The oil filter housing cap changed to plastic from metal a couple of years ago. You can still buy the metal one for about $26 online. You do have to swap out the inner metal tube from the plastic one. Some of the techs crank on the filter cap way too hard and then it breaks upon removal. I bought the metal one even though I do my own maintenance and torque it to spec. If you have them replace it then ask for the metal cap assembly not another plastic one.

The cost for brakes is the dealer price which is about 2x - 3x what you could pay if you got parts online and diy, but that is a comfort level thing with maintenance.

All cars have things wear out. I owned only Acura for the past 35 years and had ongoing issues once you get to 100k miles or so. Finally got a Lexus and so far so good (but I am only at 21k or so).

 

Having seen many comments on here about how much the Lexus dealers charge for the regularly scheduled maintenance interval costs. Here's a small insight from today's 30,000 mile service on my 2020 RX 450h F Sport (Raleigh, North Carolina:

I did not go to my local Lexus dealer in North Carolina; instead for the first time, I decided to try a Meineke Car Care Center which had good reviews online. Their costs were significantly lower than what the Lexus dealer who have charged me: Full Synthetic Oil Change (which includes a 23-point inspection and top-off of fluids): $55; Tire Rotation: Free; Flush Brake Fluid System and Replace with Manufacturer's recommended Brake Fluid: $$79. Military Veteran Discount: 5%. Shop Supplies: $11.02; Total Parts: $52.25; Total Labor: $148.76; Sub Total: $148.76; Sales Tax: $10.79; Total Due: $159.55. There's no way my Lexus dealer could come even close to that price.

I also replaced the key fob battery myself; you can obtain a pack of CR 2032 batteries from Amazon and do the battery replacement yourself for about $2.00 I hope some of this information proves helpful.

 

So if the dealerships have schlub rookie mechanics to change oil as some folks here have stated, what do you think Meineke has? I'll actually take my chances with the dealer and pay a few more $. If they mess up, it's on them. if Meineke messes up??

 

i never stated or implied a Lexus dealer has “schlub rookie mechanics”. And only saving “a few more $”? More like I saved over $200. I’m not talking about a significant, major vehicle service; We’re discussing basically, an oil change, brake fluid change, tire rotation, and a key fob battery replacement at 30,000 miles. I trust both the Lexus dealer AND Meineke to do well performing those tasks.

 

Never said you stated that but many others in the forum have. I get it, you don't need an MBA or PHD to change oil. I borderline trust dealers but would never trust an independent like Meineke, Jiffy etc. with my Lexus. Just my opinion. Spend $50K, $60K and more on a car and can't worry about saving a few pennies on service. Perhaps after warranties are up on both my wife's RX and my ES, then I may search for a reliable independent but I'll keep feeding the dealer while they're under warranty.

 

We all know that having car service done at any car dealership will cost more. I'm in Raleigh NC also and heard good things about Meineke Car Care, but I won't take my 2020 RX there. Oil changes & tire rotation are pretty basic, but I heard of screw ups on some basic tasks. I'm more comfortable having the dealership to do these tasks during the warranty period, and if they forget to tighten the oil plug it will be no question who's replacing the engine.

I had a neighbor this happened to their daughter's Toyota. The oil light came on 20 mins after leaving the Lube place while on the highway. She drove it home and then had it towed. Lube place apologized and did whatever repair which took 2 weeks, and the car never ran right again. I know the percentages are low for this to happen but that number is definitely greater than Zero.

 

And of course YOU were there making sure that they used the proper parts/oils/fluids and if something goes wrong it's.....that Lexus POS, boggles the mind!

 

I can’t speak for others, but I was right there watching the entire process through their glass windows, as their first customer of the day 😆.

 

I wouldn't trust my little nephew's go-kart to Meineke or Jiffy Lube.

 

We had a Honda Accord that we serviced at the dealership. One day the tech comes out and tells us that the oil pan drain plug is stripped and that we will need a new pan.....like $300. I reminded them that they were the ones who do the oil changes. They replaced at no charge.
This is one of the reasons that I do my own work. The person (kid) doing the oil and other basic stuff is usually the new hire with "extensive" training.

 

I agree. I get that $200 is $200. If, at some point you want to trade in/up for another Lexus, that out of dealer service will result in a (far) greater loss than $200 in trade in value. Same with many used car buyers. Meineke, Jiffy Lube, the independent down the road, have reduced prices for a reason. Just not worth $200 IMHO. And hey, you get free coffee and donuts at the dealer

 

I also think that dealers overcharge. However, when something else goes wrong they will search for anything to blame; if they were not paid to Service the car. Similar to any other industry ( Insurance, electronics, Apple etc) , i think.

 

Of course they overcharge for service - that's likely their number one revenue stream.

 

I don't do any of that inspection stuff. I have the oil changed at 10000 at an independent Lexus/Toyota garage and that is it. I take my car to Discount Tire for rotation time and that is it. If I need warranty work I return to the dealer, but other than that the BS inspections at 5000 mile intervals is silly. I keep my cars for 100000 miles and have never bought into inspections and I have never had a problem.

 

Since I bought ECP (8yrs/200K kms), more inclined to have any maintenance & repair work done by dealer.