fraggin

I took my sc430 in to have the rotors turned, and my shop, unfortunately called me and said there was not enough metal left to turn on the rotors and encouraged me to buy new ones. Normally, I do my own brake jobs, but I didn't have the right tools to remove the spacers on the car. (More like, I didn't want to mess with it since I didn't have an impact wrench.) They quoted me $90 per rotor, and they guranteed the work and the parts, but the charged me $200 in labor. I Ate the cost, and out of curiosity, I asked them to write up a quote for Changing the Timing Belt and Replacing the Valve Cover Gasket. The parts they were quoting were on par, but I was blown away by the total price.

Parts and Labor to replace valve cover gaskets, replace timing belt and to change all fluids was $2800. I was totally floored.

Typically, I enjoy doing my own mechanic work. It helps me to "know" the state of the car and it's parts, but then again, sometimes, i like the earned convenience of dropping my car off and having someone do quality work.

I have seen where many people on this forum have quoted their 'go-to' guys changing the timing belt for $400. I have yet to find anyone that would do this for me. I even offered these guys the option to let me buy parts and they declined.

I guess what I'm asking, is how do you find a shop that will do quality work without emptying your pockets or taking advantage of you. Or, for those of you in The Woodlands/Spring/North Houston Area, could you recommend someone?

Coleroad

Fraggin, which shop did you go to?

Coleroad

You can try g r auto on stuebner airline or Viking automotive in Houston, clear choice auto.

fraggin

Service First Automotive on Kuykendahl.

fraggin

Wow, they have great reviews. Maybe I'll take the SC430 there for a trial run.

Harold57

You can also try the Toyota dealers, they will be cheaper than the Lexus dealers.

Coleroad

I wouldn't recommend fred hass toyota.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...too bad you aren't here in Dallas, my mechanic worked for Sewell for 8yrs & anything I can't handle, I never think twice about him doing the work

Cube

Since parts are far more expensive in my country (e.g. spark plugs for Lexus LS400 =~ USD23 per piece). I usually go to amayama.com for my stuff.

pynky01

I live close to Dallas... 06 Silver/black...texsexlex ...please could you show name of shop with this mechanic ..thanx

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...hey Pynky01 sorry for the delay, did a little Christmas shopping yesterday,but did answer your pm. Frank Moss....Advanced Autodynamics...214 600 9192, he's located @ 8000 Sovereign Row, Dallas Tx 75247.....it's near I-35 & Mockingbird Ln. I've been doing business with him for about 15yrs, he knows the Lexus products really well & does german products also. I'm very happy with the service & price that I've needed him for, he even helped ShawnOk with an issue over the phone & he was able to fix it himself

Coleroad

Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping next year we will move closer to Dallas.

Harold57

Pynky01, are you more north or south of Dallas?

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...he's east of us in Longview

Harold57

Oh that's quite a drive here for repairs. Since you'd be coming from Longview, there is also another independent Lexus mechanic shop called Davenport that is in west Plano on Plano Parkway (near Coit). They are the ones who wound up repairing my top.