Why is 15k service so expensive for 2013 GS350?
#47
Because of the different tire sizes on the front and rear, Lexus does not recommend tire rotation on the F-Sport. I use an independent shop, all mechanics Lexus certified, that charges about half what the dealer does.
#48
Lexus Fanatic
This is correct, but I don't have an F-Sport.
Sounds similar to my shop, he was a Lexus master tech for 16 years.
I use an independent shop, all mechanics Lexus certified, that charges about half what the dealer does.
#49
For all my previous cars and this one too, I did myself the oil change and then go to the dealer for the 30K and 60K service etc...This way at least I could have a thorough check up and keep my dealer happy.
#50
Lexus Test Driver
Considering the fact that some people are paying $240, the $120 cost is pretty reasonable.
#51
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (17)
You can even do these things yourself: topping off fluids and checking your brakes. Theyre not hard to do
Tire rotation should be done as needed and still isnt worth the "premium price" that Lexus charges. You can even go to a Toyota dealer and get everything done cheaper
#52
I'd prefer to have my vehicle serviced where the entire staff has worked on over 50 2013 Lexus GS 350 similar to mine, as you would find at a dealership. An independent shop will often "make due" with what manuals or tools they have available. There are some vehicle-specific techniques and tools out there. Will an independent shop invest in these things if they are only working on one 2013 Lexus GS 350? It is unlikely.
#53
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (17)
I'd prefer to have my vehicle serviced where the entire staff has worked on over 50 2013 Lexus GS 350 similar to mine, as you would find at a dealership. An independent shop will often "make due" with what manuals or tools they have available. There are some vehicle-specific techniques and tools out there. Will an independent shop invest in these things if they are only working on one 2013 Lexus GS 350? It is unlikely.
The point Im trying to make is that you can do some of the simple maintenance yourself. I cant speak for everyone, but it makes me feel good when I do simple stuff like this. Plus I get to save some money while doing it
#54
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
You make it sound like the GS is a rare car that requires super special tools for an oil change or tire rotation lol
The point Im trying to make is that you can do some of the simple maintenance yourself. I cant speak for everyone, but it makes me feel good when I do simple stuff like this. Plus I get to save some money while doing it
The point Im trying to make is that you can do some of the simple maintenance yourself. I cant speak for everyone, but it makes me feel good when I do simple stuff like this. Plus I get to save some money while doing it
True and there's no guarantee you'll get a great mechanic just because it's Lexus.Most likely an A mechanic isn't going to do a 15K service.The lower grade mechanic will do that in most dealerships.
#55
In my dealer all the techs do everything. We never found it to be benificial to have graded technicians, one calls out you can be in a bad spot.
#56
Lexus Fanatic
My independent even changes the battery in my key as per the Lexus service schedule.
Originally Posted by Outrage
I'd prefer to have my vehicle serviced where the entire staff has worked on over 50 2013 Lexus GS 350 similar to mine, as you would find at a dealership. An independent shop will often "make due" with what manuals or tools they have available. There are some vehicle-specific techniques and tools out there. Will an independent shop invest in these things if they are only working on one 2013 Lexus GS 350? It is unlikely.
When the car gets older and needs to be diagnosed, I have found that independents are better at that than Lexus dealers because they see more older cars where the Lexus dealer does mostly scheduled maintenance on new or newer cars. Lexus dealers have a "replace first, and keep replacing until it solves the problem" mentality which is fine when Lexus is footing the bill for warranty work, but when you are paying that coupled with the high labor rate and huge markup on parts means huge cost to you. For instance my old 2003 ES needed new lower control arms. Lexus dealer? $3,500. My independent? $1,200....all original parts done by a 16 year Lexus master tech. How can you not recognize that savings, especially on a vehicle with 145,000 miles?
There's no logical reason to use the dealer. If it makes you feel better to, or you enjoy using the dealer, or its more convenient go for it, but don't try and rationalize it and insinuate that those of us who don't are somehow doing our vehicles a disservice. You are paying a premium for an experience at the dealer, nothing more.
