What do you do for a living?... [Archive] - BMW E9 Coupe Discussion Forum

dang

07-25-2006, 08:31 PM

This hasn't been talked about in a while so I figured I'd bring it up again...

Let us know what you do for a living!

I'll start. I quit HP about a year ago after 22 years. I worked as a Mechanic Designer for JetDirect network products and high-end printers. Now I work two part-time jobs with plans to be full-time with one of them sometime soon. My small business is selling used collision repair parts out of a tiny shop in the Sacramento area (antelopeauto.com). I put in about 12-15 hours a week and it puts food on the table, with the occasional steak. My other job is working with the owner of a dismantling yard to start a new business. We're designing, building and repairing off-road and sand buggies, also known as sandrails. We're in the middle of putting up a 4400sqft building to run the business out of and are hoping to be operational this Fall. I'll update here if anyone is interested...

I was offered a job at HP a few months ago but have decided I like getting my hands dirty and building things better than sitting in a cubicle all day, even when its 113 degrees out!!! 8-)

Besides always having at least one car project going, about 15 years ago I was part owner in a BMW repair shop here in the Sacramento area. Ran it for three years and decided it wasn't for me. Learned a great deal though and don't regret the late night wrenching. Managed to run in a local Mini Stock stock car series in a BMW 2002 while I had the shop. Great memories!

Dan

x_atlas0

07-31-2006, 08:24 AM

Student at GaTech (aka the epicenter of hell) and a designer of power distrobution systems. I essentially design power poles and the network they are connected to. Not what I want to do, but it pays the bills. (And Tech bills are pretty dang heavy)

vraned

08-06-2006, 02:57 AM

Fluid Dynamicist, BD Biosciences. Also a Georgia Tech Alum, '96 (PhD, ME): Hell - Women = Tech.

08-06-2006, 04:13 PM

Stonemason,
you can see our work at www.santacruzpavers.com . We install cobblestone driveways, patios, pooldecks. I am a third generation mason trained in the UK under the City & Guilds apprenticeship program.
Now located in Santa Cruz ,Ca. We cove a territory from Saratoga down to Carmel Highlands .
I love what I do , and it helps pay the bills on my Coupe and soon o be 2002 racer.

Take care

PJ

racerxx

08-24-2006, 12:38 PM

It is interesting to see the background of others from this forum. I perused a few profiles and was quite impressed with the company I keep.

As for myself, I'm a mechanical design engineer in the Aerospace industry since 1984. I have worked for Boeing (747 & 777), Lockheed Martin (F-22 Raptor), Northrup/Grumman (E-2C Hawkeye), Bombardier in Montreal (CRJ-70 and F/A-18C Hornet), Sikorsky Aircraft (Commanche, Blackhawk, etc.)

My wife who shares my interest in my coupe, but not all of my car endeavors, is a dentist. She has a 325xi and wants a Porsche Boxster as soon as I teach her to drive a standard (and the kids grow up).

John Raho
Westport, Connecticut

steve in reno

08-28-2006, 04:17 PM

I was a nurse for over 20 years. Ped's and newborn ICU, specialty.
I now own a plumbing and remodeling company in Reno, Nv.
My passion is hang gliding, and I spend way to much time chasing the wind.
I save my winters for skiing and working on my 2800 cs, which is when work is slower.
I love what I do and answer to no one, other than my wife, of course. I put her through nursing school and quit nursing the year she graduated.
One of us has a full time job, and I'm glad it's not me!!!!

marc

08-29-2006, 11:29 PM

I`m Aviculturalist , I breed endangered spices of Parrots and also run a specialist incubation consultancy mainly working for zoos and institutions and work world wide.
I also own a company called Natural stone imports Ltd, and we import marble and granite from India and china for the building trades.
I also own a company called Iconic Drives , we install granite cobbled drives and patios.
I also own a Limo hire company based in London working for mainly corporate customers from America.
I also own a company called Iconic Cars, we mainly do wedding car hire in lincolnshire.
I`ve also just gone into the holiday cottage market, letting out our holiday cottage in Cornwall to American tourists complete with a classic car and so far its going well with 50% of next year booked up. The old MG is what they all seem to want to drive for the week when they visit the 53 rd state

racerxx

08-30-2006, 06:32 AM

What Are the 51st and 52nd States?

marc

08-30-2006, 09:35 AM

Wales and scotland.

soxrus

09-04-2006, 04:28 PM

Manufacture socks (SOX).... Yes there is actually some textiles left in the US ..... "Corporate America" has not yet put the death nail in "good old customer service"

Be safe all, Jimmy

velocewest

09-04-2006, 09:40 PM

Manufacture socks (SOX).... Yes there is actually some textiles left in the US ..... "Corporate America" has not yet put the death nail in "good old customer service"

Be safe all, Jimmy

I'm in the apparel industry too, been kicking around since Jimmy wasn't the only manufacturer left in the US. I've worked for Nike, Nordstrom, adidas, VF and currently Columbia Sportswear, generally doing some kind of sourcing or production management. Focusing more on footwear now, and on upstream materials and trim sourcing.

