mick0082

They wont scrub! This size tyre is the correct one for the job. If you punch the specs of the stock rubber into a tyre calculator you will find that 225/35/18 is the closest match in rolling circumference without going over. I have the exact same tyres, nice boots for the money! Alot of guys tried to talk me into a 215/35/18 but its way off for rolling circumference and too narrow across the rim, tyre gutter protector doesnt even come into play as the tyres are 'pulled' across the rim. Zav, That looks just like mine after I had the rims fitted. Personally if you want a decent look without sacrificing too much ride quality go with King lows (not superlows). On superlows mine was sitting on the bumpstops. Unless of course your going all out and fitting adjustables! Enjoy!

I hit my dealer up for touch up paint when I picked up my car. Everyone I know who owns a Toyota has had a tin supplied upon purchase. It was no surprise to me that my Sportivo didnt have a tin, thats just my luck. I asked the dealer and he tried to tell me that facelifted models dont come with it. So he ordered me a tin but it wasnt even the right colour code so I just handed it straight back. I have spoken to spare parts at another dealership and they supported what some of you guys have mentioned here. Even if the correct code is obtained, the match is horrible. They quoted me $6 for a tin if I really wanted to give it a go but I decided I might just get a good spray painter to mix me a tin. Spare parts guys agreed. Perhaps this could be arranged as a group buy to make it more worthwhile for the painters. I'm 040 (super white)

Your right, Falkens arent the best but they are miles in front of the Nankangs your looking at getting. I ended up buying a set of Falken ZE512's (225/35/18) and couldnt be happier. I have a friend with a set of Nankang NS1's and yes...under 10,000km's on the clock, they're delaminating also. I realise the Falkens I have chosen arent as good as some of the rubber other guys have here but they are a quality Japanese tyre at a decent price ($240ea). To me its worth the extra $320 for the set. Do the math, $320 isnt much over the life of your tyres. Its not like your buying them every week.....but then again with Nankangs, you might have to...... Sorry, this isnt a "pick on Nankang owners" entry, just feel if your bothering to go to an 18 (as was my case), you should be prepared to cough up the bikkies and do it right!

Doesnt the 120i use run flat tyres though? I could be wrong.

So what kind of aftermarket pads is everyone using on Sportivos out there? Post em up!

I'd be concerned about the black finish chipping.

Nice look, not sure if it would be boring after a while, it does match the entrie interior better though. I think the current Sportivo facia finish breaks up the dark interior a little. Thats a dodgy install of those aftermarket modules though.

Make your own mind up on that one. Some people are after the cheapest price possible. Others would prefer to pay a little more to know they are going to have good aftersales service. My method is to approach all dealerships and give them 1 opportunity to quote (no haggling). Let them know that your shopping round so that they know your serious. Remember to compare apples with apples so have the exact same quote prepared by each dealership (same car, colour, accessories, trade etc). Whoever comes up with the best price or lowest changeover price obviously gets the deal. Hasnt failed for me yet!

Hang on, if its stored in the ECU like you say, then wouldnt those figure relay back to the new cluster when installed? Therefore leaving your odometer at the same reading?

This is a great idea in theory but what about the need for peripherals (mouse, keyboard, USB devices etc). Surely these would all be difficult to use while driving not to mention finding somewhere to secure them. Playing music or simply changing track would require you to pull over. Just not sure if this would be as good as it all sounds.

You'd assume that it would be, being that the positioning of the kp/h markings are in the same place as they are on our cars, just smaller. To my knowlege, there is no reasonable excuse as to why they would re-wire the instrument cluster. If they made them all the same, then they can chop and change them depending on where they sold the cars to. Steve - Are you able to get an image of the plugs in the back of the T-Sport one from anywhere. I think I have an image here somewhere of what our's look like. ← It would be nice if these fit as easy as we think, would add a nice highlight to the interior, would match my white car nicely too. What about kms on the odometer? Would that reset or stay as it is recorded? Anyone know much about all this?

