Why is 15k service so expensive for 2013 GS350?
04-01-13, 01:12 PM
#32
Going to the dealer for minor things such as oil changes and "visual inspections" is a huge waste of $$$
After hearing what my dealer wanted for the 30k service on my IS250, I decided to learn how to do it myself.
Me and a friend change our own oil and cabin/engine filters. You can save yourself some money by DIY
After hearing what my dealer wanted for the 30k service on my IS250, I decided to learn how to do it myself.
Me and a friend change our own oil and cabin/engine filters. You can save yourself some money by DIY
04-01-13, 03:01 PM
#33
Tire rotation is really not necessary unless you show abnormal wear on the front vs. the rear tires. If you feel it is necessary, take it to Discount Tire where they will do for free if you have ever been a customer. I drove BMW's for several years and they don't recommend tire rotation at all unless there is some kind of abnormal wear. Oil changes at my Toyota dealer are about half of what the Lexus dealer charges, and it is the same oil and the same filter at both dealerships. The coffee isn't as good at the Toyota dealership though.
04-01-13, 03:36 PM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
04-02-13, 11:20 AM
#37
04-02-13, 12:51 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
I think given what Lexus service costs $120 is pretty reasonable for that service.
04-02-13, 01:02 PM
#40
For the 15K service for my IS, I think the dealer wanted close to $150 for an oil change, cabin filter, and all those visual inspections.
I bought the filter from Sewell ($15) and 7 quarts of Royal purple (I spent ~$60 but you can get mobile one for less), and an oil filter ($3) and did it with a friend. You can save a nice amount of money by doing these simple things yourself
I bought the filter from Sewell ($15) and 7 quarts of Royal purple (I spent ~$60 but you can get mobile one for less), and an oil filter ($3) and did it with a friend. You can save a nice amount of money by doing these simple things yourself
04-02-13, 01:07 PM
#41
Lexus Fanatic
I'm not saying $120 is a good value or that I would pay it, its just probably about the cheapest that you'll find Lexus doing anything to your car.
Bear in mind the labor rate is $120/hr+. Its basically an hour of labor, doubt you'd get it any cheaper from a dealer.
Bear in mind the labor rate is $120/hr+. Its basically an hour of labor, doubt you'd get it any cheaper from a dealer.
04-02-13, 01:10 PM
#42
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sometimes I DIY but for the 4GS not going to do that, I did it as first for the 3GS but decided to let the dealer do it. Quite frankly it became a PITA and I rather keep my relationship strong with the dealer by using them for service. I used to personally get a good feeling knowing I was doing it myself when I was younger but now I have just as good a feeling knowing I can pay for it with no issues. Guess I got old 
You see sometimes things can happen to your Lexus out of warranty or maybe there is a part you need etc etc and the FIRST thing they look at is your service records. If your service records show you maintained the vehicle with the dealership its much easier to for them to make a call to the area rep to get something covered out of warranty. On the flipside if you show no service done, an oil change here and there, well the chances of you getting a "goodwill" adjustment done really slims down.
ARe some dealers bad? Yup! Are some customers bad? Yup. I've been shared countless stories on classless customers trying to get Lexus to pay for anything.
Honestly $250 is nothing and you will have piece of mind and chat with your dealer and get to know them. You would be AMAZED at the strings they can pull for you when the need arises.
Another idea is maybe do some yourself or bring the parts yourself and let Lexus use it, it lowers the price and you still used their services. I've found most dealers have no issues with customers bringing in their own parts.
You see sometimes things can happen to your Lexus out of warranty or maybe there is a part you need etc etc and the FIRST thing they look at is your service records. If your service records show you maintained the vehicle with the dealership its much easier to for them to make a call to the area rep to get something covered out of warranty. On the flipside if you show no service done, an oil change here and there, well the chances of you getting a "goodwill" adjustment done really slims down.