Sooner

09-05-2006, 08:14 AM

Ok, I have a chemical manufacturing business, for the oil and gas industry and environmental. I also spend some time each day at the American Amateur Baseball Congress national office, and then do real estate development on the side. When there is time, on to the Bimmers and fun.

jhjacobs

09-05-2006, 05:10 PM

Great diversity! I wish I were are GaTech alum but I could only afford the first two years. I wound up with an EE dregree from the University of TN. I worked as an import mechanic to pay the bills while in school.

I spent my early career building crypto equipment for unmentionable customers and in laters years migrated to the dark side; high-tech product sales. I've worked through four start-up companies that have gone through acquistion; my most recent was about 2 months ago. This was a wireless networking company.

When I grow up I hope to waste more of my time and money with old BMW's.

Malc

09-06-2006, 12:33 AM

I work as a development engineer in the Oil industry for a small (ish) service company providing equipment to drill holes in the ground !
Often drags me away from home to run new tools and break them. :P
Malc

vraned

09-06-2006, 08:32 AM

If I had to pay for GaTech, I wouldn't /couldn't have gone. Thank goodness for the indentured servitude of graduate school. Other e9-group coincidences: (1) first BS in Textile Technology, from Southeastern Mass University (now Umass Dartmouth); (2) payed last two years of undergrad wrenching for a professor who owned a fleet of decrepit Porsches. This might be a reach, but anyone else out there do time as a municipal garbage collector or waiter? (first six years of undergrad)

David

09-10-2006, 07:20 PM

Interesting how may engineers. Add another, BSAE. Now working in the ISP/Telecommunications industry.

blumax

09-11-2006, 12:20 PM

Some old guys have to cover a lot of miles to find their true calling:

Country boy--Midwest--MBA--commissioned Naval Officer upon grad from Navy OCS--Korean War--3 tours on "fightenist ship during K"--followed by Naval Aviation spanning 20+ years with variety of command experiences around US--Retired U.S. Navy Captain

Concurrent careers--Seven years US auto industry--Chrysler-last two as Admin Asst to Director-Mfg Engrg Car & Truck Assembly Group.
Twenty years as professional--Insurance and Financial Planning fields--led me to my true career as an incurable entreprenuer.

Past twenty five years have engaged in forming, funding and aiding development of several technology driven start-ups and early stage companies in So Cal--many engineers, scientists and patent lawyers as teachers--now when most guys my age have retired--are playing golf or pushing up daisies--I choose to remain actively involved in an emerging Co. three of us formed 6 years ago--to develop a patented piece of new marine equipment--soon to be mandated for all ships of commerce--the Ballast Water Treatment System--designed to abate further spread of aquatic invasive species globally--day after tomorrow in SF Bay area--Alameda CA to test the pre-production system in 3rd different marine environment--if results equal the two prior--ours will be first system to meet or exceed global standards in Western US--and have the lowest cost for any system seeking certification.

No future plan to sell BLUMAX--but have errands today--and will give him some exercize

decoupe

10-12-2006, 12:30 PM

Canadian Airforce brat that was once posted to LA (Pacific Palisades) - Disneyland had just opened. Great place to be a 10 year old.

Started out in Hons.Sci. and ended up as a Landscape Architect. That morphed into designing and building houses and have ended up spending the last 16 years as a Developer in a recreation market one hour west of Calgary, AB (like Denver but an totally gas/oil based economy). Have a big project in the oilsands area. Fort McMurray = Saudi reserves.

Worked for two years on the '88 Calgary Winter Olympics. Rode the NBC bobsleigh camara sled at 128kmph - wow!!!! Plan to volunteer for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics ski race technicals.

Late arrival to the BMW ownership world after living vicariously through 30 years of car mags. Wife doesn't really "get cars" but has agreed to a pretty healthy annual budget to finance my obsession. Trying hard to spend to the max.

Thanks for all of the advice and entertainment.

Doug

Pierrot Azul 73

10-23-2006, 04:05 PM

Urologist in a small hospital in Lisbon, Portugal.

BarryG

11-15-2006, 10:07 AM

One word.....Retired

piezopaul

12-02-2006, 10:43 AM

ER Doc in Winston-Salem NC :D

LenS

12-08-2006, 01:43 PM

Industrial designer by schooling because I fell in love with Ferraris (and other beautiful cars) at an early age, but I've been designing interpretive history and science exhibits for museums for the last 23 years.

