19 vacancies at a BMW dealer
Discussion
I was at a BMW dealers today getting the little green light on the gearstick working again...How much? ....£700 plus for the sensor and fitting (20 minutes) Warranty paid.
Not fair to name them them but as I looked around drinking coffee and reading old autocar mags it seemed to be a hive of activity this is a big place ,I said to my service reception guy " a lot of people work here don't they" he said between him and me there are 19 vacancies all told and there should be 15 technicians working there, they only have 5 the others have all left and they cant get any replacements no one seems to have been trained by BMW to replace them The 3 temp technicians they were supposed to have in today never bothered to turn up. Now i know why my service couldnt be sorted for 3 weeks.
Interesting times,
Not fair to name them them but as I looked around drinking coffee and reading old autocar mags it seemed to be a hive of activity this is a big place ,I said to my service reception guy " a lot of people work here don't they" he said between him and me there are 19 vacancies all told and there should be 15 technicians working there, they only have 5 the others have all left and they cant get any replacements no one seems to have been trained by BMW to replace them The 3 temp technicians they were supposed to have in today never bothered to turn up. Now i know why my service couldnt be sorted for 3 weeks.
Interesting times,
Edited by smashy on Thursday 13th July 21:40
Interesting. I am awaiting warranty work and my local dealer is taking their sweet time at getting me a slot. Hmm.
BTW it is interesting speaking to the service guys rather than sales. I found a few tidbits on my last trip including how much disdain the service guy had for the current crop of engines.. lots of issues, don't make em like they used to, timing chains, sucking through teeth etc.
BTW it is interesting speaking to the service guys rather than sales. I found a few tidbits on my last trip including how much disdain the service guy had for the current crop of engines.. lots of issues, don't make em like they used to, timing chains, sucking through teeth etc.
sjj84 said:
Not sure how dealers make any money with the amount of staff they have. Not sure about workshop technicians, but front of house shiny suits there seemed to be a ridiculous number. If they cut out all the bulls
t never ending paperwork they could reduce numbers significantly.
Most of the shiny suiters will be on around £12k basict never ending paperwork they could reduce numbers significantly.It's not just in BMW. I'm in the trade, and our fitter is 68. I don't know where I'm going to find someone to replace him. Fortunately I don't think this is going to happen until he drops dead, as he has 5/30 instead of blood. (possibly 15/40 the way he says it).
2 friends in the trade, and 1 has 5 fitters short, and the other 2.
On the other hand, stuff like who can fix my car, still seem to be able to offer labor rates of about £6 an hour. Our trade is full of contradiction sometimes.
2 friends in the trade, and 1 has 5 fitters short, and the other 2.
On the other hand, stuff like who can fix my car, still seem to be able to offer labor rates of about £6 an hour. Our trade is full of contradiction sometimes.
I know my local BMW dealer has about 6 techs total. But has about double the number of lifts. I am aware that about 2 have left recently as well.
The other branch is larger though and has more techs about 8 or 10 if memory serves.
I think Volvo's future is going to be interesting where the techs will have a direct relationship with the customer, and in some cases will have 2 techs per vehicle.
The other branch is larger though and has more techs about 8 or 10 if memory serves.
I think Volvo's future is going to be interesting where the techs will have a direct relationship with the customer, and in some cases will have 2 techs per vehicle.
Genuine question, but how much training does a main dealer tech need?
All they do is plug in the computer, then replace the part as per the instructions on screen.
I took my ML into Mercedes last year, the copper seals on the injectors wear over time and leak fuel which turns into a black gunk.
I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
I bought the washers and bolts from parts for £13, took it down the road where he changed them all for £60.
I can see why youngsters who have trained wouldn't want to work in a main dealership after a while, it must be soul destroying, you may as well work a factory line.
All they do is plug in the computer, then replace the part as per the instructions on screen.
I took my ML into Mercedes last year, the copper seals on the injectors wear over time and leak fuel which turns into a black gunk.
I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
I bought the washers and bolts from parts for £13, took it down the road where he changed them all for £60.
I can see why youngsters who have trained wouldn't want to work in a main dealership after a while, it must be soul destroying, you may as well work a factory line.
