Melbourne *Non Dealer* Service

[mister_david]

Hi Folks,

 

I have a 2008 SL that I've owned since 2009 - its always had Lexus service, is low mileage and in great condition (its well looked after).

 

Unfortunately, I've had a persistent issue with door locks failing and the Lexus service approach has been to change the locks (and charge me for it).  I've now replaced all door locks in the car twice (I only got 2 "free" locks out of Lexus) ... so I am now thoroughly unimpressed with Lexus standing behind their product, and believe its time to look for a good third party service company.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for qualified/professional Lexus mechanics in Melbourne..? I'm in the east of Melbourne (near Doncaster Westfield if it helps), but happy to travel elsewhere if that's where good service is to be found.  I've been through Lexus service in Brighton & Blackburn and both are not really looking after me.  

 

By way of example, my second car is a BMW which I take to SouthernBM (a very professionally run company that specialises in BMW's) ... so I'd like to do the same for the Lexus.

 

Cheers!

[bazzle]

Those items are all Toyota parts. An indepdant Toyota shop could help as well.

Couple of Dedicated Lexus places :

Linea Rossa in Fairfield

http://www.linearossa.com.au/

Exalt’d Automotive in Nunawading

http://www.exaltdautomotive.com.au/

The Workshop in Mentone

http://www.theworkshop.com.au/about/

[mister_david]

Thanks Bazzle ... 

 

Have you (or anyone else) used these services...?  I'd prefer somewhere that folks have used and are happy to recommend :) 

[iinkz]

I take mine to JVN Garage (https://www.facebook.com/JVNGarage/)

[PMD008]

This may not be the answer that you're looking for but it might give you food for thought. I used to have a 7 series BMW and it always went back to the dealer that I bought it from for servicing. Every time, I took it in, it was a four figure bill. I later met the service manager through another channel and he told me of many of the scams that they do to sell you up, apprentices doing the service instead of qualified mechanics etc. having a wheel fall off a Land Cruiser just after a dealer service came to my mind. 

I found a local mechanic that had a recommendation or two and went around to his shop unannounced and watched what was going on. I had a chat to the owner and found out about him and from a sideways chat, drew my own conclusions of what values he had on the work he did and what he wanted his business to be in the long term.

sorry for the long prologue but the bottom line is he now services all my cars, currently a Lexus LS460, MB CLK 350 conv, my sons Volvo C70 conv and my wife's IS300. I now have a mechanic that I know will tell me the truth, I know who will work on the car and I know that he knows what I expect. For the long term, have a relationship with the guy that looks after your car, you will have so much more peace of mind

[mister_david]

Thanks PMD008 - I guess that is exactly the point I'm wanting to sign up for.

 

My other car, a BMW, had been given very poor service by BMW Melbourne - the bottom of the car was covered in oil (from an oil change during a major service). It was so bad I thought that the engine was leaking oil ... all it was was totally c*ap job done by an apprentice that hadn't been properly supervised.  I ended up taking it to SouthernBM and have been very well looked after ever since. 

 

I am looking for exactly the same organisation, but for my Lexus :)  I'm not too worried about not servicing it with Lexus now (given the age of the car), but would prefer to have it done by someone who is recommended.  Folks on this forum are enthusiasts and want to look after their cars ... and that's me too :)  Hence the request for personal recommendations!

 

Cheers

[dreamzz]

On 3/23/2017 at 11:37 PM, PMD008 said:

This may not be the answer that you're looking for but it might give you food for thought. I used to have a 7 series BMW and it always went back to the dealer that I bought it from for servicing. Every time, I took it in, it was a four figure bill. I later met the service manager through another channel and he told me of many of the scams that they do to sell you up, apprentices doing the service instead of qualified mechanics etc. having a wheel fall off a Land Cruiser just after a dealer service came to my mind. 

I found a local mechanic that had a recommendation or two and went around to his shop unannounced and watched what was going on. I had a chat to the owner and found out about him and from a sideways chat, drew my own conclusions of what values he had on the work he did and what he wanted his business to be in the long term.

sorry for the long prologue but the bottom line is he now services all my cars, currently a Lexus LS460, MB CLK 350 conv, my sons Volvo C70 conv and my wife's IS300. I now have a mechanic that I know will tell me the truth, I know who will work on the car and I know that he knows what I expect. For the long term, have a relationship with the guy that looks after your car, you will have so much more peace of mind

mate, the guy asked for a recommendation, whats the point of talking all the above without mentioning the name of the place you are servicing? complete waste of your time and others time looking for the same and reading through this long reply. I am not being rude but its a common courtesy.