Stan

12-12-2006, 04:52 PM

Pharmacist - Northeastern Uinversity

Senior VP Clinical Operations for a niche business specializing in IV antibiotic therapy for patients diagnosed with Lyme disease.

25+ years in home IV therapy

BlauMitWeiss

12-16-2006, 07:17 AM

As you notice, this is my second post...

My first career was as an electrician, through the apprenticeship program, worked on every thing from new residential to nuclear reactors.(18 years)
Second career was the eng school thing in electrical,(5 years) third was the actual employment in engineering design with cad backup.(5 years)
Have now moved into Program & Project managment with a leaning to the highly technical project and research facility. (its good to be a hard as nails geek with an automotive petina)(3 years), much to learn.....

Career Highlight: A family owned company recently bought a family owned company and was/is expanding....dropped my resume in and the flew me to frankfurt, then zurich and drove to hinwil where the operation is, the interview was excellent, but at the end of the day(figurative) they hired a german, working for the competition in Koln. (language and location were the main concerns), but man, what a ride......

I have owned and driven BumDoubleYou's since before they were cool, the first being a '71 2002, (this is a long list)

I now have:
'73 2002 (soon to be tomato cans)
'72 Tii Driver
'73 Tii Project
'72 3.0 CS (wifes)
'87 535i Exclusive Edition, Individual (E28) Auto.......bummer....!

B...M..W....

BonitaCS

01-02-2007, 07:56 PM

I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Chico State and yes it is a party school but aren’t they all! I've been in aerospace since graduating and I've designed lots of cool stuff for the A330, A340 and the 737. I lived in France for over a year and was a flight test engineer for the A330. I've also designed composite satellite bus structures and have stuff up in orbit right now. Currently I'm the chief engineer for a UAV program. I was the program manager for another UAV program where we were using an EFI 36 hp Wankel rotary engine detuned to run on jet a fuel and had the opportunity to learn a lot about fuel injection. There is a lot of gratification seeing your designs coming to life and I love doing design work but I don't care for being a manager. I was thinking of starting my own business doing rapid prototyping but don't have the guts to take that initial step. This board rocks!

Stan

01-03-2007, 02:01 PM

Senior VP of a specialty pharmacy providing home IV antibiotic therapy for patients diagnosed with Lyme disease.

www.qmedrx.com

hyochem

01-12-2007, 03:08 PM

in the process of becoming a proffesional racecar driver... race a SPEC7 on the regional level, go to university of colorado at colorado springs, work at U-haul and Masterdrive which is a new type of driver's ed that teaches car control and accident avoidence in maneuvers like the slalom, threshol braking excercises, emergency lane change, turn and brake, skids, all kinds of cool stuff. over the summers and the break i sell cars but i hold the other two jobs while going to UCCS full time to get my business degree to prepare me for the corporate side of racing.

Paul Brounstein

01-17-2007, 02:23 PM

I've been retired since 05, prior was in retailing for more than 40yrs
35 of which were with the same company. We had a couple of art material stores here in L.A. which made for some unusual customers.
Never attended college, went straight from U.S.Army to work.
Owned all sorts of interesting cars over the yrs.
currently
'72 CSi
'86 MBZ 300e 5 speed (fewer than 300 ordered)
'87 MBZ 300e (beater) w/my daughter
'06 MBZ E350 (keep wife happy)
'94 Toyota 4 runner w/other daughter

A great informative board,

Paul Brounstein

cdk2921

03-08-2007, 01:37 AM

I have worked at Fantasy Junction in Emeryville, Ca, since 2001. I'm in charge of all things shiny. I also update the website daily and keep the office in order.
I'm apart of the Fantasy Junction Racing Team, and often find myself behind the wheel of our Acura Integra Touring Car and our Spec Miata racecars.
I'm in school full time as well and working towards my degree in Communications.

hdx 120

03-08-2007, 12:07 PM

We are a surfboard mfg using a cnc machine,kevlar,carbonfiber and spectra. We have diversified and now make wings for bullet motor sportsout of what we have learned off surfboards, We have been at it science 1996,its a job and a fun one late gonz

BlauMitWeiss

03-12-2007, 05:54 PM

hdx 120, maybe you should use your skills(and tools) to fashion Carbon Fibre M30 valve covers and what nots.

Who among you/us did the E9 dash in carbon fibre?

BlauMitWeiss

03-12-2007, 06:09 PM

....got it, its corsachili (does that mean hot/spicy race track?)
TJ is the gent with the carbon fibre dash inserts.

PaulinPa

03-25-2007, 04:21 PM

Line operator in a Kelloggs cereal plant.

marc

03-25-2007, 11:42 PM

I retire on the 1 st of April at the grand old age of 42. Sold all my business interests to a management buy out and going to spend my time watching the kids grow up and playing with my old cars.
marc

petert

03-26-2007, 07:47 PM

real estate investor and author.

