Where to service imported Lexus ?

[ragou_toutou]

Would anybody know if there are shops who can maintain Lexus in Metro Manila ? The office dealership demands PHP500,000 (no typo) to repair cars not purchased thru them.
Imported Lexuses have been around for some time in Metro Manila (before the new dealership) so I am guessing they must exists.

[ramledi]

isn't lexus under toyota? maybe you can try it there.

[Memphis Raines]

You go to the Lexus dealer at Boni Global City.

By the way, here's the exact info on Lexus's Phils policy on accepting Gray Imports.

Owners of Lexus units brought into the country before Lexus's official arrival on January 14, 2009, have to pay a one-time fee of P50,000. Owners of units bought in after January 14, 2009, pay a one-time fee of P500,000 and then P50,000 every time they have their car serviced.

They don't exactly encourage gray imports.

I wonder what's their standing policy if you buy parts from them. Do they ask for your registration or unit info to see if it's gray?

[n2knee]

50,000 pesos EVERY service (major or minor/basic)??????? so, when you only need oil change do you still have to pay 50,000 pesos??????? talk about highway robbery.

[ghosthunter]

I wonder if they would cover for this:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs7WI2s-CVw&"]YouTube- Toyota Engine Oil Sludge or Toyota Oil Gel Engine Failure[/ame]

[tanatej]

There's nothing in a Lexus that can't be fixed by an experienced and capable mechanic outside the dealership. Parts can be sourced from the net.

[niky]

There's nothing in a Lexus that can't be fixed by an experienced and capable mechanic outside the dealership. Parts can be sourced from the net.

+1

You're only screwed if you have a warranty issue... and unless you have sludge from not changing your oil often enough (simple solution? Change every 5000 kms), you shouldn't have one.

It's not very nice... but the official dealership isn't required by law or ethics to service products that they don't sell officially. Some manufacturers of electronics are the same.

The fact that it turns away customers who don't like this high-handed attitude probably doesn't bother them one bit. Other manufacturers are more democratic, but the fact that there's only one Lexus dealership, and gray market units will eat a huge share of their sales (unlike cheaper brands, where the cost of bringing in grays is often offset by the higher tax) is probably a deciding factor in this policy.

[redorange]

I don't understand why they don't like servicing the gray market cars if it's not a warranty issue. It may affect their sales but most dealerships make their money in the service dept. How many units do they expect to sell per month? If you service all the cars regardless of gray or not it can make you more money even if there isn't much sales.

[ghosthunter]

I don't understand why they don't like servicing the gray market cars if it's not a warranty issue. It may affect their sales but most dealerships make their money in the service dept. How many units do they expect to sell per month? If you service all the cars regardless of gray or not it can make you more money even if there isn't much sales.

I don't think they expect to sell a lot of cars given their pricing of their car line up and how it compares to the other cars on the market.

Their cheapest car, the IS300, is not as impressive as (say) a BMW 3-series.

Only their top of the line LS460 impresses me as a luxury car during my test drive but the sticker price might make you want to choose more established brands like Benz, BMW, Audi or even Jaguar.

[Monchie]

Our local Lexus dealer doesn't even know yet how to handle the implementation of service campaigns like the VFT-i oil hose replacement and the accelerator pedal safety recall campaigns. I've been waiting for its feedback for 1 month now for my 2008 ES 350 which is covered by those service campaigns.

[part_native]

As a result of some intense research over the past 5+ months, there seems to be a directive from Toyota (Phil and or Japan) that ALL lexus vehicles in the Phil must be serviced at Lexus for any repairs, no matter if in or out of warranty! The Toyota dealer would not even allow for an appointment to be placed on their books for my USA car (even when it is not shipped yet) and the Lexus dealer in Manila would not talk to me about even having the correct US ODB2 (onboard display 2nd gen) software for a properly imported US LS 400. Since there may not be any similar Asian model Toyota branded Sedans in the Phil, the Toyota dealers there will only have info on the Camry/ES 350 since they share the same drivetrain (that is if you can find a V6 Camry). If the service/repair location in the Phil gets your VIN they will decode it and learn very fast if it was made for the Phil. Example: on a 17 digit VIN, Character #1, length 3 of the VIN number is the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) the first character is the country, the next 1 or 2 designates the manufacturer. Character #4, length 5 of the VIN number is the body style or features (VDS), which is another place where they will tell if the car was made for the Phil or not. Character #11, length 1 of the VIN number identifies the assembly plant and if your car is made in a plant that is not identified as a plant that ships cars to the Phil, that will be the 2nd check point. So, a VIN that starts with JT...... means the car was built in Japan by Toyota (whereas PA-PE = Philippines). If my plans work out, I will bring some parts but mostly I will use two California parts locations that will allow me to order the parts I need by VIN number. So many of the Toyota/Lexus models in the Phil have less developed engines, fuel & timing systems, transmission control systems compared to US Toyota/Lexus Models, that few parts from Phil destined cars will work properly on imported models, if at all. You need to make sure that the country your Lexus was built for has OEM or aftermarket performance parts that are available via online ordering and use that VIN number as a must!!!!!!

[Monchie]

This is to update my previous post regarding 2 service campaigns afffecting my imported ES 350. I'm happy to announce here that Lexus Phils accommodated my unit by 1) replacing the VVT-oil hose and 2) replacing also my OEM floor mats with a new set of OEM mats safe from accelerator pedal interference, as required by the service campaigns. All of these free of charge! Mr. Jeff Matsuo, the After Sales Director, has been very kind and professional in attending to my service needs. Congratulations to Lexus Phils and keep up the service de luxe.

[leoES350]

Would you guys know what shop could do simple change oil maintenance for my ES 350?

[leoES350]

Have you found a place already to service your Lex? i am also looking for one. please let me know

[imperialv]

This is to update my previous post regarding 2 service campaigns afffecting my imported ES 350. I'm happy to announce here that Lexus Phils accommodated my unit by 1) replacing the VVT-oil hose and 2) replacing also my OEM floor mats with a new set of OEM mats safe from accelerator pedal interference, as required by the service campaigns. All of these free of charge! Mr. Jeff Matsuo, the After Sales Director, has been very kind and professional in attending to my service needs. Congratulations to Lexus Phils and keep up the service de luxe.

Thats good news... We have a local 2010 es350, is this affected with the same problem that you have???

[cktlcmd]

From hanging out in this site I learned that SPEEDYFIX is the best alternative for casa repairs and maintenance of any vehicle brand.

Here is their link: http://www.speedyfixph.com/

...

[Monchie]

Thats good news... We have a local 2010 es350, is this affected with the same problem that you have???

My safety recall notice (from Lexus USA) covers certain 2007 through 2010 model year ES 350. I'm not sure if ES 350 Phils is included. If ever, you should have received the formal safety recall notice (letter) by now. Lexus is very efficient with its communication. Good luck.