Hey everyone!
I’ve had my 2007 LS460 for a few years now, and have moved a couple times. I always get it serviced at the dealership, just like I did for my previous ES350. I am not uncomfortable paying dealership prices. I am asking because I am genuinely unsure if I can trust the dealership in my new city.

At my previous dealership, the HID bulb cost for the low beams was $200 per, in December 2023. Here, they tried to charge me $350 per bulb!

I’m also having the starter replaced. I understand this is not a quick job - the starter is located inside the V of the engine and is labor intensive. However, they’re charging $3,048. I was ballparking it to be around $1,900 based off of six hours of labor and a $400 OEM starter. $3,000 sounds ludicrous. Am I wrong for being suspicious?
Thanks!

 

I think you may be mistaken. THe starter isn't int he valley plate area. Its actually outside but does require taking off the exhaust manifold.

Something straight forward like this, i would think a local mechanic might be better since no special tools or programming is needed.

 

Somebody's got to pay for the coffee and cookies I suppose.

 

There was a video on the Car Care channel about this starter job. What a nightmare. I'm not surprised that dealer is asking that much money for this job. They probably hooping that you will go some place else. LOL.

 

Shop around the job should not be that much.

 

It's about a 6.5 hr job and a new oem starter is about $420

 

Starter can be accessed from the front if you know how to do it, shops will still charge book time though.

 

I had a look at my awd starter when I got the car and it looked like one bolt was from the rear, not sure though. If you have a long enough extension and swivel sockets you can get most bolts/nuts off but some other things will have to be removed for the awd to remove the starter...if I own this car long enough I will find out.

 

I don't recall how it is on an AWD but even so that's not really an issue

 

No,you are not wrong for questioning this charge. You know the labor involved and the cost of the starter. Ask the dealer's service manager for an itemized accounting of the service. (And please let us know).