Service a Toyota @ Lexus

[stridertexas]

So I recently purchased a 14 LC.

It needed to have a few things done to it.

I live within a 10 minute drive to a Lexus Dealership, whereas the closest Toyota is a good 45 minutes away and through traffic.

So I decided to get the work done at Lexus. Their hourly rate is $150 instead of Toyotas $120, plus the Lexus service advisor told me that's he believes his techs are more efficient (who knows if that's true).

I'm still curious how parts pricing differs between purchasing through a Lexus dealership vs Toyota.

Should know more on that tomorrow once I get a call from my advisor.

I do however get a loaner from Lexus! So that seemed like a pretty good offset of the hourly rate.

Any thoughts on taking this approach? I realize I'll know more definitive pricing tomorrow, but so far it's seemed within reason to go this route.

 

[mcgaskins]

I have a good relationship with the service director at the local Toyota dealer, so I prefer to go there. I called him directly to make my last service appointment and told him I've added the ARB skids since my last oil change. Without skipping a beat he said he always books his lead/most experienced mechanic to work on my truck, so dealing with the skids wouldn't be any issue or additional cost. I think if I had a 100% stock 200 there would be less difference between the Toyota and Lexus dealer, but I feel much better taking my heavily modded to a dealer who is mod friendly and knows me well. I doubt the Lexus dealer sees many 200s with extensive mods.

PS - if the work is going to take longer than 2 hours I still get a loaner from the Toyota dealer (though oddly it's usually a Ford Fusion hybrid lol).

 

[SWUtah]

Your in Austin, I used both Lexus dealerships in Austin. When I lived in Lakeway used that dealership the most. Great service and pricing was about the same as the Toyota dealership up by Georgetown. Plus I think the Georgetown Toyota dealership ruined my steering rack doing a flush when I first moved to Texas. Toyota tech's have never provided quality service for me. Toyota in Las Vegas screwed up a front wheel bearing repack that Slee off-road had to redo and the service manger at the Toyota gave me a refund because he knew Slee's reputation, plus I think he knew his tech's were less then!! Stay with the Lexus dealer in Austin, use the loaner cars and eat the cookies you will be $$$ ahead

PS. I found that the Lexus dealership in Lakeway bent over backwards to make me happy. Plus they are so new they always got me right in when I called. If you live in the Hills it's a perfect location for you.

 

[NC237]

In my experience that extra money will get you a nicer loaner and a nicer experience if you choose to wait at the dealer.
Parts are usually more. Lexus is more exclusive than Toyota and price reflects that. Competency of the techs? Going to be about the same. Some winners and some losers. Customer service is the main difference. Lexus aims for a different experience than Toyota. Toyota is about no frills quality work. Well that's the goal anyway. Lexus is also about quality work, but they focus significantly more on how the customer feels than Toyota does.

Is it worth it? Each will have to decide for themselves.
IMO, one way or another I'm paying for that loaner or experience- so the more I can minimize dealer contact the better.

If it's about waiting room food - Land Rover is the best I've seen. Sandwiches, cookies, doughnuts, ice cream, chips, water, soft drink, etc... But really it's the least they can do. If you own a Land Rover you'll be there a lot.

 

[SWUtah]

I have that beat in Jacksonville Florida, free car washes plus free breakfast or lunch! Great biscuits and sausage gravy with eggs and a side of bacon. I'm there 2x's a week

 

[stridertexas]

Your in Austin, I used both Lexus dealerships in Austin. When I lived in Lakeway used that dealership the most. Great service and pricing was about the same as the Toyota dealership up by Georgetown. Plus I think the Georgetown Toyota dealership ruined my steering rack doing a flush when I first moved to Texas. Toyota tech's have never provided quality service for me. Toyota in Las Vegas screwed up a front wheel bearing repack that Slee off-road had to redo and the service manger at the Toyota gave me a refund because he knew Slee's reputation, plus I think he knew his tech's were less then!! Stay with the Lexus dealer in Austin, use the loaner cars and eat the cookies you will be $$$ ahead

PS. I found that the Lexus dealership in Lakeway bent over backwards to make me happy. Plus they are so new they always got me right in when I called. If you live in the Hills it's a perfect location for you.

Lexus of Lakeway is the one I’m using. I’ve found them to be great also. We’ve purchased 2 other vehicles from them in the past, and the service and staff there are fantastic. Sure can’t beat the short drive and loaner!

 

[cc1999]

I use the Lexus dealer because of the free loaner car, the totoyta dealer is a little less but no loaner cars.
In the case of my last service I had Toyota dealer coupon for a promo price on a cabin filter, and surprisingly the Lexus dealer honored it.
Which it cut the price of the cabin filter in half.

Some things at my Lexus dealer are just absurdly over priced, like an alignment runs 89.00 at Toyota or about that any alignment shop . My Lexus dealer popped me for over 200+ to align our LS that was no parts just minor adjustments. I had figured a 100 bucks at most since most services are 10-30% higher. I should have asked.

Now I always ask and decide if the premium they charge is going to be worth it to me or not.

Lexus won't be doing anymore alignments, but they will get my other regular services business. 89.00 at Lexus vs 69.00 at Toyota, that 20.00 extra gets me a free loaner, and decent car wash that I don't get from the Toyota dealer.

 

[teambell]

I use a local Lexus dealer, have a long relationship and they take care of my vehicle. I pay for that, but never worry about anything that may come up, they just handle it.

 

[FatHero]

A non-scientific opinion since I don't have actual stats. But with more LX's running around San Antonio than Land Cruisers, and many more Toyota Dealers than Lexus dealers around here, it would seem that the techs at Lexus see more LX's than Toyota techs see Land Cruisers. So it would seem to me that taking a Land Cruiser to Lexus here is likely to have a better chance of somebody turning a wrench on it with Land Cruiser/LX experience than if you took it to a Toyota dealer.

