G'day Simon,
Don't get too hung up on hourly rates. I did my MECIR with Steve Pearce at PBAFT between Sept - Dec 1996. I held a new CPL and my only IF experience was the minimum required for CPL issue. My total time was 248 hours in SE aeroplanes.
The training consisted of;
Simulator 7.2 hours
Piper Arrow 5.1 hours
Intro to the Seminole 1.3 hours
Seminole IF training 7.1 hours
Intro to Seminole assymetrics 1.3 hours
Seminole IF training w/assymetrics 13.6 hours
Initial Issue Flight Test 2.9 hours
As you can see the training was structured in a very professional manner and the hours were not dragged out.
I did a total of 23.3 hours in the Seminole, and the current $50/hr difference between PBAFT and MAS is only $1165 which is not a lot compared to the overall cost.
I have no experience of MAS, they may be very good. However Steve Pearce and PBAFT are excellent and the cost difference is negligible for such important training.
Don't worry too much about the Travelair endorsement either. Steve Pearce did my Travelair/Baron endorsement in 1.7 hours. It is not a big deal to add later.
I have just done my 11th CIR renewal with Steve and can vouch that the standard of training is as good as ever.