Wanted,"history" of this board - general mumblings

[BigKriss]

I was checking out my profile and I'm a one year member today. I mainly stick to this board for bmw related information. It specialises on the e34 which I love. The average age of the members seems higher on this board than other boards, which is good because it brings a level of maturity to the table.

However, I haven't heard a whole lot of information of how and why this board was created. Could other members here fill me in on what's been happening?

Regards

Kristian

[JAlfredPrufrock]

The average member maturity is definitely up there on this forum compared to others.

Age, as well, is up there. I heard about this forum during the Midwest E34 Summer Meet last year, I was probably the youngest attendant there at 18. Lots of older guys for sure.

[Jose]

I reckon that the`maturity`on this forum has more to do with the fact that most of us are real BMW lovers and not like the guys who buy a 3 series because Honda's are out of fashion and Bimmers are in, and then get on BMW forums to bragg about their" performance" .
Most of us breathe, eat and sleep BMW.

[billb]

I was checking out my profile and I'm a one year member today. I mainly stick to this board for bmw related information. It specialises on the e34 which I love. The average age of the members seems higher on this board than other boards, which is good because it brings a level of maturity to the table.

However, I haven't heard a whole lot of information of how and why this board was created. Could other members here fill me in on what's been happening?

Regards

Kristian

We used to OWN that board, then it got too "administrated", and MicahO, Ed, and others sent out feelers to see if we wanted a new board. And we did. The first iteration of this board looked much like the old bimmer.org board, but then it was suggested a little over a year ago that we go to this format. There has been a steady flux of folks, and some of the "old-timers" have moved on (probably to E39 or higher!), but some of us who have been part of the "community" are still around. Since I "joined" the bimmer.org board in 2000, I've sold two Mazdas, acquired an Explorer and an E30, gotten a dog, had a kid, moved (twice), and put 67k miles on the E34.
You'll still see a lot of folks dual-post (here and roadfly), but the answers they get here are generally a lot more well-thought-out. There are some "know-it-alls" over there, and some really smart folks here (BillR, Winfred, and a host of others whose names slip me now). This truly is my HOMEpage!

Thanks for joining us!

[Brian C.]

....a man named Ed. A poor Bimmernut, he barely kept his family fed. When Roadfly said, "Join the Circle Jerk now or ya can't play no more." Some folks and Ed told them @!*%! you, and we promptly hit the door. Left that is........made a new place called Bimmernut. Bimmer.info that is.
(queue the banjos)



So for the rest of the story, I'll leave it to some of the "other" historians here. :p


Brian C.

[BigKriss]

I never posted on bimmer.org before, the layout of that forum looks very poor. I thought our main "competator" was bimmer.forums. They seem a lot larger than us, however serving a lot more different bmw's.

[granit_silber]

....a man named Ed. A poor Bimmernut, he barely kept his family fed. When Roadfly said, "Join the Circle Jerk now or ya can't play no more." Some folks and Ed told them @!*%! you, and we promptly hit the door. Left that is........made a new place called Bimmernut. Bimmer.info that is.
(queue the banjos)



So for the rest of the story, I'll leave it to some of the "other" historians here. :p


Brian C.
Nice :)
-ashley

[Jason]

No one is comparing whos wing or exhaust is bigger. It is definately on a higher level. And people deal well with the occaisional newbie post about putting 22" spinners on an E34. If you drive and E34 its the only board worth visiting.

[epj3]

Having owned an e30 for a year, doing every imaginable repair myself, and obviously joining and posting on a bunch of the E30 message boards, I have to say the 5 series board posters are 100x better when it comes to helping each other out, and generally being able to hold conversations. It doesn't feel like there is a competiton as to who can upgrade their car the fastest like there was with the 3 series, and just in general it DOES seem as though everyone in the 5 series forums is really in-to their cars.

Most forums with e46 owners, the questions are like "oh crap my light burnt out!! what should i do?"...but even with the 5 series, the e39 owners seem to know their way around a car.

It's just a more welcoming community :-)

[632 Regal]

after I bought my car i was surfing around to see if I could actually work on the thing myself, not being able to afford dealership service and not knowing ANYTHING about a German car. I went and read and searched and read and eventually found this place (before the format change). This was the ONLY place where people were actually giving relivent information regarding DIY repairs, serious replies to serious questions. This is the one stop place if you need help, roadfly seemed way out of touch and some others never really answered peoples questions. This place has been like a family to me and over time reading just about everything I can say I actually know a decent amount of information on our cars, more than my indie and the local dealership for sure. The dealer has me on the new Bangled up Bimmers but I have no intention of learning them right now. I would say that most newbies get 'initiated"' one way or the other, a make it or break it attempt to see if they are serious about their cars. 13" trash can exhausts are frowned upon by most here along with the 24" blinged wheels.
this is my second home.

