Question: How does one get the best service for a LC at the dealership?

[Eric Sarjeant]

I recommended going to wherever you see value and convenience.
toyota vs Lexus is indifferent, If they’re master certified, it doesn’t matter. Mechanics work at places that give good benefits, fair compensation, and treat them respectfully. They are not moving to Lexus to gain stature in their networking circles. Skilled labor is fundamentally different than most industries. Their is A LOT of pride in their work and accountability that goes along with that. Mechanics don’t upsell, advisors do, someone said it really well before, meet your mechanic, that will go a long way.

 

[RobW0]

Go to the LEXUS dealer - better snacks

I have not been to a LEXUS dealer, but I have been to @Eric Sarjeant dealership and it looked like they had some good snacks.

 

[DirtNap]

Funny you mentioned brakes. So I had my ‘13 LX in the Lexus dealer a few weeks ago for the seatbelt recall. During their “complimentary x point inspection” they noted I needed brake pads and rotors all the way around, tech said they looked terrible. I then mentioned to the service advisor Funny thing I personally replaced the pads and rotors With parts I ordered from your parts department less than a month ago... he had nothing to say from there.

Wow, who would have thought that OEM brake components would wear out so fast!

I don't have the silver bullet here, but have had slightly better luck at the dealer closer in to the city where there are more affluent customers and a slightly higher volume of LCs. Vs. the two very suburban dealers closer to home.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

One thing I've noticed at a couple of dealerships and independent garages is the "we don't get many LC's through here..." comment.
For example, my favorite independent garage remembered doing the Bilstein rear shock replacement on my 100 series over a YEAR later as in "hey we did your rear shocks" how they working out?" Thinking that the job was somehow remarkable, I replied "wow, you have a good memory was the job that involved?"
The answer? "No - you're the only customer we have with a LC, maybe we have one other besides you".

And that is the problem I think: LC's and Lexus' are relative unicorns. The mechanics just don't see that many of them.

 

[coleAK]

Wow, who would have thought that OEM brake components would wear out so fast!

I don't have the silver bullet here, but have had slightly better luck at the dealer closer in to the city where there are more affluent customers and a slightly higher volume of LCs. Vs. the two very suburban dealers closer to home.

This dealer in question sells a ton of LX and LCs. Only one in town, I know the service manager and he seems to be a good guy, I don’t think not was him that tried to fool me. I think the tech that did the inspection just filled out the form, noticed an’13 with 70k miles, oversized tires and didn’t look at the truck beyond that. .

 

[cboyd]

This dealer in question sells a ton of LX and LCs. Only one in town, I know the service manager and he seems to be a good guy, I don’t think not was him that tried to fool me. I think the tech that did the inspection just filled out the form, noticed an’13 with 70k miles, oversized tires and didn’t look at the truck beyond that. .

then I might have a chat with that service manager and let him know what his advisor and tech experince was... especially if the tech just “pushed paper”.

 

[SWUtah]

Take it to the closest Lexus dealer

 

[Sandroad]

When I switched Toyota dealerships for service some time ago, I started by asking the general manager for the name of the most experienced service writer. I exchanged emails with that writer and asked about Land Cruiser experience and which mechanic he would suggest work on my LC. Throughout the exchange, I was super nice and complimentary about the dealership. That worked out really well, because not only did the writer take an interest in me, but he remembers when I come in and I always ask for him by name when scheduling service. So far, knock on wood, I have not any service quality snafus at that dealership. There will be mistakes, because as @Rigger noted, no ones perfect. But I'm confident they will be corrected and the relationship built will go a long way to keeping everyone happy.

 

[rusty87]

It helps to have a cruiser owner and club member be Service Director of the local Toyota dealer.
@murf

 

[stonepa]

I guess I am lucky. My local dealer has 2 HEs on the showroom floor and 2 new regular LCs on the lot. They seem to have some experience with LCs, but still managed to break my recirc flap during routine maintenance. They seemed to get everything else right in every other service or warranty job.

When I am traveling I go to Lexus dealerships. They treat me a lot nicer than most Toyota dealers (not counting my local).

