Just curious about our membership qualifications.How many guy's are BMW certified here?And does it really matter?Is knowing how to put together a turbo or S/C more important than knowing about BMW's??

I'm not, but I play one on the internet :)

I'm not, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night...

I'm not, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night...
Holiday Inn Express ;)
And no, being a BMW certified tech doesn't matter.

being a bmw certified master tech only means you can read a manual and turn a wrench. (j/k)

It use to mean greasy fingernails,but all my techs wear surgical gloves now when they wrench and drink non-fat double latte's. :)

I'm not, but I play one on the internet :)

:D :) This responses is so funny and so are the others.

I think many here are certified to give out lots of info and has no real hands on experience too. :D

My brothers friend just paid 26k to become a bmw tech.

My brothers friend just paid 26k to become a bmw tech.
Did he just pay $26k?Or did he go to school too? :D

Did he just pay $26k?Or did he go to school too? :D
Sounds like he just paid for it. That just proves the point that BMW certified techs aren't always the smartest people. :devillook

Sounds like he just paid for it. That just proves the point that BMW certified techs aren't always the smartest people. :devillook

What is that supposed to mean?He is taking a 14 month bmw course and is going to be certified to work as a master tech at a bmw dealer.

They are teaching him everything possible to know about bmws and there m power class.Trust me he will be making bank when hes working on an m5 in a few years from now.

What is that supposed to mean?He is taking a 14 month bmw course and is going to be certified to work as a master tech at a bmw dealer.

They are teaching him everything possible to know about bmws and there m power class.Trust me he will be making bank when hes working on an m5 in a few years from now.
Just messing with you. You said he paid $26K to be a tech, not that he paid $26K for school.

Just messing with you. You said he paid $26K to be a tech, not that he paid $26K for school.


The bmw course hes taking cost 26k just for that one course.He is starting in jan and wants to work for a few years at a dealer and then open up a certified dinan shop.

Heres the school uti (http://www.uti-auto-tech.com/uti_advanced_tech.asp?OVRAW=uti%20bmw%20school&OVKEY=bmw%20school&OVMTC=advanced)

The bmw course hes taking cost 26k just for that one course.He is starting in jan and wants to work for a few years at a dealer and then open up a certified dinan shop.

Heres the school uti (http://www.uti-auto-tech.com/uti_advanced_tech.asp?OVRAW=uti%20bmw%20school&OVKEY=bmw%20school&OVMTC=advanced)


Actually the $26k sounds like the tuition for UTI. You have to take the standard classes at UTI before getting into BMW STEP. Actually BMW STEP picks you. Training for STEP is free as long as you complete it and get hired by a BMW Dealer and work for them for the length of time stated on the contract.

I only paid $10k to go into UTI, this was back in 1997, attended STEP, worked for the dealer for 2 1/2 years and left just before I got Master Tech Status.

$26k sounds a lot. Is he taking Automotive with Hot Rod U and Diesel Technology?

Actually the $26k sounds like the tuition for UTI. You have to take the standard classes at UTI before getting into BMW STEP. Actually BMW STEP picks you. Training for STEP is free as long as you complete it and get hired by a BMW Dealer and work for them for the length of time stated on the contract.

I only paid $10k to go into UTI, this was back in 1997, attended STEP, worked for the dealer for 2 1/2 years and left just before I got Master Tech Status.

$26k sounds a lot. Is he taking Automotive with Hot Rod U and Diesel Technology?

How was it working there? Is there a reason why you left? Or was it just a personal thing?

Sorry for the series of questions. :D

Ill find out some more info from him next time I see him.From what I remembered he told me it was going to be around 26k.

Ill find out some more info from him next time I see him.From what I remembered he told me it was going to be around 26k.

That actually sounds about right. UTI has been getting more and more expensive every year. But do ask, cause I'm planning on doing the same as your friend after I graduate HS.

I went to UTI and also went through BMW STEP. it is a great learning experience but most of my knowledge came from working at my last independent BMW shop. the cost of school for me was 22k but i only went through the auto program.

Im a master EMS tuner

I'm a master technophobe.

"To start press any key. Well where's the 'any' key? I see Esc, Ctarl, and PigUp. There doesn't seem to be any any key! Phew. All this computer hacking is making me thirsty. I think I'll order a Tab. Oop! No time for that now, the computer's starting."

Im a jack of trades.....master of the Bass.

That actually sounds about right. UTI has been getting more and more expensive every year. But do ask, cause I'm planning on doing the same as your friend after I graduate HS.

PM Sent

tuition is $26k, as i am also starting uti in jan., im hoping to qualify to get into the bmw step program, but they say if you have more than 1 traffic ticket (speeding, redlight, wrong turn, etc) they dont pick you, they also want perfect attendance and special awards earned through each course. it looks like a very good school, i just hope its not like the last school i went to, they just taught enough to pass the ase tests and thats it, but i've heard good things about uti.

I just got done with Sequoia Institute (Wyotech) and was accepted to BMW STEP. I went through the whole 90% GPA, >24hrs missed etc... Entrance exam, interview by BMW rep blah blah blah. Well I was planning on attending in Feb and for 27 weeks devote my life to BMW. Then another 6 months upon being hired by a dealership. However, that has all changed because of my local BMW dealer. One of their techs is leaving and they had found out I had my SMOG license. (SMOG is HUGE in CA, anyone with a SMOG license can have a decent paying job) They are offering to hire me full time and basically skip the STEP program by "fastracking" me through training by sending me to classes as they are available. THe master tech would "take me under his wing" and tech me the basics until the first class was available. Upon completing of that class would they increase my pay and allow me to work on more vehicles.

They said this kind of opportunity never happens and is very rare. Personally I think they're worried that I could go somewhere else which is why they decided to offer this to me now instead of completion of STEP.

So...I think this is a great opportunity and I'm going to follow it through and hopefully become hired and be happy. Who else thinks this is legit? I do! But has anyone been in a similar situation and get shafted? I dont think they'll do it to me but I'll make sure its in writing upon the final offer.

*also* the 25K I paid for school was completly worth it if you follow through with everything the package has to offer. I have a SMOG license and Assoc Degree and I'm getting offers by everyone. Any gearhead who likes cars and wants to get involved should take a tour of thier local tech school.

My aspiration is to become a master tech in a few years. I'm in my first year of classes at Mass Bay's BMW Auto Tech program. Hopefully I will be accepted to STEP at the end of next year. :buttrock

Congrate's to the newbie(and oldie) techs!!I respect and admire your dedication by going to a specialized BMW school.I owe alot and more to the techs that have worked on my cars and given me knowledge/tips in the automotive field.And add FI to the equation and then I have to stay at a Holiday Inn Express.