RE: Toyota Auris SR180: Unsung hero
Discussion
I think they're not as good as figures suggest. Unlike other 2.0 common rail diesels they'e reluctant to rev, and they understeer like any comparable VAG diesel. You would probably be better off buying one instead of a Renaultsport Megane 2.2 DCI or comparable VAG TDI, but I'm sure the steering, and handling, is better on the Renaultsport.
They're under-rated, but unless you really need the space, or do long journeys over 45 minutes, I'd buy a warm 1.5 or 1.6 petrol hatch instead. I regret buying a sporty diesel instead of a warm hatch, as they cost a similar amount to fuel and are more fun. It depends what you want from a car, and how you like them to handle.
They're under-rated, but unless you really need the space, or do long journeys over 45 minutes, I'd buy a warm 1.5 or 1.6 petrol hatch instead. I regret buying a sporty diesel instead of a warm hatch, as they cost a similar amount to fuel and are more fun. It depends what you want from a car, and how you like them to handle.
russy01 said:
We had one and it was dog s
t. It was the biggest motoring mistake we made and I have absolutely no idea what made us buy it.... (cheap deal as we knew dealer principal and we wanted a pokey derv)
It was boring to drive - it did not handle at all.
Pig Ugly to look at
Fuel Consumption was st - this engine is known to chew fuel and after while itself.
During our short ownership we had an engine rebuild as it chomped itself. My parents had an IS220d with the same lump and during their ownership they had a spanking new engine off a crate which also chomped itself....
We then had many many other problems. Thankfully the car was still under warranty but during out short ownership (12months) the car had £12,000 of work carried out at Toyota.
After our last bout of problems we left the car at the garage and told them we'd rather come pick up a cheque than the car and this is what we did. They paid us off and we went and bought something else...
We may have had a dog, but I would personally tell anybody considering this motor to completely avoid it. Much better cars out there for the same cash..... I cannot find a positive point unless you are getting an unbelievable deal...
Not surprised. Japanese cars were paragons of reliability until they started building diesel engines. They were late to the party and IMHO took short cuts without having the years of development experience that the likes of PSA and VAG had. Take the Mazda 6 Mk1. The petrol engine version(which I have) runs like clockwork and never gives any bother. The diesel one on the other hand has a long history of basically giving up the ghost. Read the Honest John website for various tales of woe. I understand the basic premise of this article in that it goes and handles better than you expect but would you really honestly take one over something like a Seat Leon FR TDI or Golf GTD? t. It was the biggest motoring mistake we made and I have absolutely no idea what made us buy it.... (cheap deal as we knew dealer principal and we wanted a pokey derv)It was boring to drive - it did not handle at all.
Pig Ugly to look at
Fuel Consumption was s
t - this engine is known to chew fuel and after while itself. During our short ownership we had an engine rebuild as it chomped itself. My parents had an IS220d with the same lump and during their ownership they had a spanking new engine off a crate which also chomped itself....
We then had many many other problems. Thankfully the car was still under warranty but during out short ownership (12months) the car had £12,000 of work carried out at Toyota.
After our last bout of problems we left the car at the garage and told them we'd rather come pick up a cheque than the car and this is what we did. They paid us off and we went and bought something else...
We may have had a dog, but I would personally tell anybody considering this motor to completely avoid it. Much better cars out there for the same cash..... I cannot find a positive point unless you are getting an unbelievable deal...
I bought a T180 for commuting, with the idea of having an economical car with a little bit of poke. I can honestly say I got neither.
The majority was motorway miles with consideration given to economy and I could barely achieve 40mpg. On the performance side of life in gear acceleration was okay but nothing I would describe as sporty. On one particularly boring afternoon I even tried a timed 0-60 which if I can remember wasn't under 10secs. Plus the build quality wasn't amazing the interior creaked constantly.
In short there is a reason why they aren't very expensive. If your tempted by one have a look at hot hatch alternatives first because in this instance you can't have your cake and eat it.
... but the reliability was okay.
The majority was motorway miles with consideration given to economy and I could barely achieve 40mpg. On the performance side of life in gear acceleration was okay but nothing I would describe as sporty. On one particularly boring afternoon I even tried a timed 0-60 which if I can remember wasn't under 10secs. Plus the build quality wasn't amazing the interior creaked constantly.