My own personal experience with the LX and Land Cruisers we've owned over the years is that the guys at Lexus do indeed have more experience on the vehicle platform. I've heard from other local Land Cruiser owners discussing this same subject that the Toyota techs have actually said things such as "We don't see these Cruisers very often". Of course this could be the opposite in your area.

Your mileage may vary - but I take my vehicles to Lexus dealers - even if it costs more.

 

[shelby95]

In my experience that extra money will get you a nicer loaner and a nicer experience if you choose to wait at the dealer.
Parts are usually more. Lexus is more exclusive than Toyota and price reflects that. Competency of the techs? Going to be about the same. Some winners and some losers. Customer service is the main difference. Lexus aims for a different experience than Toyota. Toyota is about no frills quality work. Well that's the goal anyway. Lexus is also about quality work, but they focus significantly more on how the customer feels than Toyota does.

Is it worth it? Each will have to decide for themselves.
IMO, one way or another I'm paying for that loaner or experience- so the more I can minimize dealer contact the better.

If it's about waiting room food - Land Rover is the best I've seen. Sandwiches, cookies, doughnuts, ice cream, chips, water, soft drink, etc... But really it's the least they can do. If you own a Land Rover you'll be there a lot.

The Rover dealership should offer turn down service, wake up calls and provide mail-forwarding services.

 

[NC237]

hahahahahahaha

The Rover dealership should offer turn down service, wake up calls and provide mail-forwarding services.

 

[stridertexas]

A non-scientific opinion since I don't have actual stats. But with more LX's running around San Antonio than Land Cruisers, and many more Toyota Dealers than Lexus dealers around here, it would seem that the techs at Lexus see more LX's than Toyota techs see Land Cruisers. So it would seem to me that taking a Land Cruiser to Lexus here is likely to have a better chance of somebody turning a wrench on it with Land Cruiser/LX experience than if you took it to a Toyota dealer.

This was EXACTLY my same thought and rationale too. In my neighborhood there are LX’s abound.

Some things at my Lexus dealer are just absurdly over priced, like an alignment runs 89.00 at Toyota or about that any alignment shop . My Lexus dealer popped me for over 200+ to align our LS that was no parts just minor adjustments.

I just paid $119 for a 4 wheel alignment. They offered a $150 Road Force Tire balance, and I passed on that one. Discount Tire balanced well enough for $16/tire.

Also for the record I just paid $530 to turn all four rotors. Toyota was about $75 less. So in all I estimate I paid $100 more for the work to have a loaner for 2 days plus the convenience of driving 10 minutes to the dealership vs trekking 45 minutes through town (with no traffic).

I think Lexus Serivde is the way to go, but I would definitely do some calling between them and Toyota before just dropping it off.

 

[stiffarm]

This was EXACTLY my same thought and rationale too. In my neighborhood there are LX’s abound.




I just paid $119 for a 4 wheel alignment. They offered a $150 Road Force Tire balance, and I passed on that one. Discount Tire balanced well enough for $16/tire.

Also for the record I just paid $530 to turn all four rotors. Toyota was about $75 less. So in all I estimate I paid $100 more for the work to have a loaner for 2 days plus the convenience of driving 10 minutes to the dealership vs trekking 45 minutes through town (with no traffic).

I think Lexus Serivde is the way to go, but I would definitely do some calling between them and Toyota before just dropping it off.

$250 to turn rotors at Springhill Toyota in Mobile. Techs here are good and LC washed when done.

 

[stiffarm]

$250 to turn rotors at Springhill Toyota in Mobile. Techs here are good and LC washed when done.

Front and rear rotors combined, sorry.

 

[milesc3]

A non-scientific opinion since I don't have actual stats. But with more LX's running around San Antonio than Land Cruisers, and many more Toyota Dealers than Lexus dealers around here, it would seem that the techs at Lexus see more LX's than Toyota techs see Land Cruisers. So it would seem to me that taking a Land Cruiser to Lexus here is likely to have a better chance of somebody turning a wrench on it with Land Cruiser/LX experience than if you took it to a Toyota dealer.

My own personal experience with the LX and Land Cruisers we've owned over the years is that the guys at Lexus do indeed have more experience on the vehicle platform. I've heard from other local Land Cruiser owners discussing this same subject that the Toyota techs have actually said things such as "We don't see these Cruisers very often". Of course this could be the opposite in your area.

Your mileage may vary - but I take my vehicles to Lexus dealers - even if it costs more.

I'm going in for my first service on the 2020 HE LC. This was my exact thought. A lot more LX570s on the road the LC 200s.

 

[TeCKis300]

The Lexus dealerships are going to have way more experience with KDSS as well. As it was introduced and fitted first in the GX470 over a decade ago.

The techs are generally further in their careers working for a more premium marquis. Careers start at pedestrian brands. Not that they won't make mistakes, but you can count on them to try and make things right.

 

[bloc]

Experience with the cabin filter alone makes this formula point heavily toward lexus service.

 

[04UZJ100]

Experience with the cabin filter alone makes this formula point heavily toward lexus service.

My LX says otherwise.

I don’t trust dealers to do anything anymore.

 

[bloc]

My LX says otherwise.

I don’t trust dealers to do anything anymore.

We need a PSA for locking your glove box any time these go to the dealer. With less lexus dealers and three times as many LXs sold if this is still happening your strategy is the only way.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

We have to remember that the express lube technician is performing oil changes and 100 point inspection. They don’t have experience with cabin air filter doors.

ask for master mechanics to perform the service. He should have more training and experience.

I am big fan of the independent mechanics who have worked many years at the dealerships and have started their own business.