I have about 12,000 miles on my 2008 LS460. Is it really necessary to take it to a Lexus dealership for regular service? It seems to me that the price tag for what they do is a bit too high. This car does not seem to need much more in addition to replacing oil and filter, and that should not cost hundreds of dollars. Although I'd like to avoid unreasonable maintenance expenses, I certainly don't want to jeopardize the quality of service and the warranty.

Do you service your LS460 only at Lexus dealerships? Can anyone recommend a high-quality, but less expensive than a dealership, shop for servicing an LS460 in Orange County, CA?

Many thanks!

I can only address your first question with my OWN point of view. I just hit 15K on my 08-460. The dealership charged me a bit over $400 to do all their check list items. I have the LEXUS credit card with many points so the actual out of pocket was almost $150. Regardless of my cost, I do not think twice about taking my car to the dealership for any scheduled maintenance. This is my 3rd LEXUS and I've never taken my cars anywhere else. It has established myself with long standing relationships with this dealership and I know everyone by sight and first name. It has also helped me with getting superior deals on all my cars at trade in time. I purchase these cars with the full knowledge that I will pay a higher charge for maintenance that I could get elsewhere but if it makes me sleep better knowing nobody other than a LEXUS certified tech has touched my car, then that's fine with me.

John

Have you ever taken a close look at those earthlings back in the wash bay?

;->

Whit

Good point about Lexus credit card. I didn't think of it before, but I just got approved for the Lexus VS Platium ( I want Signature though), so excited to use now, it can definitely pays itself for most of the oil change and even some major services at the Lexus dealer if you use around $2000 - $3000 a month. I don't think it's that bad, just pay your all your bills with the card and it will add up quick

Goldplater, you said you have had 2 Lexuses prior, at what point do you stop bringing them to a Lexus dealer? Or you still have services there regarless of your vehicle age? I'm planning to go elsewhere, like a Toyota dealer after my car hit 100K (still a long way as I only have 14K on it). I think at 100K, it maybe to costly to have it done at the Lexus dealer. Not worth it.

My experience with service at the Lexus dealership is terrible. One of those "earthlings back in the wash bay" smashed up my car! Now I have a loaner, and don't expect to see my car for a week. Stay away from service at the Lexus dealership! It's expensive, and their people don't appear to be competent.

My love for always having a new car is not very economically smart by most peoples spending standards but I never go beyond a 3 or 4 year factory warranty period. It depends on what the next redesigned model looks like and how it's initial years performance ratings are.
As I stated previously, I have a long standing relationship with the same dealership. I have just established an agreement with the service director that my scheduled maintenance appointments are ALWAYS worked on by their top trained senior tech. It is a luxury that could probably only come from years of loyalty to the same dealership and without question a high cost. Definetly not a level of attention to service available when shopping for the lowest price on auto repairs.
I can't imagine driving a vehicle for up to 100K miles but given the hourly rate dealerships charge it does become cost prohibitive as the vehicle's age increases and it's trade in value decreases.

John

I prefer the dealership as well. It's just soooo much more convenient. I just bought an 05 ls430 about 4 months ago. Prior to that I had a 96 ls400 for 6 years. I took THAT car to a dealer alternative and to Toyota a couple of times. In that last year, I took it to the dealership. What a difference!!! No waiting around in uncomfortable lobbies. Cleaned and vaccumed car when they're done. A loaner if I need it. Yeah, you pay a little more but I think it evens out. All of those free car washes and internet usage and high end service pays for itself. If you change your oil 3 times a year, you pay about $150 at the dealership. Some other place, you'll probably pay about $90/year. That's just my opinion.

It's time for 15k oil change and maintenance for my 2007 LS460, and the fee they charge is over $400...
Not that I can't afford that, but considering what they do I think it's too excessive. Other mom n pop shops will do the same for under $150...
It's Lexus... what can actually go wrong?

It all depends. The $400 includes a Lexus loaner which may or may not be important to you, and the security and value of an uninterrupted Lexus dealer service history...

Thats why I used the dealer for all those years...I have it serviced at an independent now.

I think it depends on what's valuable to you. When you add up the cost of a rental car; the carwash; the cup of coffee etc. the ~$50 premium the dealer charges for the oil change is something of a wash. Also it's faster so you have to figure how much is that time worth to you?

However a lot of dealers seem to be adding 'inspections' and 'checks' which I suspect mostly pad their bottom line. Dealers are run by human beings; not by devils or by angels. Some are great; some suck. It definitely pays to shop around and do your homework.

Also a fair amount of dealership service work is warranty work that gets billed back to Lexus so they have less of an incentive to figure out cost effective ways to resolve issues. They tend to advocate replace replace replace instead of other less costly options.

I suspect though that as cars become more complicated the indie options will start to peter out for certain things. My indie has already said they won't change the timing belt on my LS; they claim that particular engine is too complicated for them (???!!). I also had to reset the VSC system after they changed an oxygen sensor recently (thanks to the lovely people on this forum I was able to do that myself). I'm going to shop around the local dealers and will I might suck it up and might have to pony up the extra cash for them to do it when the time comes; depending on how much more it costs.

Just did a 30k service on my LS430, Charge was $559, Change of all cabin filters, oil, and under hood filters.. Some other things, and full scan of error codes. Just the scan is $85 at the local Toyota dealer. Loaner for 6 hours, ( got a massage, on my dime) and a day trip to the dealer 200+ miles from my home. Nice day, Nice car, Nice trip, Only thing that bothers me is the sign in the cashier office that said "Labor $129.95/HR"

They did tell me, that the local Toyota dealer can do the in between oil and filter changes..

The one thing I got was a 4cyl Camry loaner, and will never consider buying one of those weak running cars. I think I also got a bit of an education while listening to the other customers sitting in the lounge. Funny what you hear when people don't think you are awake. (that massage was relaxing) LOL

The Lexus dealer gave you a Camry loaner? Thats a bummer.

I just changed engine oil with filter at a local repair shop for $100 + tips.
I paid for 10 qts of Mobile 1 5W-30s and generic oil filter. It looks fairly easy to do it. Maybe I want to try next time.
BTW, the filter cap is made out of plastic (?). so you need a right tool to open it if you don't want to break it.
I saved about $300 and I'm buying two Miura Wedges.

Justin