First Post

[Arncliffe]

Just joined this forum today though I have owned my GS450h for almost two years now.

Love the car but am shocked by the service cost having njust paid £450.55 for the 20,000 / 2 year service. I'll explore the forum to see if that is the standard figure from all Lexus dealers as I read somewhere that there is no recommended price and that every dealer quotes what they like! ?

[steve2006]

Hello and welcome to the LOC,

A lot of us call them Lexus Stealers but I do most servicing work myself and I get a reasonable discount on genuine parts.

Yes you are correct there are no set prices and ringing around the dealers will give varying prices for the same work.

[Arncliffe]

Hello and welcome to the LOC,

A lot of us call them Lexus Stealers but I do most servicing work myself and I get a reasonable discount on genuine parts.

Yes you are correct there are no set prices and ringing around the dealers will give varying prices for the same work.

Thanks Steve. I see on my invoice "Customer quoted £450.60" - why was that necessary unless it was a hint to the person who was to draw up the final invoice which, remarkably, came to £450.55 ! And 6ltrs Shell Helix Ultra @ £16.99 = £101.94 + vat ! I see on the net I can get 6 ltrs for under £45 - what a rip-off! And all this for less than three hours incl collection and delivery 5 miles each way! You can bet I'll be phoning for quotes next year.

[Paddyonice]

Just joined this forum today though I have owned my GS450h for almost two years now.

Love the car but am shocked by the service cost having njust paid £450.55 for the 20,000 / 2 year service. I'll explore the forum to see if that is the standard figure from all Lexus dealers as I read somewhere that there is no recommended price and that every dealer quotes what they like! ?

Hallo,

I remember being similarly shocked some years ago after taking my GS300 to a "Main Stealer" for a service. I got chatting to one of the mechanics and he put me in touch with a garage that specialised in Prestige cars. It was the wisest move I have ever made, and still use him to this day.

Use the power of the internet and I'm sure you'll be able to source equal service for probably half the cost.

Happy Hunting.

[steve2006]

The price variation also applies to parts, mine is technically a Toyota so I was getting parts from a Toyota dealer but was then told as it was "an import" there was a "surcharge" on the parts.

Using Toyo.diy I compared part numbers between the LS400 and Celsior and they were the same but even on there the Celsior price was higher for the same part.

I now just quote the LS part number to my local Lexus dealer and save 10% and never had anything that didn't look and fit the same.

There are some cosmetic differences e.g the rear light clusters and there is no EGR system fitted (not required in Japan) and with the cracking EGR pipe problem I am very pleased it doesn't.

If you want a real shock check out the price of Toyota Type IV ATF in the UK then do the same from the USA.

[J3NKO]

Welcome to LOC!

I think I would've parped on the spot when they read that out.....OUCH!

I too have read about some big numbers on the 20K service of most new Lexi but yours seems excessive, unless you received some sexual gratification with it??

No? Didn't think so!

[Bazza]

£450 .....that isnt that bad !

most manufacturers will charge about the same

I know on my Honda was quoted roughly the same for a 20000 mile service

is it a rip off, yes

get a decent VAT registered mechanic, make sure he uses the same or recommended service items and your warranty will still be valid

people say about a drop in resale value if it hasnt got a Lexus history, i believe that it is a bonus but doesnt reduce resale value significantly enough to warrant using a main dealer

I know that my mechanic does far more and better work and for a lot less money

[Arncliffe]

£450 .....that isnt that bad !

most manufacturers will charge about the same

I know on my Honda was quoted roughly the same for a 20000 mile service

is it a rip off, yes

get a decent VAT registered mechanic, make sure he uses the same or recommended service items and your warranty will still be valid

people say about a drop in resale value if it hasnt got a Lexus history, i believe that it is a bonus but doesnt reduce resale value significantly enough to warrant using a main dealer

I know that my mechanic does far more and better work and for a lot less money

Thanks guys. I realise now that I was naive in taking their word for the price. I shall definitely be looking around, both with other Lexus dealers, and also independents, before my next service. Cheers.

[kevinsgs300]

welcome to the club

[04AAA]

What gets me is that most people tend to forget that the price paid for your service is not a reflection of the cost of parts or the hourly rate paid to a mechanic specialising in the make/model or the actual cost of the facilities and equipment used by the mechanic.

With a Dealership you get so much more ... the flashy premises, sales and administrative staff, large overheads and equivalent salaries of the managers and directors, the support when something goes wrong.....

With your back-street mechanic - you only have the cost of his wife, the spare hammer and the general attitude that if he can fix a ford escort he certainly has the skills and knowledge to do anything on your Lexus.... maybe.