New to Lexus
09-28-17, 09:24 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: MA
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New to Lexus
Just purchased a 2013 ES 350 - grey with black leather- ultra luxury pkg and navigation - first Lexus for me.
any recommendations on wheel cleaner or license plate frames?
Do most bring to Lexus or Toyota for service?
thanks in advance!
any recommendations on wheel cleaner or license plate frames?
Do most bring to Lexus or Toyota for service?
thanks in advance!
09-28-17, 10:31 AM
#2
Pole Position
Here is my maintenance routine that has worked flawlessly for over a million miles. Every 10,000 miles an oil change and tire rotation is needed. At the Lexus dealership this should be less than $100. Every 30,000 miles the brake fluid needs to be changed and again about $100. Every 20,000 miles change the air and cabin filters. This combined takes five minutes and the air filter can be bought on line at Lexus Parts World for $18. The cabin air filter can be bought at Walmart for $18, It is the Fram Fresh Breeze #10285 with carbon and baking soda to filter the air. Wiper blade inserts again can be bought at Lexus Parts World for $20 for both refills and takes five minutes to replace. You are done until 100,000 miles. At Lexus Parts World use cl5 in the promo code for 10% discount. If you go in and ask for the 10,000, 20,000 30,000 maintenance you will be paying big bucks for a lot more items you do not need checked and inspected. Once a year replace the key fob battery cr2032. Keep receipts for everything. I take my oil filter and 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 purchased at Walmart for $24 to my local Toyota dealer and they charge me $20 labor.
09-28-17, 10:40 AM
#3
Lead Lap
Welcome to CL and GOOD LUCK with your new car. I also have a 2013 350 that I bought new. Some members faithfully use their dealers for service in warranty and out. You will get varied responses here regarding that question. Some members also use their Toyota dealers for repairs and maintenance, finding it costs considerably less than a Lexus dealer. Others, like me, used the dealer for all warranty work but utilize an independent garage for maintenance and - if and when - I require repairs. (none since new in 2012)
I do my oil changes myself.
License frames are available on Ebay and that's where I bought mine. I would recommend you get stainless w/chrome plating but this is a personal choice. You bought a very reliable car and you'll have many years of trouble free service with care. Come back often with any questions you might have and the smart people on here will get you answers.
BC
I do my oil changes myself.
License frames are available on Ebay and that's where I bought mine. I would recommend you get stainless w/chrome plating but this is a personal choice. You bought a very reliable car and you'll have many years of trouble free service with care. Come back often with any questions you might have and the smart people on here will get you answers.
BC
09-28-17, 11:05 AM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Agree with Freds430 approach to the maintenance - good plan. Finding an honest, dependable independent mechanic will save you quite a bit on the maintenance costs - and like Fred says, some of the minor stuff is easy DIY.
Congrats and enjoy your ES!!
09-28-17, 11:58 AM
#5
Lead Lap
I've been using the local Toyota dealer for service on my Lexus vehicles for the 15 years or so since I've been driving Lexus vehicles. The Toyota dealer uses the same parts, oil, etc. that the Lexus dealer would use, but the cost of service at the Toyota dealer has consistently been 1/2 or less of what I would have paid had I had same the work done at a Lexus dealer.
I recently had the timing belt and water pump replaced on my GX. Lexus dealers typically charge $1500 plus to do that job. At the Toyota dealer, I had the work done for $660 (with a $100 service coupon).
Several years ago, I had a leak in the refrigerant line of the AC system on the same GX. The Lexus dealer said that the entire refrigerant line would have to be replaced, and they quoted me $1800 to do the work. The Toyota dealer quoted me $800 for the same work, but they also said that, instead of replacing the entire line, replacing the bad fitting that was the source of the leak would be sufficient. I had them replace the fitting and recharge the system for less than $200, and the repair has held up for 6 or 7 years since the work was done.
I get full synthetic oil changes done at the Toyota dealer for $40 (with a $10 coupon that is always available). The Toyota dealer uses the same oil and filters that the Lexus dealer would use, but the cost would be 2-3 times as much if the Lexus dealer did the same work.
The service departments at Lexus dealers seem to operate on the theory that, if people are willing to pay a premium price to buy a Lexus, they will also be willing to pay a stiff premium to have service work done at the Lexus dealer. That being the case, I have seen no reason to use the Lexus dealers. A Toyota dealer or a good independent mechanic can do the same work just as well, and they will do it for a fraction of the cost of having the work done at a Lexus dealer.
I recently had the timing belt and water pump replaced on my GX. Lexus dealers typically charge $1500 plus to do that job. At the Toyota dealer, I had the work done for $660 (with a $100 service coupon).
Several years ago, I had a leak in the refrigerant line of the AC system on the same GX. The Lexus dealer said that the entire refrigerant line would have to be replaced, and they quoted me $1800 to do the work. The Toyota dealer quoted me $800 for the same work, but they also said that, instead of replacing the entire line, replacing the bad fitting that was the source of the leak would be sufficient. I had them replace the fitting and recharge the system for less than $200, and the repair has held up for 6 or 7 years since the work was done.
I get full synthetic oil changes done at the Toyota dealer for $40 (with a $10 coupon that is always available). The Toyota dealer uses the same oil and filters that the Lexus dealer would use, but the cost would be 2-3 times as much if the Lexus dealer did the same work.
The service departments at Lexus dealers seem to operate on the theory that, if people are willing to pay a premium price to buy a Lexus, they will also be willing to pay a stiff premium to have service work done at the Lexus dealer. That being the case, I have seen no reason to use the Lexus dealers. A Toyota dealer or a good independent mechanic can do the same work just as well, and they will do it for a fraction of the cost of having the work done at a Lexus dealer.
09-29-17, 10:27 AM
#7
>any recommendations
Get the factory body side moldings (body-colored belt line across the doors) to protect the sides from door-dings.
=================================
My karma just ran over your dogma
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2
Get the factory body side moldings (body-colored belt line across the doors) to protect the sides from door-dings.
=================================
My karma just ran over your dogma
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2
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10-02-17, 11:17 AM
#8
Driver School Candidate
This looks like the car I was about to buy this weekend, but purchased a red one instead.
Thank you all for the suggestions, as it is my first lexus as well.
Thank you all for the suggestions, as it is my first lexus as well.
10-02-17, 05:13 PM
#10
Matador Mica Red
Matador Mica Red is the best color...you made a WONDERFUL choice! I would've selected the same color given the chance...well, OK, I did! =)
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kgbman (10-03-17)
10-13-17, 05:04 PM
#13
Driver School Candidate
congrats! Looks great in grey with black. I got white with black. My previous car was grey with grey so white changed things up a bit. Grey is easier to keep clean. Good luck with the ride! You'll love it as I love mine!!
10-14-17, 12:08 AM
#14
Instructor
Poppa