 

[taylorbrooks]

Great subject and issue, I am currently going through find a good dealer with my LC and my older T100. About 4 years ago we moved from Phoenix, AZ to Austin, TX. I had great Toyota and Honda (Pilot prior to LC purchase) dealer that I had been using for years and they did great work in Tempe, AZ. We arrived in Texas and I had zero luck with local Honda and Toyota dealer in Round Rock. Same dealer and service department for both. Honda side messed up simple rack and pinion replacement and Toyota dealer messed up door lock actuator installs. Things I could have done but rental rules said no wrenching in rental garage. We have since built a house and moved in and I do most of my own work once again.

I need to get my LC in for seat-belt recall and asked in Clubhouse what was best dealer option for this work. I also want to install the transmission T-SB. Before asking Clubhouse I called Round Rock dealer figuring give them one more try. When I asked about installing the T-SB for transmission I get the standard line of what is wrong it going to cost X dollars to diagnose. I tried explaining transmission was working fine I just wanted the Toyota software update installed to change shifting behavior. They went right back to it will require a diagnostics before we can recommend any repair. It was at this point that I finally told them not to worry I would not bother to see them for any work.

My only luck in Austin has been the Infiniti dealer for my Wife’s car. Matching the pay more get better service opinion. Though I have had the your tires are old and your hood strut rods are going bad. The tires were old but in great shape and hood strut rods need replacing but I can do that.

In club house I got couple of Austin area options. I am going to go with Cedar Park recommendation for Toyota. If that does not work for me then I will likely go to Lexus in Austin next.

I guess in long run it just hit or miss with dealer service and owning vehicles like LC with 5K or less a year sold or T100 only about 150K sold total and then having to deal with typical dealer turn rate we are just s*** out of luck. If you do find that good dealer, tech adviser, and mechanic share that info with forums.

Have a nice day.

I know this is a four year old thread, but I'm curious where you've serviced your LC in Austin and if you're happy.

 

[bj70bc]

good god....dont go to a dealership
moaning over

 

[taylorbrooks]

good god....dont go to a dealership
moaning over

Why?

 

[bj70bc]

The real question is, why WOULD you

 

[taylorbrooks]

The real question is, why WOULD you

I don't have time to work on it myself and I want the best combo of quality work and serviced in a timely manner.

 

[bj70bc]

Thats what we all wish , but the reality often falls far shot of that, you are rolling the dice for sure.
Being in the US you definitely have options depending on how far you are willing to drive, but where I am you have one choice ... and they know it

 

[bj70bc]

Wheel Came Off After I Picked Up from Dealer

Dropped my car off for a 50k mile service at the local Toyota dealership in Austin yesterday. Picked it up this morning and drove to Houston for work. On my way home, the driver's side wheel... came off. I still don't understand exactly what happened or how this is possible. Years ago I had...

forum.ih8mud.com

yes he was running spacers and some people ( not me ) would say thats what you get for doing that, but still....
and i believe this happened somewhere close to you

 

[M1911]

yes he was running spacers and some people ( not me ) would say thats what you get for doing that, but still....

I wouldn't say that. But I would say this is a excellent example of why I would never run spacers. YMMV.

 

[taylorbrooks]

Wheel Came Off After I Picked Up from Dealer

Dropped my car off for a 50k mile service at the local Toyota dealership in Austin yesterday. Picked it up this morning and drove to Houston for work. On my way home, the driver's side wheel... came off. I still don't understand exactly what happened or how this is possible. Years ago I had...

forum.ih8mud.com

yes he was running spacers and some people ( not me ) would say thats what you get for doing that, but still....
and i believe this happened somewhere close to you

I wouldn't say that. But I would say this is a excellent example of why I would never run spacers. YMMV.

I said this in the other thread...

I understand their are pros/cons to the of spacers vs no-spacers and offset wheels debate, but I think that's a separate issue.

Even if I had offset wheels (and no spacers), if the wheels are not installed and torqued properly then that is a problem.

 

[bj70bc]

yes