What's a good price for having the timing belt changed?

 

I paid $570 at a Lexus dealer, but that did not include new belt tensioners or a water pump.

 

Hi star,

Mine cost me ~$300 at my independent mechanic that I have been using for 18 yrs.

I do think I have the lowest cost other than DIY.

JerryBaumchen

 

Those are two extremely low (perhaps the lowest on CL forums) examples-I'd say $800-$1000 at Lexus dealer with no coupon, 25% less at Toyota dealer for complete service with water pump and tensioners.

Not sure where you are in CA, but do a search for lexus or toyota "timing belt special" in your area and you may find some coupons like this...

http://www.toyotasb.com/j/i/33116/Se...sSpecials.html
http://www.southcoasttoyotaservice.c...-Specials.html
http://www.lexusofriverside.com/?htt...om/coupons.htm

I would then pair a couple of good shops against each other and go with the best deal and the one with the least amount of inconvenience (loaner car, location, etc).

Most Toyo dealers around around $400 without water pump and they just adjust the tensioner. I would suspect another $200 or so for the WP and maybe more if you need the tensioner replaced. Lexus will be about 25% more. Some have posted close to $1k for this service at Lexus.

 

You can negotiate it down if you go with Lexus.

First, I called Toyota to get their rate - $499. Then I called Lexus - $720. I asked if they would match Toyota's rate. He said he'd check and call me back. He called back and left a message that they would do it for $561.

I waited and called him back the next morning. I then asked if they could include an oil change for that price. He said $561 was the best he could do. I told him I'd think about it and call him back. Ten minutes later, he called and said the assistant manager said they could wave their shop fees and do it for $522. I agreed.

Everyone is hurting in this economy, including Lexus. Use it to your advantage.

 

When you see very wide differences in cost for what is described as a timing belt replacement you need to be very sure what's included in that price so that you can make meaningful comparisons. The scope of work could include replacing the timing belt, two idlers, the belt tensioner, and the water pump. If your engine has very low mileage the shop might choose to replace only the belt on the reasonable assumption that the other parts are probably good for 100K miles or more. With higher mileage (maybe 60-70K as an example) they might reason that it makes more sense to replace all of those components. None of the individual parts is very expensive but the labor to get to them to replace any one of them is 3-5 hours. Incidentally, the shop will need to remove the serpentine belt (accessory belt) to get at the front of the engine so if that needs replacing you should be able to get that done for the part cost alone.

 

$1100? Yikes!!!

 

Charlotte - NC Independent shop: $700
Timing Belt, Water pump, Coolant, Idlers
- 36K Miles and water pump had started weeping a little. Change it while you are in there!

 

I paid just over $1000 at my local lexus dealer when they were having a special for the timing belt, got the timing and serpentine belts changed, water pump, tensioner, idlers, all changed.
A lot of the shops in my area were close to the same price and no loaner car so in the end it was worth it to for to go to lexus for the piece of mind that they knew exactly what they were doing, and had done many of the same service before.

 

my brother works at lexus. i'm getting everything done for FREE. just gotta pay for parts which is around 300. now i think i have the lowest cost :P haha