ARe some dealers bad? Yup! Are some customers bad? Yup. I've been shared countless stories on classless customers trying to get Lexus to pay for anything.
Honestly $250 is nothing and you will have piece of mind and chat with your dealer and get to know them. You would be AMAZED at the strings they can pull for you when the need arises.
Another idea is maybe do some yourself or bring the parts yourself and let Lexus use it, it lowers the price and you still used their services. I've found most dealers have no issues with customers bringing in their own parts.
04-02-13, 01:19 PM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
I mean...$250 isn't nothing. I'd much rather pay my independent guy $50 and go downtown to the Prime Rib for a nice dinner. I didn't think $250 was runaway outrageous for the old 5k service that included an oil change, but that is a whole lot of money to pay for basically a tire rotation and a car wash, when I never let them do the carwash anyway because they can't do it without screwing the car up. $120 isn't so bad...
As far as getting things covered, you can take the savings over the 50k mile warranty and buy an extended warranty...
I see what you're saying, I too enjoyed my relationship with the dealer when I was using them all the time, but it is a huge premium and I enjoy my relationship with my independent guy too. I don't have an issue paying a premium if I feel I am getting something for that, but I just have come to the conclusion that I'm not.
As far as getting things covered, you can take the savings over the 50k mile warranty and buy an extended warranty...
I see what you're saying, I too enjoyed my relationship with the dealer when I was using them all the time, but it is a huge premium and I enjoy my relationship with my independent guy too. I don't have an issue paying a premium if I feel I am getting something for that, but I just have come to the conclusion that I'm not.
Last edited by SW17LS; 04-02-13 at 01:22 PM.
04-02-13, 04:42 PM
#44
It's true, spend money at the dealer and you will get "goodwill".
Example, say you lost a key and you buy a new one from sewell and need it programmed, or you get a checkengine light code and need to get it cleared. You will get "no problem, stop by free of charge" versus "that'll be $79 for a diagnostic or programming."
But $250 for an oilchange/inspection is a good amount of money, even if it nets you free key programming that you may never need. So you should think it over and do the math.
You can also just show up once in awhile for more complex service that you don't want your local mechanic messing up. Spending a grand here and there for the major services will rack up the goodwill just as easily as being exclusive to the dealer. It's a middle ground between the two options.
By the way, even at a toyota/honda dealer, the official "toyota"/"honda" 5k or minor service , also runs about $100-$150. Which is basically oilchange, tire rotation, fluids (typically this just ends up being wiper fluid) and inspections. A walk-up rate for an oilchange only will be $60.
Example, say you lost a key and you buy a new one from sewell and need it programmed, or you get a checkengine light code and need to get it cleared. You will get "no problem, stop by free of charge" versus "that'll be $79 for a diagnostic or programming."
But $250 for an oilchange/inspection is a good amount of money, even if it nets you free key programming that you may never need. So you should think it over and do the math.
You can also just show up once in awhile for more complex service that you don't want your local mechanic messing up. Spending a grand here and there for the major services will rack up the goodwill just as easily as being exclusive to the dealer. It's a middle ground between the two options.
By the way, even at a toyota/honda dealer, the official "toyota"/"honda" 5k or minor service , also runs about $100-$150. Which is basically oilchange, tire rotation, fluids (typically this just ends up being wiper fluid) and inspections. A walk-up rate for an oilchange only will be $60.
Last edited by raytseng; 04-02-13 at 04:52 PM.
04-02-13, 04:52 PM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
I'd much rather take a chance on having to pay $80 to get a CEL reset (which I wouldn't have to do for years since its under warranty) in the unlikely event I have a CEL than to KNOW I'm spending twice as much if not more for routine maintenance at the dealer every time.
Anyways, my independent mechanic would reset a CEL for me or program a key and not charge me. The goodwill argument just doesn't work IMHO.
Anyways, my independent mechanic would reset a CEL for me or program a key and not charge me. The goodwill argument just doesn't work IMHO.