In short there is a reason why they aren't very expensive. If your tempted by one have a look at hot hatch alternatives first because in this instance you can't have your cake and eat it.
... but the reliability was okay.
Seriously looked into buying one of these, a few years ago until i discovered...
Reports of horrific fuel economy, as mentioned caused not only by the frequently blocking EGR, but also a 5th injector Toyota saw fit to incorporate - solely for the purpose of burning exhaust gasses for lower emissions. Kind of defeats the point, doesn't it?
Oh, and thanks to the ECU, you can't remap it - if that kind of thing floats your boat.
Went for a 2.2 Civic instead - a far better all round car and quite easily remapped above and beyond the stock SR/T180's figures.
Reports of horrific fuel economy, as mentioned caused not only by the frequently blocking EGR, but also a 5th injector Toyota saw fit to incorporate - solely for the purpose of burning exhaust gasses for lower emissions. Kind of defeats the point, doesn't it?
Oh, and thanks to the ECU, you can't remap it - if that kind of thing floats your boat.
Went for a 2.2 Civic instead - a far better all round car and quite easily remapped above and beyond the stock SR/T180's figures.
dasbimmerowner said:
The figures on paper for these were pretty decent, but in reality the power band on this engine was incredibly narrow, as a result they never really felt as quick as the figures suggested. A 177hp 320d (or equivalent A4) for example would leave one standing due to it's superior spread of power and flexibility. The Toyota 2.2 was also thirsty compared to other diesels of the same power output.
Also of note is that Toyota guaranteed the head in these motors for 10 years, after a small run of failures during the T180 era.
On paper, pretty good, in practice? Less so.
Not true,I've gone head to head with many a4 170s, golf gttdi 170s, e90 320ds and Octavia vrs diesels in my sr180 and there is nothing in it. If side by side it's a dead heat. However, I have out gunned several civic type rs due to them not thinking they have to change down, torque has its advantages at times 295lbsft. Of course given a little longer stretch they would have gone past. Not bad for the cash I say, had one for 5 years now. Another relatively unknown diesel hot hatch is the Mazda 3 185 sport, remember folks it's a focus underneath.Also of note is that Toyota guaranteed the head in these motors for 10 years, after a small run of failures during the T180 era.
On paper, pretty good, in practice? Less so.
BristolLee said:
Couldn't agree more!
I suggested the SR to a friend looking for a "hot" diesel and got laughed at. A fine sleeper.
I didn't even know they'd made one until I had one fly past me in my Celica AND my friend in a 380bhp supercharged Celica up Tog Hill near Bristol. It left both of us for dead.
As it happened, he was at the exhaust place we were going to. It was running 210bhp from a remap and freer pipe.
Celica driver should try the pedal on the right. Might be fun!I suggested the SR to a friend looking for a "hot" diesel and got laughed at. A fine sleeper.
I didn't even know they'd made one until I had one fly past me in my Celica AND my friend in a 380bhp supercharged Celica up Tog Hill near Bristol. It left both of us for dead.
As it happened, he was at the exhaust place we were going to. It was running 210bhp from a remap and freer pipe.
muppets_mate said:
Or its slightly frumpy sister the Citroen ZX Volcane TD. Not truly 'special' but fond memories nevertheless 
Regarding the Auris I had a courtesy IS220d with presumably the same diesel engine and did not think the engine was that good, as stated above it had a narrow power band and access to it was made made worse by really tall gearing. It was a bit underwhelming coming from my BMW 325tds with 13 year older technology...
I thought the 205 D-Turbo came out first?Regarding the Auris I had a courtesy IS220d with presumably the same diesel engine and did not think the engine was that good, as stated above it had a narrow power band and access to it was made made worse by really tall gearing. It was a bit underwhelming coming from my BMW 325tds with 13 year older technology...
