Hi Scotty, I have TOYOTA AVENSIS 2.2 D-4D 150k km(80k miles),2013(8years old), automatic. It works and drives like a charm, only flaw is slow shifting. I have heard that you can chip your car for better gas mileage and preformanc. Should I do it? What do you recommend?
Greetings from Croatia
Hello there,
Scotty lives in the US so I doubt he has much experience with the Avensis and especially Toyota diesel engines.
The 2AD engine isn't the best engine out there, they typically last only about 250,000km.
As far as the transmission:
- If that's the "Multidrive CVT", you should RUN. these are terrible and I've seen them fail even before they reach 150,000km.
- If it's a 6 speed automatic, Then it maybe a good buy but please do not modify them as that can even shorten it's already limited lifespan. I've seen Toyota 6 speed automatics fail as early as 200,000km.
These 6 speed transmissions used for the European market are used everywhere, in Opels, Citroen, DS, Volvos and they're really decent up until 175,000km-200,000km. after that they start to have VERY expensive issues.
If a professional tells you that "that's how this transmission if supposed to shift" then if this car is reasonably cheap you should buy it.
If a professional tells you the transmission has delayed shifts, RUN. Trust me, you don't want to deal with that headache of an aging poorly built transmission.
Yes listen to Danny knows what he's talking about. Diesels do often have minor shifting problems as they age as their torque tends to destroy automatic transmission a bit faster than gasoline engines
