used vs rebuilt tranny
10-29-18 | 05:46 AM
#1
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From: tx
used vs rebuilt tranny
please share your experience. I am struggling to decide what to do on my 99 es300. it is at my mechanic who initially wanted to do a swap with a junkyard tranny but has not found a match as yet.
he has pulled the tranny down so I am kind of stuck at his shop.
I am now thinking of going the rebuilt route. some shops have quoted 2000 including installation.
engine, ac, int and ext are all good. new suspension, tires and battery. I was planning to keep it until this happened. it just turned over 200. I have had it for the last 80K miles and have been religious about maintenance.
please advice. I would hate to junk it.
he has pulled the tranny down so I am kind of stuck at his shop.
I am now thinking of going the rebuilt route. some shops have quoted 2000 including installation.
engine, ac, int and ext are all good. new suspension, tires and battery. I was planning to keep it until this happened. it just turned over 200. I have had it for the last 80K miles and have been religious about maintenance.
please advice. I would hate to junk it.
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wmj259 (10-29-18)
10-29-18 | 08:29 AM
#3
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From: wa
Any used tranny is likely at this point in time to be:
a) high mileage, and
b) have the same original construction defects that lead to failure in this model transmission.
With a used transmission, you have a difficult to quantify but very real risk of being right back in the same spot you are in today before very long.
A rebuild, properly done (problematic thrust bearings replaced as well as torque converter, frictions, discs, etc.) will likely be highly reliable and outlive the car going forwrd. Personally, I would never consider a used transmission for a 99 to 01 ES.
a) high mileage, and
b) have the same original construction defects that lead to failure in this model transmission.
With a used transmission, you have a difficult to quantify but very real risk of being right back in the same spot you are in today before very long.
A rebuild, properly done (problematic thrust bearings replaced as well as torque converter, frictions, discs, etc.) will likely be highly reliable and outlive the car going forwrd. Personally, I would never consider a used transmission for a 99 to 01 ES.
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wmj259 (10-29-18)
10-29-18 | 10:03 PM
#4
If you can find a low mileage unit and can verify the source as reputable, I would go used. Realistically, how long do you see yourself owning the car for? If it lasts another 100k, would that be sufficient for you?
As Oro pointed, a rebuild will be the most reliable method, however it's also pricey. You could get another ES for that sort of money and swap over components.
My 98 is at 277k right now with the original tranny. If I can just figure out why my car shakes at high speed, I would be a very happy camper.
As Oro pointed, a rebuild will be the most reliable method, however it's also pricey. You could get another ES for that sort of money and swap over components.
My 98 is at 277k right now with the original tranny. If I can just figure out why my car shakes at high speed, I would be a very happy camper.
10-30-18 | 06:05 AM
#5
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From: tx
If you can find a low mileage unit and can verify the source as reputable, I would go used. Realistically, how long do you see yourself owning the car for? If it lasts another 100k, would that be sufficient for you?
As Oro pointed, a rebuild will be the most reliable method, however it's also pricey. You could get another ES for that sort of money and swap over components.
My 98 is at 277k right now with the original tranny. If I can just figure out why my car shakes at high speed, I would be a very happy camper.
As Oro pointed, a rebuild will be the most reliable method, however it's also pricey. You could get another ES for that sort of money and swap over components.
My 98 is at 277k right now with the original tranny. If I can just figure out why my car shakes at high speed, I would be a very happy camper.
the low mileage Japanese trannys are not the exact fit as they are not from a 99 es but a newer lexus or Toyota. my mechanic is uncomfortable taking a chance with those.
rebuilts are between 1900-2500.
I have spent about 1500 over the last 6 months on the car. steering pump, lower control arms, tires, battery. the car was driving so good, I didn't realize this would happen. I had the atf drained and refilled within the month of tranny failure. I bet that had something to do with it.
I should have let the rusted atf alone
11-04-18 | 07:36 PM
#6
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 304
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From: CT
yes, I think the car can last another 100K
the low mileage Japanese trannys are not the exact fit as they are not from a 99 es but a newer lexus or Toyota. my mechanic is uncomfortable taking a chance with those.
rebuilts are between 1900-2500.
I have spent about 1500 over the last 6 months on the car. steering pump, lower control arms, tires, battery. the car was driving so good, I didn't realize this would happen. I had the atf drained and refilled within the month of tranny failure. I bet that had something to do with it.
I should have let the rusted atf alone
the low mileage Japanese trannys are not the exact fit as they are not from a 99 es but a newer lexus or Toyota. my mechanic is uncomfortable taking a chance with those.
rebuilts are between 1900-2500.
I have spent about 1500 over the last 6 months on the car. steering pump, lower control arms, tires, battery. the car was driving so good, I didn't realize this would happen. I had the atf drained and refilled within the month of tranny failure. I bet that had something to do with it.
I should have let the rusted atf alone
11-05-18 | 04:53 AM
#7
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 489
From: wa
Care to put facts to the myth and give a real example?
This is one of those internet myths that needs to die...
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11-05-18 | 05:15 AM
#8
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From: tx
A lot of "full flush" services are from folks who have a failing transmissions, who look to miracles. Replacing bad fluid with good is very UNLIKELY to cause a problem. It might speed up an incipient failure, but not by much.
Care to put facts to the myth and give a real example?
This is one of those internet myths that needs to die...
Care to put facts to the myth and give a real example?
This is one of those internet myths that needs to die...
car had just turned 200!
now I got its tranny repaired and it is driving like new again. they thought the tranny cooler may have failed, so they have added a separate cooler.
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