Is The 30,000 Mile Maintenance Required?, Worth paying $550?

DonClyde-O

I own an '01 IS 300 with 29,500 miles. According to my manual/dealer, I'm due for a 30,000 mile check-up. The dealer wants $550 bucks to do it. What is checked/replaced on the 30k maintenance? Is it worth paying the dealership the $550 to do it or would it be something that I can do (i.e. change filters)? If it is something I can do, would that raise any issues with Lexus because it's won't show in their database that it was completed? I can think of a few other things I'd rather spend the money on!
Not being cheap but I think the dealer is really bending me over the counter when they charge me. Example:I put in Synlube oil (http://www.synlube.com/) which is good for 150,000 miles without changing. Unfortunately, SynLube does not make a once a year oil filter for the IS, so I have to change it myself every 6 months. Last time I had to change the filter it was a very cold day in Boston, so I brought my ride to the dealer for them to change it. I asked for just an oil filter change. When I got the bill, they charged me for an actual oil change ($39.95) plus $9.95 for disposal of the old filter. When I questioned it, they told me that they don't have a billing code setup for just an oil filter change.
Any comments/suggestions are appreciated!

LANDON747 · Lexus Owner Joined: Oct 08, 2004 Posts: 5

TAKE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER-THEY CAN DO THE SERVICE FOR AROUND $250.00 TO $350.00 AND A QUALIFIED TECH WILL DO THE WORK. IT'S NOT VERY TECHNICAL STUFF....

LANDON747 · Lexus Owner Joined: Oct 08, 2004 Posts: 5

ALSO, THEY WILL USE FACTORY PARTS.

thenickening · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:15 am Post subject:

i have the extended warrenty on my 01 is (41k miles) and i think the way they make money is from people doing non warrentied stuff at the dealership. the only things i ever have done are stuff that is covered by warrenty, because they arent making money off you for the work, they do it quicker. just my thoughts and if your paying for the work they could do it slower or less reliably so you keep coming back and dishing more money out

im sure a mechanic could do the 30k change for much less. IF there is anything needing to be done. to my knowledge the 30k check is just spark plugs, oil change, brake boot checks/replace, fluid flush/change/check. but again lexus is a very reliable car and very efficient imo, so most of that stuff wont need changing or replacing.