Tokico or KYB for my '98 ES300?

A friend is selling a set of Tokico struts and a set of KYB struts at
the same price ($300).
Which are best for a '98 ES300? Which are a better deal?
Thanks.

In part it depends on whether or not the ES300 needs struts. If it
doesn't, the price realllly has to be low to make it worth while since
struts don't normaly give out on an ES300. Of course if this is not
just a "buying stuff on sale" type situation, then I would just check
with a Lexus parts department and see what they sell and might suggest
as an alternative.

Thanks for the post.
I didn't really think I had to say it, but it does need struts since
they have never been changed.
I also know I can go to a Lexus dealer, but they will probably want to
sell me their struts, which in turn will cost me way more than the
$300, and this doesn't include the installation. Just so you have an
idea of how much it could cost, an oil change costs $100.

I just wanted some feedback on how good these particular shocks really
are.

mcbrue wrote:

In part it depends on whether or not the ES300 needs struts. If it
doesn't, the price realllly has to be low to make it worth while since
struts don't normaly give out on an ES300. Of course if this is not
just a "buying stuff on sale" type situation, then I would just check
with a Lexus parts department and see what they sell and might suggest
as an alternative.

Thanks for the post.
I didn't really think I had to say it, but it does need struts since
they have never been changed.
I also know I can go to a Lexus dealer, but they will probably want to
sell me their struts, which in turn will cost me way more than the
$300, and this doesn't include the installation. Just so you have an
idea of how much it could cost, an oil change costs $100.

I just wanted some feedback on how good these particular shocks really
are.

mcbrue wrote:

In part it depends on whether or not the ES300 needs struts. If it
doesn't, the price realllly has to be low to make it worth while since
struts don't normaly give out on an ES300. Of course if this is not
just a "buying stuff on sale" type situation, then I would just check
with a Lexus parts department and see what they sell and might suggest
as an alternative.

Wow! My first oil change on the new LS430 cost 62.88 for their regular
crap dino oil. Do you get the good stuff - Mobile 1 - for $100? The
local stealership does let the suckers - er - customers - bring in
their own oil. So we have all these rich guys dragging in cases of oil!
Rotflol !!!! MB has the same prices but uses Mobile 1 so their suck ...
customers ... at least don't have to drag in the good stuff.

What I suggested was to just call the parts department and ask them
what brand they routinely sell. They should be able to tell you that
much. Of course you could get sneaky and go there and ask for a set of
them, get them in their boxes so you can see the OEM (original
equipment maker) label, and then just hand them back when they tell you
the price.

Good luck!

mcBrue, a 5 gallon bottle of Mobile 1 full Synthetic can be found at
about 25 bucks add another bosch oil fiter (5.99) or a mobile filter
(10.99).. and you can come under 60 bucks if you are a dyi. If your
dealor does changes for free then you spent 36 bucks at the most for
the parts??

Where did you get 100 bucks for mobil 1?


VMI, Kybs are the closes to stock as you can get from decent brand
name struts. If you want a little harsher ride-- in favor of some
sportiness, then you would go with the tokicos. I myself just put in
some Tokicos. 300 is the average price for either brand as they range
from 250 to 350 in price at various outlets.

Dave


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RningOnFumes

"mcbrue" <mcbrue (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

Wow! My first oil change on the new LS430 cost 62.88 for their regular
crap dino oil. ...

Why on earth would you get a simple oil change done at a dealership ...
unless you are willing to pay a premium for above average 'personal
treatment' ... and not necessarily any better actual parts/materials? I
have never seen a person complain so much, basically about nothing. I think
you should sell the Lexus and go back to a Benz (and I for one, would
certainly agree the Benz offers more 'driving' satisfaction ... just more
maintenance/ownership headaches also )... I bet you and the service manager
would get to be best of 'friends'. Good Luck

Hey whoa! Slow down! I only paid 68 bucks for a change, NOT the $100. I
think that the 68 is too high for a change, esp with dino oil. But when
I took it in, I had some other problems/questions to answer. And I am
going to get it serviced at the stealership, every 5,000 miles like I
have to in order to keep the guarantee in good standing. With all the
environmental problems with oil and such, I don't realy even want to
consider DYI, besides having to learn a whole bunch of new stuff like
wrenches, etc. I just don't have the time.

lol mcbrue, you need one wrench and a milk jug(s) and a big pan to catch
oil in, thats IT. If your oil filter is easily accessible then you can
unscrew it and screw it in by hand. Easy as pie, take the old oil from
your oil catcher and dump it in your milk jug(s) and take the jug(s) to
any local shop that does oil changes, they will take it and dump it in
their big container for you, generally free of charge. it's a good idea
to drive the car after an oil change anyway to be able to check for
leaks.


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NYLexSC