Hi Folks!

Just picked up my new 2016 IS300 and although its a bit away, I've been wondering where a good place to go for service is. I know that the car includes two free services but I wouldn't be averse to going to a non-Lexus dealer after that. Did a little research and some people recommend Granville Toyota or some indy shops but no general consensus. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Id recommend going back to Lexus since you bought the car new. The service at OpenRoad Richmond is pretty good. Ask for SA Wilson otherwise Jeremy who is a member on here can help you out also; he's the manager and does exceptional work.

I haven't been anywhere else for service since I usually do it all at home.

 

I was just at OpenRoad Richmond last week for a free GPS update. Wilson took care of it and they have nice lounge with free drinks lol.

 

What year of the car you have? I thought dealers charge minimum 2 hours labour for GPS update.

 

2011 IS350. This is one of few models that GPS update can only be done at the dealership (cannot DIY). I called Lexus Canada loyalty department and complained telling them paying $300+ for gps update is beyond reasonable. So they took care of the cost and sent me to Lexus Richmond.

 

All, I happenstanced on this guy Shingo Auto in Burnaby who does awesome work. He was a Toyota dealership mechanic in Japan. Labor rate is reasonable (C$85/hour?!) as are the parts (he usually offers me a choice of brands). No extra billing, no unnecessary work. I have a 2005 RX with 275K km.

 

I got my fall servicing done at Toyota New Westminster, they did their best, but I’m not very happy with the level of care offered and the price charged. I’m still looking for a good mechanic to go to here in the lower mainland for my 2013 RX 350. It’s starting to get old and I think dealership servicing isn’t worth it anymore.

If there are any refreshed recommendations for a good place to go for routine, preventative maintenance, I would love to hear about it!

Is a chain like Kal Tire a reasonable place to get preventative maintenance? The one on Kingsway in Burnaby seemed to be staffed by nice people. Did some tire swaps there, but I wasn’t too sure if I wanted routine maintenance there.

 

In Richmond, Kal-Tire is a tire place - for general maintenance and repairs, Minit-Tune (corner of Cambie and #3) are pretty good but not cheap - of course cheaper than the dealer esp the Lexus dealer!!!

 

My sister bought her 2008 IS350 a few years ago from someone who had the vehicle serviced and maintained through Lexus in North Vancouver or Vancouver and it has been running very smoothly since we have purchased it.

She has now been taking it for service at Lexus in Richmond, and the vehicle still feels amazing. She has been getting a loaner car from this dealership for free as well, and I'm not sure if the Vancouver ones also provide this service.

My brother and I do our own work on our other cars, so we know when someone does quality work or not.

 

Does anyone have recommendations for Vancouver BC? I'm Looking for a mechanic for my 2007 Is250.

 

Not in Vancouver, but in Burnaby: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jSrNM3PHTzE13vMB9

IMHO they are pretty good, they're my go-to now, but do request OEM parts. They use good after-markets if you don't, so no concerns there, but if you want OEMs, you have to ask. Their after-market brakes are holding up far better than the brakes Kal Tire gave me. Next time, I might go with OEM brake pads.

They helped with silencing a rattling heat shield with some epoxy, a far cheaper solution than what the dealer recommended. They also taught me how to understand the lifecycle of a bushing (surface cracks are not a problem vs. other problems that need control arm replacement), when the dealership and other mechanics offered unnecessary, expensive (replacement) or dangerous (repair) solutions.

You have to make a special request for OEM oil and filter, though, for your oil change, but they'll entertain you if you ask.