Last edited by SW17LS; 04-03-13 at 07:43 AM.
#57
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (17)
There is nothing special about a 2013 GS350. In any event, what are they going to be doing in the first 50k miles? Changing the oil? Rotating the tires? Replacing the cabin air filter? Topping off fluids? Maybe replacing brake pads? I mean...anybody can do those things DIY with simply basic tools, and certainly any certified mechanic can. Its a mainstream, mass produced Lexus, not a one off custom roadster. Anything needing more specific knowledge is going to go back to the dealer as warranty work. It may make you feel special to think that its some special car and that it requires "special tools" but its not. You could have the thing serviced at an Exxon station...you can service it yourself with no training in your driveway. There are no "GS specific" tools.
There's no logical reason to use the dealer. If it makes you feel better to, or you enjoy using the dealer, or its more convenient go for it, but don't try and rationalize it and insinuate that those of us who don't are somehow doing our vehicles a disservice. You are paying a premium for an experience at the dealer, nothing more.
There's no logical reason to use the dealer. If it makes you feel better to, or you enjoy using the dealer, or its more convenient go for it, but don't try and rationalize it and insinuate that those of us who don't are somehow doing our vehicles a disservice. You are paying a premium for an experience at the dealer, nothing more.
If you really want to have your car to be "serviced" at a dealer, at least go to Toyota.
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
I mean...$250 isn't nothing. I'd much rather pay my independent guy $50 and go downtown to the Prime Rib for a nice dinner. I didn't think $250 was runaway outrageous for the old 5k service that included an oil change, but that is a whole lot of money to pay for basically a tire rotation and a car wash, when I never let them do the carwash anyway because they can't do it without screwing the car up. $120 isn't so bad...
As far as getting things covered, you can take the savings over the 50k mile warranty and buy an extended warranty...
I see what you're saying, I too enjoyed my relationship with the dealer when I was using them all the time, but it is a huge premium and I enjoy my relationship with my independent guy too. I don't have an issue paying a premium if I feel I am getting something for that, but I just have come to the conclusion that I'm not.
As far as getting things covered, you can take the savings over the 50k mile warranty and buy an extended warranty...
I see what you're saying, I too enjoyed my relationship with the dealer when I was using them all the time, but it is a huge premium and I enjoy my relationship with my independent guy too. I don't have an issue paying a premium if I feel I am getting something for that, but I just have come to the conclusion that I'm not.
Independent dealers are hit or miss in my book and I honestly rarely see the value, in my experience. No joke I used to take my wife's old Nissan Altima (before she was converted ) to Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett as they started to work on other brands. Well the Nissan price was actually HIGHER than their price and if you saw that Nissan dealership, you would cry
I used to be a huge DIY guy, I have a few write-ups here on basic things but I guess my priorities changed and I'd rather just pay to have it done.
I remember visiting Longo Lexus in Cali, this huge dealership and they actually offer tow trucks and will pick up customer cars, do the service, and tow the car back. That to me is luxury and making life a bit easier.
Finally maybe I just got tired of breaking/losing all those small plastic clips , it takes like an hour just to take off the underbody
#59
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Blueprint
Independent dealers are hit or miss in my book and I honestly rarely see the value, in my experience.
I remember visiting Longo Lexus in Cali, this huge dealership and they actually offer tow trucks and will pick up customer cars, do the service, and tow the car back. That to me is luxury and making life a bit easier.
#60
There's no logical reason to use the dealer. If it makes you feel better to, or you enjoy using the dealer, or its more convenient go for it, but don't try and rationalize it and insinuate that those of us who don't are somehow doing our vehicles a disservice. You are paying a premium for an experience at the dealer, nothing more.
If an independent service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, big deal. If a dealership service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, lose a future potential sale, and may have issues with the vehicle manufacturer. That's a bigger deal. When the stakes are higher, performance is typically improved.
Experience working on a specific vehicle is a valuable skill. If this weren't the case, why would some independent service shops specialize in certain vehicle types?