[uscharalph]

I'm glad you guys split off. This forum has helped me more than you know.

[mattyb]

just joined. what a great palce to be. i've been browsing for a while and dont know how i missed it. Im looking forward to contributing and getting your combined advice.

[ScottyWM]

Older... definately.
Miss the old style forum STILL... yep (but let's not start that back up)!
More mature... well I don't know about that!?! (cue Winfred's avatar)

[KingSix]

...this place is here .. after I bought my 535, I started surfing looking for a place to gleen knowledge about the E34 .. unfortunately the 1st place i stopped was DTMpower.net .. its a good sight, don't get me wrong .. I'm sure I'd love it if I was 18-25 again and my biggest concerns were how many db's my ICE put out or how loud my exhuast was ... Like I said.. thank God for this place

[oldskoollove]

greetings brethren,

i'm a newbie as well, asked my first question on sunday about weather or not i shuold purchase a '89 535i and the responses i got were extremely helpful. i'm excited to say that yesterday i made and offer and the seller accepted! i still need to get the car checked out by a mechanic (i plan to use one recommeded to me in my post) but i feel really good about my purchase and you guys definantly had a big part to play in that. thanks a lot! and i'm excited about joining the community.

blessings,

:D

[winfred]

which one? :D
http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/animBB.gif
http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/boobs.gif


Older... definately.
Miss the old style forum STILL... yep (but let's not start that back up)!
More mature... well I don't know about that!?! (cue Winfred's avatar)

[MBXB]

I first found Bruno's site looking for a way to fix a busted driver's side window, got linked to this site.
As things wore out, I found that between Bruno's site, the Bently manual and the postings here, I can pretty much handle the maintenance of my car. I'm still trying to figure out a way to sneak a lift into my garage without anyone noticing.
In the process Ive compiled a couple of 3 ring binders with all the info pertinent to my model. My 'Vette buddies are amazed

[winfred]

i just fixed the cooling system on a 92 525ia with non spinner 22"s yesterday, god i hate test driving a turd like that with the purple tint and all the horible shimmey that comes from the wheels, somebody might see me that or get popped by a cop


And people deal well with the occaisional newbie post about putting 22" spinners on an E34.

[MBXB]

Win,
The 46DDs are dangerous weapons. Deninitely not street legal. LOL

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Not just for the endless e34 stuff. But the members seem to be really good natured when it comes to newbie questions & FNGs. I been to many other boards for other things and some places are down right malicious flame fests full of posters just waiting to attack someone.

[Brian C.]

It's BYOL of course, but tomorrow, I'll have Coronas and nachos for everyone! We used to have cake on "Ed and MicahO Day" but since Ed had to get a "real" job.....yeah, right.....and Micah deserted us for his 330ci, we now have it on the aniversary of 5-Grand Master Jeff's last divorce. :p

Brian C.
;)

[632 Regal]

Lmao! Last divorce or latest?

[JonE]

I admit that I occasionally look at Roadfly, but, much prefer this site and the format is much easier to navigate for me. I remember the old format we had, but do prefer this one. I agree with all the others, this is THE place for good E34 information from great E34 people.
And, after a few brews ask Jeff to show you his Orc blade/clutch fan removal tool!

[scott540]

I started on Roadly before I bought my 540 in 11/99. After I bought it Rory was the first person to help me that led to me getting a buick dealer to pay for a new heater core. Gotta love new, caring salespeople. I only felt a little bad when the sales manager yelled at him in front of us. Then I missed a few days and with that old forum style I couldn't tell what happened and everybody left but I finally found them.

[shapetoshoot]

Nearly bought an Audi recently, checked out there websites, thought I better stick to the 530 as "my" car.

[BobHarris]

Fairly new myself and I have thoroughly enjoyed (and learned a lot from) the posts on this board.

Looked at a few other sites when I bought my 530 and decided that the posters on this one were my kind of people.