Most of these garages have fitters, rather than proper mechanics. All they do is plug in a computer, follow a guide on how to change the part and do it. I do know they are pressured into getting the job done quickly but still charge the customer for the full time. A job could be down for taking 2hrs but if they do it quicker then it's a bonus for them, the car was there all day so the customer never knows how long it really took.
I've argued with service girls who look pretty but know nothing about their cars how they've wanted to plug in and diagnose a rear bearing and ABS sensor to make sure it was the right side and charge me £80 for something I can do on my phone. I know which one it is because I broke it trying to remove the heat shield. I'll "risk" it being that one and if it's not then it's new anyway.
But then you get the really good service guys, even at main dealers who even show you the parts they changed, give good advice, genuinely interested in the modifications I'd done. A big part of me still having my car is because of good service when I get work done. I've dealt with other manufacturers for family members and they are a complete shower to deal with.
I've argued with service girls who look pretty but know nothing about their cars how they've wanted to plug in and diagnose a rear bearing and ABS sensor to make sure it was the right side and charge me £80 for something I can do on my phone. I know which one it is because I broke it trying to remove the heat shield. I'll "risk" it being that one and if it's not then it's new anyway.
But then you get the really good service guys, even at main dealers who even show you the parts they changed, give good advice, genuinely interested in the modifications I'd done. A big part of me still having my car is because of good service when I get work done. I've dealt with other manufacturers for family members and they are a complete shower to deal with.
gizlaroc said:
I took my ML into Mercedes last year, the copper seals on the injectors wear over time and leak fuel which turns into a black gunk.
I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
I guess part of the reason they charge like this is there's no point in bombing the price if they're swamped with work due to being short of mechanics.I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
Maybe it is a particular issue with BMW - I never had any issues getting my Merc in to the dealer in Chester, indeed twice I was offered next day. However when I had an issue (EML came on) with a BMW I had from work for a few months it was a different story - took a few days to actually get a response (every call to them went to answerphone) and then I was offered a slot for diagnosis 3 weeks away.
gizlaroc said:
Genuine question, but how much training does a main dealer tech need?
All they do is plug in the computer, then replace the part as per the instructions on screen.
Sometimes the computer will tell you what component needs replacing - a lot of the time they won't - they will just point you in the right direction - for example - a camshaft sensor logging a fault - rarely is it the sensor at fault like it used to be - it will be variable valve timing issue, or stretched chain, or corrosion on pickup wheel or even something not even related!
Maybe if u described the problem with ur ml correctly they wouldn't have assumed u had fuel leakin through your injectors and possibly needing replacement - copper seals are not there to stop fuel leaking - they are to stop exhaust gasses escaping up the side of the injector.
I took my ML into Mercedes last year, the copper seals on the injectors wear over time and leak fuel which turns into a black gunk.
I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
I bought the washers and bolts from parts for £13, took it down the road where he changed them all for £60.
I can see why youngsters who have trained wouldn't want to work in a main dealership after a while, it must be soul destroying, you may as well work a factory line.
All they do is plug in the computer, then replace the part as per the instructions on screen.
Sometimes the computer will tell you what component needs replacing - a lot of the time they won't - they will just point you in the right direction - for example - a camshaft sensor logging a fault - rarely is it the sensor at fault like it used to be - it will be variable valve timing issue, or stretched chain, or corrosion on pickup wheel or even something not even related!
Maybe if u described the problem with ur ml correctly they wouldn't have assumed u had fuel leakin through your injectors and possibly needing replacement - copper seals are not there to stop fuel leaking - they are to stop exhaust gasses escaping up the side of the injector.
I took my ML into Mercedes last year, the copper seals on the injectors wear over time and leak fuel which turns into a black gunk.
I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
I bought the washers and bolts from parts for £13, took it down the road where he changed them all for £60.
I can see why youngsters who have trained wouldn't want to work in a main dealership after a while, it must be soul destroying, you may as well work a factory line.
Elliot2000 said:
Maybe if u described the problem with ur ml correctly they wouldn't have assumed u had fuel leakin through your injectors and possibly needing replacement - copper seals are not there to stop fuel leaking - they are to stop exhaust gasses escaping up the side of the injector.
The point is, if I ask them to do a job, especially on a really well known issue, it should be done. There is no risk whatsoever to them. Job is done and billed for accordingly.
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