Black Forest has very high pricing. Here are the facts. I found out the hard way because I didn't do my homework getting competitive quotes. I have just moved to Charleston a year ago and need a place to service my MB. I might add I am a new MB owner, and not familiar with their maintenance services. I have a 2014 MB E350 Sedan, and per my manual needed a 30K "B" service. I first called Baker, and they quoted $550.00. Then I called Black Forrest (BF) and they quoted $485.00. I thought that was a good savings. I scheduled the service and they completed the work. When paying they notified me I needed an "Under cover" part replaced due to damage, and quoted $280.00 installed. I didn't get that done, as I had already spent close to $500.00. So I got the part # from BF.
I called a local repair shop in West Ashley, SC named OttoHaus of Charleston (OHC). They quoted the "Under cover" part installed for $210.00. That made me curious, and so I asked for a quote for the 30K miles "B" service I just had done at BF. They priced it at $250.00. I was skeptical so I took out my BF receipt, and reviewed the service details performed with Virginia at OHC to be sure what they quoted was "Apples-to apples" Much to my dismay it was the identical service. Needless to say I was quite disappointed I had just over payed by $235.00. I told OHC what I just had paid, and I asked how they can do it for so much less. She explained for "Maintenance services" they don't use their hourly labor rate. They do use the hourly rate for "Repairs". BF charged me $288.00 just for the labor for this maintenance service. That was itemized 3 hours per their receipt to me. I might add it only took 2 hours to complete the service. When I brought all this up to BF their co-owner Lil, after defending her pricing, basically she said go to OHC. Oh don't worry I will. You should too unless money means nothing to you. Then go for it. I might add that OHC isn't far from Mt. Pleasant, just over the bridge in the Avondale section.
PS Lil at BF leans heavily on that getting service at BF will maintain your MB warranty as the reason why her pricing is higher. I quote, "We perform the service to MB standards, and it maintains your warranty". This infers anywhere else would void it. I asked OHC about this and their service will also maintain the warranty. OHC uses MB parts and performs the service per the MB service standard. Actually I researched more in depth, and it is Federal law that you are free to get scheduled maintenance services on your car anywhere, and by law it won't void the warranty. You must keep records, and it can't hurt to use MB parts. You could affect the warranty if the shop you use made an error. read more
