Lexus Independent Specialists

Monster-Mat · March 18, 2003

lol

yep there a dealer, i think this is an independant

Zee007 · March 19, 2003

Thank you all for yopur comments (and to mat for keeping this on track). I would like to hear more views, particularly from Import car owners, GS, LS, RX owners etc.

I would also like to know what your expectations from a place such as this would be.... what would you want, what do we need within an independent specialist etc....

Gamesound · March 19, 2003

Zee,

Book me the day you open!!!! Bring it on! It's tru that jemca in London are classed as the lexus import specialists (and have mechanics that know the import v300, altezza beams etc.) But apart from them there is no one else in the uk.

Zee what we want is a "one stop shop" for uk and import Lexi:

Parts, service, qualified mechanics, access to cool jap and us sourced mods and upgrades - oh and 4 wheel laser tracking! (i cant find many people who can do mine as it has 4 wheels steer (ARS) and that its got 10 wide 18" wheels on it) -

People (like yourself) who enthuse about the "lexus / toyota" brand (and acknowledge that IT IS part of TOYOTA COPROPATION OF JAPAN - who are really helpful)

Coutesy cars: with the exception of Lexus Leicester (top marks) Ive always been offered a toyota starlet or equivalent and Chester continue to extract the urine with that skoda - an automatic is would suffice (not everyone can drive manual but everyone can drive autos)

I could also be tempted to put cash into your idea as it's a great idea and long overdue!

Rik

Zee007 · March 19, 2003

I could also be tempted to put cash into your idea as it's a great idea and long overdue!
Rik

Thanks for your comments.....

hmmmmmmm........ we may need to talk Rik.........

tdiplc · March 19, 2003

Ehem...........what about us?............we are independant Lexus specialists aren't we

Mitch · March 19, 2003

zee i think its a great idea mate and would pay off.

may take a while to source suppliers etc but if and when u do you will have customers from every where.

i think its a worthwhile investment with money and customer satisfaction at a high level would be easy to achieve with the nessesary contacts/staff etc.

p.s can i have a job?

Tdi your more into engine upgrades etc arnt u??

i think zee is talking about general maintenance at below main Lexus prices.

would be good in the midlands too

Zee007 · March 19, 2003

Ehem...........what about us?............we are independant Lexus specialists aren't we

I guess you are Mark - but the kind of work you carry out is primarily performance and modification focused. You also cater for a wide range of Japanese marques, and are based in the South.

What I'm asking is for views on a Midlands based Independent Lexus/Toyota ONLY specialist where you can take your motor for a service (minor or major), wheel alignment, insurance work, advice, minor tweeks as well as some mods.

Not trying to take away your "throne" Mark, just looking to hear peoples views..... :)

Gamesound · March 19, 2003

Ehem...........what about us?............we are independant Lexus specialists aren't we

Mark has a point - TDI do offer most of the things i want, but the waiting list is soooooo looooong!.... (a good sign that they are good at what they do!)

I have a big wad of cash to throw at my car NOW, but cant be "ar*ed" to queue! - I'll leave my shopping in sainsburys if theres more than one person in front! (impatient b*stard i am)

Maybe zee you could offer a "gold members queue jumping scheme!"....

I can dream cant I? ..... Anyone up for doing some mods on my car next week!? :D

Rik

Monster-Mat · September 12, 2003

anymore views, id like to know, this seems such a good idea, and we have so many more Altezza's on the site now

Bazza-old · September 12, 2003

sounds like an excellent idea zee

but could it survive on just doing lexus/toyota

i think we all moan about the hourly rate of lexus

but many garages charge about £50-£75 anyway and this isnt because they are ripping people off

consider the set up of a business :premises, equipment, tools, labour, stock,etc etc

none of this comes quick or cheap, it takes time to become established and get a good reputation, and in the mean time unless you have loadsa money, you will be having the banks on your back as well

one way of overcoming this would be to take over an allready established business and then veer it towards the specialist market

just giving my opinion, not dissing ya mate

UKPulse · September 12, 2003

I like the idea, if I owned an out of warranty or imported car I'd certainly use a Lex specialist if there was one not too far away :)

Guess the big worry is just how many customers you'd need to keep the whole thing going. Wonder if there's any kind of loyalty scheme you could offer?

Monster-Mat · September 12, 2003

Wonder if there's any kind of loyalty scheme you could offer?

i would.............

stay loyal, i'll do you a good service :winky:

ColinBarber · September 12, 2003

For normal servicing work I would think you will only get people within a 30 mile radius. If people travel any more distance than that then any savings in servicing costs would be wasted on time and fuel. Will you be able to get enough customers within that radius especially since most Lexus cars on the road are company/leased owned and will use main dealers?

It's only when you do specialist work, like TDi, that people will travel large distances. As there are more and more people modifying Lexus cars I think this is the area to look into.

insider · September 13, 2003

ZEE might beat you to this one ;) as have a similar project incorporating your thoughts and an other angle as well plus have a few advantages :winky:

Zee007 · May 9, 2004

Just thought I'd bump this for our new members.... :)

Nick_27_UK · May 9, 2004

I think its a brilliant idea, someone needs to give them a kick in the back side! I think it would defo take off, which would then send a roll on effect onto the main dealers! Dealers =

Bring it on Zee, sounds like you have enough support from this site and word of mouth is a good selling point too! I would certainly pass it on, SHOULD such a place open :zee:

Once it got going, I am sure there would be room to expand to a north and south branch too :winky:

maneesh · May 11, 2004

I've been using an independent Lexus garage for a few years now. They are based in Rayleigh, Essex. They are all ex Toyota/Lexus, and have a lot of knowledge, and are willing to tell you AND SHOW YOU exactly what is wrong with the car.

