Lexus Independent Specialists

[aido]

Now that mine is on the way to 'non-standard' spec, I would definitely prefer a specialist who know's what their doing to look at the car, how many of the dealers have dealt with superchargers?

I'm in 2 minds about the extended warranty - it's tempting to order it but I guess then taking the car anywhere other than a dealer would invalidate this. This may be a stupid question as I don't really understand this lot but is there any reason why a specialist / tuner couldn't get official Lexus accreditation if they undertook the required training etc? Lexus could farm any work off to their 'performance' arm as I'm sure there would be more people interested in making the most of their vehicles who just don't know what is out there.

Is it worth approaching Lexus to see if they'd be interested in any type of joint venture etc? I guess the main drawback to this is that a larger initial investment would be required?

Also, you've covered all the maintenance tuning stuff etc, what about also including all the 'world best' cleaning products, like the Meg's stuff, and then introduce all the Klasse, Poorboys and stuff that does well in the USA, like the Zaino stuff that Imi mentioned a while back.. There are the accessories as well, I just got my Porter Cable from the US and that's supposed to be the dogs bollocks, but people over here just don't know about these things as they're not obviously available. Reason behind me saying this is that people who invest in their cars usually also want them to look their best.

Would you also be looking at a bodyshop on site, so that if you were to sell kits etc you could do the installs etc?? Or would you look at subcontracting that kind of thing and just use companies with good reputations?

[LennyLexus]

Aido,

I think Lexus GB would want it done offically eg as TTE/TRD centre, but the demand doesnt seem to be big enough for them to establish such centres.

Anyways its not like to go speical speicalist for your tuned M sport/AMG/Brabus is it? And dont forget the SC is/was available a factory option in the rest of europe.

The accessories would be a nice touch, but i wouldnt go far to get cleaning products. My near meguairs dealer is a 30mile round trip out to the sticks, so i just order from speeding.

[aido]

Is mail order going to be an option here though? I just thought if maybe more products were available directly in the UK without having to go through the hassle of importing & customs every time?

See what you mean about the other stuff though, shame the SC was never made official in the UK. Anyone know if it's included in the training the UK engineers do?

[DaveEllen]

after a exchange with fidgits in chat last night....

how far would you travel for a lex specialist ?

[maneesh]

Mine is a 120 mile round trip. That's approx £20 quid of petrol to save a minimum of £100 for even the most basic of services. No brainer!

At the end of the day it's a cost benefit analysis, do you save more than you spend on petrol/time etc?

[Zee007]

Any more thoughts from our newer members....? :)

[Claire G]

I'm not a new member but now have different thoughts on this now I have bought an older car which is long out of warranty. I would be willing to travel to take the GS to an independant specialist as long as I was confident that the service, knowledge and diagnostic tools were top notch. It would be better to have somewhere closer to home, but would travel if it would save me money in the long term!

[Fargo]

after a exchange with fidgits in chat last night....

how far would you travel for a lex specialist ?

depends on what i was going to have done at the specialist, would i need a loan car whilst it was there as it is to far away for me to go by public transport/taxi

[amolkarnik]

All for independents. 50 mile round trip liit though.

[Fidgits]

after a exchange with fidgits in chat last night....

how far would you travel for a lex specialist ?

I'm been thinking about this a bit more since that chat Dave..

You see, my dealer is 30 minutes away, which means i can drop the car off early in the morning, and get back for work, collecting it either at lunch or late afternoon..

Now, Leicester (for example) is 2 1/2 hours away, which would mean taking a day off work.

In the case of getting a car serviced (i.e. once a year) this wouldnt be that bad..

BUT, considering the distance (for me), there would have to be some significant reasons to choose the aforementioned specialist.

Going back to our chat, cost (saving - fuel), level of service and quality of work..

[DaveEllen]

think that a loan car is a given

[cheekyfutch]

I would be prepared to travel to the Midlands if I knew I was getting a good deal.

I have a dealer who is about a ten minute drive away from me and I've only dealt with them once. I sent an email to this dealer last Saturday(via the website) enquiring about services and alloy refurbishment - it's now Friday and I've still heard nothing.

I think this particular dealer is only interested in you if you want to buy a new Lexus. Everyone else can go jump as far as they're concerned.

[Fidgits]

think that a loan car is a given

Not really useful when i've got a 5 hour round trip (short of the car being in a couple of days)

[whitie]

Any Idea where the specialist would be based Zee?

Its a very good idea.. I think asking such a wide spread group it will be very hard to please everyone. (maybe a poll?)

[DaveEllen]

Any Idea where the specialist would be based Zee?

Its a very good idea.. I think asking such a wide spread group it will be very hard to please everyone. (maybe a poll?)

Think it would have to be Midlands or just south on a main road A1/M1 maybe....

However I'm not Zee !

Fidgits---due to your location think its a day off and plenty of coffee & lunch in a pub and plenty of chat !

[Andyscooke]

Toyota dealers are a good bet - cheaper labour and no problem getting parts. Had my out of warranty IS200 serviced by local dealer (saved a 30 mile journey) with no problems at all and very reasonable price. Toyota stamp in the book is acceptable when trading in.

Just got a IS300 Sportcross and will have to investigate whether the warranty would be Ok if I continued with the local dealer - suspect it would!