Dealership charging $500 for 15,000 miles service, major part is oil change. Is it worth it ? or do i have other options

 

Depending on your model, a Toyota dealership is an option to save some money.

 

What model Lexus is it?

 

You can have it serviced anywhere

 

What could warrent 500$ at 15 k ? My mothers 96 Camry has 219k and I do all the work I don't think it cost me 500$ in 5 years...

 

I bought a used 2011 GS 350 and wanted the dealership to give it a thorough once-over. They replaced the cabin filter ($67), changed the oil ($73) with Vavoline synthetic blend, flushed out the brake fluid ($150), realigned all four wheels ($129), replaced the air filter ($58), cleaned the fuel injection ($158) and did a 162-point check as if it were a certified Lexus used car sale ($150). That totaled $785. I figure this will be my first and last visit to the dealership unless there's something nobody else in the world can fix. I'm especially ticked off about the $73 oil change with the cheap oil, good for only 3,000 miles so I'll be sure an visit again soon.

 

Maybe some of the $500 is "dealer recommended services" vs. what the manufacturer recommends. Dealers do like to add on extra cost items that aren't necessary if they can.

 

rx 350 2016

 

In the 30+ years I have had Toyotas and Lexus models. I have never had to do a fuel injection flush or a 4 wheel alignment. However my father's ES so called needed one at 15k km and my sister got hosed big time on her IS.

 

Your Toyota vehicles you own now can't have 4 wheel alignments Jill

 

Isn't every 5k increments is just an inspection? Oil change, cabin filters, rotations, etc at 10k?

 

Do you know what it actually takes to clean fuel injectors....? All they are going to do (if your lucky ) is dump some fuel injector cleaner in you gas tank...

 

Vehicles with beam or live rear axles usually don't need 4-wheel alignments, unless there is something excessively-worn or bent/damaged/deformed in the suspension.

 

Unless you drive up and down curbs all week long or drive with the parking brake on, I'd avoid all inspections. That's where much of the charges come from. Ask for an oil and filter change only, leaving out your mileage. That should be under $100, they'll reset the maintenance light for you, and often do many of the other inspections that come with a basic oil/filter change package. When you get to the bigger recommended services (now or later on), treat them the same way- separate and without the inspections. Go to the dealer's service website and print out coupons. Or find another dealer's coupons, which yours should honor. I've done all these things since my IS was new and have had all the dealer services done at a fraction of the price.

 

Those are all crazy prices...imho there is a camp who wants their carfax to show they did every factory recommended service, that's the only reason I can think of why people would pay. Can you imagine, cabin air and air filters, these can be done in likely <4 to 5 min., $67 and $58? Brake fluid, sure, many don't want to deal with it, it's nasty, but maybe $10 worth of parts, $150? 162 point check told me my clutch fluid was OK, on a LS430. Nice. Also told me I needed front and rear shocks, indie said what? They're fine.

Maybe part of me is envious, we all wish we could just buy a diamond engagement ring at the mall, or a dog at a pet store, but our upbringings won't allow us to....I honestly would love to simply take my car to the dealer and whip out the plastic, but it's unconscionable...

p.s. I too was first and last....got misquoted on the phone as well....I paid $59 for a brake flush, and $129 for a drain/fill coolant LS430. They told me like $129 and $179 over the phone. Go figure. Inaccuracies actually make me wonder if they really did the work or just wanted to upsell.