30000km Service; Price & Service.

[illusivedreams]

Any dealership for any car brand will always be more expensive than your backyard mechanic or auto masters monkeys. They also have a reputation to uphold. I get my car serviced at the dealership, good peace of mind, and I really do not find it that much more expensive. Auto masters quoted me around 400 bucks for my last service, with what I hope was genuine filters and stuff, and competent people, but you never know that for sure! I don't mind paying extra 200 bucks and get a complimentary car and car wash, and know that they will definately do a good job. Heard all sorts of stories about cars being serviced in those other places. Unless you know a mechanic who's good and who you can trust, stick with the dealership. Auto masters, ultra tune and all those other places often get apprentices to work on your car. Some of the things I hear of are just shocking. Often they don't get supervised properly. Car's get thrashed on the test drive. Stuff is forgotten. And so on.

No point penny pinching hey, do that with your Kia, but crikey, it's a Lexus, it deserves a bit more care than some hung over incompetent apprentice monkey can provide. You bought a 65K+ car, not a 13,990 drive away special. I wouldn't buy a second hand car like that if it didn't have a proper log book with dealer stamps in them, or at least would pay a lot less for it than one that did, all else being equal.

I agree and disagree.

I have had some pretty bad experiences with quality brand dealer services from BMW, Volvo and Mercedes.

The dealer treats you as a captive audience based on that you don't know any better.

BMW - Quoted $4k by two separate dealers to rebuild my transmission.

Fixed for $200 by a transmissions specialist in Meadowbank.

BMW - Blown water pump.

Quoted $550 to repair. Bill was $900 when I came to pick it up.

I kicked up a ruckus (In a polite but firm manner) and insisted on dealing with the senior manager.

Ended up with a bill for $600.

Volvo - repeated requests while car was under warranty to check weirdness in transmission.

When out of warranty was advised of $5k to rectify.

Fought this with Volvo Australia who ended up footing the bill.

I have a highly recommended independent automotive mechanic in Artarmon who has been in business for years, has been written up in the newspaper on numerous occasions for exemplary customer service, and has many times helped me out and done extra work where he didn't need to. He will use genuine parts but recommend OEM parts where they are the same but better priced. Also, as well as himself he has 2 highly skilled mechanics who specialise in luxury and sports cars.

I agree, don't just take your car to some franchised or backyard auto mechanic, only use mechanics outside the dealer if they come recommended.

But, my statement to anyone who thinks the dealer service gives you any more than a bit of frippery thrown in (i.e. The wash, nice loaner car, nice waiting room) then you're dreaming.

Everyone has a choice. I choose to support a reliable independant business with good old fashioned service.

At the end of the day its a Toyota just a car as most are.

I started my apprenteship at a known dealer and the apprenteces job was your basic lube services we were doing 4-6 per day...

So Im not sure that an apprentces is not who is doing your job. The experienced mechanics were all left for major servicing or mechanical repair...

I will service my car at Lexus Chatswood for all recommended service just for resale value and the fact this car sitts in the garage most of the week so at Most I will be up for 1 service per year.But good on you for supporting your local as Im sure they will do as good if not better job than you Lexus dealer , not to mention you can have a chat about your job and choose better oils if you so choose among other things. Not to mention most will have no bearing on your warranty...

[DANSLEX]

Any dealership for any car brand will always be more expensive than your backyard mechanic or auto masters monkeys. They also have a reputation to uphold. I get my car serviced at the dealership, good peace of mind, and I really do not find it that much more expensive. Auto masters quoted me around 400 bucks for my last service, with what I hope was genuine filters and stuff, and competent people, but you never know that for sure! I don't mind paying extra 200 bucks and get a complimentary car and car wash, and know that they will definately do a good job. Heard all sorts of stories about cars being serviced in those other places. Unless you know a mechanic who's good and who you can trust, stick with the dealership. Auto masters, ultra tune and all those other places often get apprentices to work on your car. Some of the things I hear of are just shocking. Often they don't get supervised properly. Car's get thrashed on the test drive. Stuff is forgotten. And so on.

No point penny pinching hey, do that with your Kia, but crikey, it's a Lexus, it deserves a bit more care than some hung over incompetent apprentice monkey can provide. You bought a 65K+ car, not a 13,990 drive away special. I wouldn't buy a second hand car like that if it didn't have a proper log book with dealer stamps in them, or at least would pay a lot less for it than one that did, all else being equal.

I agree and disagree.

I have had some pretty bad experiences with quality brand dealer services from BMW, Volvo and Mercedes.

The dealer treats you as a captive audience based on that you don't know any better.

BMW - Quoted $4k by two separate dealers to rebuild my transmission.

Fixed for $200 by a transmissions specialist in Meadowbank.

BMW - Blown water pump.

Quoted $550 to repair. Bill was $900 when I came to pick it up.

I kicked up a ruckus (In a polite but firm manner) and insisted on dealing with the senior manager.

Ended up with a bill for $600.

Volvo - repeated requests while car was under warranty to check weirdness in transmission.

When out of warranty was advised of $5k to rectify.

Fought this with Volvo Australia who ended up footing the bill.

I have a highly recommended independent automotive mechanic in Artarmon who has been in business for years, has been written up in the newspaper on numerous occasions for exemplary customer service, and has many times helped me out and done extra work where he didn't need to. He will use genuine parts but recommend OEM parts where they are the same but better priced. Also, as well as himself he has 2 highly skilled mechanics who specialise in luxury and sports cars.

I agree, don't just take your car to some franchised or backyard auto mechanic, only use mechanics outside the dealer if they come recommended.

But, my statement to anyone who thinks the dealer service gives you any more than a bit of frippery thrown in (i.e. The wash, nice loaner car, nice waiting room) then you're dreaming.

