2006 Lexus ES330 Review: An Ode to My (Now Gone) Trusty 3MZ

However, with the vehicle sold and in the hands of a new (capable owner, I hope), that ownership attachment is now gone – and with it, the propensity to review the vehicle in overly glowing terms is also rested.

Detailed below is a relay of how the years I spent with my 3MZ went; detailed below is my 2006 Lexus ES330 review.

Why I Decided on the 2006 Lexus ES 330

The days were dreamy and my trusty W124 Mercedes never failed to quietly soak up the bumps and ferry my family in supreme comfort. Each time I cranked the German motor, I paused and thanked heavens that I was the proud owner of one of the best sedans the world has ever seen.

I loved the Mercedes with all my heart—but I knew it was old, and its time was just around the corner. It had rust challenges, the motor needed all the help it could get, and worst, the previous owner had treated the gem like basic household trash (I couldn’t resist even a semi-decent W124, and I still can’t today, years after).

Despite these challenges, the motor cranked up every morning and reminded me that it was made in Germany – when Germany proudly offered nothing but the best.

However, a family member had a medical emergency and it was a matter of life and the other universally unpleasant option.

I cranked the motor and redlined the engine, not bothering to call the hospital or an ambulance. Speeding through traffic, I put the Mercedes through what it had never seen in its weak state, ultimately saving the family member. The next day, the engine didn’t crank up (when I inserted and turned the key).

I did everything in the books I knew: NOTHING.

My friend who was (and still is) a passionate lover of all things Mercedes was called upon to help.

NOTHING.

Painfully, I sold my beloved luxury daily driver as SCRAP.

I was without a vehicle then and spent half my days researching makes/models and scouring the internet for vehicle deals.

Since I couldn’t get a clean copy of my preferred W124 (I was prepared to buy the same vehicle again), I decided on the W210, still a Mercedes. The reviews were great, the motor was bulletproof, the tranny was made to survive anything and it was all agreed that the 210 was the last worthy successor of the w124 to come from Germany.

I was hooked – and even downloaded the owner’s manual online and started reading it, while still considering when to order the repair manual.

This excitement lasted till I showed my wife a photo of the vehicle.

She felt the vehicle was too ‘stately’, ‘bland’, ‘lacking in character’, ‘NOT feminine’, and plain ‘ugly’.

It touched my heart that she felt this way and I let the issue slide, thinking I could convince her as time progressed.

A month later, she still firmly held to her earlier position and I knew, without being told, that it wouldn’t work when she said I could proceed to buy the car but she wouldn’t drive it.

Since I was looking at a vehicle we’d share, I dropped the idea immediately like hot lead. Immediately too, I started my research again.

I considered the third-generation GS350; its power and sportiness being major attractions. But, I also hated that it ran the direct injection system of fuel delivery and was way too small for my liking (and family needs).

The third generation Avalon was next – but I quickly ticked it off the list for paint flaking, excessive low riding, and importantly, the fact that it was affected by the early 2GRs VVT-i oil line failure.

Siennas, HighLanders, and just about every other vehicle that used the Toyota 2GR FE engine in its early days had this challenge.

The worst part? This failure gave no warning; the only way to avoid it was to replace the line with a subsequent all-metal part.

I wasn’t going to buy a vehicle and start with this type of maintenance so, I jumped.

Then, came the 4th generation Lexus ES: the 2005 model year had only two challenges, per CarComplaints: an occasionally hesitating transmission and windows that had a mind of their own.

The 2006 model year, though carried over from 2005, had no reported issues. I had a winner and hurried over to show my wife.

She loved the vehicle immediately and the decision to buy a silver example (the best exterior color in our opinion) with a dark interior finish (for the sake of the kids) was made.

First Impression, Driving Dynamics, and the First Year

Being without a car in a city where transport was poor and the folks generally unfriendly, three months was quite a long time to go carless.

However, my family and I survived. Immediately, the decision for the 2006 ES330 was made, I jumped into the market, and within two weeks, I got a clean, two-owner piece, non-accidented with about 161k miles on the clock.

It was a basic unit – without the bells and whistles that made it such a big deal back in 2006. There was no wood on the steering wheel and gear shifter, there was no traction control, the rear sunshade was missing, the central mirror didn’t dim at night and by day, there was no compass display, the pedals were fixed/non-adjustable, the suspension didn’t have any ‘tuning’ to it and importantly, there was an abnormally small spare, belonging to another vehicle in the trunk (the ES sports a full-size spare tire).

Despite these ‘shortcomings’, I made my peace with the Lexus and took delivery of the vehicle.

During the test drive (and after taking the 3MZ home), I noticed that it didn’t drive as smoothly as I had expected – all thanks to my experience with the W124 Mercedes.

