INTERVIEW 02
Growing better together
with ever-evolving BMW vehicles.
Joined: 2013
BMW Meister
The unforgettable appeal of working on BMWs
I was always interested in BMWs. The dealership I currently work at is where I originally started after graduating from mechanic's school. I left the job for a while to see what else is out there, but I could never get over how interesting it was to work on BMWs so when my old manager asked me to return I jumped at the chance. My job before coming back was at a used car dealership. Working on all sorts of vehicles, regardless of manufacturer, was fun in its own way, but each vehicle was a simple, straightforward job. The feeling of working with constantly evolving machines and deepening your skills as a technician is something which I think can only be gotten from an official dealership.
It had been about a year and a half since I initially left, but BMW had undergone some major changes in that time. I couldn't help but notice the difference, at times. One major example would be the big upswing in electrification. The number of electronic and computer parts in each vehicle had increased significantly. It was clear that BMW was taking the lead in environmentally friendly vehicles.
Working on the cutting-edge of vehicle repair
BMW's aren't just fun to drive, they're also fun to service. I've always thought one of the biggest reasons for this is the specialized diagnostic testers that we use, that link retailers around the world. The devices work with the computers equipped in all BMW vehicles to analyze malfunctions. The results and logs are also sent to the manufacturer via network, building up a storehouse of data every day. As a result, diagnostic methods and troubleshooting are always evolving, and as technicians we work on the cutting edge. In other words, with the help of these testers maintenance technology continues to improve and we are constantly honing our skills. The sky is the limit.
The automotive industry in recent years has seen big changes. BMWs have become so sophisticated you could say they are computers on wheels. And they keep evolving, month by month and day by day. Specialized tools like these might be a necessity at this point. I think it's the same for those of us who work on cars. The mechanics of yesterday, who relied solely on instinct and experience, may no longer be enough.
Studying hard for certification
My major goal after rejoining BMW was to become a BMW Meister as quickly as possible. When I left the first time I had already reached Senior Technician. If I was going to come back, I knew I had to prove myself. I had already undergone nearly all the training required to be allowed to take the Meister exam. All that was left was to see how far I could improve by studying on my own. I studied like mad, pouring over any documentation for new vehicles and practicing on past exam questions. I wasn't sure what the practical test would be like so it was difficult to know how to prepare, but I set up problems with vehicles to practice on based on past questions and had Meisters from other shops create questions for me that they thought might come up.
The night before my exam I was so nervous that I barely slept, but I passed with flying colors. That was three years after rejoining the company. The road may not have been easy, but the practical knowledge and expertise I gained still helps me every day in my work.
The responsibility and reward of being a Meister
I'm currently a Workshop Manager. In addition to working on cars directly, I also oversee four other members. I'm constantly aware of the great responsibility that comes with being a BMW Meister. Meister is the highest certification available to BMW technicians. If I can't fix it, that means no one can. That maybe BMW can't. It's important to keep that in my mind. I have to be the last line of defence when a problem arises that other staff can't solve.
Sometimes this involves really challenging problems, for instance where there's clearly a malfunction but the tester doesn't detect anything and there's no fault history. When the tester says that there's no problem it's tempting to throw up your hands in defeat, but I never want to say I don't know, or I can't. You have to take it slow and steady and narrow down the possibilities, for instance by checking sensors one by one for abnormal values. It's an amazing feeling, as well as a relief, when you finally pin down the cause, replace that bad part, and successfully repair the vehicle.
Constantly acquiring new skills and knowledge
BMW Group technicians aren't required to interact with customers. Instead we interact with vehicles, and can focus on repairs. Ultimately, however, there is always a customer behind the vehicle. We can't deliver satisfaction unless we keep that customer in mind and go the extra step further. I always want to get to the bottom of issues the customers are experiencing and deliver even more than is expected. That's why we can't rest on our laurels. As BMW continue to evolve, technicians need to acquire new knowledge and continuously polish our skills. I've seen how other Meisters who were certified before me continue to practice and study even after they acquired certification.
Once per year a Meisters-only skill competition is held, and one of my goals in the future is to take first place at the competition one day. An e-Meister system has also been set up in recent years to address electrified models, and I think it is important that I challenge myself to acquire that certification as well. I want to remain a technician who is ready to answer any question on the spot, and who can live up to customer expectation.
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