Everyone has a choice. I choose to support a reliable independant business with good old fashioned service.

Yeah, was a bit of a general statement. As far as Lexus dealers go, they fare a lot better than other brands, which is a known fact. Was kind of leaning more towards their reputation than other brands.

A family friend used to have a mechanical business, and he serviced my as well as my family's cars for many years. Unfortunately he retired. But it's certainly good to have someone like that, who you know personally and can trust.

[SYDERIS250]

All good.

Generally I drop my car in for a service at my guy, he drops me at the station, I take a train to the city for under $5.

I then take a cab back in the arvo for about $20.

Add this $25 to the $250 = $275.

I could take the car for a laser wash or one of those hand wash places for between $15-$40, but I do a pretty mean hand wash for the cost of a few suds and elbow grease.

$660 vs. $275 = no brainer for me.......

[DANSLEX]

Fair enough if you don't drive much during the day. I usually book my service for a friday. Off to work, do a bit of drivign around, say I can't come on the friday arvo to pick up the car. Keep using the complimentary car all weekend, free tank of fuel etc, get my car back on monday. It's worth it if you can get some good use out of it :)

[SYDERIS250]

Fair enough if you don't drive much during the day. I usually book my service for a friday. Off to work, do a bit of drivign around, say I can't come on the friday arvo to pick up the car. Keep using the complimentary car all weekend, free tank of fuel etc, get my car back on monday. It's worth it if you can get some good use out of it :)

Any chance they'd give you an ISF loaner if you hinted you were in the market for one.......

[DANSLEX]

Fair enough if you don't drive much during the day. I usually book my service for a friday. Off to work, do a bit of drivign around, say I can't come on the friday arvo to pick up the car. Keep using the complimentary car all weekend, free tank of fuel etc, get my car back on monday. It's worth it if you can get some good use out of it :)

Any chance they'd give you an ISF loaner if you hinted you were in the market for one.......

Umm... not sure. Can always ask. But my god, I would have so much fun with it over the weekend, but even for one day. I'd take a day off and not get out of it till I drop it back lol!

[will.i.am]

I bought extra 2 yrs warranty, so I guess I will stick with dealer servicing for its term. (btw. chatswood lexus' quote was $1k cheaper than lexus / toyota australia). they offer similar cover incl trims.

How much did you pay for the extended warranty, if you don't mind me asking? I had a quote from the general Lexus hotline and it was about 1700 bucks for extra two years and 150K kays or something like that... Was it $1K cheaper because you negotiated it when you bought the car, or did you buy the extended warranty afterwards?

My car's warranty is running out next year, considering upgrading it.

when i bought my car, I had 1 week of manufacture warranty left. due to the GS430 having so many gadgets, i decided to get ext. warranty. lexus line quoted me $2200 for 2yrs 100Kkays. chatswood quoted me $1200 for 2yr 100Kkays. Lexus line offer $100 discount when I haggled a bit. still no match for chatswood. but chatswood warranty is underwritten by some other company.

chatswood lexus assured me that it's like factory warranty incl. trim.

(there are other options, but this suits me most).

[ldc]

Got quoted at Chatswood for 465, and 550 at Parra.

Another other place i can go that is cheaper (or contacts)?

[SYDERIS250]

I had my 75k service done at Reliable Automotive in Artarmon last week.

For $600 I had the full lube and oil change done, plus new rear brake pads and disc machining.

Great guys and as their name says, they are reliable.

[ldc]

So you didnt get your service done at a Lexus Dealer?

[SYDERIS250]

So you didnt get your service done at a Lexus Dealer?

Nope.

A registered mechanic service is still covered under factory warranty.

Having had 2 x BMW's, I have found with luxury cars that the differential in price is not worth it in my view.

My mechanic only has fully qualified specialist mechanics who go over my cars with a fine tooth comb each service.

Lexus dealers will usually put an apprentice on the easier work such as the 75k Oil and lube service.

[ldc]

Yes but you won't get the dealer stamp on your log book.

[illusivedreams]

Yes but you won't get the dealer stamp on your log book.

And?

A 5-6 year old IS250 is not worth all that much.... $20-30k

You still get a stamp just does not have Lexus on it..

And trust me most Baisic lube services are done by apprenteces...Believe me or not I dont mind but thats the reality of life..

[DANSLEX]

Yes but you won't get the dealer stamp on your log book.

And?

And I wouldn't buy it; or would buy it for a lot less than asking price, than a car with dealer stamps, all else being equal.

Would rather see official dealer stamps in there, than a Joe Bloggs stamps. You'll find majority of second hand buyers prefer that also (unless they happen to know said Joe Bloggs, slim chance). And I'd definately stay clear of any auto masters stamped cars haha.

[ldc]

Unfortunately when it comes to selling cars, it's a buyer's market. I'm all for dealers servicing but i'm also mindful that a good mechanic (one that you know and let u see what they do) can do just a good job as the dealers if not better. I tend to buy my own parts and just pay for my mech's labour with all my previous cars.

For the lexus, i am planning to keep it for along while (6-7 years) an i agree when it comes to thinking of selling it could be fetching 20-30K (if i'm lucky). But then i know if i keep the car for that long, selling it won't be feasible due to the fact that i know the car inside out. A well kept car lasts ...

For what the dealers are charging i know if i buy my own part and go to my mech, i'll save around $300 (for the 36 months service).

For when it comes to the 100K service, i recon i will need to go to the dealer.

[DELSHEE]

I am buying a 2010 IS250 which has done just over 100,000kms. Appreciate if anyone can let me know what the 100k service involves. Approx cost. Does the timing chain or belt have to be changed? Thanks a lot

[ilv1004s]

back from the DEAD**

a thread from 9 years has been revived

100k at a dealer will set u back 900-1.2K depending on what needs to be done