I get all my parts from the US and get Chris at Westfield Motors to fit them/do the servicing. Labour rate is 1/3 of Lexus. Plus they are part of SMMT as well, so you can even take your new car there, get it serviced, and your warranty is still valid (not a lot of people think they can do that, but you can).

He stamps your service book too.

Out of the way for me, but miles cheaper than a Lexus garage.

Have a look for yourself. http://www.westfieldmotors.co.uk/

The only downside is they are always booked 3-4 weeks in advance!

Plus you have Smithys in Barking and Powerhouse in Camberley. Both specialise in Soarers, but could handle other Lexus models no doubt.

amolkarnik · May 11, 2004

Are you saying maneesh that you can take a Lexus there for regular servicing and not affect the warranty? What is SMMT?

LexusEdinburgh · May 11, 2004

Can I ask how your 'ex-Lexus' technician will keep up to date on new models?

I spend a great deal of time, money and effort keeping my tech’s fully trained. The day they leave is when their education stops, they lose their diag equipment and access to special tools. At that point all they can really do is basic stuff: oil change, discs pads etc, which lets face it, any tech could do. The problems start to arise when a tech that is not fully up to speed misses something that a fully trained tech would notice.

I have already seen problems with trailer specialists fitting tow bars to the new RX. They cut into the multiplex wiring and the whole lot goes down! At that point my techs knowledge and training is worth every penny of what I charge.

As cars continue to get more complex, especially the electronics, the diag equipment and tech training will become more valuable.

What will the potential specialists make of Hybrid!

I think some of the issues raised here are not necessarily related to the charges made by Lexus Centres but the service they offer. You are right to complain about that and vote with your feet if necessary.

ColinBarber · May 11, 2004

Are you saying maneesh that you can take a Lexus there for regular servicing and not affect the warranty?

You can take you car almost anywhere and if it's serviced correctly using genuine parts and the book stamped then the warranty is valid.

I don't think this is the case for the used car warranty, it should be serviced at Lexus.

I agree with Ian. The latest cars need advanced diagnostic equipment to fault find that an independent will not have. Basic servicing is fine but if you have a fault then a Lexus dealer will probably fix it much more quickly and without just swapping out parts.

Saying that Lexus US are quite happy to release all TSBs and service manuals to the public so there is a lot of information out there for independents to use.

Monster-Mat · May 11, 2004

The day they leave is when their education stops, they lose their diag equipment and access to special tools. At that point all they can really do is basic stuff: oil change, discs pads etc, which lets face it, any tech could do. The problems start to arise when a tech that is not fully up to speed misses something that a fully trained tech would notice.
I have already seen problems with trailer specialists fitting tow bars to the new RX. They cut into the multiplex wiring and the whole lot goes down! At that point my techs knowledge and training is worth every penny of what I charge.

As cars continue to get more complex, especially the electronics, the diag equipment and tech training will become more valuable.

What will the potential specialists make of Hybrid!

I think some of the issues raised here are not necessarily related to the charges made by Lexus Centres but the service they offer. You are right to complain about that and vote with your feet if necessary.

from what i can gather........and maybe wrong

i would assume whoever zee had in mind, would not be a rookie tech, who is to say that and itys known that upto date info can be leaked, even as Colin has said bullitins are openly released in the US, and im sure under the new data acts this info also has to be avilable to European customers now. As for diagnostic tools, all european cars now conform to OBDII so a decent workshop would have compliant equipment.

if Zee,s venture is dealing with imports, then the service equipment and diagnostics for the ASIA systems is even easier to obtain

all Lexus and Toyota SST (special service tools) can be bought, even off the internet, direct from Toyota!!!!

from my own opinion and engine is an engine regardless of size or fuel type, its only the ancils fitted that complicate things.

my answer to zee is, go for it mate, there are many many other "Specialists" out there that have great respect even from the manufacturers.

i think a few people are doubting the integrity of your venture as they doubt your ambition..

GOOD LUCK

its time we saw something like this...........regardless of who does it

DaveEllen · May 11, 2004

I agree.........good luck

a lot of what the manufacturers say is bu*****t done to confuse joe public & justify ridiculous labour charges & inflated salaries

DUNCAN · May 11, 2004

This sounds like a great idea Zee,

I would certainly let your staff service mine now it's out of warranty.

Just a thought, but what about having mobile engineers dotted around the country instead of just in the midlands. I know a Lexus mechanic who's just left a main dealer and would be interested ....

Will the "Zeemobile" become a loan car ????

TonyGoose · May 11, 2004

Saying that Lexus US are quite happy to release all TSBs and service manuals to the public so there is a lot of information out there for independents to use.

I'm pretty sure in the states all service info etc must be publicly available by law.

Not just cars but everything ....