Vroomer

03-27-2007, 07:27 AM

changing jobs in May. 8) :D

HERE/THERE

07-04-2007, 06:10 PM

I am a Nuclear Power Plant Inspector. I watch all the work that is related to the reactor primary system. Nice work when you can get it! I have a 71 CSI and will like to trade for a TR 4 thru 6. Any takers? Beau

ken Sagan

08-07-2007, 04:45 PM

I work in the residential housing industry. Recently designed and built the most energy effiient home in Pa as defined by a Penn State thesis. My expertise is codes and building standards and am going to Washington DC to further this endevour. My home has ben featured on HGTV Pro and subject of discussion at the first Green Building Conference in Atlanta. I team taught an Architectural Engineering class at the local university. I taught the MEP or mechanical, electrical and plumbing portion of the course. Trained most code officials in this state on the new building codes and train nationwide. Very interested in energy conservation in the residential home industry and do consulting in these areas. I am also a Licensed Master Plumber & Heating, by trade, with a BS and working to complete my Masters.

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/di_green_sustainable/article/0,2618,HPRO_20616_3610459,00.html?vid=5002

jhjacobs

08-17-2007, 06:47 PM

I work in the residential housing industry...I am also a Licensed Master Plumber
Ken - very interesting. As an off topic discussion, I figure you might appreciate the shower I recently built. I was looking for a vertical spa but I was outraged at the cost of fixtures and limits on sizes with standard systems. As a result, I decided to build a complete custom vertical spa using "industrial" plumbing mounted on the surface of 100% granite walls. With 3/4" pipes and a high-flow thermostatic regulator I can move some water. While it is not energy efficient, reguires two 75 gallon water heaters, and a drain pump, it will get you wet in every direction at once very effectively. On the system I have: 1 rain head, 1 standard shower head, 1 rotating shower head, 1 wand, and 1 dual head side spay zones. I also added a bucket filling zone for convenience. A few photos for everyones amusement:

From the door:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/jhjacobs/Side1.jpg
Main control console:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/jhjacobs/Face1.jpg
Main zone:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/jhjacobs/Zone1.jpg
Typical side zone:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/jhjacobs/Zone2.jpg
Even a towel rack:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/jhjacobs/Rack1.jpg

steve in reno

08-22-2007, 08:27 AM

JJ
I have to ask.
What the hell were you thinking?
As a licensed plumber, it appears that somone learned how to solder and went off of the deep end. Or had a Jagermeister moment.
3 seperate anti-hammer devices and all of your work.
Have you added a sunroof to your coupes engine compartment also. Make sure that you run the drain tubes to the radiator tank.
steve in reno

decoupe

08-22-2007, 12:19 PM

Can you show me this in Pex pipe (post modern look)? Or lead (retro look)?

jhjacobs

08-22-2007, 05:20 PM

What can I say? It just sort of came to me. :roll:

BYW, no lead - all antimony based solder. My only disappointment is that I couldn't find one of the little windowed flow indicator devices to install (like on the old gas pumps).

John H.

12-20-2007, 04:53 PM

I work as a Production Designer for national TV commercials. That entails meeting up with the director and visualizing the sets to be built, props to be rented, etc. that are incorporated in the commercial. Then we build it all. Been at it here in LA for 14 years before which I worked on the other end of the commercial business as a copywriter for a couple of ad agencies.

A 2002 was my first car, and I have had more than I want to count. Merdad sold me my first E9, an atlantic blue 2800, which I promptly sold to a friend after picking up my current chamonix 3.0.

Love this board and am amazed by the calibre of members and the help that is offered through these boards.

Jonathan

12-26-2007, 09:43 PM

I own Varsity Athletic Apparel which is a company I started out of my dorm room in College in 1992. We sell vintage varsity awards clothing (like varsity letter sweaters, letterman jackets...) to colleges and high schools in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. The website is varsityclothing.com. I'm up for designing an E9 vintage varsity letterman jacket and would sell to the group at cost. We could make a neat retro look to the jacket with the E9 Driven badge on the front left chest and perhaps the backside could have a silhouette to resemble the same CSL front fender shot on the cover of the 2008 calender. Let me know if there is any interest.

As many of you have said, I love the diversity of this crowd! From Docs. to engineers to race-car-drivers-in-training. And it is this very diversity that brings us together and enhances our mutual passion for this 70's icon when we log on to this site, eager to read the latest E9 threads...

