Best Austin Area Dealer for Service (2 Viewers)

[taylorbrooks]

I'm almost due for my first service on my '21 Cruiser.

Where do most people take there new-ish 200s for service? (I bought mine in Abilene)

 

[wedgiesaurus]

My 2000 LC is at Rising Sun for service as we speak.

 

[bloc]

I've only used autonation south austin and they did well enough. TPMS program, alignment, and the seatbelt recall. That job had some really nitpicky interior trim stuff not on-point.. unsure who would notice what I do though.

Whoever you use, lock your glovebox and keep the key blade with you. This is the only way to make sure they don't break your recirc flap. The warning sticker added to 18+ rigs is often ignored.

Also consider using a lexus dealer, though I'm not sure how warranty stuff works in that case. They see far more LX570s than any toyota dealer sees modern cruisers and will be a lot less likely to mess things up.

 

[marketShark]

@taylorbrooks

I agree with @bloc regarding taking a 200 to Autonation South. Its a VERY low bar for dealership experiences in town. Because of him, I learned that dealership has the best parts prices in town. What kinds of services are you shopping for? The 200 was built to withstand far worse than Mopac traffic and HEB parking lots. Counterpoint might be to avoid the dealership entirely.

For an independent shop on a newer cruiser, I prefer Bearden

Certified Toyota Repair in Austin, TX

Bearden Automotive is Austin’s independent Toyota repair shop, working on all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles.

www.beardenautomotive.com

 

[taylorbrooks]

@taylorbrooks

I agree with @bloc regarding taking a 200 to Autonation South. Its a VERY low bar for dealership experiences in town. Because of him, I learned that dealership has the best parts prices in town. What kinds of services are you shopping for? The 200 was built to withstand far worse than Mopac traffic and HEB parking lots. Counterpoint might be to avoid the dealership entirely.

For an independent shop on a newer cruiser, I prefer Bearden

Certified Toyota Repair in Austin, TX

Bearden Automotive is Austin’s independent Toyota repair shop, working on all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles.

www.beardenautomotive.com

I think the first service is oil and tire rotation.

I'm also looking to have the 1" front spacers installed to reduce the rake.

 

[geanes]

Do NOT.....under ANY circumstance....for ANY reason.....take your LandCruiser to Charles Maund Toyota for service. They are easily the worst service department around....by FAR. When they changed out my steering rack, they failed to put coolant back in my LX470 and sent me on my way to nearly crater a perfectly functioning 2UZ. They paid a very heavy price to repair it, but I paid out of my own pocket to have an independent shop I trust review all of the work and do multiple diagnostics.

 

[taylorbrooks]

Do NOT.....under ANY circumstance....for ANY reason.....take your LandCruiser to Charles Maund Toyota for service. They are easily the worst service department around....by FAR. When they changed out my steering rack, they failed to put coolant back in my LX470 and sent me on my way to nearly crater a perfectly functioning 2UZ. They paid a very heavy price to repair it, but I paid out of my own pocket to have an independent shop I trust review all of the work and do multiple diagnostics.

Thanks for the warning.

So where do you get our LX serviced now?

 

[geanes]

Thanks for the warning.

So where do you get our LX serviced now?

LandCruiser Specialists up on North 183

 

[bloc]

Maund VW service was legendarily bad as well, when I was in that world.

 

[taylorbrooks]

Maund VW service was legendarily bad as well, when I was in that world.

Where do you take your 2013 @bloc?

 

[bloc]

As I said earlier I’ve used Autonation toyota south Austin a handful of times, for the rare things I can’t do myself, which is basically alignment or recall work.

I do nearly everything at home though.. fluid changes, tire rotations, driveline lube, suspension work, even radiator and engine part replacement.

To be honest, knowing what I do of dealer service attention to detail, even with a brand new rig I’d be doing the work myself if it wasn’t warranty coverage. No one cares about my vehicle like I do, and few will hit my level of attention to detail. Let alone if I had a 21. I totally understand most people not having the time or resources though.

 

[taylorbrooks]

As I said earlier I’ve used Autonation toyota south Austin a handful of times, for the rare things I can’t do myself, which is basically alignment or recall work.

I do nearly everything at home though.. fluid changes, tire rotations, driveline lube, suspension work, even radiator and engine part replacement.

To be honest, knowing what I do of dealer service attention to detail, even with a brand new rig I’d be doing the work myself if it wasn’t warranty coverage. No one cares about my vehicle like I do, and few will hit my level of attention to detail. Let alone if I had a 21. I totally understand most people not having the time or resources though.

