Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

I went in today to get my ball joints looked at, and they're saying the following:

Labor : $209
Parts : $190.30
GOG : $0
Misc. : $20.90
Tax : $15.63
TOTAL : $435.83

sound right? or should i shop around?

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Where did you bring it?? Is this a Lexus dealership?? I would go to Toyota and see what they quote you.

Jonny

Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

yes this was my local lexus dealership...

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Then see my previous post above

Jonny

GUNRU-GS4

Your paying too much for the parts. Buy them from Sewell (lexus-parts.com) I think I got quoted $55 a piece for them with CL discount. Your Lexus dealer should let you bring in your own parts.

Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

thanks for that tip! savin' me $100 on parts alone, now to find cheaper labor lol

e-man

GUNRU is right. Hit up Darrel at lexus-parts.com. The ball joints are $55 a piece or so. Here's the thing about the labor. $209 is absolutely ridiculous. Even at $100/hour, that's 2 hours of work for a job that takes approximately 15 minutes a side, if that (at least according to the head tech at my dealership). The problem is that your dealership is probably quoting you what their "book" says to quote (which is the recommended time/price suggested by Lexus). First things first, tell them that you already have the ball joints and ask them if it's okay to bring them in. My dealer was very receptive to this. I asked them to match Sewell Lexus's price on the parts, they couldn't, and they had no issue with me bringing in my own parts. As for labor, perhaps you could combine the job with something else you're having done. For example, I am having new OEM shocks installed. When I mentioned to my tech that I had the ball joints, he told me to just bring them on in, he'd slap them on, and roll the time into the labor for the shocks so it didn't need to be a separate, stand-alone entry on the time sheet. Let us know what happens.

e

Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

hmm.. that would be a great idea, but this is the only thing i need done to my car... i might get some bushings also but i doubt that'll take long.. i'm thinkin' about just going to midas and havin' them install the ball joints.. is it bad to take this job to any other place other than a lexus/toyota dealer?

e-man

How many miles on the car?

Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

i'm at about 99,840 right now

e-man

And I take it that you already had the 90k service done?

Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

yea i've had the 90k service..

e-man

Well, then you're a good customer. I'd ask about bringing the parts in, and see if they can work with you on the price to install them. Take it over to Toyota and get a quote from them (which I assume will be cheaper). Bring the quote back to your Lexus dealership and let them know that you'd rather give Lexus the business, but they need to come down in price, especially for a job that is relatively easy (and I would remind them that you recently had the 90k service done there as well).

Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

yea the damn 90k service was 1200 ... you think they'll be negotiable on the prices though?

Kharizma

iTrader: (6)

what's a reasonable price to get the ball joints installed?

how much more to get my dvd navigation update installed, bushing kits installed and spark plugs installed?