Can folks give me an idea of what they would expect to pay to have the timing belt changed on a 2002 RX300...? The delaer is quoting me $1500...? Yikes! The part is probabay about $50...well, maybe $100 if it has the Lexus name on it. I think $1500 is out of line....

Thanks....

 

Ask the dealer for break down of the expense. I expect the 90K service to be around 1200 or so. T belt by itself would be about 900.

You can try independent mechanics in your area or even toyota.

Salim

 

Toyota all the way. After all, the RX is just an overpriced Highlander. I got the T-belt/water pump package for about $590 out the door.

Here is an example, this is the coupon for T-belt service at a Toyota dealer here in the Charlotte area. I used this dealer for my T-belt/water pump service:
http://toyota.dmenet.com/Coupons/Cor...e=8%2F3%2F2010

 

Timing belt alone should be around $600, with water pump maybe $900 (dealership prices). $1500 must include something else?

 

Remember to tell your friends you drive a Toyota ... [I do]

 

You must be quoting the vastly overpriced Lexus prices. The local Toyota dealer used to run coupon specials for $189.95 for the T/B alone on the V-6. Now they run the same coupon special at $229.95 or $239.95. They will work on Lexus even though there are Lexus dealers in the area. Sure glad I don't have to have my car worked on at those prices since I'm not independently wealthy. The "something else" is a payment on the owners yacht.

 

my local mechanic just quoted me $530 for timing belt, water pump and accessory belts, including parts and labor. labor is estimated at 5hrs and his rate is $90 per hour. that $1500 quote from the stealer equates to a labor rate of $300 per hour!!! rediculous

 

The dealership I work at charges $852 (plus tax I suppose) and that includes the water pump. $1,500 is insane.

 

Just my opinion, but Toyota factory parts, especially WP, are far superior to some aftermarket parts. Do you know what kind of parts your local mechanic will be installing?

 

Yes, I was - Lexus "dealership" prices. My Toyota dealer also has the timing belt coupon specials from time to time - they did my Geo Prizm for the corolla coupon price.

 

parts are typically OEM or equivalent. based on his experience with the type of part, he recommends one mfr over another. not sure what this water pump is, but even if it was 2x what he quoted, it still wouldnt be as high as some of the other quotes here. bottom line - labor is the expensive part of a timing belt/water pump job.... and 5 hrs is what it should take an experienced mechanic.

 

My experience (from cutting apart removed W/P and idler pulleys) is that there is OEM, but there is NO equivalent! A lot of people making those parts in aftermarket, but most ALL of them, like MOST aftermarket parts, poor substitutes for what Toyota built the Toyota and Lexus with in the 1st place. And this comes from experience and disection of some of the finest parts I've ever seen a car built with.

 

Thansk all...Looks like I stirred up a hornet's nest here...but a good one. Great input! I'm checking out a Toyota dealership too for quotes. I also plan on going with factory parts. The peace of mind is worth it. Thanks again...

 

My independent mechanic who specializes in repairing Toyota/Lexus and European cars, charged me $356 to replace the timing belt and $222 to replace all the spark plugs.