daryll40

OK, let it first be known that I am cheap. And as I age (I am 43), I am getting cheaper because I see more clearly how low value items can get dressed up and overpriced. Take my call to my dealer today. My ES300 has 9500 miles on it. I wanted to get the oil changed and the tires rotated. They said "oh, you need the 10,000 mile service". I asked what it entailed and what it cost. Costs $119.95 plus 7% tax for oil and filter, tire rotation, check this, check that and not really much else. Oh, they wash the car. Forget it. I'll go to Jiffy Lube, and probably STILL overpay, but get it all done for under well under $50. Yeah, I know some of you will squirm at the thought of Jiffy Lube working on a Lexus, but, hey, it's really just a Camry (from their perspective) and I watch them and check them like a hawk. Worked well for many miles on my Mercedes...no problems with Jiffy Lube. What do YOU guys think. Am I being penny-wise and pound-foolish? I just can't stomach poor values like paying a Lexus dealer more than double the "real" rate.

Daryll40

mcelligott

Just go to a local garage instead of jiffy lube. I go to a valvoline instant oil change shop (much cheaper) or I just do it myself (much much much cheaper). Jiffy lube has an awful reputation with messing up peoples cars, and they charge you way too mugh.

pkchin

Do what makes you feel comfortable. Heck, if you DIY, even more power to ya!

ayonnebay

I always pay $34.95 (+ tax) at my Lexus dealer, saying I only want oil change, filter, and wash. While waiting, I eat all the cakes, and drink all the coffee I can.........I make the appointment via internet, saying I will pay no more than that. When they respond with the appointment, I print it out and bring it with me.

It works for me.

On the other hand, this last time they overfilled the oil - I had to go back.

A friend, who owns a Camry, warned me that JiffyLube, etc. will almost ALWAYS put too much oil in. They use hoses that meter the oil, obviously, rather than quart containers. It was a good tip, as overfilling seems to be the order of the day. I just never expected it to happen at a Lexus dealer.

The quick-change places are usually sloppier, too - check for spilled oil around the filter area/radiator, etc.


---------------------------
'02 ES Silver, Nav/Lev
'98 ES Oyster

Toysrme

DIY if you have two hours to get everything together and change it.

Otherwise, just go someplace cheap and keep an eye on them.

These types of places will normally not try and stiff you if you talk a little shop, or atleast get out and watch.

Gekko

Go to the Toyota Dealer. I pay about $29 for the 30 Minutes or Less or Next-One-Is-Free "Express Lube". They also give me 10% all services because I'm in the "100K Mile Club". The Toyota dealer uses same parts/oil as Lexus and their mechanics are highly trained. Also, they will inspect lost of stuff for free while they do the Express Lube because of course, they want more business if they can legtimately find it.

lexusk8

Very ditto on the Toyota oil change. I paid $22 total for my last oil change, which only took 20-25 min. It's OEM-quality oil and filter at an affordable price, and the dealership knows my car very well.

<VENOM>

Jiffy Lube or Lexus, really depends on the tech who screws up, Jiffy Lube is mainly older cars and people who don't car, sure they get new cars but you usually see people with high end cars or nice cars going to private shops or oil change places with better reputations, same thing goes for Sear Tire Center most of the cars in their are

Find a shop in your neighborhood their still are gas stations with shops attached, I found a Mobil with an excellent shop that can do everything, I go in their for nothin and the owner is greatful, why because he needs the business, become friends with them, them being the techs/owner and you will have peace of mind and they are greatful everytime you return.

That or go to Toyota Express Center, don't even tell them you own a lexus on the phone you drive a V6 Camry it just easier

ayonnebay
when I signed the paper work for my ES they had the RX330 on display for the 1st time and they had all the cookies and goodies you could eat, I think I ate my body weight in roast beef and peperoni, m&m cookies it felt like a thanksgiving day feast when I left cause I hurt if only I could get my services on the days they have the food out for special events my pockets where also filled

aimsoft

ayonnebay :
What dealership do you use in NJ ? and where do you put the price thing ?

thanks

ayonnebay

DiFeo, on Rte 22.

www.difeolexus.com

Click on Service Appointment. In the text area where you explain what you want, tell them you want an oil change and filter, but ONLY if it's $34.95 or less.

They'll respond with the appointment confirmation. Print out that confirmation, which also contains your statement. Bring that with you.

They frequently run that $34.95 special, anyway, but this just assures that you'll get it.

(Don't forget - eat lots of cake there. Have a cinnamon crumb for me.)

Walt

Pianoman72

If your oil is past the FULL mark that can lead to a rear main seal failure (leak), which has happened to me on my Lexus and my GF's Honda because I didn't feal that I should have to check other people's work. WRONG.

I would say wherever you go, check the dipstick. $119 for an oil change is a joke, you are not being "cheap" you are being sane.

aimsoft

ayonnebay ,
I go to Difeo too but they charged me 105$ before. Last week I made them change my Charcoal Cannister and the valve(initial estimate $825) for free on my 97 ES300.. I showed them the details about the lawsuit lexus lost against EPA as a result of which the Emision warranty is now valid till 140000 miles...

I got that for free but they made up on the oil change a little. Thanks for the excellent suggestion on using their website...

ayonnebay

Thanks for the tip on the charcoal cannister - I may need that on my 98 someday. Do you have any more info on that? Is it a TSb? Found on the web? ........I never received any notification about that.

Walt

aimsoft

Walt,
When I showed them the TSB's and the link http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/headline_030703.htm they said they have no information about it.

I callled the 1-800-25-LEXUS and they spoke to the dealer and then the dealer said he will do it as a courtsey.. So all I spent was the 90$ for initial diagnostics and thats it... They Did it in 45 min instead of 3 hrs of labor he quoted before...

The dealer had promised to do the repairs 2 weeks back, but due to backorder on parts, he did last week...