rem5891

Hey everyone. My recommended service is coming up, and I was just looking for a little insight. What absolutely needs to be done? Should I go to Lexus or Toyota?

Lukas99GS

I'd recommend water pump, spark plugs if they've never been done, brake fluid/coolant/transmission fluid change. Get a quote from both dealers, usually you can save money going to Toyota from what I've heard.

ptplujo

iTrader: (1)

To add to Lukas, I'd recommend looking at your rear brake pads and alignment too if you haven't already. A lot of people just look at and change the fronts without ever looking at the rears. Other things that you can look at yourself before taking it to the dealership are the power steering fluid, air filters, and tires.

snakeo2

I'll probably look into the suspension (i.e. ball joints, tie rods, struts, wheel bearing, etc). I drove a 04 GS300 before I got the GS460 I'm currently driving and replacing the ball joints on a 2nd Gen GS is a must at or before the 120k as they are notorious for failing. I recently replaced 3 of my struts and front wheel bearings and plan to do a major service at around 120k mile mark.

Lukas99GS

3GS doesn't have power steering fluid as its electric, I also had a 2GS before my 460, and from my experience the suspension on the 3GS holds up much better, I'm fairly sure all my tie rods and ball joints are original and none of them are showing any signs of wear. Struts on the other hand seem to go out more for 3GS owners

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

^Have to agree, had to replace both front struts, but compared to my nightmare of a 2002, I can't complain. I will also say that while not as comfortable as my 2gs, it drives significantly better. As for OP, possibly look at a transmission service, issue is finding a dealer willing t do it.

Sodium

Only thing I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned is to have the differential fluid changed. And definitely have the transmission fluid changed, there's no such thing as a lifetime fluid!

Also, the service schedule lists all the service items that Lexus recommends for every 5,000 mile interval up to 180K, so check that if you want to know the absolute minimum 120K service requirements

2008GS

I have asked for quotes on my 120k for my 2008 and the local Toyota dealer quoted me the following...are you sitting down???
Water pump and drive belt replacement: $994.00
Spark plug replacement w/gaskets $563.00
Brake fluid exchange: $205.00
Trans fluid "exchange": $291.00 Total $2052 but if I have it all done at same time, reduced to $2003.65 due to labor overlap.
I am still researching other quotes but wanted to provide this for comparison value.

2008GS

And as a follow-up to my local Toyota service quotes, here are my local Lexus quotes:
Water pump and drive belt replacement $769.78
Spark plug replacement with gaskets $432.19
Brake fluid exchange $185.29
Transmission fluid exchange $495.56
The Lexus dealer is quoting less on all svcs except the trans service!

rem5891

I've recently had my radiator serviced because of a leak, and they checked the water pump and said it was fine (my mechanic is a Lexus tech). The Lexus here is quoting me roughly $800 for the job. Looks like a lot of flushes, oil change, filters, things of that nature. Nothing too serious. I still need to call Toyota to see what they will say. Would it matter if I asked for the actual "120k service", or should I ask for those things separate?

tcr101

iTrader: (2)

May want to also consider rear diff fluid (preventative).

If you have a gs430, the 3uz valve cover gaskets, radiator, and PCV tubes start go around now.

93SCMax

Your dealers seem to be pretty high compared to the Toyota and Lexus dealer here in Charleston, SC. For example, last month I got a quote from both dealers for the transmission flush and brake fluid flush.

Lexus
Brake fluid flush $170
Transmission flush $240

Toyota (quoted for a 2007 Avalon...similar engine trans)
Brake fluid flush $158
Transmission flush $283

For the transmission flush, you will need 13 qts of fluid, so the parts eat up over half the cost of the work. I believe they said 1 1/2 to 2 hrs labor...seems right if they have the flush machine.

I'd recommend other quotes, or even ask them to break down the cost (parts vs labor). $500 for a "transmission fluid exchange" seems unbelievably high. Maybe they don't have a machine and it will take them 3-4 hours to drain and fill properly.

Good luck.