Well, all 5 of my TPMS sensors have been blank in the mornings when the weather was cold and come back on during the day as it warms up. Dealer says "it's the batteries, the sensors need to be replaced". I've never had a sensor die in any Toyota/Lexus car I've owned (ranging from 12-15 years old). Dealer wanted $1250 to replace them!

Discount tire sell the same Denso/Pacific sensors for $60 and install them for free. Unfortunately, they don't have them in stock (and they said they have no ETA in the foreseeable future). They suggested I get them at the dealer and they would still install them for free. I didn't even bother to call my local stealer (the one that wanted $1250). Since Sewell Lexus were reprimanded for selling Lexus parts at a discount, I've used Bell Lexus in Scottsdale AZ. They wanted $67 each for the sensors (great deal for a dealership) with free shipping. So when they arrive, I'll hoof it down to the local Discount tire and save $915.

It pays to shop around!

 

That’s a great bargain thanks for the share/info

 

Ain't just Lexus. My Mercedes dealer wants $1,200 to replace the pads on my S560, just the pads...the parts are $76.

 

Brake prices are insane, I just did a hard line for some for "only" $475 (they had me come out to where the car failed) whine the dealer/shops wanted $1400 plus tow.

Even charging a $50 travel fee and double rate I couldn't charge $500....

 

So I undersold the parts. The OEM pads front and rear are over $700, the pads I mentioned for $76 are aftermarket pads. Still though, theres a markup in the pads there and even at $200 an hour shop rate for labor, they are charging 2 hours labor for a job that probably takes a tech 45 minutes. OEM rotors are nearly $1,000.

 

Cheapest I've seen a set of OEM (Toyota) F&R brake pads and rotors is $500 on ebay. I shudder to think what my Lexus dealership would want to do a front and rear brake job!

 

Better than $1650 in parts for the Mercedes lol.

Lexus wanted $350 just to resurface the front rotors on my LS!

 

Generally dealers around me are crazy expensive, but pads have always been around $350 per axle installed, plus some extra for the replaced bolts. Rotors only changed once on rears and similar price. Last time was 2 years ago. Not bad vs 1 hour minimum to even look at a problem. My heated seat was bad, they claimed wire was loose but I got sense some blower was misaligned as the service manager spilled the beans. As car gets older I am reluctant to go to dealer, but I admit I've never had a problem with brakes. On other cars I've had seized calipers after a brake job, humming noises that needed to be fixed and more.

My main complaint is that I think dealers push brakes on miles (30k, well it's about time...), scaring you with the wear sensor. I am not convinced it's always been legit. But even for brakes I may avoid dealers now. If state inspection (NY) reveals issue on remaining thickness of pads , I'll do brakes then.

 

As the car gets older don't go to the dealer. Youy need to find yourself a good independent mechanic that knows Lexus/Asian cars well. They will be much cheaper, and they will be better at repairing older cars. Dealer techs mostly do maintenance and warranty work to newer cars, they aren't as experienced diagnosing older cars and dealers have a "replace first" mentality that is fine when Lexus is paying, not so fine when you are paying. Find a good shop.

 

That used to be true, and may still be true in some areas. Unfortunately, where I live, the independents charge almost as much as the dealers and generally don't have the tools or knowledge to work on these cars.

 

Same exact thing happened to me--my 8 year old sensors stopped working when it's under 50 degrees or so. Dealer wanted $105 each. I bought mine on Amazon for $48.

 

Case in point in your own example, Discount Tire is much cheaper than the dealer for your TPMS sensors. I have never found independent mechanics to be anywhere close to the Lexus dealer in cost.

The beautiful thing about an LS is it takes no special tools or knowledge to work on one. It’s very straightforward. Literally a gas station could work on it.

 

Do you mean the tire sensors or just in general?

 

Just in general. Anybody who can work on a Toyota can work on an LS.

 

True except for brakes and if you have at suspension......also the steering can be a majorly complex system if it for some reason has an error.

It's most certainly not just a Toyota since it does have some seriously advanced systems.