Thx for the replies, guys. So as suspected, it was having to do with the oil changes. Now what's interesting is how Lexus has different intervals in other countries, such as the UK, Sweden.

 

No free maintenance here.

Our recommended interval is also 10K (miles) or 16K (kilometers).

 

really? damn that sux. one of the reasons i got bmw was the free maintenance.

 

That's also why you're car was $15K more than my F....not so free now is it.

 

I have a co-worker who is a Benz and BMW fan and owns both cars. I agree that they are great cars but he said and quote "after 50K miles, trade it in. Thats when things start breaking"...... On top of they are just too much to maintain, i'd buy a Lexus over BMW and/or Benz.

 

These so call free maintence is over rated, you end up paying for it one way or another. Audi care, which is a maintenance package for the 1st five years only cost $750. It is cheap in price compare to the Lexus package which cost 3 times as much.

 

My BMW has a 15k base interval (works out to be more like 17k as calculated by the OBC), but it has a VERY deep sump (6.5L for a 2.5L I-6) and very stringent oil requirements. I've only seen 4 that meet the standard (BMW LL-4), and chose Amsoil Euro Blend out of the few available.

The Lexus, on the other hand, takes 5.5L for a 3.5L V-6 and has less stringent oil requirements, so I'm not surprised they specify a shorter interval. Again I use Amsoil, so I'm probably going to extend it (using oil analysis to verify it's safe) to 7500 or 10k.

 

Even with the less stringent oil requirement, any synthetic can safely do 10000 miles. I think Lexus is playing it too safe or maybe its just another source of income for the Lexus dealers.

 

At $220 / oil change, is there any doubt?

 

msrp is meaningless anyway :P i paid less on my m when compared to the f

 

Who do you think pays for those nice Lexus lounge and the French pastries

 

No, that is not the reason. BMW's, on average, cost more than Lexus products, even when they didn't have the free maintenance. There are several reasons why, but one of the most obvious is the strong loyalty of the BMW owner base. Even the contyroversial Chris Bangle designs, and the electrical unreliability, didn't significantly cut into that strong repeat ownership. With customers like that, BMW can....and does......charge top dollar. There is also the issue of the high-priced labor in the BMW German plants.

 

If you paid $220 for an oil change you must have asked for a x5k mile service. Ask for only an oil change and it'll be between $50 to $80 (depending on dealer) and they'll still do all those little inspections.

 

My Lexus dealer charges $147 w/tax for a oil change and tire rotation.
I do my own with Amsoil 0w30 for 7500 miles.

 

^ True I forgot to calculate the tire rotation cost. Most IS are staggered so we don't have that luxury