I am not surprised that maintenance costs are higher at the Lexus dealer, than the toyota dealer.. but am surprised by just how much. The Lexus dealer charges $399 for the 20k service, which is basically just oil, tire rotation, and fluids top off... the local toyota dealer wants only $79.

 

If you think that's bad, you should check out how much Mercedes dealers charge their customers for the same type of maintenance, but you are right, $399 for 20k basic service is a joke...

 

Massages, Lattes and soft drinks, Loaners cars and leather recliners don’t come cheap.

 

LoL really? There's hardly a difference in cost up here between the Toyota and Lexus dealer...$10/hr more on shop rate and parts are basically the same.

 

Once your initial free visits are complete. Always take your Lexus to the Toyota dealer. If you can. I’ve been to a couple of California Toyota dealerships. That were physically close to the Lexus one. And they would not service my car.

 

Seems like the variable for either taking it to the Lexus or Toyota dealership comes down to the ownership. If both are owned by the same people/group than most members here state the Toyota dealership will not work on Lexus vehicles. Makes sense. My area they are not the same ownership and I do take it to the Toyota dealership.

After over one million miles I never go in to my Lexus or Toyota dealership and ask for a 10,000, 20,000, 30,000 etc. mile scheduled maintenance. I get the tires rotated every 10,000 miles. Every 10,000 miles, I get the oil changed. I take my $5 Toyota oil filter bought on line and my Mobil 1 bought at Walmart for $23 to the dealer who charge me $35 labor to change. Mobil runs a $15 rebate on the oil so net for the oil is $8. I do this not only to save money but more importantly to have Mobil 1 in the engine. So oil change net is $48 parts and labor. Every year I replace my cabin and engine air filter. Takes for both five minutes and cost $40 for both. Every 30,000 miles I get the brake fluid changed at $130. So for me every 30,000 and or three years my total maintenance cost is $468.
Tire rotations (3) $75
Oil Changes (3) $140
Filters $120
Brake fluid change $130

If I went in and ordered over 30,000 miles the six scheduled maintenances I would be paying well over $2,500.

 

Prior to buying NX, came close to buying an audi, which we really liked.. it was maintenance costs and hassles that stopped me.. in 40 years of driving Hondas Toyota and Subaru never once did a tire rotation or brake fluid change. Never had a brake problem and who cares if tires wear 10% faster? Weigh that against time and money spent to rotate tires ..

 

I agree, its cheaper to buy new tires sooner than to rotate the tires the dealership. If you guys think Lexus maintenance cost is high, the Porsche maintenance cost for the Macan’s transmission fluid change cost $2800 and spark plugs change cost $1800.

 

Interesting thought on the tire rotation, HOWEVER, I believe the purpose of the rotation is not only to ensure even tread wear on the 4 tires, but for SAFETY/TRACTION purposes as well. Not sure, however.

 

FYI...

I do my own oil changes not only to (possibly) save a few $$$$, but also because:
a) I KNOW for a fact that I am putting in the Mobil-1 oil, coming out of the jugs I purchased either at COSTCO or Walmart at a nicely discounted price. Even if you hand your mechanic YOUR jugs, do you REALLY know he's putting it in, as opposed to using cheap oil from his 50 gallon drums?
b) I KNOW that I have allowed sufficient time for the old oil to drip out. Mechanics are more interested in (their) TIME. So when they open your plug, believe it or not, THEIR interest is in getting that plug on ASAP. Most customers think that a QUICK oil change is to their benefit - it's not. After I remove the plug I let my car sit there for perhaps 30 minutes before putting it back on. I'll go into my house and watch some tv or do other chores. From the 2 tests I've performed, I get an additional 4+ ounces of old oil in doing this.
c) I KNOW that my new (OEM) filter was replaced. When you go to a mechanic/shop how do you REALLY know if the guy did it?

Ok. So call me cynical. When I do this myself I have the self-satisfaction of knowing it was done RIGHT. If I fail, I have no one to blame except myself.

Also...An oil change on my 2020 NX is the EASIEST oil change of ANY vehicle I have ever owned. The first time I did it I drove the one wheel up on a 2" high block, just so I can visually look at the plug/pan. After that, I no longer need to lift it up a single inch! I just drive it onto my driveway and lie down on a piece of cardboard and I can access the plug and filter canister.

Also...FORGET the mfr recommendation of 10k intervals! I do mine every 5k. I find it's a bit of a contradiction on the recommendation because from what I read about turbo engines, they are 'harder' on oil. With the cheap cost and ease of effort, I sleep better at night with a 5k interval !

 

By looking at your avatar and your post, I would not call you cynical. Perhaps paranoid? Just kidding.

 

Amsoil signature is a higher quality synthetic oil that cleans and protects. Most and nearly all race car drivers in the indie 500 will use Amsoil! No Mobil1 for me Only Amsoils S8gbature series and filtee

 

I used Mobil1. I think it gets to a point where it get ridiculous with these 'boutique' chemicals/parts. You have people at all ranges of the spectrum. You'll have people that say "Oil is oil" and they'll but the cheapest on the shelf at Walmart. Just my opinion.

 

Sounds like me. I think it comes with experience and age. Mobile1 0w20 and OEM or WIX filters. Also, ADVICS or OEM brake pads. I trust my own work, and a torque wrench for everything.