It’s difficult to express this in words but, front wheel drive vehicles hardly make for fun, ‘balanced’ driving.

In this regard, the ES330 failed badly and for the next year of ownership, I constantly compared it with the rear-driving W124 Mercedes and scored it poorly. It was the feeling of comparing a wife to an EX.

Eventually, though, I forgave the ES – and stopped comparing it to the Mercedes (or any other vehicle for that matter).

And, that was the moment I knew peace.

My wife, on the other hand, praised it to the high heavens – but I forgave her bais (she never loved the Mercedes to start with and constantly wondered why I elected to drive something that old).

Maintenance, Fueling & MPGs

Around the time I got the ES, I also got its skeletal twin: the 2002 Toyota Camry, in blue SE trim. Despite the vehicles looking very different, they shared many parts in common, and maintenance was cheap (and comparable) overall.

The condenser, for instance, was similar; so were the engine and the cabin air filters. I suspect many more parts would have been similar/shared – if I had owned both vehicles (together) long enough.

The ES330’s tank took about 70 liters of gasoline and this was good for an average of about 330 miles, exclusively city driving, when I drove with a light foot (I live in a heavy traffic city and drove mostly during rush hours).

On isolated occasions when I needed to positively estimate the distance the gas left could take me (to the gas station), I discovered that the computer is more than generous with dishing out estimates.

From when the orange light came on, the computer estimated that I needed to travel for approximately 30 miles before running out of gas. It turned out that I always did a little more than that before I reached the nearest gas station (and yet, still had a running engine).

I guess I’d never truly know the limits – since the engine never ran out of fuel (even when the computer said otherwise).

On every other day, I got anywhere from 16 to 22 miles to a gallon of fuel during day-to-day driving. On some good days, I got more. On some truly bad ones, less. On the highways, it was never more, but could easily be less – which I never did understand why.

Overall, the ES, though luxurious, was in body and spirit, a Toyota, a well-suited-up one for that matter. It also had mercy on my wallet (as it has had on other generations of users, through the years).

Comfort, Luxury, Long Journeys

I’ve always hated compacts and sub-compact vehicles for a major reason: they’re stripped of creature comforts on the altar of fuel efficiency. This is why, the Prius, Yaris, and Corolla will NEVER be my thing – despite returning excellent fuel efficiency and being solid, reliable vehicles, from a marque I respect.

This is where the Lexus ES330 excelled: the vehicle was basic looking but supremely comfortable, once you got inside, rolled up your windows, and locked out the outside world.

The seats held up well during long journeys and I frequently drove for more than eight hours at a stretch without body aches or any sore point in my skeletal system – which is rare with many models.

The liberal wood appointments gave the interior a superior, LS sort of look, something the newer ES350 doesn’t boast of.

Overall, the vehicle was comfortable to drive in the city and on the freeway – all thanks to its 218 horses engine, a five-speed smooth transmission, and 236 pound-feet of torque available at relatively low RPMs.

The wood appointments, perforated heated/cooled seats, memory settings, and overall luxurious ambiance also made the ’06 Lexus ES330 an impressive entry-level luxurious sedan.

Reliability & Failure Points

All through the years I was blessed to own the 2006 Lexus ES330 – it failed to start about three times and all through the three times, it was a single reason: the starter.

The first time, the starter (which I suspect was original at about 165k miles) failed. I got it replaced with a used unit that packed up unexpectedly, after less than 5k miles.

The last time it failed, about 1k miles before I sold it, I took it apart and changed the brushes and armature, which I determined were the culprits (on the used starter). With this fixed, I expected at least, 50k (more) miles from the unit before needing to change it again. With the vehicle sold now, I’ll never truly know how good my work proved in that regard.

There was another time that the motor failed to start: my mechanic then had the catalytic converters out and failed to disconnect the starter battery when he was working on the vehicle.

Somehow, he managed to bridge the connections (with a wrench) and the alternator fuse was compromised.

As a temporary (and permanent) fix, he simply opened up the fuse cover and pressed the elements together. Eventually, however, that poor arrangement gave way and I needed to do things properly, in my usual auto DIY style. The video of that process is shared below.

I’ve heard that the 3MZ engine powering the 2006 Lexus ES330 is prone to sludge if oil changes are delayed or neglected.

To make sure that this wasn’t the portion of that engine, I made sure to change my oil, regularly. Since I wasn’t driving all the time (I still don’t), I used the Mobil 1 Extended Performance and later the Castrol Extended Performance.

With this system, I changed engine oil once a year, irrespective of the miles I covered (it hardly reached 5k, for any given year).

