$117 for an oil change
05-25-10, 08:33 PM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
$117 for an oil change
I paid $117 for a simple oil change today (Mobil 1 synthetic) at my local Lexus dealer. They wanted to do a 25k package service which would have been $275, it included cabin and engine air filter. I told them I do filters myself. I got home and started thinking about that oil change....seems pretty stupid to pay $117 for an oil change..even for synthetic.
We did an oil change on the wife's Highlander at Toyota last week for $39 and it included tire rotation.
I love my LS 430 but I think Lexus is going overboard on the services fees - the LS may very likely be my last Lexus as a result. In my situation in life I can easily afford it but I don't just like the feeling of getting ripped off.
Thoughts?
We did an oil change on the wife's Highlander at Toyota last week for $39 and it included tire rotation.
I love my LS 430 but I think Lexus is going overboard on the services fees - the LS may very likely be my last Lexus as a result. In my situation in life I can easily afford it but I don't just like the feeling of getting ripped off.
Thoughts?
05-25-10, 08:36 PM
#2
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that's a lot even if it's synthetic... mine would do synthetic oil change for $55 but really he says regular is fine ... have not decided to do synthetic or no... said synthetic more imp c german cars...
05-25-10, 09:11 PM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
I only take my cars to the dealer for maintenance that I wouldn't trust my local mechanic to do properly (or myself) due to special tools or procedures. Replacing the WS transmission fluid on my 05 LS would be an example of this...
05-25-10, 10:15 PM
#7
you went to the wrong dealer my friend. I pay 49.99 at my lexus dealer, another one that I used to go to charged 69.99. They all charge different prices, so call them up first and ask. They often make mistakes like charging you the price for the LS460 oil change which is more expensive mostly because it uses more oil as i was told. They charged me 100 one day and I flipped out since I always paid 49$ at that place. You can never trust female service advisors. Sounds to me like your dealership did a good job at ripping you off
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05-25-10, 10:31 PM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
That sounds unusually high to me. il changes at the dealer are supposed to be no higher than $70 tops no matter were in the states. Unless you did tire rotation as well. Something is wrong with what you were charged sir, I d make some phone calls to other dealers via the phone book and ask for prices on what you just had done exactly. Dont tell them your checking to see if you were done wrong, just inquire like your a potential customer! $117 is unusual to say the least.
I also agree the prices are high as a kite at Lexus. Just paid over $300(A/C filter was supposed to be done to but, I did it myself. Cost me $41.99 after tax for the filter alone,rip off as I got from Lexus dealer and it says Toyota on the box) for my 105,000 service and nothing major was done, it was just an oil change tire rotation and engine filter change. I asked them"why its so high for those items to be done"! Turns out, its mostly labor, wait, I have the invoice beside me on my table. Let me look!
OK Ladies/Gents, the service cost was $331.89 total for my 105,000 mile service I did in April 2010. Yes, the amount is correct, no typo!!HAHAHA! The invoice says $241.50 for LABOR? WOW, thats a joke, just to change the oil and top of fluids and rotate the tires and replace the engine filter? WOW! The parts cost was $85.13 and they charged me $1 for a SHOP CHARGE FOR A REPAIR ORDER? WHAT REPAIR ORDER?
Well the $ for dealers is certainly in the service department ladies/gents and the prices arent fair nor customer friendly. Also, before you say it, I can afford the cars cost just know that its extremely inflated. They worked on my car for 1 hour and 25 minutes and charged me for over 2 and a half hours labor! WOW, just WOW!!! Plenty will say," If you cant afford it, why did you buy it, its a luxury car, not a Ford Escort". No disrespect to the Escort by the way or those who own one or have, just what was said to someone else before when making a simple comment on how much they charge for service.
I was told by a mechanic who worked at Lexus he cant afford the cars he works on and he was paid a minimal amount as an employee compared to the LABOR charge we pay for service to Lexus(The local dealerships in our towns)! I guess the only way to win is to own your own dealership!!! HAHAHAHA!! L.G.N.M
P.S:Keep in mind, this didnt include had I allowed them to do my A/C filter.
I also agree the prices are high as a kite at Lexus. Just paid over $300(A/C filter was supposed to be done to but, I did it myself. Cost me $41.99 after tax for the filter alone,rip off as I got from Lexus dealer and it says Toyota on the box) for my 105,000 service and nothing major was done, it was just an oil change tire rotation and engine filter change. I asked them"why its so high for those items to be done"! Turns out, its mostly labor, wait, I have the invoice beside me on my table. Let me look!
OK Ladies/Gents, the service cost was $331.89 total for my 105,000 mile service I did in April 2010. Yes, the amount is correct, no typo!!HAHAHA! The invoice says $241.50 for LABOR? WOW, thats a joke, just to change the oil and top of fluids and rotate the tires and replace the engine filter? WOW! The parts cost was $85.13 and they charged me $1 for a SHOP CHARGE FOR A REPAIR ORDER? WHAT REPAIR ORDER?
Well the $ for dealers is certainly in the service department ladies/gents and the prices arent fair nor customer friendly. Also, before you say it, I can afford the cars cost just know that its extremely inflated. They worked on my car for 1 hour and 25 minutes and charged me for over 2 and a half hours labor! WOW, just WOW!!! Plenty will say," If you cant afford it, why did you buy it, its a luxury car, not a Ford Escort". No disrespect to the Escort by the way or those who own one or have, just what was said to someone else before when making a simple comment on how much they charge for service.
