My 04 RX 330 AWD has cost me exactly $1,620 since 11/4/03 to 12/8/08. This vehicle has been serviced by Lexus or Toyota and meets the requirements of being a certified vehicle as I have had all the required service done per the manual. This does not include a new set of Bridgestone Alenzas which would add another $820.

IMO, you are being royally ripped by your dealer.

 

the only advantage for service at dealer is when you want to sell this car by yourself. carfax will list every service that you had done at dealer but not in your garage nor jiffy lube. it might help you to sell your car a little faster or perhaps a little more money.

I don't think the maintenance is that expensive when you compare the RX's maintenance and the new "CIVIC's" maintenance. Here in Rockville, MD dealer wants $100 some dollars for service 1A, then service 2B or some crap will run you to $300. I can't remember exactlly how much the Honda wants, but I do hate new CIVIC's maintenance system.

 

I went and actually looked through my invoices, to see what im paying for....

over almost 4 years on my rx 330 I have been through

6 rotors
4 rotor polishings
12 break pads
replaced 6 tires

 

just took my car in for service, 47 000 miles on clock

my power tailgate was busted, the motor broke - charge to repair - $1600 - yep!
luckily it was under warranty by 1000 miles

cost for the rest of my service? $700

BMW X5 here i come on next lease..... I am basically paying $150 a month to keep my RX330 running, with the rotten finance and leases on the RX 350, a BMW X5 is going to be cheaper (even though MSRP would be way higher)

http://www.scn.bz/lexus.pdf

feel free to look through my invoice to see where i was ripped (link above)

 

You've gone through 3 sets of brake pads in 4 years? Man, you are hard on brakes.

 

I've had 5 Lexuses since 1994 and I always get the oil/filter change twice a year at a Lexus dealer because they charge $40 plus they wash and vacuum the car each time as well as the numerous times I've taken the vehicles in just for a free car wash. While I'm waiting, I'm enjoying their free Starbucks freshly brewed coffee and pastries while surfing the net on their PCs. None of the other independent shops offer anything like that.

It does get expensive if you let the Lexus dealer do your full 30k, 60k, .... service inspection especially if they replace your brake and transmission fluids, engine air and AC cabin filters, ... the whole works. However, you can save money by replacing the engine and cabin filters yourself. I have never replaced the brake fluid because I feel that's a waste of money since the fluid is inside a sealed system and it never gets dirty or ever goes bad (at least I have never heard of one). For mechanical repairs after the car is out of factory warranty, I take it to an independent garage which charges about half of what the Lexus dealer charges and I stipulate using OEM Lexus parts. So far I've had very good luck with all my Lexuses using the above maintenance schedule and practice and my 1994 ES is still running great with over 130k miles on the odometer.