between the other threads on oil change and dealership service depts and the fact my wife's ES 350 is due for an oil change I thought I'd ask the boards thoughts as this type of "luxury" vehicle is new to me as I'm a longtime Ford dude
-oil change. I used to do them myself on my trucks. but I have an old trusty mechanic that I go to now that I buy the oil/filter and pay them $20 to do the change. Easy peasy. For my wifes car Lexus or Toyota dealerships want $165 just to do oil and filter change. I know I can buy the 0w-20 oil and filter from Autozone for $50 and then pay my guy $20 to do the change. Am I simplifying this too much? it's just oil and a filter. Should be able to buy quality oil/filter and just change. Maybe it's the $165 price point and the brand that have me questioning this
-for general maintenance....20k service, 30k service, flush coolant, brakes, ******....should we go to the dealers for this since it's a Lexus? Or is there a trusty mechanic in the Houston area that would be cheaper? My wife refuses the idea of having our trusty mechanic do these b/c "it's a Lexus".
I know Ford service people push these services early and often but not sure if Lexus does the same?
The car is at 28k miles so she had them do their "20k service" last time and it was $300...and all it really appeared to do was change the oil and give everything a look over. Nothing special. So I'm worried what they would want to flush coolant, brakes, etc.
I'm fine paying more than we would at the scam big box brake and oil change places but don't want to pay thru the nose like she did for the 20k service.
-oil change. I used to do them myself on my trucks. but I have an old trusty mechanic that I go to now that I buy the oil/filter and pay them $20 to do the change. Easy peasy. For my wifes car Lexus or Toyota dealerships want $165 just to do oil and filter change. I know I can buy the 0w-20 oil and filter from Autozone for $50 and then pay my guy $20 to do the change. Am I simplifying this too much? it's just oil and a filter. Should be able to buy quality oil/filter and just change. Maybe it's the $165 price point and the brand that have me questioning this
-for general maintenance....20k service, 30k service, flush coolant, brakes, ******....should we go to the dealers for this since it's a Lexus? Or is there a trusty mechanic in the Houston area that would be cheaper? My wife refuses the idea of having our trusty mechanic do these b/c "it's a Lexus".
I know Ford service people push these services early and often but not sure if Lexus does the same?
The car is at 28k miles so she had them do their "20k service" last time and it was $300...and all it really appeared to do was change the oil and give everything a look over. Nothing special. So I'm worried what they would want to flush coolant, brakes, etc.
I'm fine paying more than we would at the scam big box brake and oil change places but don't want to pay thru the nose like she did for the 20k service.