[pbanders]

re: service in Phoenix - your location just says "Arizona", didn't know if you were here or Tucson.

One way to avoid getting ripped off for service is to make sure that you're not having them do anything that takes under 1 hour of labor. Your cabin filter is a good example. Looks like to me that they did the standard trick of billing you an hour of labor (or more) for any procedure that takes less than an hour. When I had my M3 in for service once, I had my BMW shop order a new button for my glovebox, they're junk and break often. When I picked up the car, they'd charged me 1/2 hour of labor to "install" the button - all that was involved was to push it onto the bayonet fitting, takes under 2 seconds! Charge removed when I protested.

I only have the shops do work that is a real PITA to do or requires special tools, a lift, procedures, etc.