So I am doing Bank 1 Sensor 1 this week and am amazed at the high cost for Denso oxygen sensors, even from discount places (around $180 shipped). This from a guy that owns and drives a BMW so I am not without something for reference and having replaced them on all my cars, I have never paid more than $100. I figure if one is gone, it is a matter of time before the other pre-cat one goes and then there is another $180 in parts.

This got be to thinking and I think I read somewhere about using the "unversal" 4-wire oxygen sensors. I then cut the wires and use my connector and save at least $100. Any input and recommendations here (like where to buy them) or am I being too cheap? Is it easy to figure out which wire is which if I go this route? Seems like I could do both of them for less than $180.

Thanks

 

Let me clarify some things for you. Both bank 1 sensors on the RX (the ones before the cat) are actually air/fuel ratio sensors and not oxygen sensors. They look very similar, however if you look closely you'll find that they have 4 small holes on the sensor head instead of the larger more common holes on oxygen sensors. Air/Fuel sensors are much more costly, the cheapest I've found them is at www.autohausaz.com for $160. The idea of buying universal will work fine on O2 sensors, however I haven't found them available for the air/fuel ratio sensor.

Cheers

 

Denso matches the engine ECM, Bosch does not. You can't compare with German parts.

You shouldn't go "cheap" with the universals.... they may be a waste of money with no warranty.

 

I guess I am getting the Denso unit and will do so online. The stealer was $280 for the OEM part and you can find them for $160 online. Can't imagine spending nearly $1000 at the stealer to have them both replaced with labor. That would really stink and helps me put it all into perspective.

 

I currently have this issue also. I am going to buy it online and hopefully do it myself. I recently bought a RX300 repair manual on dvd and hope that it will show me where exactly it is located and how to do it.
If anyone has any experience, it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

Try our search function above ... plenty of information.

 

You can get OEM sensors at www.oxygensensors.com Prices are not bad either. I hope it helps.