My wife's 60K service is due on her RX300 ... money is a bit tight at the moment ... what really needs to be done ... ?

My wife feels that one MUST get this work done at a Authorized Lexus dealership ...

Can anyone suggest a non-Lexus garage to do the necessary work in the Sherman Oaks, CA area?

 

Tell the dealership to do ONLY what is suggested service for the NORMAL service schedule. Unless your wife uses the RX as a taxi or you live on a dusty road, you don't need to have the rough duty service (though many dealers will perform this level of service as a matter of course unless you absolutely instruct them otherwise).

This will decrease the cost to around $200 (specifically $232 vs ~$1200 at my dealership!!).

 

There's no reason to go to a Lexus dealer for routine service in my opinion. Keep records of everything you do though.

1. Go to a Toyota dealer? Cheaper labor, same parts.

2. Find an independant shop that is trustworthy.

I take my sc300 and my gf's RX300 to a shop that has a great reputation and only works on Toyota (and Lexus). For my 60k service, they spent a couple of hours or more doing an EXTENSIVE check of the whole car (fluids, suspension, compression test, hoses, belts, exhaust, brakes, etc...). Afterwards, they call and tell you what they found and what they recommend doing. With no pressure, you tell them what you want done and they give you a good estimate. They are more than willing to show you problems and replaced parts and spend time explaining things you might not understand. All work is done on the same day using Toyota parts and the bill is much less than at Lexus.

I found some shop recommendations online somewhere but can't remember where. You might do a search? Unfortunately, I can't make any suggestions for your location.

Good luck,
Jon

 

No need to bring it to the High dollar Lexus Dealership. Bring it to a Lexus independent shop and They will it for half of that price. Too bad you are not located in the dallas area. Lexus dealer is for warranty work.
www.jpimportz.org

 

I wish I could say the same thing about what others stated here regarding bringing the car into Lexus and get it serviced by Lexus trained technicians who get paid to do nothing but working Lexus's. I just got my car, 1999 GS300, for the same 60K service. Well, i'm downed $1000 this included New BRAKES (Rear only), and whole new set of sparkplugs and wires. Why do I bring it to "Lexus Dealer"? Here is my reasons: I can't see someone who works on Toyota's Echo/Corola, then "hey, btw, there is a lexus in the parking lot needs a 60K service done"... I do not believe the Toyota tech guy will treat your car any more special than he would with a Toyota Echo/Corola. I do not want to blame myself down the road for NOT using the dealer for my car's services if something broke due to non-lexus trained tech. I do believe in training and quality assurance workmanship, so noone will touch my baby unless he is trained and certified by Lexus. Different approach than some people! But here is also another reason why I use Lexus Dealer for Service, I have no other choice, there isn't anything around Philly that will give me the comfort to have my car serviced there, Toyota Center City or some other Toyota Dealers around Philly just simply will not have times or too busy to even schedule a Lexus.

In conclusion: NO, I must take my baby to Lexus Dealer, no other options!

Chuck

 

It's not how much you spend. You have to know where to go, Get Lexus trained tech work on your car and the price is a lot lower. Our shop is an Independent Lexus and Toyota, our tech are factory trained from Lexus and Toyota. Quality is the same just the price is lower that is all. Do a search around your city. There are many independent shop. Be smart don't spend the dealer price.
www.jpimportz.org

 

Chuck, I like your valid explanation on why you rather choose Lexus over Toyota for service of your GS. Like the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for."

I only go to Toyota for oil changes ($22 every time, same OEM parts and all). I am nearing 80K on my ES, and for my next service at the 90K, I might just plan on going to one of the 2 nearby Lexus dealerships (Westport and Greenwich), despite the attractive cheaper prices from Toyota. These are the reasons:

1) Loaners

2) Quality service and reliability

3) I have a good working relationship with both Lexus dealerships (they did work on my previous ES)

I know service at Lexus is not for everyone, but everyone has their reasons to go to this service and that service, etc. etc. I could go to Toyota if I want to for future service (besides oil changes), but in the end my mind will always return to the experience of Lexus service

Anyway, back to the 60K service topic...

