123ls430

Hi guys,

So, I am a new Lexus owner. Coming from Honda/Acura world, my knowledge about the Lexus is limited, so help me out here.

I just purchased a 2002 LS430 with 77K miles. Took it to a Toyota (not Lexus!) dealer near my house for a timing belt and WP replacement. The Service Rep called me and then emailed me a list of service that needs done with pricing. I need to ask you guys if you have done any of the services at the dealership/indy shop, how much it cost you, and/or what you do think of these prices/services?

Thanks in advance.

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- Timing Belt 550.00$
- Water Pump 550.00$
- Crank Seal 70.00$
- Timing Belt Idlers 220.00$
- Oil Dipstick Tube o-ring 230.00$
- Valve Cover Gaskets including half moon reseal and tube seals 795.00$
- Front Brakes including resurfacing front rotors, replacing pads and caliper bolts 240.00$
- Rear Brakes including resurfacing rear rotors, replacing pads and caliper bolts 240.00$
- Battery 130.00 includes 7 year warranty (2year free replacement, 50/50 split for remaining five years)
- Spark Plugs 300.00$
- EFI Svc 109.95$
- Throttle Body Svc 109.95$
- Rebalance tires 40.00$
- brake fluid exchange is 109.95$
- cabin and engine air filters are 102.85$ to change out
- I'll take care of the oil change for you free of charge.
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Total, I believe around $4k??? Really? But oh well, I am getting a free oil change lol

LS430FL

How mechanically inclined are you? Some of that stuff on the list could be done by someone with little skill but save you lots of $$...

warminwisc

Did your tires wobble or shake? That may tell you a little how much they are padding the bill as the other stuff you really can't judge unless yur brakes are squelling.. Did you get an inspection, I hope?

warminwisc

I would ask how much I am loosing out the oil dipstick o ring. EFI service these guys maybe have no scrupples, is it running smooth.

ancdmd

TB, water pump, pulleys, plugs and valve cover gaskets can all be done at once and should cost a lot less than that. Do not resurface rotors, saving the caliper bolts. OEM pads are cheap and can easily be done yourself. EFI service is a joke.

ma61

Sounds like they just looked up the time for each job instead of adjusting the labor for overlapping jobs.

yeskay

did you get the vehicle inspected before purchase? seems like the toyota dealer forgot about the overlapping labor time.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

heres the reality of your situation

you are being bent over, slapped, punched, yelled at, and spit on , ,,,then once u pay u will be laughed at .

Your best bet is to drive the car until you notice some reaL issues.

honeygee2

id tell that dealer to take a long walk off a short pier...cabin filter 10 bucks online 5 minutes to change...engine filter 12 bucks online 7 minutes to change..brake fluid service 50 bucks maybe...etc etc etc...top grade spark plugs 8-9 dollars each...batteery auto zone 109 bucks installed 84 month warranty....

Jabberwock

Typical dealer SOP - the service writer should have had a mask and gun on you when quoting those prices. Likely straight book rate with no discount for combined jobs or/and large job.

Here is what I suggest to save some money, and what I would do since I hate wasting money - you could break this up into segments, the only thing I would do at Lexus dealer (or a Lexus specialist) for sure would be the TB and WP service, but also look at combining gaskets, o ring, and tube seals with TB and WP work to combine/merge replicated labor cost.

Order complete TB and WP parts kit online from Sewell or other reputable OEM parts source. Then call around to various Toyota or Lexus dealers and ask for their best labor quote installing the OEM parts you bought. Let them know you are shopping for best price and they need to earn your business with their best labor only quote.

- Timing Belt
- Water Pump
- Crank Seal
- Timing Belt Idlers

Order o-ring, valve cover gaskets and tube seals and again shop around for best labor quote. Any quality independent shop can do this job.
- Oil Dipstick Tube o-ring
- Valve Cover Gaskets including half moon reseal and tube seals

Order front and rear OEM toyota brake pad sets online (irontoad.com) - usually about $110 combined for front and rear sets. Install yourself if semi handi - super easy to do. Unless rotors are scored no need to cut rotors. If unhandy you could again shop for good independent to install OEM brake pads only for you that you bring into them.

Front Brakes
- Rear Brakes

Replacement battery at Walmart - Everstart Max - about $90 - 3 year full replacement warranty - be aware pro-rated (non full replacement) warranties are worse than useless ripoffs.
- Battery
Order spark plugs online and install your self if semi handy....likely $80-100 in parts
- Spark Plugs

Buy 2 bottles of techron concentrate fuel system cleaner (large bottle). Fill tank and put 1 bottle in. Repeat.
- EFI Svc

Buy some CRC brand spray throttle body cleaner and some spray MAF cleaner and clean the TB and the MAF when you change your own air filter. Order air filters for cabin and engine online from Amazon - usually cheapest source I can find. Change your own cabin filter super easy job.

- throttle Body
- cabin and engine air filters

Find a deal or coupon for tire rotation and balance with oil change at a reasonable dealer..should be about 40.00 total on special. Then change your own oil going forward.

- rebalance tires

Shop for a dealer that can do this job for you after you have replaced the brake pads front and rear - cost is about right - $100-120
- brake fluid exchange

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

well put , to cut it short the dealer is ripping u off and walk away

toddmorr

who actually goes for these offers...I mean, the fact that the dealer makes the recommendation with a straight face tells you there are folks out there that actually go ahead and have the work done at these rates. hard to believe but it must be so.
Anyway, you get straight dope on this website; if you are the slightest bit handy you can do many of these jobs yourself comfortably in a pleasant afternoon, as has been detailed above.
Most of us would agree the LS is an extraordinarily well designed car for a mechanic to work on..intentionally or not, but it is. brake pads for example....seriously..my teenage daughter could do it. Filters..same.

L8RSk8R

That's too cheap. They forgot to add on an alignment

Turn off traction control, and haul **** outta there.