mbr439a

I recently had an oil change done on my '04 Lexus LS430 at a local Toyota dealer. He only charges $29.95 and uses Toyota oil filters and motor oil. Does anyone think its wise to continue having the car serviced there or go to a Lexus dealer?

JimsGX

Sounds like a good deal to me... Why pay an additional $80 for a bagel and cream cheese at the Lexus dealer!

I know Lexus performs other services though such as the 24 point inspection and tire rotations for that price. Does the Toyota dealer check the car over for you when you have it in for the oil change?

beneteau

We've had my wife's ES300 serviced at a local Toyota dealership for YEARS. Why spend $150.00 per hour labor rate at a Lexus dealer when Toyota's labor rate is $90.00 per hour. Any necessary repair (timing belt, brakes, water pump, etc.) was always performed at the Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer issues online discount coupons for oil changes and the coupons include Lexus. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen a "Lexus brand" oil filter.

GLIDESUL

I don't see a problem with it. Toyota is Lexus, i brought my Lexus from a toyota dealer and i get free oil changes every 5000 miles free with my service plan. Whenever i have problem they would fix it way cheaper then the lexus dealer. Just my opinion.

SteveM

As others have said above, I don't think the Toyota service would be any lesser.

I think Jim hit the nail on the head. All of the fancy furnished waiting areas with leather couches and big TV's, food and beverages and excessive concierge "hosts" may be what a lot of the extra costs of Lexus labour rate's are actually related to. Last time I was at Lexus they gave me "complementary" golf ***** and key chain on the way out... I clealy paid for them!

IMO I would be very surprised if the technicians are any more experienced, doing different quality work or using different grade parts, let alone providing proportionately better service to justify the difference in labour rate. I've been taking my ES and LS to Toyota recently and it seems the parent company does just as well.

miniz

$29.95 for an oil change on an LS is great deal. You can't even buy the oil for that price alone, not to mention the filter and labor. That price almost makes me wonder if they are just changing the oil and not the filter, then using ultra cheap a$$ oil.

honeygee2

Last summer I spent the month of July in northwest Pa. The ls 430 needed an oil change so I put the info into the nav system and the nearest lexus dealer was over 100 miles away. A toyota dealer came up on the nav screen in Bradford Pa. about 27 miles away. Went there and had oil and filter done for 24.95 and they even washed the car. I got home and inputted the info to Lexus Owner site and there it stays. Any work you have done outside a lexus dealer you can input yourself into the Lexus Owner link on the lexus.com site.

Also if you go to your local dealer's site they usually have coupons for service. My local dealer has one for 39.95 for oil and filter change.

98LS

We always take our LS to Toyota for service. Much less expensive, plus our dealership washed the car last time it was in for an oil change. Lexus is Toyota, so they should be able to do the same services.

mannye

Guys, in Japan the 430 is called the Celsior and has Toyota badges! Don't get suckered by marketing.

LS430inDE.

I totally agree that Toyota dealerships are just as qualified to do "routine" maintenance items such as oil, brakes, and even waterpumps or timing belts.

On the flip side, I also think the Lexus dealership will have more KNOWLEDGE when relating to Lexus specific (bells/whistles) items..such as TSB's, custom programming on smartkey options, or frequently complained about items (wind noise on 460's, air suspension on UL's), etc.

If getting "routine" service done, I agree 100% a Toyota dealer is an equivalent option to the dealer.

Tomorrow I'm having my coolant flushed/filled, my rear diff oil changed, brake fluid changed, and tranny fluid changed (in addition to the 30k service). The Toyota dealer could have, I'm sure, done all these service items, but I've never "experienced" service from a Lexus dealer. So------I've been fasting for the last 12 hours hoping they will have clams casino and shimp cocktail in the service concierge lounge ..lmao!

Also, good to know info is when a Lexus dealer does a 30k or 60k or 90k etc service, they do it at a reduced labor rate. I'm pretty sure they said $75/hr. Not sure if all dealerships are like that or just Wilmington (Koons) Lexus.

I plan on hanging out with the technician as he works on my 430.

I will report more tomorrow.

V8_Fan

Ironically, my local Lexus dealer charges $100/hr for labor while the local Toyota dealer charges $150/hr! Both have lounges and free danishes, but no free loaner at Toyota, and service is slow...took all day (7am-6pm) to install brake hoses! I only take it there when I have to, namely when I got stainless braided hoses (lexus dealer wouldn't touch them for legal reasons since they weren't OEM).

TJW98LS

iTrader: (1)

I'll give Lexus that Benefit. The times I've had a Toyota Dealership service the car for the smallest things (Oil Change and Tire Rotation, etc.) it felt like I was waiting on them to do a custom engine swap.

I have plenty of horror stories from the Toyota Dealership in Bowling Green, KY. I would advice anyone living in that region to take their Lexus to Nashville or Louisville if you need service.

caddyowner

Be sure to report on the menu, too!

AudioBuff

My local Toyota dealership refuses to service my LS430. All I wanted was an oil change. They will not service any Lexus products. Go figure!!!

JimsGX

Is there a Lexus Dealer nearby the Toyota Dealer? Or worse, a Lexus Dealer nearby that's under the same ownership?