whats up everyone. i came across this site hoping to talk to a few mercedes technicians. i'm about to finish school (12 month program, 1300 hours of training) and i wanted to know if going into the ELITE program was worth it.

So far i've done pretty good (at least i think so) with honors and perfect attendance awards in all 4 modules, so i can pretty much go work wherever i want. I've been thinking about going to the elite program for quite a while, and i just wanted to talk to a few tech's who have been through it so i know what to expect if i do apply. any positive (or negative) comments would help out. Thanks alot, and i hope i end up posting here alot more! thanks guys.


ps i know this might not be the right forum for this post, but it looks like this one gets the most traffic so i figured i'd give it a shot

Pete
Welcome to MercedesShop, I sent you an email......

Gilly

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thanks gilly

is there any way to gain access to the tech only forum? i figure they're the ones that could answer my questions the best. thanks

TurboPete: I don't know a thing about the "Elite" program but I can tell you you will never regret to have decided to learned as much as you can about something you want to do for many years to come.
Education and knowledge is like money in your pocket....you'll never have too much of.
Good luck
JackD

The ELITE program is a mercedes benz specific 16 week training program for people who've gone to a school like mine. Most car manufactuers have them. Audi/vw, jag, bmw, etc. The one that interested me the most was Mercedes so i've been thinking about goin pretty much since i started school last april. I graduate at the beginning of this april.

And in order to graduate, a 40 hour work week at the dealer/shop of our choice (unpaid unfourtunatly) is mandatory. Theres a rather large MB dealer here in hartford, CT called New Country Mercedes Benz. Maybe some people on here are familiar with it.

I've heard very little about the program, but from what i understand you're issued 23 3-inch binders of information doesn't scare me though looking forward to more comments. thanks guys

Pete:
I don't think the Tech Only forum will help you much. You'd need to contact the Webmaster to get access to it though, if you want to try.
I did email those 2 guys, with the request that they post a message here or email you directly. It's Saturday night though, so have patience....

Gilly

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*bump*

hey pete... i've gone through the elite program and have been in the MB field for 2 years now.
i'm not sure what you mean by a mandatory unpaid 40 hour week at a dealer though, because i never did that and as far as i know you don't have to do that still. In fact it was against the rules just to contact an MB dealer when you were in the school (until the last couple weeks when you send out resume's etc)
but anyway to your question... if you want to get started in an MB career with all the technology out, imo the elite program is the way to go. BUT, that's not to say i think the program is all hunky doory. the program is what YOU take from it. We've had a guy get hired from the program, he lasted about a month before getting fired, he was just awful. and when i go to the update tech training, i talk to alot of guys and there are alot that have horrible experiences with elite grads. You have to be ready to learn alot more when you first start at the dealer, it'll probably be overwhelming at first but you'll get into the swing of things after a while.
the elite program teaches you the basics... it teaches you how most of the major systems work, teaches you how to operate the diagnostic equipment, and teaches you the manuals, online stuff etc.
I worked in an independent shop before going to elite... i was pretty comfortable there, did pretty good and made good money too. But i'll admit, it would've been a huge jump to go from that straight into a MB dealer. that's where the elite program helps.

i'm kinda rambling... but i hope this might have helped a little. and if you have more questions just ask.

ps- i don't know if you've ever worked at a shop before or not??? if not i'd really recomend at least a part time job in a shop beforehand. and start buying tools now, but don't waste your moeny on dumb stuff either, get things you'll actually use. example, we have this new elite grad, been working with us for about 6 months. he doesn't have crap for tools. And it's because he wastes his money on stuff like a 400 dollar electronic snapon torque wrench. while in the meantime he doesn't even have any hex sockets, air ratchet, etc. moral of the story, he could have got a cheaper torque wrench, and with the money left over he could have got alot of necessary stuff he doesn't have.

cool thanks mnstang for the info.

The 40 hour work week that i was talking about was a requirement to graduate from the tech school i am currently attending. I graduate the first week of april, and the following week is the one where we need to get a place to work. Its pretty easy to get in wherever you want just becuase the woman in charge of all the career stuff makes all the calls

I cant wait to finish...the last few weeks have been flying by. actually now that i think about it, there are only 4 weeks left before i graduate. Gotta have a rough draft of my resume and cover letter in by tuesday so i should get moving on that...havent started! haha

Its funny that u mentioned that the program is only what YOU get from it. The other mercedes elite tech that i talked to said the same exact thing. I know its pretty much true with whatever goal you set out to do, but i've had that attitude since i started school last april and its worked great for me.

btw: which location did you go to? i'm planning on going to the one in orlando, florida. and did you find your own place or did u get help from them? u can email me if u want:

TmGreen01@aol.com

email sent

happy now gilly??? :p

Yup, thanks much for your input!

Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)