[Stickit]

These guys http://www.southbaybmw.com/. I went to another BMW dealership which i will not name and i saw kids working in the tech. If im going to pay premium i want some one with experience to touch my baby. Has anyone been there and would like to share their experience?

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

I turned in a leased E90 there last year. . .
Nicest dealership i've been to.
Hot little girl working the front desk too.
She actually did my lease end inspection.
Good experience

[Bimmer Nerd]

ummmh ok.... first of all i don't know why are you calling someone a "kid" who is working at a dealership (as far as i know you have to be 18 or higher) 2nd of all i am pretty sure if they are working there they know what they are doing and 3rd of all don't call 18 year old people "kids" they are teenagers and + i am sure you didn't feel like an 18 year old KID when you were at that age. and you were not calling your self a KID when someone asked for your age.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by godora

ummmh ok.... first of all i don't know why are you calling someone a "kid" who is working at a dealership (as far as i know you have to be 18 or higher) 2nd of all i am pretty sure if they are working there they know what they are doing and 3rd of all don't call 18 year old people "kids" they are teenagers and + i am sure you didn't feel like an 18 year old KID when you were at that age. and you were not calling your self a KID when someone asked for your age.

^Coming from a KID that doesn't even have a CAR. . .
Let alone a BMW.
So Kid, (Which only say because you're so immature and defensive about it), Maybe when or if you ever get the pleasure of owning your own BMW, then maybe you will understand where the OP is coming from and not wanting someone who looks too you to have the proper experience, touching their expensive property.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally Posted by Stickit

These guys http://www.southbaybmw.com/. I went to another BMW dealership which i will not name and i saw kids working in the tech. If im going to pay premium i want some one with experience to touch my baby. Has anyone been there and would like to share their experience?

I haven't had any experience with them but I recently had inspection I done @ an independent shop in Arcadia that is highly recommended (from reviews and personal experience). If you car isn't under warranty (i.e. you're paying for the service) it's worth a look. The guy is a BMW and Ferrari lover with many years of dealership experience. The place is called European Auto Works. I paid $200 for Inspection I vs. $550 (cheapest dealer quote I got).

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

I haven't had any experience with them but I recently had inspection I done @ an independent shop in Arcadia that is highly recommended (from reviews and personal experience). If you car isn't under warranty (i.e. you're paying for the service) it's worth a look. The guy is a BMW and Ferrari lover with many years of dealership experience. The place is called European Auto Works. I paid $200 for Inspection I vs. $550 (cheapest dealer quote I got).

I've heard of this but never been. . .
Glad to hear you had a good experience with them

[SoCalTech]

I am a technician at South Bay BMW. If you need some help let me know. Although I might be considered one of the "kids" you speak of, as I'm 22 years old. However, please realize that most of us have extensive training. My training includes graduating from UTI (www.uti.edu) at the top of my class with numerous awards. Many classes from the BMW training catalog, and hands on experience. Please understand that a "kid" working for BMW is not the same kid working at Jiffy Lube, or the Hyundai dealer.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by SoCalTech

I am a technician at South Bay BMW. If you need some help let me know. Although I might be considered one of the "kids" you speak of, as I'm 22 years old. However, please realize that most of us have extensive training. My training includes graduating from UTI (www.uti.edu) at the top of my class with numerous awards. Many classes from the BMW training catalog, and hands on experience. Please understand that a "kid" working for BMW is not the same kid working at Jiffy Lube, or the Hyundai dealer.

Damn that's pretty cool man.
I'm also 22yrs old and have considered becoming a BMW tech but i heard the trainning is pretty long and intense.
How long did it take for you to finish up your schooling and land a job?
Also, what is the average starting salary for a BMW tech?

[SoCalTech]

If you can find another way to make money, I would suggest looking into that first. It's not a bad job, but there are better out there. Plus, the money used to be better, from what I'm told. UTI is a one year school. 5 days a week, 6 hours a day. You learn the basics of cars there (engine, trans, suspension, brakes, diffs, electrical, etc). If you do well enough in school, you can go to one of the manufacturer specific courses paid for by the dealer you will end up working for (many courses; audi, vw, bmw, porsche, ford, volvo, jaguar, and a few others). Or if you don't do well enough to get into those, there are a few that you can pay for yourself.
I wish I would have gone into the BMW program, but I didn't. I ended up moving to be closer to family, and starting out at a GM dealership. When I moved back to Cali (Palm Springs), I walked in the door and was hired on the spot because of my schooling and experience. When I was ready to move closer to the beach, I again walked into a dealership and got hired on the spot.
It's really hard to give an average starting pay. The way we get paid is called flat rate. If a certain job pays 1.0 hour, then no matter how long it takes you, you get paid 1.0 hour. If you take 3 hours to do it, you get paid 1.0 hour. If it takes you 5 minutes to do it, you get paid 1.0 hour. And the pay rate greatly varies by dealer. I've heard of master techs making anywhere from $20-$35 per hour. Just depends on the actual dealer.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Awesome.
Thanks for the info man.
I'm Paul BTW.

[NaTuReB0Y]

[SoCalTech]

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

Awesome.
Thanks for the info man.
I'm Paul BTW.

I'm Adam. Let me know if you have any more questions or whatnot...

[Coral528i]

+99 for Adam and South Bay BMW... also for Alex Caicedo the Service Writer.

The place is a palace, and the amenities are pretty impressive.

I posted a long thread over on e60 forum about the poor service ( actually no service and FU attitude on my brand new 528 purchased at Rusnak Westlake BMW and Beverly Hills BMW.

Adam came through 110%, and South Bay BMW fixed the issues I had with my new 528. they treated me properly and even though I'm out of pocket 225.00 over a warranty repair ( not South Bay's fault) at least the car is fully functional, looks and feels like a 60 thousand dollar German car should.

[mrwma237]

Do not recommend South Bay BMW.

Perhaps their Techs are above par, their service manager needs to do a quality check on their service advisors. Don't train your advisors to over sell. It makes you look desperate and not trust worthy.

I strongly advise you to pick another dealership.

You'll be dealing with the people up in front 99% of the time post your purchase, not the Technicians who are operating in the back.

[EdHermosa]

Originally Posted by mrwma237

Do not recommend South Bay BMW.

Perhaps their Techs are above par, their service manager needs to do a quality check on their service advisors. Don't train your advisors to over sell. It makes you look desperate and not trust worthy.

I strongly advise you to pick another dealership.

You'll be dealing with the people up in front 99% of the time post your purchase, not the Technicians who are operating in the back.

So you strongly advise to pick another dealership because the SA tried to sell you something? I've been in twice for service and, yes, had to sit through the "do you want nitrogen in your tires" spiel, but really, all you have to do is say "no". If they are trying to make a buck it doesn't mean they are desperate and not trust worthy. Me thinks you doth protest too much. IMHO the sales process and service process so far have been superb.

[WCS099]

I just ordered my 335i sedan from them last week. Jason
Withee beat all other offers I received from other dealers.