Cost of new air-con compressor nowadays?

It's that time of the year again! Been looking for the info on here but the only things seem to be from a good few years ago where a new compressor was over a grand from the stealers.

Can anyone give an update as to how much you're looking at to get it fixed and also how much should you be looking at realistically to get it done independently? Also, bearing in mind the following info on this other thread...

On 29/03/2012 at 21:24, PC1212 said:

From Honest John... review of Skoda Octavia

Failure of Zexel or Valeo a/c compressors is common, usually a year or two out of warranty and dealers can quote £1,304 for new compressor, condensor and expansion valve. Sometimes goodwill of about £300 offered. But cheaper to buy a new Sanden compressor for £287 and have it fitted by an independent a/c specialist for about £150. Internet forums, particularly in USA are full of postings concerning failures of Zexel and Valeo compressors, seems a case of "when not if".

 

...and that I've posted on the drive chain tensioner failures and the Bolero battery drain threads before, would the above be accurate in that certain makes are better than others or can anyone give any tips as to what the best things to do if a compressor goes down is?