$27,000 drive away? Where at? I went to a dealer today to check out the cost and if i can remember, About $28,900 for the car, dealer charges $1095, Rego $250, CTP $335, Stamp Duty $909. So the on road cost is approximately $2600. In total would cost about $31600. I wonder how much further they can discount. ← If your really ready to put down the bikkies the dealer will do you a deal thats almost a guarantee, especially if its getting toward the end of the month and they're down on their quota. When your really ready attack the dealerships!

What I was suggesting was that if the handle come painted as a spare part then they should just swap over. The panel beater should remove the handle to respray it anyway. Never seen a job come out of a panel beaters 100% right. Always colour matching, spray quality and overspray issues. Bottom line, they dont care enough or have too much on to do it properly. Only ones I've ever seen done right are the ones when the painter does his own car or cars that ppl pay big bikkies to have full resprays done. Thats my own personal experience...

Does anyone know if the door handles come painted? If so then they should be fitting a brand new replacement. Mucking around with panel beaters is just dodgy.

The T-Sport one is nice but it kinda sucks how its is predominantly in MPH and KMPH is smaller. But I guess that suits the UK. So are these available at a realistic Australian price? Anyone know if it would be "plug-out, plug-in" installation?

Whats that cluster look like? Would it be a straight replacement or alot of mucking round with wiring? That site has some awesome stuff. I would be interested in: Corolla Logo door panel with logo: E12-PZ438-E1180-00 ($240AUD) Chrome rear flag cover chrome: E12-PZ415-E9490-ZB ($160AUD) Those prices are converted from Euro $ listed on the site. Any chance of these at a more competitive price?

I'm also keen to find out how the magnaflow sounds, its a dam fine lookin piece of gear.

I hear ya! My brakes look tiny! Agreed with what others have said though, the stockers work ok for road use and its not overly hard to change the rotors and pads.

Check your service manual that should have been supplied with the vehicle. If the detail in there has changed then I guess you cant argue. You can however request that the oil and filter be changed and vehicle be checked at your cost. Although, if the service manual stipulates a 1000km service, then the dealership needs to honour this and it should be complimentary (except if you request an oil change and they supply oil). NOTE: (was already typing my reply when the above post was published).

That rear skirt looks very nice, looks like it would match the Sportivo kit well. Obviously with a skirt like that you have to remove the mud spats. Any of you guys with rear skits have problems with stone chips?

Does anyone have a pic of the wingtips of which you speak?

Personally i'd be after: TRD CAI Possibly TRD front and rear sway bars Altezza lights - black or silver backings (depends what looks best on a white car) Genuine bonnet protector - (silly as it sounds i've been trying to get one everywhere, apparently they are on backorder australia wide for the post facelift). And a 1 piece rear mat in charcoal that extends over the transmission tunnel. (genuine mats for the rear a two piece)

Yeah bout how much will they be asking. Genuine parts can be dear as poison. Price to upgrade to the current Double Din sat nav system is approx $3000 (so i'm told).

You cant even compare an excel gearbox to the one in the sportivo. The sportivo box is much more a precision instrument and therefore needs to be treated as one. The sportivo is aimed at the hot hatch segment whereas an excel is in the economical small car segment. They are designed with different drivers in mind and built accordingly. Sorry to say it but to me an excel gearbox feels like a wooden spoon in a bowl of custard. Now dont get me wrong, i'm not having a go at excels. Thought I would mention this seeing as though a comparison of the two has been started.

I'd have to agree with this one, i'm not usually shifting into first if the car is still carrying decent momentum. If I am stopped or very nearly stopped, 1st engages fine. But as mentioned you have to have worked out your rev matching. Its a challenging but fun car to learn. Its not 'idiot proof' like a WRX but that makes it more rewarding when you do start to work it out. I've had my car since the end of May and i'm still finessing 1-2 shifts etc. Dont let any of this deter you though. If you think your car has a problem, may as well have it checked out.