I believe BMW is one of the few family owned car makers left with the controlling interest held by the Quandt family.

Volkswagen does not, BMW does.

Looks like a Honda Ridgeline.

Or perhaps round up the offenders' whole family, revoke their citizenship or legal status and deport them all. The family might pay more attention if they knew there were repercussions to thier family members' actions.

Perhaps encourage grandson to attend an accredited automotive school, Lincoln Tech, UTI, if he is interested it won't be hard for him and if he does well, he can get into the manufacturer's training. He still will have to be taught how to fix cars when he starts working, but he will have a leg up on the rest. I find younger guys have a much better understanding of electronic and computer systems than those of us who started in the points and condenser days.

Yep. It all looks so easy on TV. I know what you mean, I bought my house 20 some odd years ago and there was an article in the paper that said house prices here have gone up 34% in the last two years. I would make a lot of money if I sell, but couldn't afford to buy another here and will have to move somewhere cheaper.

Sounds like you run a good shop that some enterprising young guy should buy you out and take over. We have the same problem here in Co. We have a few guys who come looking for work and when they hear how much it costs to live here, they just can't make it on $25/hr to start where the median house price is $625,000.

True that! I wish I got 50% of the $140/hr we charge! We all in the shop hover around 20%.

I have known some very good mechanics in the past who did not go to any school much if at all and one who could only write his first name. They would be hopelessly lost in today's repair shop with all the electronics on cars, online training, repair instructions and electronic repair orders. Also, automotive school is the only avenue to get manufacturer training.

All true. We call it 'flat rate'. It is a double edged sword, if you are good at what you do, you can make good money, if you are not, well... Don't forger the support staff, service writers, lot techs, wash people, receptionist, appointment scheduler, janitor and service manager all have to be paid out of that $120/hr.

True. I have seen the results of some of these cut rate shops and I certainly wouldn't want them working my brakes. Where I work, we know we are expensive, but we guarantee parts and labor for two years. I recommend always doing business with a reputable shop.

I have never seen a shop that supplies tools other than brand specific factory tools. It can be a huge expense, but most of us accumulate over several years.

I have been a professional auto technician for 18 years and can't think of a better return on investment as far as schooling is concerned. I went to school for 18 months, the cost was under $20,000, and was making over $40,000 my first year out. As Gary Uyematsu said in the article, you must have some natural mechanical ability (Yes, I know Mr. Uyematsu personally, there is a smart cookie!) I work at a dealership and we are always booked 2 to 3 weeks out just because we are swamped with work. Good techs can command around $35/hour in my area. We are actively looking and can't find qualified people.

Yep, did the same here but added a $10 on air antenna. At last count, we get 36 channels for free and don't miss cable at all.

Both. The negative was overexposed a bit, that part was bright sunlight, obviously there was not enough information in the negative to bring it back. My scanner isn't the best, but this is my favorite section of UHH and thought I should contribute. I don't think there is ever a perfect picture, I still like it though.