TermiPeteNZ 1318 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 Hi everybody! Interested in peoples' opinions around the BMW Car Club ... Is it worth belonging? Where does it have momentum? How do they organise things if they don't have anything like BimmerSport? What's the relationship between BimmerSport and the Club- is it 'competitive' or complementary? BimmerSport is a fantastic community and has increased my enjoyment of the BMW experience significantly. I don't want to do anything that works against that.... I'm asking because I'm considering joining the Club and maybe trying to kick start it again in Wellington - and I reckon there's a good complementary proposition that could get extra members flowing in both directions. BimmerSport is the open community for enthusiasts - no joining fees, no car ownership actually required - you just have to be interested BMW Car Club is a club focused on 'real life' activities and has an official BMW association. Events have rules and standards and there's some funding to do stuff. May attract some different people ... I pinged them and they'd appreciate help in getting Welly up and going again. Is this a dumb idea? Is anybody interested in doing the same thing and helping? @Olaf @skidz 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 i was a member of the club here, and found that as you say the relationship was complementary.A few of us here did belong to both groups. Communication at that time was via an email group,the club magazine.Things were left to a small group of people and when a couple of them left it fell apart Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 544 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 Probably enough interest now to get it going again. Would be keen to pass this on. Used to find out side f the committee you'd get replies from only a few to events. Normally events would be augmented with Bimmersport or friends out side of the club with BMWs. Plenty of pluses like legal protection during events, manz affiliation etc. For myself I think I was kidding myself thinking I'd have time with new family and mid life career change. Happy to call an agm and vote in new president for others to get it going again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blackie 510 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 As much as I hate them, I think if anything you'd be better to consider a social media based club. The traditional / formal car clubs seem to be a dying breed in my experience. For some reason they just don't seem to appeal to the majority anymore. Like most of us, I've been a member of a car club (a well known Wellington one started in the 70s) and even as a cheap option for motorsport affiliation and organised events numbers have steadily declined to the point where it barely exists. Facebook related groups on the other hand are very active. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TermiPeteNZ 1318 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 Hey guys - appreciate the feedback A pure social media group would in my view compete with BimmerSport which is not what I want to do. Neal - it's always up to a few keen beans to make this sort of thing work - if I do this then I hope you'll stick with it A few more hands make light work .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TermiPeteNZ 1318 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 (edited) I've just taken the plunge and joined the club ... see where we go from here. More views and interest pls! Reckon the least I can do is organise a monthly meal at a decent pub with good parking to talk car 5h1t!! Edited June 6, 2017 by TermiPeteNZ 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 (edited) I'd like to hear more, Pete. Can you get a hold of the club's charter and articles of incorporation? @Barryn you've also solid background in club governance Edited June 6, 2017 by Olaf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 .... now, if we could just get Digby (Paape, from the Porsche club) driving a BMW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Autoglym 255 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 I joined the BMW club some years ago, nothing really happened in the Wellington region, lot happens in Auckland, regular meet ups etc, I deal with a few clubs with my business, as in I invite them to my lock up, show the cars & demo Autoglym products, the Porsche Club is by far the most active, I would like to see a more active club here, with maybe a club discount at some local BMW specialists, also as I have suggested some sort of Business card or flyer we can leave on cars to attract more people The only good thing that I got from being a member was a club sticker for the car & they send out a club magazine With the way Bimmersport has been growing, do we really need to spend money to belong to the club?? just asking, also its very easy to just log onto the site & check in I have been on many committees over the years & without fail, there will be a core group of three to maybe six people who will run it We should have a coffee catch up & discussion 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TermiPeteNZ 1318 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 4 hours ago, Olaf said: I'd like to hear more, Pete. Can you get a hold of the club's charter and articles of incorporation? Have asked Gerry 'the President' for these .... 48 minutes ago, Barryn said: I would like to see a more active club here, with maybe a club discount at some local BMW specialists, also as I have suggested some sort of Business card or flyer we can leave on cars to attract more people The only good thing that I got from being a member was a club sticker for the car & they send out a club magazine With the way Bimmersport has been growing, do we really need to spend money to belong to the club?? just asking, also its very easy to just log onto the site & check in I have been on many committees over the years & without fail, there will be a core group of three to maybe six people who will run it We should have a coffee catch up & discussion Agree that there's opportunity for stepping things up with current levels of interest - whether it is via BimmerSport or the Club or both. One thing I'm a little unsure about is how much we're able to do with BimmerSport as it is somebody's IP and property and we need permission to do stuff. Agree on not creating any barriers to participation ... I suppose my view is that if we have at least a small keen core of people across both groups then there's opportunity for cross-pollination and expanding both groups. Who's up for a coffee this weekend to have a yak about this? @Barryn @Olaf @Neal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted June 6, 2017 (edited) I'd love to - though am pretty committed both days with this weekend's gym comp. let me know when and where, I'm keen to join you if I can. I'm likely to find a lunch break around 1 each day. agree on the deadlock of Bimmersport IP. Though