Lexus Independent Specialists

[SHAHZ]

I agree with Ian. The latest cars need advanced diagnostic equipment to fault find that an independent will not have.

did anyone see brassed britain this evening????!!!!

[johnboy]

I can see both sides to this argument ( having worked in the motor trade for years incl. lexus dealer)

But now ive left the motor trade and can now afford a lexus i do agree an independant dealer would be great.(cheaper)

To be fair how often does a lexus go wrong, most of the time it is mainly straightforward servicing and minor replacement stuff (pads )

just my tuppence worth

john

[Monster-Mat]

I also think that Matt would be your perfect business partner!! :winky: :winky:

im spoken for................

[whitie]

I used to take my new shape B :shutit: W to a Specialist with out thinking about.. And I maybe wrong here, but a Lexus can't be leaps and bounds above this in technology.. And they had all the equipment and info

(I know it was up to date as the techie was someone I know very well, and was a ex Beamer employee)

My answer is yes I would, and I'd even travel if it was worth my while... What would I expect..umm.. A good service without the glam

[hertsALTEZZAcol]

Kavey,

besides that "eek".

I would like to know your opinions on Japanese European motors, I work up in Kingsbury nd intend to visit/use them as and when needed for my servicxing/parts.

So the service centre is off the a5? and the parts are in the Kingsbury trading estate, church lane?

How are they for supply of altezza service parts?

[maneesh]

To follow up on my previous posting. Westfield do use genuine Lexus parts and they have invested a lot of money to get the specific diagnostic tools that enable them to work on the latest models. In fact, Lexus UK would not supply them the diagnostic tools so they got the tools from the US instead.

Personally, I prefer mechanics with years and years of experience working on cars as opposed to youngsters fresh out of training courses. Sometimes, common sense works best as opposed to a "let's write a long list of every small thing that needs fixing". The whole concept of let's try and repair it, rather than replace it, seems to be disappearing from a lot of mechanic's vocabularies.

Again, my personal opinion, but I prefer to deal with the mechanic directly, rather than go through an intermediary. If someone tells me the bushes are split, I want them to show me the bushes are split. That's just me.

IMHO, for the majority of work on Lexus cars, an good independent will be sufficient. The bulk of technology in a Lexus isn't radically different from other cars around. It's not exactly a Ferrari or a Mclaren F1. 95% of the tech info can be obtained from www.alldata.com

When a car goes out of warranty or gets older, it often doesn't make economic sense to keep going to main dealer. That applies to any brand, not just Lexus.

Finally, why oh why, does Lexus not operate a scheme like BMW's Four Plus with discounted servicing for older cars? There are quite a few LS400 and GS300 owners with 7+ year old cars that don't want to pay over the odds for servicing an older car.

At the end of the day, like a lot of things it comes down to convienience. Servicing can be such a hassle at the best of times, that it's often the closest garage that gets the work.

[Stu]

I'd use an independant, purely coz of cost, and you're still getting 'lexus' service.

Stu

[maneesh]

Here is the kind of high quality tech stuff available for LS400 owners, that has been put together at no cost to web users.

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials.html

http://www.cureline.net/lex/howtos.htm

Don't know if this kind of info exists for IS200 owners yet?? Anyone?

[ColinBarber]

Finally, why oh why, does Lexus not operate a scheme like BMW's Four Plus with discounted servicing for older cars? There are quite a few LS400 and GS300 owners with 7+ year old cars that don't want to pay over the odds for servicing an older car.

This is a fair point. I now Toyota have reduced spare prices on some older models (Carina etc.). I think it's basically so people still use genuine parts rather than 3rd party ones. You need to remember that the motor industry make a large percentage of it's money through spares.

However with Lexus I think there is another reason to reduce running costs on older models. Seeing a clapped out old LS400 driving around doesn't do much for the image of Lexus.

[Fidgits]

Hmmm, interesting posts through here...

After 'my experience' of a 40K service yesterday, I certainly think this is a good idea...

I'd just hope if one was set up, it would be economical for me...

[LennyLexus]

Seeing a clapped out old LS400 driving around doesn't do much for the image of Lexus.

and what about the clapped out e classes and 3 series?

Flicked through the local yellows pages, there was about 40 odd bmw/merc and audi specialists. Some where back street scruffy places and others are quite a bit more up market.

What sort of place have you got in mind zee?

It looks like the idea has been tried and test with westfield motors... and they seem to be doing well Zee will it be lexus and import lexus or lexus and all toyotas?

One more important point, I would travel as far as one of the surrounding counties to get a service unless the price was very tempting, I am not sure how far other members would be willing to travel... may be set up a poll?

