Should service be more $$ for Lexus?

[98LXand99LC]

I took the LX470 to Toyota yesterday for the Timing Belt, Water Pump and front engine seals, the same service I had done on the Toyota LC last month. I picked it up late yesterday and the service advisor wasn't around so I paid the bill and left. Comparing the bills for the same service at the same dealership, I paid $182 more for the Lexus than I did the Toyota. Same service, same parts, different price, WTF?

 

[Josh83]

They had to send the pink panties out for dry cleaning.

 

[98LXand99LC]

They had to send the pink panties out for dry cleaning.

Nope, I had 'em on all day. I didn't even get a reach around.

 

[Josh83]

LOL! I think your getting hosed. They probobly thought you were someone who didn't care what it cost. I bet they try to say they had to get some part from Lexus. Make them produce proof if they do.

 

[98LXand99LC]

The lexus dealership is right across the street, they wouldn't have the balls to say that. I'm waiting to see what others here on Mud say before I call the SA and cry like a baby.

 

[ATLcrusher]

Definitely the "Lexus factor".

 

[macneill]

Dude, they know the gold trim on both your vehicles and knew you wuz loaded.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Dude, they know the gold trim on both your vehicles and knew you wuz loaded.

That's funny. Maybe you should have gotten the chrome "L" instead of a gold "L." They did wash/vacuum your car at the Lexus dealer, right? I'm actually surprised the difference was only $182. If you don't mind me asking, what did Toyota charge for the LX? My local lexus dealer wants $1400 for the t-belt job...not sure if it includes tensioners and stuff like that.

BTW, the service manager at the local lexus dealer (Tucson) told me the 90K t-belt replacement is a general toyota guideline. The dealer recommends 105K mi based on their experience on S. AZ vehicles saying the V8 is easy on the belt. OTOH, they bumped up the belt replacement on the V6's to 75K, saying they are showing lots of wear by 90K.

 

[hoser]

That's funny. Maybe you should have gotten the chrome "L" instead of a gold "L." They did wash/vacuum your car at the Lexus dealer, right? I'm actually surprised the difference was only $182. If you don't mind me asking, what did Toyota charge for the LX? My local lexus dealer wants $1400 for the t-belt job...not sure if it includes tensioners and stuff like that.

98LXand99LC, can you show us the breakdown of the costs. Was each part more expensive, more parts used, higher labor rate or higher in labor time?

I think it was mentioned here awhile back that Lexus specifies changing some parts (maybe the tensioners?) as part of the T-belt job and Toyota didn't and only did so if necessary. I could just be dreaming that up though.

 

[NorCalDoug]

A breakdown of costs would be good to see.

That said...I think their taking a good stab at screwin' ya.

 

[98LXand99LC]

Here's the breakout, I had a few more things done to the LX than the LC.

Service LC LX

Timing Belt $291.95 $361.95
Water Pump & Seals $443.74 $495.31
Serp Belt $0.00 $58.71
Induction Service $0.00 $89.95
Replace PCV Valve $0.00 $28.95
Front Differential Service $0.00 $41.95
Rear Differential Service $0.00 $41.95
Transfer Case Service $0.00 $41.95
Subtotal $735.69 $1,160.72

Misc. Charges $14.28 $14.28
Less Insurance $60.00 $0.00
Taxes $48.75 $76.38

Total $738.72 $1,251.38

 

[98LXand99LC]

That didn't come out very well, here's a better one:

 

[NorCalDoug]

Maybe my math is off, but it looks like they charged you an extra $121.57 for the LX 470 as compared to the LC.

That's the sum of the difference of the Timing Belt and Water Pump.

I'm guessing you have some sort of service plan/warranty on the LC, so the additional charges there don't count. The difference in tax is based on the sum of all charges, so you really can't recoup that -- technically the state grabs that, not the stealership.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Wow-$126 to service the diffs and t-case. You really should do the work yourself! That part of the service could be done for $20 in materials and half an hour of your labor. Lexus

 

[Jim_Chow]

Do those zeros for the toyota signify that they didn't think it was necessary to change them, or did they change them and it was covered by a service plan? I called my local lexus service dept and they seem to change stuff that the FSM doesn't necessarily recommend, almost to the point of being excessive in maintenance (maybe someone here could verify if these are severe condition maintenance items). For example, at 15K mi intervals, they drain & fill diffs/t-case/ATF and change engine air filter and cabin filters, at 30K mi, flush ATF, etc. From most Toyota/Honda FSM's I've seen, it'll say something like "inspect air filter" at 30k mi or replace for severe, inspect ATF at 30K mi for normal or replace for severe, but no mention of changes at 15K mi intervals, mainly inspections, IIRC.

 

[98LXand99LC]

Maybe my math is off, but it looks like they charged you an extra $121.57 for the LX 470 as compared to the LC.

That's the sum of the difference of the Timing Belt and Water Pump.

I'm guessing you have some sort of service plan/warranty on the LC, so the additional charges there don't count. The difference in tax is based on the sum of all charges, so you really can't recoup that -- technically the state grabs that, not the stealership.

Your math is correct, except that when they did the LC I got that $60 credit at the bottom (insurance???). I understand the tax difference, but there would be some tax savings with the lower price for the WP and H2O Pump (189.47 w/tax).

 

[98LXand99LC]

Wow-$126 to service the diffs and t-case. You really should do the work yourself! That part of the service could be done for $20 in materials and half an hour of your labor. Lexus

You're probably right, I need to do the diffs and the xfer on the LC. What tools do I need? Some sore of Pump/Siphon? Is it a PITA to get under there for all lf that?

 

[98LXand99LC]

Do those zeros for the toyota signify that they didn't think it was necessary to change them, or did they change them and it was covered by a service plan?

I didn't ask them to do this on the LC. I did the Serp belt not too long ago on the LC and they didn't recommend the induction service. I'm planning on doing the diffs and xfer (maybe myself).

 

[e9999]

I'm pretty sure the water pump is more expensive cuz they have to run Evian water in the cooling system on the Lexus, and the seals are made out of velvet...

 

[Alacrity]

Service costs

Think the price differential has more to do with lack of competition in a particular MSA (We have 2 Lexus dealers - same ownership - maybe 8 Toyota). Was quoted $46 odd for an air filter. Same 50040 filter at Toyota was $22. Was ordering some stuff from sparkplugs.com (Denso) so I paid $16 there - but wouldnt have got ahead if I didnt have other stuff coming. But hey, they have gourmet coffee if you have to wait, a plasma TV and leather clad waiting room - that aint free. To an extent, you pay for the experience. The service (warranty) really has been impeccable at Lexus tho - much better than my aggregate experience over the last 15 years with Toyota.

Same issue with Land Rover - dealer (stand alone) in a smaller market a hundred miles up the road charged less than half what the only local dealer (Rover,Porsche,Aston, Ferrarri etc) does for services.

Looking at those prices - I dont think you got off to bad.

If the "induction service" is cleaning the throttle plate, I'd say it needs done - but you can do it yourself if your careful

Luck
Alac

ETA - Ive got 3 quotes for my 90k on the 99LC - about $500 between the top and least