as Barry notes, it's easy to log in and keep it flowing through the forum. Be good to have that discussion and get a view on benefits/disbenefits, and get a handle on the possibilities. cheers Edited June 6, 2017 by Olaf Disbenefits 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treone 648 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 Confession time - I too am a former local BMW Club member (circa many years ago and pre-social media days). I was also a member of local chapter of the HSV Owners Club. What I found common to both clubs was that the success (or not) came down to a small few who would organise and attend events. This, I think, is also somewhat true with Bimmersport (in both 'active online members and organised local events). The 80/20 rule at play perhaps? The main difference between Bimmersport and the 'clubs' is you don't pay an annual fee, you don't get a monthly (Dixie) magazine, you don't get a NZ motorsport affiliation - this was a biggie for club members - but you do get a great community that has great knowledge and experience which members don't mind sharing . I was also tempted (still am actually) to sign up to the Central Holden Monaro Club. Spoke to the chairman at the Shannon car show earlier this year and felt a good vibe. And they had some pretty impressive Monaro's in the club! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 the car club entitles a modest discount at any BMW dealer.At the time Jeff Gray was very supportive of the club,which i feel we did not take full advantage of/Also at the time the mini club was quite active,and we could have got more involved with them.We held a few agms at the dealer and a couple of model launches as well as a tour of the dealership incl the workshop and facilities.The BMW car club is a valuable and supported group of BMW itself. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Breaker 980 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 Member for a couple of years now also, pretty Auckland centric which isn't surprising but for $70 odd dollars a year I'm happy ticking along and getting to a couple of events where we can. the 100yr anniversary meet last year was probably the biggest for some time I heard which was cool to be involved in 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 544 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 10 hours ago, TermiPeteNZ said: Have asked Gerry 'the President' for these .... Agree that there's opportunity for stepping things up with current levels of interest - whether it is via BimmerSport or the Club or both. One thing I'm a little unsure about is how much we're able to do with BimmerSport as it is somebody's IP and property and we need permission to do stuff. Agree on not creating any barriers to participation ... I suppose my view is that if we have at least a small keen core of people across both groups then there's opportunity for cross-pollination and expanding both groups. Who's up for a coffee this weekend to have a yak about this? @Barryn @Olaf @Neal Pete, I've got to pull an all nighter of next couple of Saturday evenings and have grand nieces first birthday this Saturday lunchtime. Could do next Sat midday ish? Sundays I won't be up for much as will be getting some sleep from about 10 am.. last weekend in June will be on standby but could do either day if all goes well over next couple of weekends Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 at one time i was treasurer,I have been getting banks statements mailed here i guess they have my address with the bank;I have a box of stuff and old newsletters etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TermiPeteNZ 1318 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 4 hours ago, Breaker said: Member for a couple of years now also, pretty Auckland centric which isn't surprising but for $70 odd dollars a year I'm happy ticking along and getting to a couple of events where we can. the 100yr anniversary meet last year was probably the biggest for some time I heard which was cool to be involved in Awesome event! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 1 hour ago, kiwi535 said: at one time i was treasurer,I have been getting banks statements mailed here i guess they have my address with the bank;I have a box of stuff and old newsletters etc. careful Paul, that'll stick! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TermiPeteNZ 1318 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 1 hour ago, Neal said: Pete, I've got to pull an all nighter of next couple of Saturday evenings and have grand nieces first birthday this Saturday lunchtime. Could do next Sat midday ish? Sundays I won't be up for much as will be getting some sleep from about 10 am.. last weekend in June will be on standby but could do either day if all goes well over next couple of weekends So how's about BimmerSport lunch meet Saturday 17th - with this on the discussion menu? Thinking Simmer in Churton Park given there's plenty of parking but it would be good if there was a larger venue as it is likely to be busy. Ideas? 1 hour ago, kiwi535 said: at one time i was treasurer,I have been getting banks statements mailed here i guess they have my address with the bank;I have a box of stuff and old newsletters etc. Gerry did say there's a healthy balance sitting idle .... be good to get the gist of how things operated from the newsletters .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted June 7, 2017 6 hours ago, TermiPeteNZ said: So how's about BimmerSport lunch meet Saturday 17th - with this on the discussion menu? Thinking Simmer in Churton Park given there's plenty of parking but it would be good if there was a larger venue as it is likely to be busy. Ideas? Thanks for arranging; I'm a 'tentative' at this stage. InFocus the NZIPP annual conference is in Welly 15-18th so I get a late pass and attend as many events as possible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted June 8, 2017 22 hours ago, Olaf said: careful Paul, that'll stick! doesnt scare me as long as i have some others around me 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted June 8, 2017 we'll be there mate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TermiPeteNZ 1318 Report post Posted June 8, 2017 Have made a thread for the lunch catch up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob HB1 90 Report post Posted June 9, 2017 Hi Guys Have been a BMW club member for 3 years. The guys from Tauranga/Hamilton are a friendly helpful group. Have been to a few of there events. Auckland on the other hand think only they exsist. Not a huge benefit in belonging to club unless you need it for motorsport. Magazine supposed to be quarterly but got one last year and one so far this year. Here in Hawkes Bay i am part of the Hawkes Bay British and Euro car club. A few BMW in the club and on Bimmersport, more on the fringes. Would be more than happy to add to the Wellington BMW club in any way I can Robert May Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
