. - but that's the same across all Avalon's

Strictly Mark 3 Avalon's

Not Mark 1 or 2, they aren't applicable.

15 hours ago, campbeam said:

Looking forward to seeing the full details of the tyres that you purchased i.e. Brand, Model, Size.

Also a follow up recommendation after the initial joy of new tyres has passed.  

I actually went with something completely unexpected.

Ended up going with Dunlop SP Sport FM800's

215/55/R16 97W XL

Big reasons i chose them. Not many tyres had the load ratings i was after. But compared to the Continental, these have stiffer sidewalls. Noticeably compared to the terrible Continental's on there. Which had nothing but gripe with.

Doughey steering on centre, don't really like taking rapid manoeuvres, super stressful in the wet, etc. 

The Dunlop's not only have a stiffer sidewall, but for a performance oriented tyre in the size i'm after. So far in the few hundred k's. Combined with the new springs/shocks, alignment, etc have completely transformed the Avalon. It's no HSV GTS but now it actually holds it's lane even at speeds 60km/h+ going into a right hand turn for example, it just grips & goes the direction you want it. Now i've got that direct "on centre" steering i lacked before.

Quieter

Much higher quality feeling tyre (Conti - China) (Dunlop - Thailand). 

Very noticable improvement in overall steering response 

Better water dispersing channels

I'm an enthusiastic driver, but now the Avalon although firmer than stock, haven't had a chance to really get a good photo. But now it's actually sitting cleanly flat, not ***** end happy. It's still super comfortable regardless. It handles the black spur with absolute ease, i actually found myself putting in a bit much steering because i had to do it prior. Also the new suspension aids in putting the power down. Still can break traction even on dry pavement like i said. 

Could have gone Yokohama BluEarth AE51 GT's but even through 2 of my contacts (Tyrepower & Jax) have both told me the Dunlop will be the better tyre with the options i previously gave them. I'm glad i did !

Wet stopping is probably the biggest improvement 😂

Happy to report i did do a purchase the other day & brought a new set of rubbers/tires/tyres for the Avalon. God what a difference it's made compared to the Continental's prior 😂😂😂

Recently i've had all new shocks, strut mounts, bearings & new springs through it. Yes it's a bit firmer than stock, but regardless it's still super comfortable 😂

Now it actually wants to take turns confidently. Combined with the new rubber, nope.... it still wants to break traction on dry pavement 😂

Suppose it's just a tight engine still, but i do run it on 98 routinely so that probably helps with it being able to fully advance timing based on the RON rating used. 

On 4/19/2021 at 4:08 AM, Tony Prodigy said:

Never heard of this group until I searched it out. It's otherwise known as Bursons. 

They got me out of a pickle once, just going off topic for a moment here, where I was desperate for some Corolla parts one weekday afternoon and NONE of the big three had anything I required, then I discovered a Bursons in my area that I never knew existed and they had ALL the parts in stock. Well done Bursons.

I didn't even see this comment 😂😂

But cheers, i/we appreciate it. Chances are if you want genuine parts, Burson can get'em.

Coils were starting to break down on my G6E, now i know for a fact the OEM are indeed VDO. So, i brought a set to rectify the slight issue atm. It's hit the point where they always break down haha !

Otherwise nothing wrong with it. 

2 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

It's not that, it's more like her pivot point when backing up off the grass into the driveway. She always manages to find the same spot and each time grinds it a little more 

Bloody pivot point bahahahaha

Must be skidding for gold.... *cough cough* digging for gold

2 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

I'm like you in that I love old brochures. I have collected a few different ones over the years. I don't have any for the Aurion though, but I have several for my E36 M3 and several motorcycles I've owned in the past. 

But finding a brochure for a Mark 3 Avalon though considering there was less than 10k built is like finding a needle in a haystack 😂

I did just decarbonise the upper plenum on the Avalon, EGR delete & a few other things. Recently services, gone with Penrite GFS for the last 15k (7500km intervals) and both G6E & Avalon love it, neither burn oil inbetween services.

On 7/1/2021 at 1:16 PM, campbeam said:

They are also playing petrol games here in Brisbane. Waited a day too long before refilling so missed out on 128.9 and paid 131.9 this morning. Just checked online and price has jumped up to 173.9

Same with Victoria, hence why i use petrolspy, brilliant app, that or fuel lock haha !

On 7/1/2021 at 1:16 PM, campbeam said:

Look forward to your overkill version of doing the coolant flush. Sure that you will be using plenty of distilled water and doing multiple flushes.

I've already done the Avalon, next time it's due is timing belt 😂

Coolant was clean anyway, though it's weird because now Penrite FINALLY have Toyota's SLLC spec, but in their purple coolant. My G6E already came factory red coolant so i've stuck to it, Nulon's red coolant meets or exceeds the specs in which they call for, so it makes life easier. I flushed it a while ago including with my homemade heater core flushing tool, works brilliant too 😂😂

Jesus, tell her to lay off the "go fast" pedal then 😂😂

Financial year is always fun, because things pop up you wouldn't otherwise see/find, lucky enough i was super chuffed when i found something i never thought i would. Avalon's had new springs, shocks, mounts all round recently. G6E's had alot spent on it too, works been flat out lol

An original Mark 3 Avalon sales brochure. Rarer than alot of things lol, it's in brilliant condition too !

Found it recently 🙂

Been a while since i was active, works just been flat out. How is everyone ?

On 5/11/2021 at 12:30 PM, NSSherlock said:

Heads up that if anyone is looking for coils then Repco has Goss coils on clearance.

Ridiculously low price it $13 each. Retail usually about $87 to $130. 

Not in stock everywhere. I managed to get 3 of 5 in stock from a store in WA. 1 year warranty m

Goss has been around for close to 70 years. They are/were a major source for OE parts. 

You're better off getting Denso OE coils from PAT (Premier Auto Trade), atleast they're OE, dunno about Goss electronics. That's my 2 cents worth 😁

14 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

That's great to know. So the parts themselves are marked as "Denso" despite the different packaging ? Is that what you mean Tommy ?

Would be good to see what they look like actually, to see how the packaging differ. Why do they do this ?

I'm very well alive, just been busy with work & the new car (2nd one anyway)