Edited by muppets_mate on Thursday 29th January 10:48
Also VW did a Golf GTD way back in the early nineties - never sold in the UK if I recall correctly
Did look at one of these but experiences of fragile engines and thirst steered me elsewhere. There is something fun about a thwacking great diesel in an ordinary looking car. Can't help but feel it suits some vehicles. The old Fabia VRs was great as a diesel (just look at the current residuals for one of these). Not the best handling but an honest, chuckable, tough tuneable hot hatch which did 50mpg. It's successor did not have the same charm. Respect to Toyota for going to the trouble of developing proper rear suspension for this too.
uncler said:
The Auris represents, to my eyes at least, Toyota at their absolute worst. That applies to both this and the current generation. I can't believe they have even sold a single one when any of the competition's equivalents do everything the Auris does, but better.
Only they (the competition) don't do everything better, do they? We extensively tested Auris, A3, 1-series, Qashqai - all current models bar the Qashqai - last year, having already ruled out Civic, Golf, Focus, Astra, A-Class, Sportage at the showroom stage. Some of these are direct equivalents, some more prestige, some larger.
The Auris was bought on it's balance of easy driving, comfort, equipment and ownership proposition. So, for us, the competition did not do everything better or there would be one of them sat on the drive wouldn't there? In fact the decision wasn't even close, apart from the A3, and the Auris simply outclasses some of those competitors in some respects.
Other car is a 3-series, bought for many different reasons for different use. Horses for courses...
BristolMS said:
uncler said:
The Auris represents, to my eyes at least, Toyota at their absolute worst. That applies to both this and the current generation. I can't believe they have even sold a single one when any of the competition's equivalents do everything the Auris does, but better.
Only they (the competition) don't do everything better, do they? We extensively tested Auris, A3, 1-series, Qashqai - all current models bar the Qashqai - last year, having already ruled out Civic, Golf, Focus, Astra, A-Class, Sportage at the showroom stage. Some of these are direct equivalents, some more prestige, some larger.
The Auris was bought on it's balance of easy driving, comfort, equipment and ownership proposition. So, for us, the competition did not do everything better or there would be one of them sat on the drive wouldn't there? In fact the decision wasn't even close, apart from the A3, and the Auris simply outclasses some of those competitors in some respects.
Other car is a 3-series, bought for many different reasons for different use. Horses for courses...
Toltec said:
Glacially high? I know many glaciers are quite high up, but normally cold or slow are the characteristics normally alluded to.
Good article though, I don't suppose there is a petrol version with the same suspension?
In Japan, Toyota sold a model called the Blade Master G - an Auris with a 280bhp 3.5-litre V6 - which had basically the same suspension. Never driven one (or even seen one in the UK) but it's got to be a Q-car to end them all, and a genuinely interesting Auris (no oxymoron intended)Good article though, I don't suppose there is a petrol version with the same suspension?
Chris Rees said:
Toltec said:
Glacially high? I know many glaciers are quite high up, but normally cold or slow are the characteristics normally alluded to.
Good article though, I don't suppose there is a petrol version with the same suspension?
In Japan, Toyota sold a model called the Blade Master G - an Auris with a 280bhp 3.5-litre V6 - which had basically the same suspension. Never driven one (or even seen one in the UK) but it's got to be a Q-car to end them all, and a genuinely interesting Auris (no oxymoron intended)Good article though, I don't suppose there is a petrol version with the same suspension?
thedoc_85 said:
I bought a T180 for commuting, with the idea of having an economical car with a little bit of poke. I can honestly say I got neither.
The majority was motorway miles with consideration given to economy and I could barely achieve 40mpg. On the performance side of life in gear acceleration was okay but nothing I would describe as sporty. On one particularly boring afternoon I even tried a timed 0-60 which if I can remember wasn't under 10secs. Plus the build quality wasn't amazing the interior creaked constantly.
In short there is a reason why they aren't very expensive. If your tempted by one have a look at hot hatch alternatives first because in this instance you can't have your cake and eat it.
... but the reliability was okay.
Never mind the car, is this a new record for lurking? 88 months!The majority was motorway miles with consideration given to economy and I could barely achieve 40mpg. On the performance side of life in gear acceleration was okay but nothing I would describe as sporty. On one particularly boring afternoon I even tried a timed 0-60 which if I can remember wasn't under 10secs. Plus the build quality wasn't amazing the interior creaked constantly.
In short there is a reason why they aren't very expensive. If your tempted by one have a look at hot hatch alternatives first because in this instance you can't have your cake and eat it.