 

What is done at 60K service?

 

60k Service Included:
COF(Change oil and filter)
Flush ATF(Automatic Transmission Fluid)
Flush Coolant
Flush Brake Fluid(dot 3)
Change Air filter
Clean and replace throttle body gasket
Replace Gas cap gasket
Check A/C filter
Check air and Rotate tires

That is it for 60k services
JPI

 

You need to go here, I was planning to do my 60k with them since I don't want to spend 1200 at keyes lexus. However, I haven't ask my service advisor how much is it to follow the service manual.

Steve, has 13 years as a head technician for a lexus dealer and decided to open his own shop. You should check the website and give him a call.

http://www.luxurymotorworks.com/main/index.html

 

There are valid reasons for going to a Lexus Dealership and not going to a Lexus Dealership. Speaking as a Lexus technician, I would say that if you own a Lexus you should bring it to the dealership. However, that would be a falsehood in all situations. Depending on what is needed and what type of Lexus you own you don't need to visit the local dealership. YOU MUST USE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND COMMONSENSE. There are some services (oil change, trans fluid flush, diff. service....etc.) that can be done at any place you choose......be careful. Then there are services that should be done at the dealership be trained technicians. A timing belt replacement on a lexus 97/98 and newer should be done by a trained tech. Lexus uses interference engines that have to be offset 50 degrees from TDC (Top Dead Center) when replacing them, if this is not done correctly, when the individual attempts to start the car.............you will the sweet sounds of chitty chitty bang bang........your engine is dead. Welcome to the world of new engines. Like I said, depends on what type of Lex you have. BUYER ALWAYS BEWARE!!

 

I put it politely, but I used to take my baby to get oil-change @ Texaco Gas/Carwash/Oil-change station near the house. Last month, got my oil-change there, by the time I got home, open up the hood, they never closed the Radiator's cap... man it pissed me off so bad, I came back to yell @ the manager and tell him that I will nver bring my business to him EVER again. He apolozied and all, but NO way! I pay for a service, I have certain expectation, if you don't want to serve me, then don't take my money and treat me like a fool!

Bottom line is, DEALER everything from now on! I'd rather let guy like Faceless1 have a good paying job than some drop out hs kid working part-time working on my car!

Here, my 2 cents

 

Chuckisc ... my Toyota Dealership shop changed my gear box oil (while I was getting a lot of other work done) because they said it was burnt ... I had just had the gear box oil changed the week before at a EZ Lube ... the gearbox oil was pristine ... they flat out lied to me ... and gave me a refund of course when I showed them the EZ Lube invoice showing that that lube change had just been done.

My wife has had to go back to her Lexus dealer many multiple times to get various things done correctly ...

I remember checking to see how much it would cost to get my BMW electric radiator fan replaced (many years ago) at a BMW dealership. They quoted me some outragious price. I bought the part ... and even though I had never done anything like this before ... change the electric fan in 15 minutes flat ... including removing the grill piece.

Dealership shops aren't always perfect ... just like "highly recommended" independent shops.

I had a bunch of work done to my Subaru WRX ... at a "must go" independent Subaru shop ... run by an ex factory mechanic. He probably is good ... but of course he doesn't do all of the work himself. After I picked up my car and did a quick high speed 200 mile trip ... I returned home ... and discovered that every single lug nut was barely hand tight!

And I've also had problems like yours ... twice ... two different quick oil change places ... didn't tighten the oil pan screw. I found a puddle of oil in the drive way the next day.

You can only trust yourself ... but I really don't want to have to do my own work anymore ... :-(

 

I've seen Lexus Master Tech didn't fill up the coolant when he did the services.....All in all. Take it a reputate Lexus independent or YOUR Lovely Lexus Dealer . Yup those interference engine can be tricky if you don't know what you doing.
JPI