[maneesh]

I did some work for the marketing department of a big car dealer up north, and sitting in their meetings was eye opening. They were multi franchise, and told us they made around 6% profit margin on new car sales, and about 30% profit margin on spares/servicing. Interesting! Is the servicing margin higher on luxury brands?

[ColinBarber]

Is the servicing margin higher on luxury brands?

Well servicing is. 89+vat per hour for Lexus and around 60 odd for Toyota.

Parts are also more expensive. They are not always priced according to the cost to produce but to the cost of the vehicle and what the owner can afford.

As and example a wheel bearing for my wifes old VW Polo cost about £30 from a main dealer but I got an original, in proper VAG packaging, for £6 from G&S.

[DaveEllen]

normal mark up on parts is 36%

[ColinBarber]

normal mark up on parts is 36%

Is that the dealer markup? The manufacturer would have something like a 100% markup as well.

[DaveEllen]

its the dealer mark up.............also if you are switched on you don't hold stock. Use a factor to supply parts as & when. Normally will get them to you in an hour ot two

[maneesh]

So if you feel chuffed by getting a 10% discount on parts at a dealer, you know you have to work harder, as there is plenty of room to get a bigger discount!

[hertsALTEZZAcol]

a pal works in a Mercedes parts shop N W london, and has bragged about how he sold a part incorrectly to a customer with an extra "0" at the end of the first figures, cant think what, but you know, if part was £5, it was £50, if part was £50 it was £500 etc.

Im sure it was the latter as he mentioned he made a hefty mark up, and the parts manager paid for him to have dinner at a restaurant (literally).

[Bazza]

Is the servicing margin higher on luxury brands?

Well servicing is. 89+vat per hour for Lexus and around 60 odd for Toyota.

so....

they charge an extra £30 ish

for what

i sit in the same chairs as the toyota owner

i drink the same coffee

they use the same mechanics

the centres costs are the same as toyotas

and besides my car is a toyota !

it would be nice to see someone who charges a service rate applicable to the work they do, not what badge is on the front

[Zee007]

I'd just like to say thanks to all those who have inputted into this thread - some interesting views and comments.... :)

[LennyLexus]

i sit in the same chairs as the toyota owner

i drink the same coffee

they use the same mechanics

the centres costs are the same as toyotas

Hmm, which centre is this? I went to bristol for warranty work.

Went into Lexus and asked the receptionist how do I can park my car in the work shop, she said they dont have a their own workshop and that it was at the next building..... :o :o :o

Luckily it was only warranty work, I mean why should I pay extra and get 28" widescreen when I could be watching the 50"+ connected to SKY digital ;)

[Bazza]

i sit in the same chairs as the toyota owner

i drink the same coffee

they use the same mechanics

the centres costs are the same as toyotas

Hmm, which centre is this? I went to bristol for warranty work.

Went into Lexus and asked the receptionist how do I can park my car in the work shop, she said they dont have a their own workshop and that it was at the next building..... :o :o :o

Luckily it was only warranty work, I mean why should I pay extra and get 28" widescreen when I could be watching the 50"+ connected to SKY digital ;)

croydon ;)

[OLI_EP3]

Zee

I think this is definitely worth thinking about seriously, look at the amount of imports that reach our shores everyday. Who would they go to for servicing and general maintainence? I myself have enquired into specialists that could take care of my Altezza in the south east and luckily westfield motors are pretty close (ish)

I personally think that starting off with servicing and direct parts replacement is the safest option to begin with, BUT have the facility to fit performance bits etc. I think with so many performance parts places on the internet and buying direct from Japan etc would be very competitive.

I'm all for these specialists, however it's the location that bothers me. I know this is a bit further own the road, however, perhaps setting up a franchise that have various 'garage's dotted around the UK would be the way forward.

I wouldn tbe fussed about what the courtesy car is, as long there is access to one.

I think the main things are price, vast amount of technical knowlege and honest and friendly.

PS.......If you need someone in the south for your future franchise I'd more than willing to jack in my job and help develop it! :)

[maneesh]

I think the main things are price, vast amount of technical knowlege and honest and friendly.

Hear hear. HONEST pricing too. None of this extra 25 quid for sundries and consumables. What a fiver for a washer? Or a tenner for the remote control Battery? They must think we are born yesterday!

[LennyLexus]

I think the main things are price, vast amount of technical knowlege and honest and friendly.

Hear hear. HONEST pricing too. None of this extra 25 quid for sundries and consumables. What a fiver for a washer? Or a tenner for the remote control Battery? They must think we are born yesterday!

Manny overheads need to be covered too... but i agree there is no need to take the micheal