Dishonest Lexus Service?
J Golden
South Shore of Long Island NY just East of the Queens, NYC/ Nassau
County Border. The dealer told me that my rear brakes were at 20% and
needed replacing at a cost of $190.00. They also said that the cooling
system needed to be flushed, and the fuel system needed to by cleaned.
I question the last thing since I use Mobil gasoline exclusively and
use Techron Fuel Injector cleaner every 6 months. I declined all the
service.
My steering wheel started making "screeching" sounds when cold so I
took my RX to a dealer on the "North Shore" of Long Island just North
of Westbury. I told them to replace the rear brakes. They said that
the cost would be $330.00, considerably higher than the other dealer.
However, I told them to do it anyway. In the early afternoon I
received a call from the service advisor informing me that the rear
brakes were at 45% and definitely didn't need replacing!
Although this dealer is further from my residence and office, I admire
their honesty. They are an "Elite" of Lexus award winner and I see
why. I'm really surprised at the other dealer, however who apparently
was recommending repairs that weren't necessary.
markjen
science. The pads don't wear evenly, it varies from wheel to wheel, etc.
etc. etc. Basically, they shine a flashlight into the wheel well and make
an estimate. One is simply being more conservative than the other. Not a
huge deal. Even the 45% may be conservative - you may have 60%.
- Mark
MudPuppy76 <"<moc.rr.pacyn"@"pupralop">
fuel system service? what? i work at a lexus
dealer here upstate, haven't heard of a 'fuel
system service'.
as far as the brakes are concerned, estimating is
not an exact science, just to give the customer a
idea of where their brakes are. we usually raise
the red flag if the brakes are at 5-10% around
1-2mm visible pad remaining, or if there is
excessive rust, grooves, or uneven pad wear.
--
Ben Jerew
ASE Master Technician
New Country Lexus of Latham, NY
Amateur Off-Roader
MCBRUE
along to replace it. Sure hope so - it used to be so nice to have honest Lexus
dealers. I guess I can understand missing the brakes, but fuel system
cleaning???? That is theft in my book. And having to flush the cooling system
at 25,000 miles? I will not be buying a Lexus just on this recommendation
alone. Of course the Mercedes stealerships are so bad now that I won't buy
another one of those.
GRL
assuming you did not and figured you were due for a deposit cleaning. Would
not be a bad idea to do such a thing.
As for the brakes, without looking at them you can't be sure. They may be
wearing unevenly...if they are worn at 25,000 miles something is wrong. The
cooling system flush on a 1 year old car is a bit over the top, I think. On
a 2 year old, it would be something a super-careful person would do.
The first place might be less than honest, but what you write is still
within judgement call space. If you think they tried to shaft you, call
Lexus and complain. If they get enough complaints, they will yank their
franchise. (A local Dodge/Chrysler dealership that had lots of complaints
had their franchise pulled for that reason.) A Lexus franchise is still a
very valuable thing and I doubt that anyone who has one would risk losing it
for this kind of nonsense.
- GRL
"J Golden" <prettyg...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ete4t0h3lgjv2lomv...@4ax.com...
TURTLE
This is Turtle.
Buying Cars or Car repair and a host of other places are the same when knowing
where to shop. You have a clothing store you use, a Appliance sales store you
like, Grocery Store you like, a house hold furniture store you like and so you
should have a Lexus dealership you like or you think will give you what you want
at a reasoniable price. A Lamp for the living room or a car dealership to deal
with is the same. Do a little research like your doing to find YOUR dealership
you like.
TURTLE
Oldun
Keep up the good work TURTLE and treat Elmo's comments with the contempt
they deserve.
Oldun
"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <el...@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-DBFDB1....@text.usenetserver.com...
> In article <33jvt5F...@individual.net>,
> "TURTLE" <turtl...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
>> This is Turtle.
>
> And nobody cares.
>
TURTLE
"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <el...@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-DBFDB1....@text.usenetserver.com...
> In article <33jvt5F...@individual.net>,
> "TURTLE" <turtl...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
>> This is Turtle.
>
> And nobody cares.
>
This is Turtle.
Excuse me Elmo , but I think you have mistaken me for someone who cares what you
think. Sorry Elmo but I just don't care what you think , Sorry for the poor
ability to not care about what you think.
TURTLE
Me
the automotive service industry for 20 years, (Until I did a "Mid life
career change") I can tell you that your experience is not uncommon. You
just happened to do the one thing that a LOT of service writers / managers
dread; you caught them. Stay with the honest one, avoid the crook. Good
luck.
"J Golden" <prettyg...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ete4t0h3lgjv2lomv...@4ax.com...
twaugh5
22,500 mile service and had to be replaced at 30k because they were worn
out. Cost $350.00. The fronts were still OK it seemed. I am still on my
original brakes at 52k miles on my Honda Prelude with plenty of wear left.
Our 30k service ran close to $1,000.00, which included removing the valve
covers to check for gelling-- even though the vehicle was serviced as
recommended every 5k at the dealer. If you own a Lexus, better figure on
paying through the nose for repairs and service.