-Jonathan

blumax

12-26-2007, 10:29 PM

I like your idea!!

perhaps one in dark blue with tan sleeves (or similar combo) in a medium, not too heavy-weight as there are a number of us living in milder climes--some random thoughts--perhaps with a touch of Bavarian color on the back of the jacket--and perhaps we could get the OK to use the official roundel in conjunction with the featured photo.

Orangener

12-27-2007, 01:57 AM

I am mechanical engineer. I work i a small company with only two employees, my chef , an unskilled worker and me. I´m now in this job for 17years. I do grinding, milling, turning, programming of my CNC-Machines....... we mostly do crossheads for cable-extrusion.

www.rammer.at

Malc

12-27-2007, 06:06 AM

Well just in the process of changing my job after 6 years, Got bored!
Now going to do high end R&DE but still in the oil industry. Geologist by schooling but drited into the engineering/design side years ago

BTW 53rd state is Yorkshire where I am originally from! :lol:
Malc

m_thompson

12-27-2007, 07:23 AM

You can add yet another engineer. I am the Principal Engineer for Pentair Electronic Packaging. The company makes industrial computer chassis and 19" equipment cabinets. I do chassis management firmware and advise the other electrical, electronic, and mechanical engineers.

jhjacobs

12-27-2007, 08:43 AM

Hey Malc, although my ancestry is mostly German, my Great Great Great Grandfather Jacobs came to the US from Yorkshire! Maybe we're related.

- an engineer by education (GA Tech / Univ. of TN), snake oil salesman by practice.

Malc

12-27-2007, 09:17 AM

JJ
Do you know where about's in Yorkshire he came from?
Malc

jhjacobs

12-27-2007, 12:04 PM

where about's in Yorkshire
Not exactly but it is just to the north of York. My parents and I went there in 1973 and found the old local church and looked up records. We found a relative still living in the area and stopped by for a visit (they were shocked but invited us in for tea anyway). I'll check with my father who'll probably remember the details.

Malc

12-28-2007, 12:04 PM

JJ,
Cool!
Let me know what your Dad remembers
Cheers
Malc

jhjacobs

12-28-2007, 01:59 PM

Malc - According to my father the majority of my ancestors from Yorkshire are named Hodson and Cooper. They came from the towns of Fimber & Westow.

psychrunner

12-28-2007, 05:10 PM

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Chesapeake, VA.
Tell me how driving your e9 makes you feel. Hmmm, very interesting.
psychrunner

jhjacobs

12-28-2007, 05:44 PM

Psych,

You don't see E9's in psychologists parking lots just like you don't see Harley's.
However, I am thinking about having my wife committed because she thinks I am nuts! :twisted:

psychrunner

12-28-2007, 05:50 PM

John,
I'm beginning to think I need to commit myself based on my obsession and money spent on this car. My wife definitely thinks I need some "time away".
psychrunner

jhjacobs

12-28-2007, 06:43 PM

That's precisely why I am thinking of having my wife put away; I find it unfathomable that she doesn't appreciate my coupe and coupe related behaviors. I feel fine, there must be something wrong with her! :roll:

psychrunner

12-29-2007, 01:20 PM

John,
You just gave me an idea. I will start a support group for wives of e9 owners. The group will undoubtedly need to be held indefinitely.
Thanks
Randy

jhjacobs

12-29-2007, 07:50 PM

I would prefer to see a brainwashing program to help them see the light! :P

Malc

12-30-2007, 03:42 AM

Psychrunner,
This is scary Mr Malc works as a Art Therapist in Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen in the theraputic community.
She has tried to "cure" me of ESS (Excessive Shed Syndrome) but has realised there is no hope! :lol:
JJ
I know the area where your relatives come from. In fact I helped to drill a gas well nearby (Malton) about 7 years ago.
Malc

Daxklynsmith

12-31-2007, 12:46 PM

Pshychrunner, is your passenger seat a couch??
I'm also amazed at the depth of friendship and talent on this board.
I tend to monitor a lot of discussion boards and this is the ONLY one that never seems to have personal attacks or major bitchiness.
I'm trying to remember but I think this is the 8th year I've been reading this board at least twice a week??
What was that about obsession??
In my fully lived, minimal regrets life there are some bits of paper that cost a lot of waitering, Bar-tending ,Ambulance driving, all at night and holidays , they also included an education in drinking, carousing , partying and a lot of grey hairs for the fathers of a lot of young ladies.
The most accurate description of what I do and love is that I'm a salesman, it took me 9 years of my life in Advertising to realise that,
I have had and an absolute ball for the past 32 years finding niche markets and products to serve those markets .The latest was 3 years ago when I moved my family from South Africa to Ireland and restarted afresh.
I was determined to fund everything I did without cashing in any of my investments in Africa and so far so good!!
There's bread in the bread tin, the occassional bottle of jam, an E9 in the garage , lots of toys, lots of new tools.

