A) Worked in a higher end dealership you drive many cars...m5 did it thrill me? No a 996 carrera thrilled me more...B) untrue? depends on were you live 3) Sorry theres a reason why to buy Porsche, and its not to fit 4 large clients into your 911 thats why you buy a m5 right?

Or a 740/750 (Actually last generation...my favorite)

I wonder if the reason to buy a Porsche is the same for Cayennes, Boxters and 911s? They do make more than the 911, and I would guess that worldwide, their Boxster sales out-number their 911 sales (and I'd bet money that the combined Boxster and Cayenne sales definetly out pace the 911's by a huge margin). I seem to remember a quote from the Boxter BBS that pretty much stated that some woman purchased her Boxster over some other model (or brand) becasue she looked "cute" in it. Not trying to bash either Porsche or BMW, but it seems that both marques get their share of stuffy people, and I bet quite a few Cayennes have had their share of large, stuffy clients as passengers. Oh, and I like both the Boxster and Cayenne...no need to start a war here...;-)

R/
Dustin

Your question is sorta like asking the Tigers if you should have the Porterhouse.

Sniady, so how are you liking UTI? What I'm not completely sure about is do you start off at UTI taking some basic classes, and then you have to select what manufacturer to finish out the course? That's what I understood anyways. Could you give any specifics on course length, etc? I've contacted UTI many times in the past and never really received much info. From what I understood it was 19 months long.

I've been considering UTI for awhile. Though, my only dilemma is that I haven't completely decided if I want a career as a Porsche tech. I have lots of electronics/computer/networking experience, and am trying to build a career on that. I'm thinking about going to UTI to get my Porsche certification, more for personal satisfaction, and working on Porsches on the side for some extra dough (as well as to have fun). I'd have to move from Austin to Houston for a couple years just to get this certification at UTI, and that's a lot of time/money for me to spend if I am not going to make a career out of it. Though, I still want to go because I am obsessed for all things Porsche! :cool:

I think you will find lots of people around here drive and enjoy BMW's. When the Porsche is not practical the BMW is my next choice.

What would you suggest a Taurus or Mini Van.

This is Porsche fourm Joe not the BMW thats why its in a differnet forum. I suggest you get a lexus or acura you know that cars that claim luxury but really are leather covered toyotas and hondas

My own advice is this - when I was in school, I decided to major in something that would make money rather than do what I really wanted. Years later, I had a career set-back that had me (for a time) living on about the same money my dream job would have paid, and I realized I was fine without brand-new cars and a lakefront condo.

Maybe you can make a lot of dough as a BMW mechanic, but I've yet to hear of a starving Porsche technician, and enjoying what you do will more than make up for whatever the pay differential is, in my opinion.

Emanuel

I'm wrenching on both, Porsche & BMW. Great cars that are not all that unlike

Thanks for the feedback. I don't feel like responding to each one's post, so i'll give my brief down.

UTI auto program is a year long. You get basic automotive training. It's very easy. After finnshing up with the school, you have an option to sign up for a manufacture training program (benz, bmw, audi, vw, ford, porsche, international, volvo, jag). It then comes to the interviewer where he will make the the cal if you're going in the program. Porsche is the hardest program to get into, they only admit about 35 people a year. Bmw pulls in about 200, Benz about 300 and so on.

Like I said earlier, it all comes down to the technicians abilty to make money, he works commission. For EX. A bmw dealership has 40 techs, and pull 60-100 service cars a day. The porsche dealership has only 15 techs, and they pull in about 40 cars. So you do the math. Work is pretty much there. there's good days and crummy days.

For all the DIY guys. Cars these days are becoming so technically advanced, that you need a scanner to even find out what the problem is. Did you know the BMW 745 has about 90 computers. And when you turn that wheel it triggers 18 computers, it's insane. So these independent shops will not be able to service these modern cars once there off warranty. They simply cannot afford the equipment and software. And some snap-on scanner will not do the job.

You'd be suprised at the experienced techs you can find at a dealership. You can bring in your 30 year-old car, and there will be a guy in there that knows that car like the back of his hand.

I think I considered BMW, because I was stressing the money factor. But do I want to like where I work or hate it...
... I came here for Porsche, and I'm going for Porsche!!! If I don't get in, I don't know what i'll do, i guess i'll consider BMW.

