ElRx300

Just bought my first Lexus, a 2003 RX 300. The car is creeping up on 180,000 miles, but looks to be an incredibly well maintained one-owner. I figure I'll go ahead and take her in for a 90k service. So....

Should I go to a Lexus dealer or Toyota dealer? Do you think a small dealer premium is worth their expertise, or can a reputable independent shop do just as well with OEM parts? List of parts I should have replaced? What costs can I expect?

fastnoypi

The major part of the service is the timing belt replacement. IMHO, this is the biggest and most comprehensive service in the schedule that it is worth the extra premium at a Lexus dealer to go over everything. I think of it as another pre-owned certification.

kalali

The only advantage of going to a Lexus dealer is the assurance that OEM parts are used. There is no guarantee that a knucklehead mechanic will not work on your car. If you know an independent shop that you trust, just take them the parts and have them do the work. It's just like replacing a timing belt on any other transverse mounted V6 engine.

fastnoypi

Agreed that there is no guarantee a knucklehead mechanic will not work on your car. However a Lexus dealership may have alot more leverage to help you out should something go wrong, ie loaner car and working with corporate if necessary. The local mechanic would only be able to warranty their workmanship but not parts supplied.

If going the independent mechanic route or dealership route, understand the limited workmanship warranties implied if not in writing by talking with the shop owner or dealer service manager.

salimshah

Welcome to CL.

When you call around for pricing make sure you ask exactly what would be done. Some places will do only what you ask and some will add on needed items at 90k plus some additional work. Typically I have observed tat the stuff more than just the T Belt makes dealership service cost a lot more.


Salim

matts6887

I agree with most of the others here. If you know a good independent reputable shop to go to in your area then go for it. But if not; I would look up reviews, etc of not just the local lexus dealers in your area but independent shops as well. Check with the better business bureau and see what kinda complaint records they have. Also like salim said; call around to get prices for the 90K service. Then compare all the reviews, etc for the places out there and weigh all your options and go from there.

appsdba

Congratulations on your RX300. It's a good car & you won't be disappointed. When I bought mine last year (2000 RX300 w/ 168k), the first thing I did was have the timing belt and water pump replaced by my local Lexus dealer (I had a small leak and I figured they might as well do it while they're in there). Granted, it was expensive but I had peace of mind knowing it was done right. IMHO, if it's a repair I can do (spark plug change, oil change, brake pads, valve gasket, PCV valve, etc), I'll do it (BTW, a lot of great guys in the forum give great advice on DIYs). If it's a job I don't know how do, is too big for me to do, and/or I don't have the tools to do it (i.e. - changing head gasket, transmission work, valve job, etc.), then I'll take it to the Lexus dealer. Unfortunately, the mechanic I trust wholeheartedly has gone into a well-deserved retirement and I feel like there is no mechanic out there I can really trust....at least in my area. I took my RX300 to a few "reputable" mechanics and when they see my car (especially my wife's car, which is an LX470), I can kinda tell they see me as a "walking wad of $100 bills" and they tell me I "need to have this and that done" when I very well know that "this and that" is totally fine. So bottomline: Be mindful out there when researching for a mechanic.

Just my two cents. I hope it helps

mizak82

go to an independent guy.. if you get that service done at the dealership your going to pay more than the car is worth..

I personally use the dealership as a last resort.. its not an overly complicated car to work on...