Well I need to get rid of this Lexus I have. It is an RX 300 and just hit 100k. These vehicles are known for transmissions going at at this mileage, and also a huge oil sludge problem with the engine. I bought the vehicle with 60k on it with a perfect maintenance history at a Lexus dealer. Since I have also been very good at maintenance. Right now it needs a full tune up, tires, timing belt/waterpump(preventative maintenance). Fuel pump is making noise and needs rear brakes.

I have noticed right after an oil change , which I use Mobil 1 only, it does not stay golden color, and turns brownish only after a couple of days. I have heard this could be to the sludging issue. No matter it is not worth keeping even though it has been a greatr ride so far.

Now to the question ...does anyone know the reliability of the Nissan Murano's CVT transmission? I can't find anything saying it is not proven. We really liek this vehicle and will most likely buy one next month. Speaking with a long time friend who is a shop foreman at a Nissan dealer, he has seen no issues with them. I know the engine in this thing it very reliable, but the only problem is typical Nissan fit and finish, usually small crap breaking.

 

Im not a fan of CVT's. Test drive one and feel it out.
No Enclave? Outlook or Acadia? Vue?
The sludge issue was taken care of not to long ago by Toyota. They settled out of court to fix some 4 million cars.

 

There hasn't been any problems that I'm aware of and Nissan certainly believes in the CVT...I'd say as long as you are getting a car that's been taken care of (assuming you are buying used) then you should be ok.

Take a ride in one and see what you think...if you like a bit more luxury and can afford a bit more coin, the FX is also worth taking a look at.

 

I agree with my good friend Robert here! My mom currently has a '06 Murano that she absolutely loves, and I have driven it on numerous occasions and like the CVT. It does take a little getting used to, but it grows on you.

I did my research before she got one, and there have been very FEW instances of issues with those transmissions...

 

I have a 2004 Murano with 32k miles on it and we still absolutely love it.

Alot of people rip on the CVT, but I prefer it over a regular automatic now.

Also, it was (possibly still is) one of the best riding SUVs out there for the price.
Mike

 

I've never heard of those 3.0L V6s having the sludge issue when a quality synthetic oil and quality filter are used with reasonable oil change intervals, though the damage may already have been done from the previous owner. You know there's some class action lawsuit payout stuff in process at the moment, right?

I hadn't heard about the RXs having common transmission outage issues at 100k, but I guess lots of cars have auto trans go out at 100-150k and it's almost deemed kinda normal at that point, though I still wouldn't be happy about it. It's the same trans from the Camry and ES I think... haven't heard about them having that issue either.

I thought you were going to lease the Murano? If so, I wouldn't think you'd care too much about the reliability of the CVT. Unless you're weighing it against the option of buying it?

 

We leased a 2007 Murano fully loaded sans DVD. The drive is better than a 2001 Lexus, and also less wind noise. The CVT is strange, but i liek it actually. It is under warranty so no worries here

On the 2 RX forums I frequent, the tranny problems while not epidemic proportions, there seem to be quite a lot of them with registered users.

The problem with the whole sludge issue on the engines is that you have to prove oil changes. Since i do all of them myself, I am screwed and would not be able to prove oil changes as I never kept receipts. The engine also made a tapping noise only when hot and I determined it was not an exhaust leak or loose spark plug. It was an internal engine noise. That and the fact right after changing the oil out (only used M1) it would change color almost immediately to a darker brown, almost to say there are sludging issues. That with the noise made me leary of keeping it. Also it had 2 CV boots going bad on it, timing belt replacement due, needed new tires, and a tune up. The list kept adding up.

Lexus was a great vehicle, but it is not godlike and had it's share of problems. The potential for big issues in the future negated keeping it. Being an auto tech for over 12 years, I am usually right when I think a vehicle is about to have something go wrong. Maybe it would drive another 100k no problems? Who knows, i just did not want to take a chance.

 

While I loved the Outlook, it was a little too big as my wife would be driving over people if i got her that thing. Needed something a little smaller

 

Why not save the money & fix up what you have now instead of buying a new car?

 

Simply put I could afford it. Concerning a car with mileage, you can't Fix" everything, as anything might go out at any time. No warranty to back it up. This is for my wife and 17 month old son, so I just do not want to take any chances. She has to drive through DC every day witht he kid, so I need a safe vehicle for them
I understand what you are saying though. My car is a beater that I keep "fixing" but I do not really care that much if it leaves me stranded. And I can fix it easily if i wanted for cheap. Fixing a Lexus is a whole different ballgame so to speak. Much more money involved for parts than a typical beater car.

 

I wonder if you compared them both when new if that would still be the case? I wonder if you compared the Murano to an RX350 if it would still be the case?

Hmm... I know Toyotas and Lexus vehicles do NOT like you using generic transmission fluid. I wonder if a lot of those people had gotten their transmission flushed at the local Jiffy Lube instead of a Lexus or Toyota dealer?

Interesting. I know if your motor has quite a bit of crap built up that a GOOD quality oil with effective detergents will turn colors very quickly, which would say that your engine did have sludge, but that the Mobil 1 was doing well at mopping it up. I would have accelerated your change intervals if I were you to see if that helped make up for the 60k you didn't own it.

Yep, and that stuff REALLY adds up if you get it done by the Lexus dealer. I dunno about on the RX but the timing belt change on my GS was accompanied by a routine maintenance waterpump change and cost 1100 bucks! That's a lot for something that needs to be done every 90k miles, especially when it's one of several things that needs to be done periodically.

Unfortunately when it comes down to it, the RX300 is just a 1997-2001 generation V6 Camry/ES300 underneath the nice dashboard, leather, and body.

 

I have no idea how an RX 330 drives. I know one article I read said they liked the Highlander better than a Murano which I thoght was crazy. I did drive a 2006 Highlander, and it was nothing special. Kyle, have you driven a 2007 Murano? It drives incredibly well. Might take you for surprise. I look at the Murano as a poor mand Infiniti, but to be honest is is not that cheap

Many people only used Toyota or Lexus dealerships and still had tranny problems. WHo knows if aftermarket fluid helped in worsening the problem.


I use the same M1 on 3 different vehicles, and never had the discoloration issue. Also it seemed to not like to fill easily, meaning it would want to overflow easily, like it had a rough time getting oil to drain down into the pan. The lexus had meticulous maintenance records before I owned it all dealer work.

I can do most maintenance myself, and it still adds up LOL I woudl hate to even think of getting butt raped at a Lexus dealer.

To give the 2001 RX credit, it was more than just a Camry, it did have a tuned suspension and excellent pedal effort on braking. Typical isolation of the steering that Lexus loves to do, but the wind noise and rattles were excessive. Fit and finish was good though. Felt liek a solid ride overall.

 

CVT ftw!!!

If you can harness the power of an engine with a CVT, then any revolution output should be possible prior to anything breaking.

Just think about it, always spooling with turbo, always at XXXhp while your racing.

Perhaps I have said too much.

Anyway, I am going to abuse about 4 CVTs to get to 300mph., either that, or a M7 with a CVT.

Murano,,hmm, eh, go for it. sounds good, haven't seen much that I didn't like out of it.