Cost Of Running A Gs300 ?

[Dops]

Hi,

Any advice on GS300 service costs?

Is it unadvised to save money by using a local (good) garage to do the service and fit consumables like exhausts?

It's just a straight 6 right? What can go wrong??

Any comments,

Cheers,

PS I'm looking to buy a GS300 (MK1)

[Steve]

All depends if you intend keeping the car for the rest of its life.

I have an old 92 and I dont visit any dealerships with it (apart from club business)... I save a fortune and instead of paying £80 per hour I only pay £30

Although i do buy Toyota parts when servicing etc.

I guess when coming to sell the car as long as it has had quite a few years of Lexus history then I personally don't see a problem.

some people may disagree...

[Mike246]

Mine's a 98 GS Mark 2 which I have had since it was 6 months old. I certainly wouldn't compromise on non Lexus parts and would stick with the recommended oil which the dealers charge a fair bit for - £ 36 plus V.A.T. on my last service.

The labour time for a general service is only 1 hour per 9,000 miles so there is not much to be saved by going non-Lexus. Views given on the forum suggest that not all dealers are good so take guidance on that.

One potential stitch up I found. I needed a new Battery and my local dealer wanted £ 180 to supply and fit. I bought a top of the range Bosch for £ 52 from the local distributor and took care of it myself.

You mention the exhaust. A long time ago (pre introduction of the IS) the service manager at the supplying dealer told me that they have never ever had to replace a Lexus exhaust except on impact damage as it is made from thick stainless steel. My LS and GS have never needed replacement but I anticiapte at least a few contradictions!

[Steve]

If mine was a 98 then yes i would get it serviced at a dealership

I noticed Dops was looking for a GS1

depending on how old the GS1 is, but considering the age of mine and plus its an import with no history then why would it matter where it was serviced?. I can still purchase the same oil a dealer uses... and my mechanics know how to service a car... i begrudge paying excess money at a dealership for an old car... and surely the next buyer is only interested to a point of when it was serviced last and that through the warranty period the car was servced at a dealership.

[Keith Bowler]

Hi

I recently purchased a 1995 Mk1 GS300 from a non Lexus dealer. It had full service history, part of which was by Lexus in its early years and later by a reputable garage that I was able to check out.

The last owner (I am the third) had the car serviced by Lexus which was why I bought it as it had just had new discs on the front, a new caliper to replace a seized one, new brake pads all round (which I understand is a failing on the GS300) ,some suspension bushes and a cambelt change.

The engine bay is pristine, the paint alittle neglected and the standard 16" wheels are a little corroded from brake dust.

I will have the car maintained by an ex Toyota technician who specialises in Supras which I understand share some of the mechanics of the Gs300 at a fraction of the cost of a Lexus dealer.

If all goes to plan I intend keeping the car for 4 years after which its resale value would have depleted substantially and it will not have cost me a packet to maintain.

Just my philosophy. My next Lexus will however be a new one.

Keith

[wildrnes]

got to have a good look under a gs mk1 on wed

stainless steel exhaust ?

well from what i saw no

there was some rust

asked the fantastic neil (stockport)

he agreed with me said looked like the back bit was rusting

it was a mk 1 tho

other wise looked super underneath

the car was m reg

[Rodders_UK]

You mention the exhaust. A long time ago (pre introduction of the IS) the service manager at the supplying dealer told me that they have never ever had to replace a Lexus exhaust except on impact damage as it is made from thick stainless steel. My LS and GS have never needed replacement but I anticiapte at least a few contradictions!

My exhaust is starting to rot at one of the rear joints - gonna need a new one soons and it's 1200 quids (sob)

[Mike246]

Strewth! Better check mine. What mileage has your done Rodders? Mine at about 52k.

[Rodders_UK]

Mine's done 130,000 Mike - you'll prolly be alright for a while :D

[Mike246]

Just as well at 1200 quid.

I'll start putting away a tenner a week from tomorrow.

[Dops]

Well, I'm glad I prompted a little discussion and got some good ideas back.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks everyone.