Guys - I would like to throw in my 2cents worth as well! But I think you will appreciate it! I needed Front N/S shock replaced due to a faulty seal. It took a few weeks to diagnose problem anyway in the end was fairly confident it was a shock. Got the parts from Hatfield Lexus (nice guys, £181 - it really pisses me off how you cant get a lot of the major parts from anywhere but Lexus for GS after 2005) and then took the car to Motor Masters on 508 Ilford High Rd (IG3) a little before the bend where Seven Kings train station is.
The place is run by 2 brothers, Hamal and Sandeep who have a background in rebuilding engines, both instantly and hugely likeable chaps - who are always busy and speak fluent Swahili - bizarre but I think they lived a while in Tanzania, anyway I digress. As I called the day before and that morning to confirm they were only too happy to sort me out as soon as I arrived (well they had to make some room for my car so may be 15min wait was involved).
They changed the shock absorber for £45-50.
Albin quoted £323,
JEM was over £400 mark but included alignment too
and the main dealer I believe was around the same as JEM.
I only got the faulty shock done - and omfg my car hasn't fallen apart! And neither has the effin world so rod off to all the gets who recommend getting both sides done. Its just a scam - although now that Ive probably jinxed myself will let you know if anything does happen to the other one.
Anyhow, from now on I will taking it to Motor Masters in Ilford. They were friendly, honest and helpful. I recall them saying a major service for a GS300 would be £225 but it was mentioned in passing so I would call to confirm.
That's it lads, rant over. Oh yeah Better Together on Sep 18, 2014!!! Go UK!