Notices
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018) Forum for all 1990 - 2018 ES Models

Does this sound normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2014 | 07:46 PM
  #1  
NoiseFree's Avatar
NoiseFree
Thread Starter
Intermediate
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 27
From: Ontario
Default Does this sound normal?

So I went in for my 48,000 Km service yesterday at 46,000 Km. to my Lexus dealer.
Yes I am a light driver. It's a 2007 ES-350.

I just wanted to touch base here and find out if this sounds reasonable.

The service cost $521.86
Labor = 373.80
Parts = 84.02
Tax = 60.04

Nothing special, the usual.
-replaced a/c filter
-replaced smart key battery
-replaced brake fluid
-replaced internal trunk release ( a mandatory recall issue)
-4 wheel brake service
-oil and filter stuff
-checked battery
-rotated tires

I was expecting in the usual $370 range, so a bit more than expected.

But there was a bigger surprise.

When I picked up the car they told me I had a leaking water pump.
They said I would have to re-schedule another service appt. to fix it and it would cost $510.38 to install it.

Does this sound normal from your experience?

I haven't had any issues with the car to date.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2014 | 08:29 PM
  #2  
oldgrump's Avatar
oldgrump
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 371
Likes: 12
From: BC
Default

What the heck is a "4 wheel brake service"?? Oh, I know, they visually checked the brake pads for thickness when they accomplished the brake fluid change and and rotated the tires. At your cost for parts they sure didn't replace any pads. The trunk inside handle takes almost zero time......mine was replaced at no charge a few months ago. I'm guessing that the labour charge of $373.80 would be for 3 hours......how they can justify 3 hours for what they've accomplished is beyond me? It's a rip, in my opinion. But that's how the dealers make their money.
Before going ahead and having them change the coolant pump I would first ensure that the coolant level is between the F and L marks (engine cold) and then monitor the coolant level over the next three or four weeks (check it every few days) and see if the level drops any appreciable amount. Mind you, the cost of $510 quoted for the pump replacement sounds cheap considering that in theory they drop the engine/tranny assembly to access the pump. I wonder if Lexus Canada is in kicking something because of your low kms and that there is a TSB # L-SB-0091-11 in relation to the leaking coolant pumps on these cars.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2014 | 04:19 AM
  #3  
CDNlexES's Avatar
CDNlexES
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: ON
Default

that's about right which is about 4 hrs. but if you're near streetsville, mississauga, and want to save a few bucks, a former lexus master mechanic charged me $368 for labour to replace the waterpump. aussieauto.ca
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2014 | 06:30 AM
  #4  
mlacomb's Avatar
mlacomb
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 432
Likes: 6
From: OH
Default

Water pumps are known to fail on these models unfortunately. Mine was covered under warranty, but they still dinged me for labor for a belt at an hour... even though they have to take the old belt off and put the new one on.

I'm going to go talk to a different service advisor - lucky enough to have 2 lexus dealerships in my area, and a friend of mine has had MUCH BETTER experience at the Dublin location than the Easton location (Columbus, Ohio)
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2014 | 08:59 PM
  #5  
iceblast's Avatar
iceblast
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 207
Likes: 2
From: Ont, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by NoiseFree
....
Nothing special, the usual.
-replaced a/c filter
-replaced smart key battery
-replaced brake fluid
-replaced internal trunk release ( a mandatory recall issue)
-4 wheel brake service
-oil and filter stuff
-checked battery
-rotated tires
....
Since your car is probably out of warranty anyway, I just pick and choose which services I think I need, rather than their blanket maintenance 'packages'. I do the powertrain stuff, but everything else is at my discretion.

I remember replacing the brake fluid earlier this year, was in the $120-160 (expensive, but oh well). Dead simple to replace the smart key battery and a/c filter (they charge $20-30! + part cost) for this. The battery should have been free, labourwise, the guy at the parts counter changed it for me when I bought a battery off them (~$3).

The internal trunk release, should have been free (its a recall).

The 4 wheel brake service I had done to the tune of $120-150. Waste of money, and I was naive to have gotten it. They just de-glaze the rotors with brake cleaner, they charge you for the brake cleaner too.

Oil & filter = $90 at the dealer.

So you can see with the taxes how it got up to $500.

Always, always, ask what each service item is, before you hand them the keys. Tell them exactly what you want and if it is cheaper to decouple it from the maintenance package, than do so, or do it yourself.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2014 | 10:14 PM
  #6  
NoiseFree's Avatar
NoiseFree
Thread Starter
Intermediate
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 27
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by iceblast
Since your car is probably out of warranty anyway...

So you can see with the taxes how it got up to $500.

Always, always, ask what each service item is, before you hand them the keys. Tell them exactly what you want and if it is cheaper to decouple it from the maintenance package, than do so, or do it yourself.

Thanks for the tips iceblast!

Yes my car is out of warranty of course.

I will definitely ask what each service item is in the future and see if I decouple them from the package whether I'd come out ahead.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2014 | 10:16 PM
  #7  
NoiseFree's Avatar
NoiseFree
Thread Starter
Intermediate
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 27
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by oldgrump
.
Before going ahead and having them change the coolant pump I would first ensure that the coolant level is between the F and L marks (engine cold) and then monitor the coolant level over the next three or four weeks (check it every few days) and see if the level drops any appreciable amount.
Thanks OG. I'll see if I can find where the coolant level is and then check the marks.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2014 | 10:18 PM
  #8  
NoiseFree's Avatar
NoiseFree
Thread Starter
Intermediate
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 27
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by CDNlexES
that's about right which is about 4 hrs. but if you're near streetsville, mississauga, and want to save a few bucks, a former lexus master mechanic charged me $368 for labour to replace the waterpump. aussieauto.ca
Thanks CDNlexES.
I'm about as far from streetsville as I am to my dealer, I think.
I will consider this as an option.

A plus for the dealer is they give you a loaner vehicle while you wait the time for repairs.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

 Brett Foote
Old Jun 25, 2014 | 02:26 PM
  #9  
NoiseFree's Avatar
NoiseFree
Thread Starter
Intermediate
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 27
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by oldgrump
Before going ahead and having them change the coolant pump I would first ensure that the coolant level is between the F and L marks (engine cold) and then monitor the coolant level over the next three or four weeks (check it every few days) and see if the level drops any appreciable amount. Mind you, the cost of $510 quoted for the pump replacement sounds cheap considering that in theory they drop the engine/tranny assembly to access the pump. I wonder if Lexus Canada is in kicking something because of your low kms and that there is a TSB # L-SB-0091-11 in relation to the leaking coolant pumps on these cars.
Could you please expand a bit on the TSB part + low kms?

It's been almost two weeks since the service that I had done.
Today I checked the coolant level for the first time.
It was right at the Full level.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pokemon
RX - 3rd Gen (2010-2015)
4
Oct 31, 2014 11:36 AM
CGLex07
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
17
Sep 28, 2014 06:38 PM
Salduchi
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
14
Jun 21, 2011 07:39 PM
Jenomic
GX - 1st Gen (2003-2009)
6
Jun 27, 2008 09:44 AM
dmacneill
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
6
Jun 28, 2007 05:27 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:57 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus/Toyota models with the lowest 5-year depreciation rate.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 12:19:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

The LC hasn't even disappeared from the Lexus lineup yet, and we're already seeing signs of an explosive market.

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-06 09:25:02


VIEW MORE