I had a 300 hour service on 90hp etec that cost me $580 but haggled and got it down to $520, sold that engine and got a 115hp etec 6 months ago and only recently had its 300hour service which cost me $530 which i didn't think was too bad on conparison to a four stroke which would cost me in excess of $4000 a year doing the hours i accumilate the etec costs $1000 a year, $3000 is a big difference and a lot of sea miles.
As far as a service for an etec costing that much i think he better get a new mechanic.
Cheers samson