I was told by a mechanic who worked at Lexus he cant afford the cars he works on and he was paid a minimal amount as an employee compared to the LABOR charge we pay for service to Lexus(The local dealerships in our towns)! I guess the only way to win is to own your own dealership!!! HAHAHAHA!! L.G.N.M
P.S:Keep in mind, this didnt include had I allowed them to do my A/C filter.
Last edited by usermel; 05-25-10 at 10:38 PM.
05-26-10, 03:08 AM
#11
$117 can't be right and plus, if "regular maintenance" prices at DEALERSHIP are causing you to not consider a Lexus in future, there's no rule telling you that you HAVE TO go to a dealership to get these done. As others have said, outside oil places (not QuikLubes) can get a synthetic job done for $40-50, and oil changes/air filters are straightforward that anyone can do it.
Also, if you're buying say a Hyundai and you bring the car to a dealership, you're not going to pay $30 for an oil change either, you'll probably be paying in the $40-50 range, so it doesn't get better really.
Just learn to maintain smart... which means avoid dealerships as much as possible and go only for major things that Lexus expertise might be more worth it.
Also, if you're buying say a Hyundai and you bring the car to a dealership, you're not going to pay $30 for an oil change either, you'll probably be paying in the $40-50 range, so it doesn't get better really.
Just learn to maintain smart... which means avoid dealerships as much as possible and go only for major things that Lexus expertise might be more worth it.
05-26-10, 05:03 AM
#12
Moderator
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the input. The Lexus oil change did not include tire rotation - just oil change and no multipoint inspection or fluid top off that I can see.
I will have to look harder to find a quality independent Lexus/Toyota service provider. I looked before and did not find any nearby - will look again in greater DFW area. This was actually only my second oil change, and the first oil change was free as I had just bought the car CPO from Lexus.
I will have to look harder to find a quality independent Lexus/Toyota service provider. I looked before and did not find any nearby - will look again in greater DFW area. This was actually only my second oil change, and the first oil change was free as I had just bought the car CPO from Lexus.
05-26-10, 07:38 AM
#14
Just bought a case of Mobil 1 synthetic from Sams Club for $34.00 and ordered some Toyota oil filters online from Lexus of Pembroke Pines for $4.00 or so. My parts cost (not wholesale mind you) come in at $38.00. I can change the oil in my garage in about 30min or so.
Lexus can probably change the oil in under a 1/2 hour too and get the parts/materials for a little cheaper (maybe $30.00). But, they have to bill for that 1/2 hour of labor. I'd not expect the labor charges to be greater than $100/hr. So, a reasonable total oil change at Lexus should be less than $80.00. Anything more and i'd ask them to explain what is going on!
As i get older and more wealthy, I might consider having someone do my oil changes. However, i'll always compare prices and try to make the best business decision. Keeping in mind that Lexus oil changes DO show up on the service history of the car and will likely support a higher resale. Doing the work yourself is limited to oil and filter receipts and a logbook that many people don't trust. 10min oil changes are cheap, but their rush to get people in and out can, and has led to mistakes that can be messy (everyone has a story here i'm sure). But having a receipt for the work is nice for resale documentation.
BTW, when my RX300's engine began to sludge over, the dealer didn't have any records of the car having routine service. It made the approval process longer and we almost didn't get the engine replaced under warranty. So, documentation is a good thing in that case.
Just a little food for thought. Cheers.
Lexus can probably change the oil in under a 1/2 hour too and get the parts/materials for a little cheaper (maybe $30.00). But, they have to bill for that 1/2 hour of labor. I'd not expect the labor charges to be greater than $100/hr. So, a reasonable total oil change at Lexus should be less than $80.00. Anything more and i'd ask them to explain what is going on!
As i get older and more wealthy, I might consider having someone do my oil changes. However, i'll always compare prices and try to make the best business decision. Keeping in mind that Lexus oil changes DO show up on the service history of the car and will likely support a higher resale. Doing the work yourself is limited to oil and filter receipts and a logbook that many people don't trust. 10min oil changes are cheap, but their rush to get people in and out can, and has led to mistakes that can be messy (everyone has a story here i'm sure). But having a receipt for the work is nice for resale documentation.
BTW, when my RX300's engine began to sludge over, the dealer didn't have any records of the car having routine service. It made the approval process longer and we almost didn't get the engine replaced under warranty. So, documentation is a good thing in that case.
Just a little food for thought. Cheers.
05-26-10, 08:02 AM
#15
Pole Position
I shop Costco as well and with their recent $9 off coupon for a case of Mobil 1 it was $25 a case,, I just picked up two cases which will do my 430 and the wife's turbo bug every six months for this coming year when I change them,,
local Toyo dealer is 2 miles away, he gets all my business for any items I cannot handle,, they even have a nail lady to do a manicure for ya,, heck yes I got one when I was in for my state inspection,,
always thought it was interesting the Toyota dealer cannot access Lexus records on their computer system,, guess the Lexus dealers wanted it blocked for fear of losing business,, they do anyway,,
Derry
local Toyo dealer is 2 miles away, he gets all my business for any items I cannot handle,, they even have a nail lady to do a manicure for ya,, heck yes I got one when I was in for my state inspection,,
always thought it was interesting the Toyota dealer cannot access Lexus records on their computer system,, guess the Lexus dealers wanted it blocked for fear of losing business,, they do anyway,,
Derry