Hello,
I have a IS350 with 10k miles on it and it is due to have the dealer service it (according to the dealer). We usually do our own maintenance which includes oil changes.
My question is: is this service needed?, worth the $250.00? Or can I change the oil & filter and give the car a good visual inspection my self.

What is everyones thoughts on this subject?

 

Welcomes to CL. Yes, you can diy and some visual inspection because your is fairly new. Plus the IS350 has staggered set up so you can not rotate your tires. All the dealer do is change oil and filter and visual inspection. Make sure you get the right oil filter and oil.

 

Also remember dealer service is warrantied and if you sell your car, having dealer records makes it an easier decision for the buyer.

I do my own oil and filter changes though.

 

But having it done somewhere other than the dealer doesn't void your warranty, either. I'd just recommend having it done at a good shop that comes with positive customer feedback. Places to try and get suggestions (that have worked out well for me) are www.cartalk.com www.judysbook.com and just simple google searches. I hope this helped.

 

To begin with the $250 price seems high. Ask the service writer, what they intend to do and which line item is reccomended and which are optional. It should be around $100 (+/-20). Then you move up to med service 30K mile multiples and they should be around $300 (+/-50). The next tier is major service 90K miles which ought to be around $1000 (+/- 100).

Worth it or not depends upon convinience, ease, time, personal interest, record keeping etc. You get a free rental (in and out in 15min) vs crawling under the car, disposing used oil etc.

I follow the 7500 miles interval plan with the dealer and do a oil + filter change halfway as DIY. Then there are findings like ... brake pads etc and I always decline the repair at dealership and once again DIY.

Salim

 

Thanks for all the info. I think I will save my money since they are not going to do much to make their $250.00. I live about 2 hours away from the nearest dealer, so I wanted to be sure it is worth the drive.

I saw the threads for oil filters.....any suggestion on best place to purchse and what brand of oil? We have been a Castrol family for years.

Sure love drivin' my IS350!
Thanks!

 

IMHO, you are jumping to a conclusion without asking the dealership what line item things they will do for the fee they quoted you.

That will lead to an informed decision.


Which oil?
I like you have been using Castrol. Stayed with dino oil and after 10k or so switched to synthetic [no-blend]. Not necessarily a brand loyalist, but want consistancy in additives etc.

Which brand/type/weight is best? This can get into long and non-conclusive discussions. Each to his/her own


Salim

 

stick with castrol syntec either 5w20 or 5w30 and use wix filters. You can buy them cheap at www.fleetfilter.com

John