My new project is to increase global warming in Ireland and to this end I am concentrating on releasing any stray CFC's I can find and burning as much rubber as there is available.
It's a big project to get Ireland to be sub-tropical but anything is possible! right?? Right??

jhjacobs

12-31-2007, 02:29 PM

Daxklynsmith - Your post reminded me of a cartoon I saw recently showing two women and one was saying "I hate to admit it but men with a big carbon footprint make me hot!"

germanbodyman

04-15-2008, 03:30 PM

I grew up in a small town along the Rhine river in Germany. My family owned a nursery were all the family members were involved. At age 11 my uncle taught me stick welding, when I was 13 I built my first 50 cc go kart. I always helped my older brother when he worked on his cars. In high school we ha a "practicum" program and I spend 2 weeks at a Ford dealership with the automotive mechanics. Even 20 years ago the automotive mechanics didn't repair a lot of parts, most items were replaced. That was not what I wanted to do.
So I did an apprenticeship as a collision repair technician. After the apprenticeship I did 4 years of military duty and repaired Sikorsky CH 53G helicopters. During the military time I operated a customizing body shop. When I moved to Canada I went "back to the roots": I'm working at a luxury auto body shop repairing mostly Mercedes Benz (we are a dealer ship), BMW, Porsche, Audi, Jaguar, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and some Japanese high end cars.
From reading though this tread it appears I am the only guy that's "wrenching for a living".
Sadly these days 25 year old "young adults" don't even know what they want to do to make a living. A couple years ago I trained a "Kid" that was only 2 years younger than me. All he ever did in his life was working small retail jobs that could never support a family. At the time this "kid" couldn't believe the things I've done in my life and was speechless when he found out the knowledge and skills I have, go figure.

Martin

taylor2800

04-16-2008, 12:30 PM

I grew up in Raleigh NC attending the number one party school at the time (east carolina university). I enjoy hunting, fishing, long walks on the beach........... oh wait a second, wrong forum :D . Worked many years as a factory rep in the custom modular field. Transitioned 3 years ago into general contracting. have built many homes using both modular and slow build techniques. First bmw was a 533i in school. currently have a 70' 2800cs
and a 80' 635csi euro.

x_atlas0

04-16-2008, 12:56 PM

It's been a while since I posted in this thread, so I thought an update is in order.

I graduated GaTech as a MechE in May 07, went to work for the power distribution consultants I was working for before. Trying to save for grad school.

Unfortunately for me, my undergrad GPA (2.82 full, 3.05 last 2 years / 60 hrs) seems to have made me virtually un-Masters-able by most colleges, even with me 600V, 780M, and 5W GRE scroes, and it is killing me. Tech has, so far, done everything but boot me out the door. So... I'm trying to figure out what to do.

Anybody need a MechE? :lol:

kwyjibo

04-17-2008, 03:20 PM

Hey x_atlas0, don't give up.
It doesn't seem like too long ago that me and my not great GPA (comes with living in Newport Beach while "attending" college) had some trouble getting into grad school. I've been a college professor for a few years. Now, I'm the guy reviewing applications and interviewing students. Although many of my peers will disagree, GPA is not the whole story. There are programs out there that look at the whole person. Good luck.

coupe2800cs

04-22-2008, 03:29 AM

What the heck do I do, what is my purpose? 18 years now making the world go around, physicly I don't know how we do it every year, play santa, and look good doing it. Brown trucks I dispatch them all 47 of them sometimes 51 or 52 when the elves are real busy in my neigborhood! We even service Double02 Salvage, for those that have the need to fix the old in favor of saving what is left of the planet. I hate to be doom, and gloom over here, but at this point I think we all feel the squeeze... I should have been a Day Trader with the hours that I keep, like I am the gambler...! At the very least I feel a whole lot better after working on rusting metal hulks, german in general, something about them you can always take them apart an put them back together, and they work.... Prior to 18 years hard labor, I turned wrenchs here, and there for a few years, then decided mid 70's and 80's cars were almost all designed to fail with all those hoses, and valves, so I decide logic was a good course of action work, work, work, save, save, save, at the salt plant, it pays the bills, it allows me to look on the bright side of things, and sometimes apply my mechanical skills that someone would have not been noticed! I like the what the guy above me does, review college applicants....... Now about that job in the White House I am applying for, I thought this was going to be like college, not a real job .... ????

mark

04-22-2008, 07:21 AM

x,

no need ofr a masters in australia (seriously). massive engineer shortage in perth. rates are good. for example:

http://seek.com.au/jobsearch/index.ascx?DateRange=31&catlocation=1009&stateselected=true&catindustry=1209&catoccupation=1379&Keywords=mechanical&searchfrom=quick

cheers

maw8c

04-22-2008, 08:21 AM

Physician in Fredericksburg, Virginia specializing in allergy, asthma, and immunology. Spent some time as a child in Kenya where my favorite toy was a CSL matchbox car. Funny, I realized that after I bought the car - guess it's been a longstanding love. Have a 2800 CS.

x_atlas0

04-22-2008, 08:49 AM

dang

04-22-2008, 05:04 PM

Okay, I guess I should update my story too...

