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  #1  
Old 04-08-2006, 11:58 AM
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Techs. What is favorite Benz to work on.

Everybody is different, but I really think the most tech friendly car hands down is the 210 E-class from 1996-to 2002.

Very simple vehicle and tech friendly.

Maybe because the car had so many little problems and it was the always in the shop for one reason or another thus allowing the techs to know the car like his girlfriends backside, possibly, but nonetheless easy to work on, and most of the jobs paid relatively decent on flat rate.
I used to love knocking out those dashboards especially when the customer was watching through the window while his car was being torn apart, and then being amazed that it all went back together without a scratch or problem.

Also the 202 C-class, 140 s-class, ML's, 220 S-class, although the S-class was relatively simple to work on at times, It was frustrating as to how many of them came in the shop for micro switch problems on the seats, and for broken junky plastic parts on the interior and crappy window problems.

I really think the interiors of the S-class 220 bodies are absolute junk.
I can't count how many ticked off customers came in to get their junky plastic seat panels replaced because they cracked every time the customer shiftet his/her weight getting in and out of the car, very lame.

I think they are just installing way too many creature comforts on theese new vehicles, thus just creating the opportunity for more crap to break.
I think that the 220 S-class cars are one of the worst vehicles to work on due to the many small little things that go wrong that just don't pay much to fix under warranty.

I really feel for the techs nowdays due to so many of the cuts in the flat rate times.
When I worked at the dealership, it was nothing to turn 100 plus hours in the shop, now it's almost like working for the gestapo when it comes to fixing a car, theese guys are having a good week if they can just turn 40+ hours.

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  #2  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:03 PM
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How many hours did you say were in that week?

I like working on all MBs. Due to my age, I don't do much bolt turning anymore, so my best work is thinking work. That means usually getting newer models.
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  #3  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:08 PM
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Flat rate hours.
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  #4  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:10 PM
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Flat rate or flat rape.
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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
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  #5  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:15 PM
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What are you talking about?

flat rate can go two ways, you can work on a vehicle for twelve hours and only get paid for three because that's what the op codes add up to,

Or you can work on the car for three hours and get paid for six. Depending on how proficient you are it can be rewarding or upsetting.

Now days alot of the op codes for the techs are more upsetting than not.

Last edited by cudaspaz; 04-08-2006 at 12:30 PM.
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  #6  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:25 PM
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You are talking on a site where there are more buyers of hours than sellers.

I asked how many hours were in that 100 hour week as there are also accountants in the crowd who might be interested. Flat rape is a industry joke used mostly by sellers of hours to express the inherent inequity of the system. Do you know any technically sophisticated job where there is such an incentive to do poor work? (Other than auto repair.) Would you like you next airplane ride to be on a plane serviced by a flat rape technician?

One, buying a week of your time, just might ask how many hours are in that week.
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  #7  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:36 PM
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Well, unfortunately that joke you refer to as flat rate is a reality for many technicians who bust their asses day in and day out and usually end up working more hours in the week than they get paid for.

So unless your pay is based on flat rate, I don't see your point of ridicule unless you are there personally.

you also said it's an incentive to do poor work, not!
dealerships have quality control, and if the work is not done properly, you get a chance to do it right, thus an incentive to do proficient work.
It's a rat race, and that's the reason why i got disgusted with flat rate, i just feel bad for the guys who lose beause of it. that's all.
You are right in your disgust with flat rate, I do agree with that.
I would much rather be an hourly tech especially when the hours do not jive with the amount worked.
I got tired of it all and decided to go the entreprenurial route and started my own business where I set the price, usually the best in town, and i do the work, and I don't answer to anybody but the customer, I am my own quality control and i go out of my way to do the work properly without having to race the clock or answer to a sniveling time flagger.

I seemed to have touched a nerve, sorry.
So can we get back to the original intent of this post directed to technicians and their favorite cars to work on, or should we discuss flat rate a little more?

Last edited by cudaspaz; 04-08-2006 at 12:55 PM.
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  #8  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cudaspaz
Well, unfortunately that joke you refer to as flat rate is a reality for many technicians who bust their asses day in and day out and usually end up working more hours in the week than they get paid for.

Just like the airline technician, an automotive technician should be paid for the time he works. The better he is the more it should be. Flat rate is the reason toolboxes have wheels.
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  #9  
Old 04-08-2006, 12:57 PM
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Could not agree with you more Steve.

Can we be friends now?
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  #10  
Old 04-08-2006, 01:02 PM
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But, of course. I enjoy nothing better than a lively discussion amongst friends.
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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
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33 years MB technician
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  #11  
Old 04-08-2006, 01:06 PM
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Gets the blood flowing a little better.

Talk later, just got a breakdown downtown, alternator went on a 210 car, see what I mean about w210's.
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  #12  
Old 04-08-2006, 03:17 PM
Dan Rotigel
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Lots of different ways to 'like' something! I'd guess steve likes the challenge, but I bet alot comes down to familarity, followed by simplicity of design and then things like general condition of the car, what type of customer, etc. I don't think any mechanic would like doing work on a junker of a car for a customer who won't be satisified anyhow.

cheers,
dan r.

(computer tech, not car tech)
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  #13  
Old 04-08-2006, 07:00 PM
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When all else fails, I love to work on blown 426 hemi motors and other big block motors for my mopars, although I am building a 413 hemi small block out of an unmolested 360 engine for my 67 barracuda, 625 horse small block on pump gas, now that's a motor.

See some of my project cars on my website under photo albums.

I still love Daimler chryslers rendition of the new challenger and i will own one, but i hate the idea of the 4-door charger.

man, this posts original intention went out the window a long time ago Ha, ha.

link.
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  #14  
Old 04-09-2006, 10:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cudaspaz
man, this posts original intention went out the window a long time ago
And it was an interesting start - what models do techs really like working on?
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  #15  
Old 04-09-2006, 10:59 AM
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my favorite part was the "that's why toolboxes have wheels". although i didnt understand exactly what was meant by it.

ineresting discussion among professional fixers.

tom w

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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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