Was I Crazy to Have All This Done?

[Junglejack]

Hello,
Today I took my 2000 LX470 in primarily to do the Timing Belt. I am at 73,000 miles so it was due to age that I decided to do so.

In addition, I had the spark plugs replaced, transmission flush, drain and refill the differential/transfer case and they replaced the - Battery Terminal.

Here is the price breakdown:
T-Belt & Serpentine Belt: $512.00
Spark Plugs: $203.60
Full Transmission Flush with Additive: $203.60
Drain & Refill Differential/Transfer Case: $209.25
Replace Negative Battery Terminal $64.00
Grand Total $1334.45
They are also throwing in some Manifold/Fuel Injection cleaner for free.

This is actually roughly the same price the Lexus dealer near me wanted to do the Front CV Joints that the Toyota dealership were quite mystified that it was suggested as only the front right barely seeps. In another post I mentioned that I went to this Toyota dealership for free inspection.

I must disclose that my parents showed up unannounced from Tennessee and offered to pay for all of this. The only thing I really question is the Spark Plugs as the idle is perfect and 120,000 miles is the usual interval. However, the tech checked them out and maintained that it was quite important to have them done.

I really was not planning on doing any of this until 90,000 miles, but it is exceedingly rare that someone else is picking up the bill. I will say driving a Scion TC loaner car for the past day has given me a new appreciation for the RX350 loaner at Lexus.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Jack

 

[Trustey]

You'd be crazy if you forget Mothers/Fathers day cards this year.

 

[Junglejack]

You'd be crazy if you forget Mothers/Fathers day cards this year.

Indeed! I do want to point out that I asked them to change the Transmission Fluid and not flush it. I was so busy with my parents that I dropped the ball in terms of keeping up with what the dealership was doing.

 

[Bloomer]

512.00 for timing belt and serpentine belt? Wow, that seems really reasonable. Was this a Toyota dealership?

 

[Reverend]

Doing it all in one shot might have been a bit excessive, but they're all important maintenance items. At least they're all done, and you can have some peace of mind as you rack up the mileage on the car.

I personally space stuff out, hitting a long list in small bites, so that it doesn't hurt the pocketbook so badly all at once.

 

[OregonLC]

Not crazy. I did that and more. Once every 10 years or so is solid maintenance. They only thing I wouldn't do is a 'flush' from the dealer.

 

[Junglejack]

512.00 for timing belt and serpentine belt? Wow, that seems really reasonable. Was this a Toyota dealership?

It was a Toyota dealership. The Technician is the same who showed me the CV's that were in "desperate need of replacement. He worked at the local Lexus for 6 years and at Toyota before and after for almost 20 years. He is still laughing about the CV replacement and almost $1000 bill to fix a truly mild seeping on one side.

I am slightly worried that they did a Transmission Flush and do think the Spark Plugs were most likely not needed. They were the original plugs and the LX is 13 years old however.

 

[TrekboxX]

Sounds to me like you should be very happy with what was done. All good mx items, and for reference I paid that much just for the 90k service! Well done.

 

[triskelion]

yes pls share the invoice so we can have the same price for services at our local stealerships

 

[danquixote]

Don't forget the water pump while they're changing the timing belt...

 

[Junglejack]

I wanted them to do the Water Pump as well, but he showed it to me and strongly felt it was in perfect condition and good for at least another 30,000 miles. Had I not been preoccupied, I would have made sure it was done as to just have the Water Pump installed will cost a bloody fortune in labor.

I will try to upload the receipt, but I am at my upload limit. I will pay $20 for a star so that I can upload whatever.

 

[chrisbruck]

For comparison, 2 weeks ago I had my new to me '04 LC with 105k at a local Toyota dealer that did the following:

Timing belt
Water pump & coolant flush
Brake fluid flush
Tranny fluid change (not flush)

$863.00 total which I felt was quite reasonable.

 

[patrickfinley]

That sucks he didn't get in there and do that as well. Oh well, you'll just have to plan another visit from the folks in 30k miles.

I wanted them to do the Water Pump as well, but he showed it to me and strongly felt it was in perfect condition and good for at least another 30,000 miles. Had I not been preoccupied, I would have made sure it was done as to just have the Water Pump installed will cost a bloody fortune in labor.

 

[APKhaos]

Good deal all round. Now you have to do something nice for your parents

 

[pwcummings]

I would have had them swap out the water pump while they were doing the timing belt, then do all the other stuff (plugs, oil, differentials and tcase) on my own. Sounds like you got a solid deal though, that's for sure

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Junglejack]

I would have had them swap out the water pump while they were doing the timing belt, then do all the other stuff (plugs, oil, differentials and tcase) on my own. Sounds like you got a solid deal though, that's for sure

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

Hello,
I truly need to get my tools out. Lately, time has been scarce for any DIY and the temptation of dropping it off, getting a loaner car, and leaving it in a tech's hands has been too strong to sway. Not having the Water Pump completed is eating at me in truth as I have knocked out all of the essentials and some things that were probably not even needed. It is just dealer records are scarce on this truck and I felt it better to err to the side of caution.

I had no idea that my so kind parents were actually going to pay for it until I went to go drop it off. To say that I am both overwhelmed by the gesture and grateful is an understatement.
Cheers,
Jack