ES300 Adrian

Hi all,

I have a 92 ES300 that I purchased second hand about two years ago. It had a full Lexus service history, and when I bought it, had 90,000 km on the clock (probably about 55,000 miles?). I had a pre-purchase inspection by Lexus, they said it had had the transmission replaced already (!) and that was a problem in earlier ES300s but there should be no problems now. Well today it appears the transmission has gone again. They are seeing if I have any recourse (it has 120,000 kms on the clock) but has anyone else heard of this? I'm in Australia by the way.

thanks in advance!

adrian.

Steve Barnes

What were the symptoms of your failing transmission?

Steve

ES300 Adrian

I hadn't really noticed any particular symptoms that I could say was definitely the transmission until I was stopped at a traffic light with the car in drive and when the light turned green it was like the car was in neutral. I tried changing through the gears a few times but it made no difference until about the fourth time I restarted the car. It then drove about a block fortunately to my office car park and sort of shuddered as I drove into my carpark. It was towed on friday so I should get a diagnosis today. I rang my Lexus dealership, who checked the details on their computer, they rang the Lexus head office and they are considering paying 30% of the cost of parts towards the repair...(but strangely enough have recommended I take it to a Toyota dealership).

Steve Barnes

is it the Japanese Import version? Windom?

ES300 Adrian

No, it's a Lexus brought in by Lexus Australia and with a full Lexus service history. Apparently, Lexus head office said they would contribute to the cost of parts if it was repaired by Lexus, but the service manager told them that it would work out more expensive with the discount compared to if I took it to a Toyota dealership that apparently does other work for them and Lexus said they would still tentatively give a discount depending on the diagnosis.

Steve Barnes

Works out alot cheaper from toyota... They just use the same tranny that comes from a windom... even though it is exactly the same part the cost is reduced dramatically. Also remeber that alot of the parts from the Camry will fit the ES300 including gearbox if I am correct.

I always use toyota for parts as I order for a Toyota Windom.

let us know what the final cost was as i would be interested in the cost of replacing the tranny.

Cheers