Toys4RJill

Makes sense that warranty work is not allowed. However, if it is a remote Toyota dealer and you in the area with lets say your LS460 and something breaks. They will do it. I believe an independent store can do it as well as long as its authorized.

jrmckinley

Not sure why they didn't do it - they have a Platinum Tech (I think that's the term- whatever one of the highest certification levels from Lexus is called) there. He's the one who does all of my 30k/60k/90k work on both vehicles. It was CPO work but they didn't know that at the time and they have done CPO work for me in the past.

SW17LS

The issue is the CPO work. If there was a Lexus dealer nearby, Lexus will want that work done by the Lexus dealer. It may be that for smaller jobs he wasn't too worried about it if he couldn't get Lexus to pay him, but with a big job like that he would be worried.

mmarshall

This thread pretty much echoes the experience I had, a number of years ago, with my Lexus IS300. The Service-Manager (later the Service Director) of a local Toyota shop (the same dealership where I had earlier bought my Celica and my late mother's Corolla wagon) told me no problem.....bring in the IS300 for anything but warranty-related work, which had to be done at a Lexus-specific dealership. Saved a fair amount of money there....his shop charged about half of what Lexus shops typically do for routine service. He said he was negotiating with Lexus reps to get that Toyota shop certified for Lexus-authorized warranty-work, but I don't know if that deal ever went through or not......he retired shortly after I sold my IS.

He was not only a Service Director, but a strong acquaintance as well, and we treated each other like friends...he would often ask my advice on both Toyota and non-Toyota vehicles, since he knew I did a lot of reviews and test-drives there. So, he was happy to help out on the IS's service. But my point was not to dwell on our personal relationship, but that if he could do that for my Lexus, he could do it for anybody's.....and probably the same at most Toyota shops.

UDel

Oil change prices varied at Toyota and Lexus dealerships but my Lexus dealership started eventually charging $100 for a synthetic so I started just doing it myself.

I was quoted $1600 and $1900 to do a timing belt/water pump change/service at Lexus dealerships and they were not going to let me use my own parts. Toyota dealership quoted around $845 and would let me use my own parts but their quoted price was cheaper then ordering parts/labor, it actually ended up being under $800 because I did my own oil change. Glad I went with the Toyota dealership and saved a ton of money. Had no issues with the timing belt change and just dropped it off with friend and picked it back up so a nicer waiting meant nothing. The Toyota dealership has TV's, snacks, magazines, already pretty nice.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

I overwhelmingly prefer service at a Toyota dealership with good staff over a Lexus dealership. Cost is the biggest difference of course but there are some other things that have annoyed me in the past: at a Lexus dealer the service representative and the very design of the building is set up to further separate you in the lounge from the technicians in the service bays. I always talk to the mechanic(s) working on my cars. Always. Several times at a Lexus dealer when I insist on talking to the mechanic in determining or addressing my issue the service representative always accompanies me and (at least in my experience) when it gets too technical between just the technician and myself to the point that problem solving more or less leaves the service rep with nothing to do... then it is often shifted by the service representative back to a "let's cut this short and get you back into the waiting lounge with a coffee" vibe.

I don't like wasting people's time with unnecessary banter when they're working or have things to do. It's not about that from my end. Lexus dealers just tend to emphasize minimizing the customer's interaction time with the actual service technicians as much as possible. I don't like that.

I especially don't like that when my car's non-stanard configuration makes it in my best interest to be specific with the service technician and also get a sense of who is working on my car and whether or not they understand that at least some TSRM procedures have to be referenced for a similar but still different Toyota model. All Toyota and Lexus dealers have access to Toyota's online TIS resource and so that should never be an issue.

I could care less about the lounge or the coffee or free bags of popcorn and muffins.

Additionally, you still have to find a Toyota dealer that will agree to work on a Lexus even if you have a model so mechanically similar to an equivalent Toyota that standard configurations are 100% using the same TSRM procedures for servicing. Not all of them do it and sometimes Toyota dealers that have worked on Lexus vehicles for years can suddenly change course and refuse any and all Lexus service. I've been lucky to have used a few that have provided service to Lexus vehicles.

It's not uncommon to call up a conveniently close Toyota dealer and once you tell them you have a Lexus and remind that the driveline is identical to one or more specific Toyota models the conversation stops right there. Again... even when the engine and driveline is 99-100% identical to one or more equivalent Toyota models (4.0L, 4.3L and 4.7L V8's, 2JZ-GE I-6's, older Land Cruiser and LX 1FZ-FE engines and Camry/ES V6 engines mainly).

This is usually due to whatever arrangements a Toyota dealer owned by the same group that owns a local Lexus dealer has. Of course, there could be more than one owning group holding their own respective Toyota and Lexus dealers in the same local area which effectively means the same problem occurs.

However, having said all of this... I have met several great and helpful service reps and technicians at Lexus dealers over the years. Quality of service at a Lexus dealer is rarely an issue. It's mostly the high cost of labor (and parts) and perhaps the policies of specific dealers that are ever an issue, probably because I am a hands-on customer and have often done some involved service with my car at one time or another and so prefer a more direct relationship with the mechanics.

Overall I'd recommend a Toyota dealer and of course any very carefully chosen and vetted independent shop or mechanic whom you trust if you are out of your factory or extended warranty coverage.

Oil changes generally are high anyway when you use a quality synthetic oil and good filter design.

Torii

I brought my lexus to a toyota dealership once to get an oil change and wipers replaced (closest lexus dealer was 200 miles away).

the toyota snobs said they didnt have any of the parts and to take my lexus to a lexus dealer. I gladly left.

jimmymac30

iTrader: (8)

You all have chimed in with opinions and facts about servicing your Lexus at a Toyota dealer. As a Director in a Lexus store I can tell you that nearly every dealer in the country is run independently and can chose to work on whatever cars they want to. A Toyota Dealer cannot perform Lexus factory warranty work and cannot perform any open recalls the vehicle might have. Same goes for a Lexus dealer doing factory warranty or recall work on a Toyota or scion. Now there are extenuating circumstances, sure. But primarily it cannot be done. Going back to my "independently run" comment... I service many toyotas at my Lexus store. Daily. We have competitive pricing and do not overcharge because you get a Lexus loaner and other amenities. We charge for the service being performed. We stay competitive in the market place by doing routine calls to other dealers and independent shops to ensure we are competitive in the marketplace.

To comment on the Salesman who wouldn't recommend anyone come to his store for service... tell your General Manager or owner your feelings. I'm certain that isn't the message they want their employees posting in forums.

Also, ALL of my technicians are ASE certified and Lexus certified, senior, master, or diagnostic specialists. I can't speak for ALL Lexus dealers, it mine is 100% trained.

In the end, you have to be comfortable servicing your vehicle with people you can trust. Some prefer Toyota and some prefer Lexus. Some prefer to do their own work and some use independent shops.

At some stores you WILL pay more for the L on the front of the building. Not mine, but I'm only 1 of 235 stores nationwide.

Jim McLaughlin
Dordctor of Fixed Operations
Lexus of Highland Park

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

^^ Thank you for chiming in, Jim! It sounds like it really is case by case how Toyota and Lexus dealers choose whether or not to accept one of the sister brand's vehicles for service. Or individual vehicles. It makes me wonder if what I have noticed is a trend local to Los Angeles since, really, I have only encountered examples of it here in this metropolitan area.

On the note of quality of service from a Lexus dealer vs Toyota the and technician training I would never doubt this about your dealership, knowing you and your stewardship there.

Generally technicians at the Toyota and Lexus dealers I have had service done through thus far have very rarely inspired any lack of confidence on my part. I've found the opposite is the exception to the rule. It's usually just specific policies by some dealers as to what they will or won't work on that have presented issues. Toyota and Lexus technicians (especially their master techs) have, at least for me, always been right on point problem solving and finding the culprit of some of the trickiest issues. Not to mention that, while there have been some exceptions, I've also had some very helpful service managers from both Lexus and Toyota dealers over the years for myself and my family.

Still, whenever I take my Lexus in to a dealer for service I make sure I can briefly speak to the technician about the car's issue and if necessary and go over any special details or ruled out symptoms that might help. I always find it's good policy in general and not just for someone who owns a very old model.

lexslexus

Since recently acquiring my '96 LS 400, I've reluctantly ended up bringing it to my local Toyota dealership for servicing. My intention was to always bring it to the best Toyota/Lexus independent shop in my city but the distance and their hours don't work with my schedule. So, I've ended up bringing it to the Toyota dealership as a last resort because it's 10 minutes from my house, the pricing is great, the parts are right there, and I can schedule a same day appointment online complete with a price estimate.

The good:
Generally, good customer oriented service but nothing spectacular.
Most services cost half or less than at a Lexus dealership.
Knowledgeable technicians.
Plenty of Lexus vehicles serviced there.

The bad:
Extra long wait times for the simplest of services even with a scheduled appointment.
Service advisor tried to take advantage of me because I'm a woman (would've wasted $2,000 on unnecessary repairs).
Waiting area definitely not as nice as at the nearby Kia or Volkswagen dealerships and with fewer amenities too.
Parts department didn't seem to be the most knowledgeable.

If the Lexus dealership of my choice (Nalley Lexus Galleria) wasn't in an area with THE worst traffic in the USA (now even worse with the Braves new stadium across the street), I would love to bring my Lexus there occasionally for service because it is the closest and the best dealership around.

Here's what I've gathered from my interactions with them over the phone.

Good:
Excellent customer service from every single individual that I encountered.
Interesting location (the building they're in used to be an enormous department store).
Everyone I encountered (service and parts) was very knowledgeable about my vehicle.
Far more service specials than the Toyota dealership.
Seems like the previous owner came in for routine service and came out with a brand new Lexus leading to my car getting traded in, which makes me quite glad after a 2 year search for this car

Bad:
Pricing definitely not as inexpensive as at the Toyota dealership (as expected) and quote for timing belt service was way too high IMO ($1800 though the original owner only paid around $600).

I've also interacted briefly with the sales and service department of another Lexus dealership in the area and their customer service was great too.

So, from my experience, it seems as though both are more than capable of servicing your vehicle properly. However, it appears that the Lexus dealership is the way to go for top notch service and the Toyota dealership is the way to go for convenience of pricing.

DrDrilZ

So how much is an oil change at your dealership?