Not much different except that I now work full-time at the VW-Audi wrecking yard (dismantling facility!). The off-road/sand car business that we were starting a couple years ago is just now coming together. The wrecking yard has become my 100% priority lately so I'm not sure how much I'll be doing at the new shop. That's okay, I'd rather just play with CAD designs for the cars anyway. :-) My side business has done very well over the last couple years and is now providing enough extra income to allow me to buy a rental house. Not sure how that will go, but I'm sure I'll find out.

A bit of news is that we're considering taking on BMW, Mercedes and maybe Porsche at the yard. Might be cool buying bimmers!

Dan

Malc

04-23-2008, 02:59 PM

Time for my update too.....
Changed jobs in January this year. Now work as the European "arm" of a US company.
I am the European employee!
Now working from home which to be honest is hard work, I still really haven't got the disipline to seperate work and home nailed down yet.
I seem to have "less" time to play in the shed than I used to :roll:

Company is based in Connecticut USA and I end up there quite often - any East coast folk need moral support?
I should be told!
Cheers
Malc

CSL177

04-24-2008, 10:42 AM

I'm new to this forum, but have owned several e9s over the last 20+ years.
Currently, (along with the BMWs enumerated in my sig) a couple of '60s Porsches, an old VW deluxe bus and a Mercedes 280sl, too.

I was a graphic and industrial designer, a hired gun for AT&T, IBM, UT, and a bunch of other ISO9000 type companies until burn-out occured in '94.
Remember the Air Force $6000 coffee maker fiasco? To be fair, it DID brew coffee at -6 Gs. 8)
Spent a little time as a development analyst/consultant. Volunteer work for Special Olympics, Adopt-a-Family, etc.
Was chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency for my town for 4 years and got a lot done but then, how hard is it to attract people to small coastal towns?
Currently owner of a small but highly regarded roots/blues/Americana music venue/nightclub. Occasionally play upright bass, particularly bluegrass and jazz.
Mostly, my current job is artist booking, promotion and management.
Trying to get back to normal hours, though... 4 AM bedtimes will wear ya out.

simoniko

04-06-2009, 12:08 PM

I am 30 years old , i live in Sofia , BULGARIA !
I am in the transport business , i have a small transport company !
In the past i v been in the cofee and restaurants field , but the trucks and engines are in my blood !
Not married ,but with a beautiful girlfriend since 12 years !
And i have 4 bimmers !
I have technical education , fuel engines !
And i am glad that i am among you !

simoniko

04-06-2009, 12:08 PM

lip277

04-06-2009, 07:06 PM

Think I'd chime in here-

Another Engineer (Aero by schooling - Cal Poly, SLO)
Work near Seattle for that 'little' company that makes big things that fly.
Most of my time here has been spent designing fixes for problems that arise during the manufacturing of the planes.

Hands on stuff... Spend most of my time out in the planes crawling in all sorts of odd places designing repairs for (what seems to be) the most creative mechanics in how they figure out ways to goof up- Then again, the engineers also design some interesting configurations we have to 'fix' to make work... Goes both ways.

lip277

04-06-2009, 07:06 PM

shemphill

04-08-2009, 07:03 PM

I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Nevada, Reno and work in the renewable power industry... saving nickels and dimes for the e9...

shemphill

04-08-2009, 07:03 PM

I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Nevada, Reno and work in the renewable power industry... saving nickels and dimes for the e9...

73 E3

04-09-2009, 06:05 AM

I'm a student @ Western New England College (Springfield,MA) studying Criminal Justice & Political Science. I also work part-time for the campus police dept. to fund my E3 restoration.

73 E3

04-09-2009, 06:05 AM

I'm a student @ Western New England College (Springfield,MA) studying Criminal Justice & Political Science. I also work part-time for the campus police dept. to fund my E3 restoration.

WALTER

04-10-2009, 01:09 PM

I'm a Marine in Iraq on my third tour. Going home soon though! Graduated from the University of Maryland with a History degree, so in the Marine Corps infinite wisdom they made me, you guessed it, an engineer. :shock: :shock:

WALTER

04-10-2009, 01:09 PM

dave v. in nc

04-10-2009, 08:00 PM

I'm an independent furniture designer for three domestic (yeah, there are a few left..) manufacturers, and part owner of a small furniture company in Thailand. Not a great time to be in this business...but love it nonetheless...UNC Chapel Hill (still catching up on sleep from Mon nite), Kendall School of Design, Grand Rapids, MI. Been at it since '79.

