Wondering about BMW mechanics or indy shops

[SR20Fastback]

I've got a sort of similar story, went to a tech school *Waste of money, go to CC auto classes if possible*. Started as an apprentice at a dealership, making $16/hour. I was the highest paid out of the 3 apprentices. 9 months later *present time* I'm getting ready to go out on my own this summer. I've done like 3242q3534565 SIP's, but I'm finally signed up for ST050 this august. I'm going to try to get 51, and 52 done before the end of the year as well. I've worked on my own without training for a couple weeks at a time, and was able to do pretty well. I'm really looking forward to the raise, because living on your own w/o any support in San Diego is not cheap.

Thus far I've probably spent about $10-11k on tools and a box, which is not a whole hell of a lot. There are a bunch of different ways to go for tools, its all up to who you listen to when you first start out. As of now I make about 45-52k a year depending on how much time I'm working, I'd go out on a limb and say I will probably be making closer to 60-65k my first year of flat rate. The sky is the limit though, 2 of the tech's at my work make 120k+. One of them is sort of a bastard overlapping hours and what not, the other just plain busts his ass every day. Doesn't take a lunch, gets there an hour early and usually stays 30-60 mins late, etc.

I think this was the best way for me. I'm glad I didn't take step as I would have never survived going to class 8 hours a day 5 days a week and not get paid for it. Sorry, but you need to pay rent somehow. I'm very proud to say that I'm a tech, making at least double of anyone of my friends my age. I just turned 20 last february.




Also if I play my cards right, I might be purchasing a condo/town house in Sept, *read: 7435 roommates, and no account receivable's coming out of my paycheck*

[SR20Fastback]

btw Ryan, when are you going to be at school next? I'll be up that way on the 15th of august for 3 days. woohoo st050

[silverblades181]

I wasn't aware a BMW tech made that much money...I was going that direction because I love bimmers but if it pays that good too, thats great!

[SR20Fastback]

thats just an example, not what you will make. They have been doing it for a few years and have the experience and knowledge to be that fast.


Also, there are other options too, once in a dealership, you can move around if you don't like one field of the work. Not cut out for wrenching? try the parts department. Have a knack for selling shit, try sales.



I would say this, Our top paid tech was probably 125k last year, we're busy year round. Our top paid sales guy is right around 55-60k a year, he's very good. Then our top sales guy was $187k last year *damn!*

These are the highest wages. These aren't including managers *which I have no idea how much some of them make*. Good luck man!

[silverblades181]

aslong as I can pay for an E30 (or other BMW), a decent place to live and booze, I'm happy. Then if I can afford food and cable then I'm in heaven. I was actualy thinking of opening up my own place when I got enough experience and money. I'm sure once I'm into the BMW machine there will be lots of oppotunities.

[SR20Fastback]

yes, my car is broken down like this:

per month...

insurance: $50
gas:$100
random tid bits/repairs/mods:$200-400

the rest is, rent, snap on payment, 2 credit cards, 2 student loans, power bill, cable, cell phone, home phone/internet, water, reef tank, cat food/litter.




I'd actually say the car probably is the 2nd or 3rd biggestt drain on my paycheck.

[silverblades181]

ya they're addictive money pits

[M3 Ryan]

Well, I finished my first pay period on the line, and I did better than I expected.
I flagged 153 hours in 11 days. Thats almost 14hrs a day. I didn't work any overtime and I took a lunch on 10 of the days.
Not too shabby if I do say so myself... 8)

SR20- how do you say you are making 52k a year? there is 2000 hours to work each year (assuming 40hr weeks with 50wks of work per year), if you are making $16/hr then thats $32k a year... you arn't working 80hrs a week are you? Just curious...
I am not sure when my next class is. I need to do some more SIP's. I want Body Electrical II next...

[Digitalwave]

Ryan, when you make more hours like that, do you get paid for the 88 that you worked, or the 153 that you flagged?

[DanGillan]

he'd get paid 153. that's the benefit of being a flyrate tech.


fyi. its possible to become a BMW tech with no school, and no support. one of the techs at my work, took a few general auto classes at a community college, worked at the BMW dealer for 5 years, and now works at this independent shop and is a fucking great tech making good money. i think its much harder this way, and am on the exact same path as brew right now. the things brew and ryan have said are right on. that's the way to do it right.

[m42technic]

Well, I finished my first pay period on the line, and I did better than I expected.
I flagged 153 hours in 11 days. Thats almost 14hrs a day. I didn't work any overtime and I took a lunch on 10 of the days.
Not too shabby if I do say so myself... 8)

You obviously dont work on E60's/65's do you... :?

[M3 Ryan]

Well, I finished my first pay period on the line, and I did better than I expected.
I flagged 153 hours in 11 days. Thats almost 14hrs a day. I didn't work any overtime and I took a lunch on 10 of the days.
Not too shabby if I do say so myself... 8)

You obviously dont work on E60's/65's do you... :?

Actually I have an E60 on my rack right now for a complete reprograming. Part of my 153 hours this period was from 3 E60's, an E65 and an E63. You just have to know how to write the stories and work the system to not loose your ass on them.

[Brew]

he'd get paid 153. that's the benefit of being a flyrate tech.

Its flatrate killer.

And yeah, you can make some great money in this business if you're quick and are good buddies with the service writers. I know a couple guys here at Foreign Motors average 90 hours a week flatrate because they do mostly alignments, and wheel/tire work.

[M3 Ryan]

Alignments and tires are GRAVY.
We get 2.5hrs for an alignment, and tires 17"+ are 1hr each to replace. That adds up quick when you can do 4 tires and an alignment in an hour and 15 min. Thats 6.5hrs in just over an hour. do that twice a day and you are well on your way to 90hrs a week.

[m42technic]

Actually I have an E60 on my rack right now for a complete reprograming. Part of my 153 hours this period was from 3 E60's, an E65 and an E63. You just have to know how to write the stories and work the system to not loose your ass on them.

Heh... probably 75% of the cars I work on are 5's 6's 7's and new 3's. Yes its possible to get paid for the most part with highly detailed stories and seperate flags for every labor operation performed, but BMW's warranty labor times are just plain jacked. For instance M5 cam sensors pay 3/10's of an hour... even with premium youre still getting fucked.