After about the second year of doing this, I opened the valve cover and took a look at the engine, in its pristine glory. I also used the opportunity to change the valve cover gaskets for both engine banks.

I was convinced (I still am now), that the engine was perfectly happy with me.

Finally, since the 3MZ in this Lexus is driven by a timing belt and the motor runs an interference engine, I was careful not to let the belt snap, letting the piston and valves run that unholy dance no owner is comfortable with.

Since the CarFax didn’t indicate the timing belt maintenance history (it may have been done at home or not done at all), I opened up the timing belt cover to see what the previous owner had in there.

I was impressed: the belt was in great shape as seen below. This is one failure point that you need to sort out to ensure the long-term reliability of this motor (besides the engine oil).

Repairs

Thinking about the repairs I had to make through the years I owned and used the 2006 Lexus ES 330, it just occurred to me that the vehicle wasn’t repaired, at all.

Right after getting the unit at about 161k miles, I changed the shocks – all four of them to original KYB units, made in Japan. The shocks handled as expected and till the vehicle was sold, they never made as much as a creak!

Besides the shock absorbers that were changed, the starter also failed, at about 165k miles – and was changed. Along the way too, I needed to change the condenser of the AC unit (the original one was blocked) and I had a bad AC suction line I took out and replaced (all with brand-new great after-market parts).

Besides these, all other matters were routine maintenance that was expected in the course of owning and driving the vehicle: brake pads, oil changes, etc.

This has been one of the most reliable vehicles I’ve ever owned. As a matter of fact, I had problems running DIY videos on most occasions because the vehicle wouldn’t simply break down and as a result, I hardly had ‘material’ to repair and shoot!

Occasionally, however, it allowed me to flex my auto DIY muscles (the vehicle is very DIY friendly).

Strong Points

By now, something must have stirred deeply in you: I passionately loved this vehicle (I still do). In it too, many fond memories were shared, with friends and family; in the city and on the freeways.

Here are what I consider its strong points:

1. Strong Bulletproof Engine & Tranny

First, the 3.3 liter 3MZ-FE engine powering the Lexus ES330 is bulletproof. With routine maintenance only, I had no doubts that I could hit the 500k mile mark easily and with some effort, make the motor run for a million miles.

The five-speed shiftable transmission was also built to last: changing the tranny fluid and filter every 30k miles was all that was required to keep it shifting through gears with the smoothness only a Lexus can muster.

Till the day I sold the car, I had no idea when it shifted into a higher gear or slipped to a lower one. If I missed the tachometer for a second, I also missed the shifts! The tranny was that good!

2. Comfortable For City Runs & Highway Stretches

I’ve always hated vehicles that make driving a chore; the type of vehicles that challenge your whole body after spending some time in them during traffic bouts or when/if you make the mistake of taking them on a long road trip.

I also hate wind and tire noise, with passion!

The ES330, instinctively, appeared to understand this preference and inherent bias of mine perfectly. In the city, the vehicle drove quietly and comfortably, dropping kids at school and helping the family run around for chores.

On the freeway, the 2006 Lexus ES330 didn’t only ferry its passengers in complete isolation of the road condition, its 218 horses made for quiet, relaxed driving; the tranny providing an instant kick down and power bout when pressed hard.

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed the ES in the city as well as I did on the freeway. It was truly a joy to own and drive.

Requires Minimal Maintenance To Run

The Lexus badge on the ES has always deceived many into thinking that the vehicle is a special breed, different from everything else Toyota offers.

This, I found, to be false.

While the ES was fitted with premium materials and generally, drove better than most Toyotas, it was simply, at its core, a Toyota Camry.

Engine oil was about 4.7 liters – and the standard jug always surfaced. Coolant was about two gallons – for a complete flush and refill. The tranny took about a jug of fluid; the compressor took two small cans of refrigerant etc.

Essentially, maintenance-wise, the ES demanded what a Camry of 2006 would take, offering in return, comfort and luxury unmatched by the Camry.

Will Take Abuse Better Than Most Models…

In the first years of ownership, I gave the ES330 everything it needed, way before it needed it: engine oil, tierods, brake pads, tranny fluid, coolant flush, and just about anything that became due.

However, a year (or so) before I sold her, I got into a series of financial troubles and neglected most routine maintenance. For instance, I had a culture of flushing the undercarriage at least twice a year. That wasn’t done for a year plus. The lower arm bushing needed to be replaced. I ignored it.

Then, there were the inner shaft boots on both forearms, torn and neglected. Then, tires: they were simply managed. The starter battery was bought used (and had started to fail, being essentially managed by my trusty portable jumper). The upholstery needed attention – but was ignored. The list went on…

The only things that I didn’t play with (or rather, weren’t due yet), were the engine and transmission-related services.