74 polaris 3.0cs
72 chamonix 3.0cs parts car
72 baikal 3.0cs
76 nevada 2002
74 taiga 2002
74 white? 914

dave v. in nc

04-10-2009, 08:00 PM

dang

04-13-2009, 10:00 AM

I'm an independent furniture designer for three domestic (yeah, there are a few left..) manufacturers, and part owner of a small furniture company in Thailand. Not a great time to be in this business...but love it nonetheless...UNC Chapel Hill (still catching up on sleep from Mon nite), Kendall School of Design, Grand Rapids, MI. Been at it since '79.

So if we read between the lines, it sounds like you're saying you're THE guy to go to if and when we need our wood dash and door panels refurbished! :wink:

dang

04-13-2009, 10:00 AM

I'm an independent furniture designer for three domestic (yeah, there are a few left..) manufacturers, and part owner of a small furniture company in Thailand. Not a great time to be in this business...but love it nonetheless...UNC Chapel Hill (still catching up on sleep from Mon nite), Kendall School of Design, Grand Rapids, MI. Been at it since '79.

So if we read between the lines, it sounds like you're saying you're THE guy to go to if and when we need our wood dash and door panels refurbished! :wink:

pinstripe

05-17-2009, 05:24 AM

I'm another Industrial Designer. Why do we love our E9s? Because they fit into the designer definition of classic " When you can add, or delete, nothing " My other classic, long gone, was a '72 Porche 9114. Today, my, original owner, '73CS sits in the garage next to my '97 Jaguar XK8 convertible. I'm convinced they talk to each other.

Since I have the only CS in the Ottawa ( Canada ) area, my coupe enjoys a stable mate.

Retired after 35 years in design and marketing, and a stint as an angel investor, I'm happy to draw cartoons, play golf, ski, and constantly clean " the toys"

This is a terrific forum ( compared to Ottawa BMW and Jaguar Car Clubs )

Cheers, Pinstripe

pinstripe

05-17-2009, 05:24 AM

gazzol

05-22-2009, 03:25 PM

I'm a mtor mechanic and have been since leaving school (26 years ago) although I've also done body work and paint.

gazzol

05-22-2009, 03:25 PM

I'm a mtor mechanic and have been since leaving school (26 years ago) although I've also done body work and paint.

capehorner

05-26-2009, 01:45 PM

I am a boilermaker and am rebuilding my 2800 cs without a garage and it is a slow process, if only BMW would lower their prices

BarryG

05-26-2009, 04:29 PM

I too am ...was a Boilermaker...I worked for the Souther Pacific RR here in Sacramento and Roseville Ca... I also worked Kaiser Steel in Napa Ca..Chevro oil.. and others.
Nice to see other hard working men around here.

Barry ... Retired Boilermaker

radosc

08-07-2009, 02:54 AM

I'm a banking software designer and programmer in Warsaw Poland. And it's a problem especially when itching primer traces are found on my hands or mig burns are evident :) But they got used to it saying IT people are crazy anyway:D

maxxfish

08-07-2009, 01:52 PM

Cinematographer and Steadicam Operator, mainly commercials, music videos, a few features and episodics...whatever pays the bills. Ahh, the life of a prostitue, err, I mean freelancer!

jhjacobs

08-07-2009, 04:10 PM

We'll it's time for an update for me. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I do but my situation has changed. I spent the last couple of years doing engineering consulting, mainly in computer / network security and high-end power switching and distribution circuit / system design. During this period I formed a small company with some partners and we landed a major contract in China for Smart Grid products. I have completed the design of several advanced network meters with GSM/SMS messaging and Power-Line-Carrier networking support. We have financed our company with major Chinese contract manufacturer and I am now the CTO for this company. We are in the process of expanding their production line with state of the art circuit board assembly systems. I am currently sitting in Schenzen, China, negotiating a package that would basically have me living and working here most of the time for the next few years.

dang

08-07-2009, 04:50 PM

abe3.0CSi

08-07-2009, 08:22 PM

Tax payer..and with administration...bigger tax payer.
abe

jhjacobs

08-08-2009, 09:47 AM

How many E9's are in China?

Not sure. You see a fair number of 3's, 5's, and 7's cruising around but I would be surprised if there are any E9s. Perhaps a few collectors. There really isn't anywhere you could safely drive one either - the roads and traffic are dangerous, even the nicer new road seem to have pot holes in random places big enough to eat a city bus and the other drivers only follow driving rules when convenient. A horn is the most essential part of a car here.

Now, if you are talking about knock-off E9's ....:confused: