EJC

My mother is driving a '94 ES 300 in Florida
I can't get to see it right now.

She was getting a noise and the lexus dealer told her the exhaust had to be replaced, it was rotted out. They were willing to do it for the cost of parts, because of a prior problem. She was told the system would cost $2500 no labor charge.

First does the charge sound right?
Second, I kknow the car is 15yrs old but theexhaust is supposed to be SS. Do these indeed rot out?

Trying to decide whether to get a 2nd opinion

Slooooooow

iTrader: (1)

That charge sounds consistent for dealer work, but then I wouldn't have it done at a dealer.
I had an entire custom exhaust fabricated by a known, show-car proven custom exhaust install shop here in Dallas for roughly $1300, and that included a new, better flowing y-pipe (which is probably the biggest bang-for-the-buck performance mod for the ES).
For less money, sound, and performance, Bosal manufactures OEM-caliber exhaust components to replace part of, or all of, our exhaust system. I think I have their system pictured in the thread above as well, as it was something I also considered.

llcoolpass

what slow said is right

jeffyr163

I have a 98 ES300 and the pipe at the front that looks like a braided hose is not sealing with the pipe that extends to the rear of the car.
Can anyone give me a little info on replacing that ? Like how high up does the braided curved pipe go, is it a difficult repair, and possible cost or a part number?

Any help is appreciated from all of you experts!

Jeff

Slooooooow

iTrader: (1)

If it looks like this:

or this:

it's just a piece of flex pipe. Depending on its condition it can be reconnected to the rear-flowing pipe, or if it's brittle and shot, they might replace it and install a fresh piece of flex pipe. Either way, it's not major surgery.

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

Wait, so they are telling her both her front and rear exhaust MANIFOLDS are bad as well? Something isn't right......

Any chance she is in Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood area? I know a good shop there that mainly only works on Jap cars.

And don't think for a minute they don;t make a lot of $ on the parts.......It's a big markup. Too bad the car is not here in CT like you or I'd get you a discount at the dealer.

llcoolpass

well the studs that are on the outlet of the manifold could have gone bad...

jeffyr163

Thanks Sloooooow.
That is it. Getting under the ES is not so easy for me right now (injured back).
I figured as much, but without getting under I wasn't sure. It is going in tomorrow.

Thanks again.

jeffyr163

I had the exhaust done--I was told by my mechanic that the flexible part was not separate and that the only way was to replace the CAT and the pipes on that section. I called the dealer to confirm and they agreed-the part only comes as 1 piece. The dealer wanted $1400 for the part alone! My mechanic got it for $700 and installed it for $120 more, plus a $30 gasket kit. If it is true that it didn't need to be replaced then I wish I had more to back up my statements with, but I couldn't find any concrete info that it could be done cheaply.

llcoolpass

wait what was 700?

llcoolpass

mechanic??

exhaust shop != mechanic