I was a little chocked when I got a 1100 dollar repair estimate for my R 280mm.
The lens is still focusing, but there is some noise when you focus.
Is this normal?
YES ..if the lens is estimated to require major parts . My highest lens repair has been around $700 which was for a 75 summiux M but this was almost 10 years ago .
DAG is a much better choice in the USA for this type of repair and would be less than half that expensive .
Paying for Leica factory service is no guarantee of quality work as almost 50% of my lens repairs we sent back for a 2nd try . For me ..M and R lenses always go to DAG . S lenses directly to Wetzler. Film bodies to DAG.
Digital camera bodies are a different story and my experience has been mostly good with things sent to Wetzler and even NJ has been excellent with M bodies.
Don t even think about handling any S repairs without a good dealer .