[s-cars] Problems with hydraulic system and brake booster

[Thomas Rodriguez]

Hey folks I'm looking for a reality check on some estimated repair costs.

My '95 S6 has the following symptoms:

1) the hydraulic system has developed a slow leak that takes about two
weeks to drop the level in the reservior from "full" to "low".
2) the brake pedal is inconsistent in terms of how far I have to push
it to engage the brakes.  The first push feels fine but if I let up
and push again I have to push it farther toward the floor.  If I do
this repeatedly as in stop-and-go traffic I will eventually have to
push it nearly all the way to the floor and apply much higher pressure
as through there is no boost.

I've taken it to the service shop at the dealership which provides
reliable service and repairs.  They identified the leak is from the
hydraulic hose and accumulator - Repair cost: $1,200 parts, $500
labor.  They think the inconsistent brake pedal may be a bad booster -
Repair cost $950 parts, $550 labor. All parts are OEM.

Do these prices sound right? Is there benefit to using aftermarket
parts and are they reliable?

Thanks,

Tom
"95 S6