I saw a thread a few weeks ago about the cost for 30K service. I can't find that thread, so I will start a new one.

I took my 2023 RX 350 Luxury in for 30K service today. Somebody had previously posted that it would be over $700 USD. I wish that was all. Mine was $848.62 (USD). There were no repairs...only the normal 30K recommended services. I tried to give the Service Rep my lottery ticket for tomorrow's Power Ball, but he wouldn't accept it.

Many of you probably service your own vehicles. I was never mechanically inclined. Now, I am a physically disabled Vietnam Veteran. I am very limited on what I can do. That's why I usually only keep a car for about 3 years. I get rid of them before they start causing problems. My dealership had a very limited supply of new cars on the lot. People scooped them up before the tariffs raised the prices even higher.

 

Seriously? Other than brake fluid (assuming they actually changed it), most of that is pretty inexpensive. I know you might be limited in what you can do, but I would look to an independent service outfit for such things. That is highway robbery.

 

Next time just ask for an oil change and tire rotation. Most of everything else you paid for was check this and check that.

 

Or find a local indie shop that works on Toyota and Lexus. They can easily handle this service and save you money. Yelp is pretty useful for finding alternative repair facilities.

 

There shouldn't be any surprises on the cost of 30k services, unless the tech discovered an unexpected need for a repair. Most dealer service advisors provide estimates of the costs. Did you ask for an estimate? Trips to the dealership for service are expensive and lately the costs have really sky rocketed. For example I had my transmission fluid changed and I was charged $336.00!
Normally I do such fluid changes myself for the price of 4 or 5qts of tranny fluid, but Lexus decided make the job more complicated on the newer trannies and I'm getting older so I had them do it. I never asked for an estimated price and was shocked when I was handed the bill.

 

You are 100% correct about finding a reliable shop to do this. It would be hard to find one that does the little stuff (oil change, filters, etc) and have an alignment shop to do the rotate/balance/alignment. I will also consider taking it to a Toyota dealership, if I can't find a good independent shop. Of the total, $517 was Labor. I found it amazing that replacement of front wiper blade refills (parts) was $16, as was the rear. There are 2 blades on the front and one on the rear. How can they cost the same?

Yesterday's "flavor of the day" was "disinfecting the mold." The story was that while replacing the cabin air filter, the Tech found some mold, which might have been causing a funny smell. They recommended mold abatement and disinfecting. The Lady said, do it." I imagine they wiped the filter with a a clorox wipe to give a small, like they had done major abatement. I wonder what that cost. :-)

 

First America thanks you for your service. At 30,000 miles I go in and ask for an oil change, tire rotation and brake fluid change all ala carte. I never ask for any mile service 10,000 20,000 etc. These three services cost me at my Lexus dealership around $250. I am a right handed left handed mechanic and change the engine and cabin air filters which takes me less than five minutes and buy them on line both for under $45.

 

I rarely to never align my cars. I am a former BMW tech. Todays cars only align toe. Caster and Camber are generally not able to be aligned. When I go to Discount Tire for rotations, they have an optic tool that they run across the tire to measure both tire depth for wear and tire evenness. As my tires are wearing evenly, this tells me that toe does not need to be aligned. Looking at the tire, I look for a wear pattern on the inside of the tire which would an indicate a camber problem. Caster is more of a pulling situation when you are driving, although a tire with a bad internal belt can cause pulling.

I just ordered air filters, hybrid air filter and wiper blades as all Lexus parts are now 20-40% off on line. The front wiper inserts (not blades) were $6.50 each.

 

Up here we have a tire chain called Kal Tire. Swapped out my OEM tires with them for Nokian All Weather (3MP, Snowflake, etc.) so no tire changes needed. Kal Tire gives free tire rotation and flat fixing. So that is off the dealer list. As for filters, I buy them at the dealership and they always ask if I would like them installed. Free. I have done them myself and both take 5 minutes, max. So there's that off the list, too. Oil changes? Glad you asked. Toyota dealer will do the exact service with the exact parts for about 30% less.

 

INDY time,,I dont bother with dealers anymore unless warranty. Hope the VA is treating U as well as I get treated, Nam 30% disabled..driving an LC since I have 100% hospitalization free + monthly stipend.

 

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered from my dealership with a 20% discount

 

There was the front end alignment. Those are almost mandatory in SC, where our roads consistently rank among the worst in the country. Still, that shouldn't cost more than a hundred bucks.

 

I didn't ask for an estimate. I certainly should have but I was going to have the service done anyway. I believe the hourly rate is $150+ per hour. Does anyone remember the old Chilton's Flat Rate Manual? I don't believe anyone does flat rate any more.

 

First, thank you for your service and Welcome Home, Brother. I am 100% disabled, due to several conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. I am retired military, so I have TriCare for Life, VA and Medicare for hospitalization. The VA in Charleston, SC is the best in the world. We have a large VA Medical Center, two new clinics (very large), with ground breaking last week for another. I would gladly trade my little monthly disability stipend to get my health back. Since I can't do that, I am blessed to have such great health care availability.

I am definitely going to an independent garage for future service/repairs.

 

My dealer quoted over $200. I took it to an independent specialist for $80.