hypervish

Please note, this car does not have transmission issues. The issue is with the programming, it will not affect the life of the transmission. The U151e is a good unit and has no mechanical defects.

rlx101

nothing is "inexpensive" anymore.

standard labor rate around here is 65-75$ hour from decent independent shop.

they typically use factory software to determine how many hours certain job will take. 4-5hrs and you've got 260-375$ just in labor + parts + tax ~500$ easy. $ depending on the area you live in. try servicing a car in major metropolitan city, you'll quickly become a DIY'er lol.

rlx101

yes, that famous programming thing. did they ever issue an update?

hypervish

Yes, they released a TSB for it. Some people prefer the original programming others prefer the updated programming. But, you better know which one you like before the update. Since once you do the TSB there's no going back.

rlx101

this tells me you exchange one gremlin for another. Whats the point of the update then? Why do they even bother? So that we think they care and listen? lol bs. i'd be pissed if i paid MSRP on this car and had such problem. highway robbery.

btw, is your tachometer frozen? or are you constantly updating those mile #'s in your sig? gotta be over 200K by now. hehe.

hypervish

I'll be honest, it really isn't bad. A lot of people were complaining because they weren't aware of how DBW works, and DBW was still new technology when the ES came out. Also, a lot of people don't even notice the programming issue. A lot of it is internet amplification, there are many people perfectly content with the way their ES shifts. I like the way my ES shifts, and I think the programming is fine. The only time I dislike it is when I'm constantly switching drivers and the car has been driven by three different people. Then the car get's confused for a few miles, till it realizes "lead foot" (me) is driving it again! LOL

I update my signature once in awhile, I recently hit 196k miles. I probably won't update the signature till I hit 197k miles. And, then I'll update it at 200k miles, with hopefully a picture of the odo! LOL

synrgy350

Speaking of transmissions, does the 99-01 U140E transmission have issues? I have read about so many failures I have to think there is a problem. The A541E in my 98 is rock solid at 230K. What happened with the U140E?

-Lawrence

hypervish

The U140e is solid in the ES300. Many owners are neglecting them and not changing the fluid as needed. T-IV is a terrible ATF that just doesn't stand up well against heat. It must be changed every 30k miles.

Just as with any car, there will be reported transmission failures. Doesn't mean there is an issue with the transmission itself, but rather the owner or their driving habits. Maybe they like to put into drive as the vehicle is still rolling backwards. Many possibilities.

rlx101

lifetime/tranny mileage also depends on the driving habits.

200kmiles in stop and go city traffic is one thing and 200kmiles with 65mph crousing on the highway most of the time is another. in first case you put a lot of stress on tranny with constant gear switching, in 2nd case tranny does not switch a lot.

Oil change? I think its secondary to driving style. If tranny gets a lot of stress from constant stop and go no oil change will help it live much longer than say strictly highway car.