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 the local dealer, 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. 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 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 this shop what I just had paid, and I asked how they can do it for so much less. They 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 other shop. Oh don’t worry I will. You should too unless money means nothing to you. Then go for it.
