$850.00 to change the spark plugs?
 

I have 150K on my 2004 RX330..car runs great and gets 22MPG on the road. I changed plugs at 85K at the dealer and thought it was time to change again. The dealer wants almost a grand...can spark plugs be changed by a pretty competant DIY'er?

Yes, it's going to be very similar to what I did with the RX300,

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-patience.html

Surely the dealer would do more than change the plugs for nearly $1k. Maybe that included a timing belt change?

I believe there is at least one plug which is hard to reach. Otherwise, a DIY job. Search the forum for previous discussions on this topic.

Dealer "has" to be quoting you for something more than just the spark plugs. No way it costs anything near that amount. I can get it done at my local Toyota shop for $140. Timing belt replacement (does not include water pump) would be $220.

Be sure to always ask for a written quote for all work to be performed in advance.

Just read this thread. Excellent write-up!

There is no limit to what a dealership will try and get away with if they can. This has been my experience overall. Glad you came here cause this means your going to be an informed customer and they will think twice before an outrageous quote like that again. I hope.

So sad, so very, very sad :cry:

Maybe we should all stop getting our vehicles serviced at Lexus (except where covered by warranty).

Stealership wanted $410 to install hitch. Got Uhaul to do it for $30! :D

Plug life (if OEM) is 110k miles. If you changed them at 85K miles, you should not replace them before 195K miles. All shops (including dealer), publish their / hr labor rates and each task has specified time. I am guessing the time to replace 6 plugs will be 1hr or 1.5 hr [time is rounded to the next half hour].
Then you add cost of the parts and that should give you the total cost.

I urge people to ask the service writer to share itemized expected labor and parts cost. Shops are required to share this with you and get an approval before starting the work.

Salim

I'm not a pro-tech, but have tools since I used be work as aircraft tech for 5 years. Now I'm in office as engineer, don't much work on cars, maybe just brakes. So I did decide to change plugs my self due the price on dealer. So it took me 5 hours (with breaks for beer and food). It's a pain in the a$$, I tell you my friend. It's on the worst designs I have ever seen. I didn't remove intake, but you will need 1. different extensions and flex drive for sure, 2. magnet on wire, 3. short ( i mean a very short ratchet with fine teeth) for plug close to throttle body, 3. an angle pick for removing electrical connector is located in the middle near fire wall, otherwise the igniter will not come out, because of the lifting bracket on back of the engine. 4. Don't not installed igniter the first from the drive side, until you will change all other ones in the back.
I have started from the passenger side. Of course it will required to remove wiper blade arms, wiper blade tray, plastic harness holder right behind intake.

The independent I use replaced the six Iridium plugs for $189. I had the plugs replaced at the same time as the timing belt at around 92K and both items could have lasted MUCH (i.e. I believe around 115-120K is reasonable) longer.

I don't think I would have tried to replace the plugs anyway, but for $189, it was a no-brainer.

yup, I tried b4. End up paying $200 to have it done. It's worth it.

Would be interesting to hear from anyone that works in service at a Lexus dealership as to what the "book" price is from Lexus on plug change. Personally, I don't see how any sane person could quote $1K for this with a straight face.

It's this type of "service" that does make everyone question Lexus' motives. Okay, I know Toyota has a lot of lawsuits coming at them, but it's not up to us to subsidize Toyota's legal proceedings or settlements.

Straight Face
 

Oh believe me. They can do it with a straight face. My Lexus dealer wants 300 for an oil change. I looked at him like he was nuts. But all you have to do is look around.

Leather couches, Big screen TVs, Internet and Wi Fi in the waiting room. Free drinks. And some dealers have a girl working the free coffee bar.

Lattes don't come cheap.

My local Toyota dealer charges 80 for synthetic oil change. For 80 you get a doctors office chair. And if you want a drink. You can buy a Pepsi out of the machine.

$300 for an oil change. My dealer "only" charges $55! I'm getting a great deal compare to you! But hey, don't you guys in Cali still pay over $600K for a two bed one bath SFH?

With the right tools, many on the forum have replaced the plugs by removing the engine cover only and it can be done in less than 1.5hr (that would be roughly $180 for dealer labor).

Salim