Great so when can I bring it by?

 

[bloc]

Great so when can I bring it by?

I’ll teach anyone anything I know. Not trying to get into the maintenance business myself though.. I’ve done it and found it takes the enjoyment out of doing my own work.

 

[aznxfactor]

I can't speak for everyone but I go to Charles Maund Toyota because I work there and it's convenient. I also see a lot of 200 series getting work done there too whether big job or small.

I get my oil changes done every 5k instead of 10k though.

If you have a 21 than it's best to get it done at the dealership anyway because your first 2 years of maintenance is at no cost. However keep in mind that if you have warranty issues within the first 2 years and you don't go to a toyota dealership, you could have your warranty voided because your maintenance wasn't done at Toyota

 

[taylorbrooks]

I can't speak for everyone but I go to Charles Maund Toyota because I work there and it's convenient. I also see a lot of 200 series getting work done there too whether big job or small.

I get my oil changes done every 5k instead of 10k though.

If you have a 21 than it's best to get it done at the dealership anyway because your first 2 years of maintenance is at no cost. However keep in mind that if you have warranty issues within the first 2 years and you don't go to a toyota dealership, you could have your warranty voided because your maintenance wasn't done at Toyota

Thanks for weighing in. Do you know if he warranty would be voided if it's taken to a Lexus dealer to be serviced?

 

[bloc]

A requirement that maintenance work be done at a dealer for warranty coverage is a violation of the magnussen moss warranty act.

That statement is thrown around at dealers in the face of consumers that don’t know any better and is absolutely false. Apparently even dealer employees have been led to believe it is true.

Do your maintenance in your driveway if you want. As long as you document the dates/miles and products used (that meet specifications set out in the manual) toyota would be breaking the law to deny a warranty claim, and they are well aware of that.

Don’t believe me? Look up the law.

 

[aznxfactor]

Thanks for weighing in. Do you know if he warranty would be voided if it's taken to a Lexus dealer to be serviced?

I'm pretty sure it won't because you have proof of work done. It's even marked on your carfax when you get maintenance or any work done at a dealership vs say a small business.

However you get two years of 0 cost maintenance at Toyota otherwise you'd pay lexus service prices for the same thing.

I also own a 2015 lexus rcf and take my lexus to Toyota for all my oil changes and service work. There is a cost difference as I've checked the cost at a lexus dealership vs my Toyota store. Very big difference in cost for the same tundra 4.6L oil filter that goes into the rcf....plus tundra and gx460.

 

[aznxfactor]

A requirement that maintenance work be done at a dealer for warranty coverage is a violation of the magnussen moss warranty act.

That statement is thrown around at dealers in the face of consumers that don’t know any better and is absolutely false. Apparently even dealer employees have been led to believe it is true.

Do your maintenance in your driveway if you want. As long as you document the dates/miles and products used (that meet specifications set out in the manual) toyota would be breaking the law to deny a warranty claim, and they are well aware of that.

Don’t believe me? Look up the law.

It's not that nobody believes you but it's all arbitrary.

If the manufacturers specialist inspects the vehicle and determines that the cause was due to user and not the vehicle than the warranty or law won't protect the person whatsoever.
Sure oil changes as long as you got proof like keeping all your receipts and at the end of the day people on forums like this are super fans of a particular car or brand.

Who all remembers the guy with the Chevy canyon that got his frame bent in half brand new off roading with a patriot trailer with him. Well Chevy wouldn't cover the cost to fix because their specialist determined that it was caused by having larger tires so the warranty was voided.

It's all arbitrary and plus the original topic is in regards to the 1st 5k service which is free at a Toyota dealership. Just take it in to a Toyota because it's no cost.

 

[bloc]

The law is written such that the manufacturer must prove that the maintenance in question caused the failure. Extremely unlikely for any of the maintenance that would happen under the warranty.
And yes those services are free, but so is a broken recirculate door. My vehicle will get better service in my driveway than at a dealer, when you acknowledge the level of tech they have doing routine maintenance.
I’m not gonna tell OP not to bring it to a dealer for the free service, but I am going to point out it is false to claim that maintenance is required to keep a warranty valid, and there are tons of documented legitimate reasons to avoid the dealer even if that work is free.

 

[Unoman]

We have our 200 serviced at Lexus of Lakeway. So far its only been oil changes. Its a 2011 with 53k miles on it. If/when the day comes we need a semi major repair, I'll get a quote from Lexus of Lakeway, but most likely end up taking it to Bearden Automotive. Echo what others have said about Maund.