I find the dealer useful when trying to figure out electrical / sensor issues. If an independent shop changes a sensor and it doesn't fix the problem, they can't return that sensor for a refund and you're stuck paying for the part. Most dealer's won't charge you for parts that they have installed that didn't fix the problem. I had a bad coil / ignitor on my runner that was hard to diagnose. My yota dealer tried changing every sensor in the book before they found the problem but they didn't charge me for those parts. In my opinion, dealers are great for specific issues like that but pricey otherwise.

 

I just went to the stealership for a front wheel alignment. Pulling up the VIN, dude found that the truck has not gone through the steering relay thinger recall. Before he told me about it, I had no idea about the recall, as I've only owned the 4runner for a little over a year now and the previous owner didn't say a thing. If it wasn't for going to the stealer I'd have never known about it. I've yet to check if the bolts are torqued to what they should be, as per Bamachem's excellent alignment thread, but I'll be doing that today after work as I haven't had a chance to get to it until now.

 

I do most things myself and use the dealership the rest of the time. Over the past sixteen years, I have found that independent shops quote a lower repair cost than the dealership, but the total cost ends up just as high if not higher than the dealership. Keep in mind the dealership knows your engine and has serviced thousands of them. An independent shop has to deal with the "learning curve" and you pay for it by the hour.

Good example--timing belt replacement on the 22R-E. Most independent shops are not aware of the hidden bolt in the pool of oil under the valve cover, so they break the timing chain guide off, then charge you to replace it. Toyota knows about this bolt because they have serviced thousands of them, not to mention they have the best repair manual available, the one they created.