... but the reliability was okay.
vrsmxtb said:
A little newer, but you can also get the facelift Mazda 3 with a 185bhp 2.2 Diesel in it.
As an ex- Fabia VRS owner I can confirm the novelty of big diesel lumps of power in a small hatch is kind of entertaining for a while, but the handling compromises soon take the shine off a little. Even without remaps, they do make very capable alternatives to the usual rep-mobile saloons though, and I'm sure the Toyota and the Mazda would be an even more anonymous sleeper alternative.
I agree.As an ex- Fabia VRS owner I can confirm the novelty of big diesel lumps of power in a small hatch is kind of entertaining for a while, but the handling compromises soon take the shine off a little. Even without remaps, they do make very capable alternatives to the usual rep-mobile saloons though, and I'm sure the Toyota and the Mazda would be an even more anonymous sleeper alternative.
The Fabia VRS TDI, at least the later ones with shorter ratios, always felt far faster than they should, thanks to the turbo torque rush and short gearing. However that meant second gear was pretty useless in the wet, with traction problems, and they have average grip before understeering.
The interior is cheap looking and feeling, but no worse than some French or Korean cars of the same time. I always thought they looked dull, though plenty of people seemed to like the mini Audi-esque look.
The Ibiza FR Tdi seems to be the same car, other than the design, but I think they look nicer.
No idea how the Mazda 3 2.2d drives, but the Auris SR180 is a better car than a Fabia VRS Tdi, or an Ibiza FR Tdi. Probably costs more money like for like.
BristolLee said:
Couldn't agree more!
I suggested the SR to a friend looking for a "hot" diesel and got laughed at. A fine sleeper.
I didn't even know they'd made one until I had one fly past me in my Celica AND my friend in a 380bhp supercharged Celica up Tog Hill near Bristol. It left both of us for dead.
As it happened, he was at the exhaust place we were going to. It was running 210bhp from a remap and freer pipe.
No, just no. That would only happen if the 380bhp Celica was at the side of the road with its handbrake on.I suggested the SR to a friend looking for a "hot" diesel and got laughed at. A fine sleeper.
I didn't even know they'd made one until I had one fly past me in my Celica AND my friend in a 380bhp supercharged Celica up Tog Hill near Bristol. It left both of us for dead.
As it happened, he was at the exhaust place we were going to. It was running 210bhp from a remap and freer pipe.
I went from a 172 into a SR180, sold my friend the 172 which for the next 9 months I had it left it for dead at every possible chance.
Mine was a white one back in 2009 (SB58 OUM) and I did circa 17k in those 9 months. Struggled to get it above 40mpg, rear brakes squealed from 27 miles old, dash creaked before that, wheel bolts rusted within months, headlights were crap etc etc. It did handle quite well for what it was but only when you stopped at the side of the road for 10 seconds to switch the VSC off.
Mine was quite a healthy one according to the RR I had it on and back then I think I had the quickest 1/4 mile time on the Toyota Owners Club for one but when it starts with a 15 then its not much to shout about!
Recently had a 7k budget to buy a family car, these fell into the search criteria and quickly got dismissed.
Hi Guys
I've just found the article about the SR180 & at last thank you for a positive article about my beloved white model. I also drive a GT 86 which is cool too but and its a big but it gets soooooo boring having every Beamer, Audi, Merc Golf, Astra etc etc want to take you on. Not in the SR180. Talk about wolf in sheeps clothing. I've lost count of the cars I've left standing with the driver doing his ( sorry it's always a bloke) angriest thrashing best to catch me up cos I've left them standing. It truly is an under rated gem of a car and I wish they still did it as a model. Love it, keep thinking of buying a new car and just can't be parted from it. Great car great drive.
I've just found the article about the SR180 & at last thank you for a positive article about my beloved white model. I also drive a GT 86 which is cool too but and its a big but it gets soooooo boring having every Beamer, Audi, Merc Golf, Astra etc etc want to take you on. Not in the SR180. Talk about wolf in sheeps clothing. I've lost count of the cars I've left standing with the driver doing his ( sorry it's always a bloke) angriest thrashing best to catch me up cos I've left them standing. It truly is an under rated gem of a car and I wish they still did it as a model. Love it, keep thinking of buying a new car and just can't be parted from it. Great car great drive.
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