While I won’t strictly class this as ‘abuse’, it certainly falls within the purview of what most would agree is ‘negligence’.

Despite treating the ES in its last days with me in a manner less than it deserved, the vehicle continued to serve me passionately, without failing, right up to the point when I sold her off.

The folks who took her were impressed by the kickdown she offered during the test drive. Mechanics themselves, they made the decision right away to buy and took her on a sustained highway drive of about 400 miles, without doing anything special but changing the two front tires.

Most makes and models would have found a way of leaving me stranded on the road (on the slightest excuse) – or making the eventual buyer regret their decision. Not this 3MZ!

Annoyances Worthy of Note

My experiences with the 2006 Lexus ES330 weren’t all rosy, however. There were times when I honestly believed the vehicle could have been made better.

Here are the things that sometimes made me want to have a quiet word with its engineers.

No Place for a Phone (Or Anything Else)

If you’re the type of owner who always carries two smartphones, a digital camera, and sometimes, a power bank, you’ll instantly hate the ES330 – it has no space to store any such things upfront!

This lack of space is so chronic that there’s nowhere in the vehicle where you can even keep a charging smartphone (or tablet)!

During my time with the car, I was reduced to using the front passenger seat, most of the time (since I hardly had a passenger there).

In the rare event that I did, I usually improvised by carrying my effects on my laps – which was very inconvenient and you’d agree with me, odd.

The Tranny ‘Thinks’…

If you’re used to smooth-shifting vehicles, the 2006 Lexus ES330 will be a disappointment, at least, for the first six months of ownership.

This is how the transmission works (or, rather, thinks): when you come to a complete stop (first gear), and you accelerate away, the tranny gathers enough speed to ease unto the second gear, but somehow usually hesitates – as if ‘thinking’ whether to engage second or maintain first gear.

This usually took about two seconds and the results were usually a noticeable delay that was felt. The end game for the tranny was always the decision to proceed with the second (‘uncertain’) gear.

Initially, I didn’t have the experience to deal with this ‘thinking’ part of the transmission so gave the vehicle more gas when it went into the 1-2 seconds ‘thinking mode’, resulting in a noticeable surge when the tranny finally engaged.

This spoiled the smoothness – and rendered the V6 less than what it was. However, since this was a factory software challenge (and not an actual tranny problem), I quietly learned to live with it.

What I did was that when it went into ‘thinking mode’, I held steady on the gas and never gave it more than I had already. It solved the problem, 98% of the time.

The Bad Windows Can Be Annoying

Another issue that anyone who is considering this make and model today should take special note of is the fact that most of the time, the windows will fail, for no clear reason.

I found that jamming the affected door hard while holding down (or up) an affected power switch resolved the issue, about 95% of the time.

However, in some instances, the whole switch needed to be taken out and serviced. On one occasion, I had to replace one of the rear units.

However, since I hardly used the rear windows, I ignored the left rear switch, since jamming didn’t work and I wasn’t going to try to fix a known factory defect (that I was certain would pop up again, sooner than later).

The doors themselves performed just fine and throughout my ownership of the vehicle, did not give me any cause for alarm/concern.

You May Need to Get Used to the Electronic Bias

If you’re coming from a modern German (or American) vehicle, this may not be an issue. However, if you’ve been a Toyota person (especially the low-mid models), the electronic bias of the 2006 ES330 is certainly worth noting. It’s also something you’ll need to learn to live with (and prepare for – or you’d be thoroughly embarrassed).

For instance, the gas cover is powered by the battery – and there’s no manual way to open the unit if for some reason you have no battery (or have a flat battery).

The trunk, curiously, has no key slot. It’s opened either by a pressable button in the vehicle itself (powered by the battery) or via the remote fob.

If you have a flat battery (or no battery at all) and also have issues with your fob (or don’t even have the wireless fob at all), then, whatever it is in the trunk will likely remain there unless it’s something that can come out via the relatively small pass-through between the two rear seats.

2006 Lexus ES330: Will I Buy Another? Should You Buy One?

Given the detailed pros and cons of my time with the 2006 Lexus ES330, I’m sure you’re curious if I’ll recommend my now-sold daily driver (or not).

Or, if I’ll consider buying another unit when the chance presents itself.

Here’s your answer: I strongly believe that the Lexus ES330 is one of the best-used entry-level luxury sedans you can buy today, factoring what it costs versus the value it delivers (assuming you find a reasonable mileage copy that was also reasonably maintained).

Assuming the time and place are right, I’ll also buy another ES330 without as much as a second thought!

Heck, I miss that 3MZ already!

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