Service at non-Lexus location

[Wally]

I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?

Thanks,
Walter

[old man]

Warranty: depends on your location and the relevent consumer law there

Post by Wally
I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?
Thanks,
Walter

[stu]

Use a Toyota service. Most Toyotas are almost the same as the Lexus cars.

Post by old man
Warranty: depends on your location and the relevent consumer law there

Post by Wally
I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?
Thanks,
Walter

[W. Wells]

You can save a lot of money going to non-Lexus service. I have been doing it
for 5 years and have found that there is very little to do and it is much
quicker besides being at least half in cost. In NC the warranty is valid as
long as you have records as to what you have done.

Post by stu
Use a Toyota service. Most Toyotas are almost the same as the Lexus cars.

Post by old man
Warranty: depends on your location and the relevent consumer law there

Post by Wally
I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?
Thanks,
Walter

[m***@kluge.net]

Post by Wally
I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?

Depends on the consumer laws where you live.

In the US, the only way a warranty can be tied in to service with the
dealership (you have to go to the dealer in order for the warranty to
be valid) is if that dealership provides the service for free for the
lifetime of the warranty. (look into the Magnuson-Moss Act:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty.shtm )

For the vast majority of automobiles in the US, that means that you
can have the services performed at any dealer, independent mechanic,
or even DIY, so long as you can prove that you had the services done
appropriately/timely, the manufacturer cannot deny you warranty
coverage based solely on not going to a dealer.

On http://www.lexus.com/models/ES/service/schedule_maintenance.html ,
Lexus only recommends seeing your Lexus dealer, and then extolls the
virtues of seeing the dealer... They don't say that going to the
Lexus dealer is required.

I'll note that according to the Scheduled Maintenance Log,
http://www.lexus.com/pdf/service/Sedans.pdf , that the first service
at 6 months/5000 miles is complementary if performed at a Lexus
dealership, so only you can decide if that initial oil/filter change
and tire rotation (any shop can do this or you could DIY) is worth
your time/hassle of going to the far away Lexus dealership. The first
service where things might get tricky for a DIY or independent is the
36 months/30,000 mile service, where the brake fluid needs changing.

[J Golden]

Do you have a Toyota dealer near you that has a good reputation? If
you don't have a Lexus dealer near you, a local Toyota dealer can
request Lexus/Toyota to do warranty service. As for maintenace, Toyota
can do it, at an hourly labor cost considerably less than Lexus
charges, at least in my area. And, personally, I get better service at
my Toyota dealer. When it comes to servicing my car, I prefer "meat
and potatoes" to "internet tech".

Post by Wally
I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?
Thanks,
Walter

[D.D. Palmer]

Can a Toyota dealer handle an LS430? Most OTHER Lexi have a Toyota that is
similar. The LS does not.

Post by J Golden
Do you have a Toyota dealer near you that has a good reputation? If
you don't have a Lexus dealer near you, a local Toyota dealer can
request Lexus/Toyota to do warranty service. As for maintenace, Toyota
can do it, at an hourly labor cost considerably less than Lexus
charges, at least in my area. And, personally, I get better service at
my Toyota dealer. When it comes to servicing my car, I prefer "meat
and potatoes" to "internet tech".

Post by Wally
I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?
Thanks,
Walter

[stu]

It's the same as a Toyota.

Post by D.D. Palmer
Can a Toyota dealer handle an LS430? Most OTHER Lexi have a Toyota that is
similar. The LS does not.

Post by J Golden
Do you have a Toyota dealer near you that has a good reputation? If
you don't have a Lexus dealer near you, a local Toyota dealer can
request Lexus/Toyota to do warranty service. As for maintenace, Toyota
can do it, at an hourly labor cost considerably less than Lexus
charges, at least in my area. And, personally, I get better service at
my Toyota dealer. When it comes to servicing my car, I prefer "meat
and potatoes" to "internet tech".

Post by Wally
I'd prefer to have my ES350 serviced at a place other than a
dealership as it is very far away.
Firstly, if I did this would it somehow void the warranty?
Second, what types of equipment would the service place need to have
in order to do typical Lexus services (i.e. 10k, 20k service)?
Thanks,
Walter

[Ray O]

Post by D.D. Palmer
Can a Toyota dealer handle an LS430? Most OTHER Lexi have a Toyota that is
similar. The LS does not.

It depends on what is being done. For example, the oil filter for the LS
430 is the same as for the Sequoia, but there are many other parts on the LS
that are not used on a Toyota.

[J Golden]

But my experience is if you schedule your service in advance, the
dealer will have all the necessary parts on hand for maintenence. When
my Lexus has a problem outside of normal maintenanence, I drop by the
dealership and have the service manager look at it to determine what
parts might need to be ordered for the service. In any case, the
service ends up being much less expensive than Lexus, and as I said
before, I prefer the "meat and potatoes" style of my Toyota dealer to
the "hi tech" style of my Lexus dealer. But, hey, that's me. Others
may be feel differently and might feel comfortable paying twice as
much for labor to get "free" wifi and "free" loaner cars.


Jose


On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 20:25:29 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by D.D. Palmer
Can a Toyota dealer handle an LS430? Most OTHER Lexi have a Toyota that is
similar. The LS does not.

It depends on what is being done. For example, the oil filter for the LS
430 is the same as for the Sequoia, but there are many other parts on the LS
that are not used on a Toyota.

[Anonymous]

Post by J Golden
But my experience is if you schedule your service in advance, the
dealer will have all the necessary parts on hand for maintenence. When
my Lexus has a problem outside of normal maintenanence, I drop by the
dealership and have the service manager look at it to determine what
parts might need to be ordered for the service. In any case, the
service ends up being much less expensive than Lexus, and as I said
before, I prefer the "meat and potatoes" style of my Toyota dealer to
the "hi tech" style of my Lexus dealer. But, hey, that's me. Others
may be feel differently and might feel comfortable paying twice as
much for labor to get "free" wifi and "free" loaner cars.
Jose

Don't forget all the free juices/coffee/pastries, wide variety
of reading/periodical availability, and the most exclusive
and important people you'll see! <g>

Post by J Golden
On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 20:25:29 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by D.D. Palmer
Can a Toyota dealer handle an LS430? Most OTHER Lexi have a Toyota that is
similar. The LS does not.

It depends on what is being done. For example, the oil filter for the LS
430 is the same as for the Sequoia, but there are many other parts on the LS
that are not used on a Toyota.