My grandfather is 74 years old, owns a mobile home sales company, as well as several mobile home parks, not really most people's idea of a dream job. He's been in business something like 37 years, and he probably made enough in 10 that he could have comfortably retired, now he has more money than he could ever spend. And yet, he's there every morning at 7:30, you can set your clock by him, all week and half a day Saturday. I asked him once what his secret was, how he stayed motivated, and why he didn't retire. He told me that in order to be happy with your profession, you have to find something you would do for free, and then find a way to make money at it. He said he doesn't want to retire, because he can't think of anything else he'd rather do. Go for the Porsche, the mere fact that you're on this board means you live and breathe all things Porsche, even if you don't make as much money. The people who think money buys happiness are the same people that drive Porsches or BMWs for all the wrong reasons. Good luck, and make sure you let a little of your passion come through in your interview.

Good luck man! and guys those are some sweet stories....

Tele-strat guy you need a attitude adjustment, especially for a guy that doesn't even own a Porsche.

Sheesh! You live in a different time zone, come back here in the morning, and the wheels came off in this thread!

Fenderguy, what's with the bug up your a$$ about BMW's? I drive both (see below) and could not be happier with my car choices. What do you mean, BMW's are for stuffy guys? I guess if an M5 can't thrill you, you are beyond redemption, so from now on I'll disregard your opinions.

In answer to the original question from sniady, I would recommend you go with the BMW program. Many more cars on the road means more job opportunities, and they are just as satisfying to work on and well-engineered as Porsches. Nothing will stop you from working on Porsches anyway.

My R0.02 (South African cents)

LeRoux

Good mechanics are hard to find. Specific training in a certain marque will get you that initial job, but as a good mechanic, it's the skills needed to work on and diagnose a car that are key. These skills are somewhat independent of which marque you work on - anyone can learn the ins and outs from reading a manual. It's the thought process on how you diagnose a problem that is what's important.

This is the mantra at MIT. The underlying area of expertise (MechE, EE, ChemE) is only a base of knowledge. The Institute teaches it's grads how to solve problems and the methodology surrounding that - regardless of what field you are in. The knowledge in that particular field will land you your first job, but once you get there, you will find that you can branch out into just about anything, if you are armed with the proper tools for problem solving.

-Wayne

Wayne has a good point, if you develop the skills to be a good tech, regardless of the marque, it should be relatively easy to adapt your skills to another. Now you can work for the stuffy people and the mistresses.:D FWIW, I see BMW as a more practical Porsche, how can you not love the M5? I can't imagine anything better than an M5 for my daily driver and the 911 for the weekends, someone on the board has both, but I'm not sure who. They're both a blast to drive, so screw the stereotypes.

There is a shortage of both BMW and Porsche mechanics in the Southeast. I do not know about the other parts of the country. You cannot go wrong with either. There are a couple really neat, privately owned shops around here that work on BMW, Porsche and Mercedes. They are clean and entertaining because you can watch them work on cars from the waiting area. The mechanics wear uniforms. They charge about the same as a dealer but the mechanics and the owners are car guys. They take a lot of pride in their work.
And if you ask them, they will tell you that the reason they only do these three brands is because they are the best cars on the road.

Yes FenderGuy, I have 2 BMW's right now, and a Prosche 911SC. Its funny you say that because I have always gotten a kick out of the BMW guys that say they hate Porsche's. Kind of like they are jelous or something. First time I have heard that from a Porsche guy.

I just hate bmws period sorry the ones i have driven or ridden in(not my choice) didnt thrill me.... Bmw guys hate Porsches...Porsche guys hate Bmw....i am not jelous i mean jealous....I just prefer Porsche and i have a hate for Bmws

I guess guys that drive BMWs and Porsches cant type either.
Sorry for the typo.
Most Porsche guys have better things to worry about than BMW's. Can't always say that about BMW guys.

Porsche it is. I'll re-make a post on how my interview went in a few months. Thanks for the feedback guys.

do porsche guys really have a problem with beemer guys? i like both! i havent decided what 911 i like best, everytime i think i have it figured, one of you guys post your pics and i change my mind. but i do know one of my favorite cars is the BMW 3.0CSI. i want one.