3dog

iTrader: (1)

My wifes 1999 GS400 is in need of new shocks.
She does not like the coilovers I have on my car. and she really does not want coilovers period.
She wants to stay with the soft cushy Lexus OEM shocks

I had her call the Lexus dealership and they told her $1200-$1300 installed.
They called them strutts so maybe I'm using the wrong term by calling them shocks.

I was guessing $400 for parts and maybe $400 for labor.
Does this sound like to much money to you guys?

I just e-mailed Carson Toyota and asked them how much they would charge for the parts. I'm sure I can get the shop I go to for a lot of stuff to put them on. My guess is about 4 hrs labor.

Have any of you guys put them on? Does 4hrs sound like it would be in the ball park.

Thanks for any info

Ivan
3dog

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Shocks should be about $70-80 per corner. Should be a 4 hour install. Find a different mechanic if you want to save money.

RedRider

Another option would be to buy the parts from Sewell or Carson and have your Lexus dealer install them. I don't know about the Washington dealerships but Lexus of Portland has no problem installing customer supplied Lexus parts. Granted, with Lexus labor rates it will still be an expensive job but depending on the parts involved you could save enough money to reduce the sting a little...

I think your estimate should be pretty close. You can order the four struts for around $350 and four hours labor should come in at around $400. You might double check how much they are looking to charge you for the parts. I know that my dealership charges a lot more for parts than Carson or Sewell. For example, I just had to replace the low beam HID light on my GS. My dealership wanted $350 for the bulb. There were a number of places that had the same bulb for half that. Sames goes for spark plugs. Local dealer wanted $19 each. I bought them from Sewell for under $10 each.

Even if you're not inclined to DIY work, you can still save a lot of money by sourcing the parts yourself. Hopefully, your local dealership would be willing to use parts that you supply. When I scheduled my last maintenance at Lexus of Portland and told them I would be supplying my own parts, they asked me if I had gotten in on the big Carson GB!!!

3dog

iTrader: (1)

I haven't heard back from Carson Toyota yet but you guys have confirmed
what I already suspected.

I bought lower ball joints from Carson once before and had the local dealership install. They said as long as they were still in the Toyota or Lexus packaging that they would be okay with installing. And you can still get a loaner car which the other shop I go to can't provide.

Red Rider
Thanks for reminding me that I could go this route. The dealer mark-up on parts is unreal.

GSteg
Thanks for confirming cost and install times.

I'm betting I can get all this done for $800 or so and get a loaner car to boot.
Plus I will be saving $400-$500.


I love Club Lexus



Ivan
3dog

LexFather

Yes, as a matter of fact maybe go for KYB shocks. If you want, you can call NOPI.com, they are around $75 for the fronts and rears each.

Install will be around $430 from Lexus, it does take some time to take off everything and put it back on.

Struts=Shocks

Good luck