Best

Bob

[peks]

im mostly a lurker, but help when i can. im learning about my car all the time, thanks to this board. i occasionally check out the others, but i havent been impressed. and in addition being incredibly informative, this board is a great source of laughs, thanks to jeff, winfred, and others..
just want to say thanks everyone.
peks

[liquidtiger720]

I'm probably one of the younger ones on the board and was pointed this way while looking for maintnence tips. I started my bimmer obsession at bimmerforums.com but have found it to repetative and quite boring sometimes. When I found the site, i registered and posted one or two things then left for awhile and finally found you guys again! This is the place to be for e34 owners!

~Now, where are those window decals?

[Jeff N.]

...and y'all should have been here in the beginning. Where's TC and that A-Team logo? :D

[GJPinAU]

I've been here for around 2 years full time (and it is my home page). One of the other things I like about this group is the lack of US superiority attitude. I was a member of an ///M535 E28 board and their attitude was more like "well, your over there, so it don't interest us!".
On this its more of a family style. Everyone gets a fair say and most are interesting. Some of the debates are great to read (you guys and your politics, and you don't have to vote either).
I have utilised technical information from here and Bruno's site and been able to save myself a lot of money, sometimes catching out the indy on problems I've had.
I'd like to hear more from the Euro/UK guys as they seem to be a bit quiet.
cheers, Greg

[TheDuke]

I found this place thru Brunos website too. Since I got my 525, I had to do only a few repairs, but without this site I wouldn’t know where to start. I think I wrote this many times before but I’ll do it again: You’re da man as it goes with BMW. This is the #1 and true place for reliable imfo from true enthusiasts. Before I’ve been a member of Mirage forum which was fun, but nothing compared to this one. Thanks again to you gays/gals. I been able to complete so much for so little. I’m just hoping I will be able to make it for Chicago meet. Least have a beer with everyone. This place is my sanctuary, thanks to Bimmer.info me and my bimmy are one…

[Lennyz525i]

It's an extremely knowledgeable board with awesome members. I don't post much but definitely check out bimmer.info at least once a day. I actually got to know about this board because people tod me about it. I also hang out at Bimmerforums.com, which is great for upgrades, lots of humor and members are always organizing meets and what not, lots of from people from CA.

[Paul in NZ]

i found the old forum in 2002 I think,when i was surfing the net looking for info about 535's.The most amazing thing is i got sensible valuable advice from Bill R and others..Imagine that.... a guy from the other end of the earth who doesnt even own a e 34 yet gets intelligent advice..I was sold then.Lo and behold I start getting emails from another Kiwi on the board who eventually puts me onto the car i bought....Winfreds Jokes ,avatars and knowledge ,jeffs one liners,brunos site,Javiers amazing electrical troubleshooting info.....what can i say.I never thought i d say this,but there a coupla aussies I miss tho......
It's my homepage for sho.....

[DrewZ]

Man don't ya just miss the good old days?

Here's the precursor to my E34 addiction (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e34/messages/archive/msgsy1999w18/5182.html) (Damn -- six years flies by fast!!)

Here's the precursor to my wheel addiction (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e34/messages/archive/msgsy1999w12/3304.html)

And my favorite Roadfly post "The A-team has gone dotinfo" (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e34/313130-1.html)




...and y'all should have been here in the beginning. Where's TC and that A-Team logo? :D

[shapetoshoot]

Hi Greg
Good comment on UK/ europe(whatever that is) being quiete. In general the motoring public of the UK has been given a hard time in the last 10 years. For the majority of people cars are now seen as a functional item you pay monthly for and they fulfill a task ,a bit of a white appliance. This is generally credited to the general drift towards our authoritarian french/german cousins. However needless to say the birth place of the anglo-saxon race will bring the cheese eating surrender monkeys under control and strike balance between personal liberty and global harmony.

UK here in spirit.

[Brian C.]

...and y'all should have been here in the beginning. Where's TC and that A-Team logo? :D


Ta Daaaahhhh!
http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/Brian%20C./ateam.jpg
What super-human feats of toolsmanship can't these guys accomplish with mere wrench and guage? What road can hold back these daringingly deceptive drivers?

NONE

And what ever happened to Q anyway??

When your RPMs are down and your turbo's lagging....
THE "A" TEAM will answer the call!


Brian C.
:p

[Brian C.]

Brings back memories of The Tornado-air horsepower boosters(with amazing cyclonic action), The Spam Song and Winfred's farty sounds!

Brian C.
:D



Man don't ya just miss the good old days?

Here's the precursor to my E34 addiction (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e34/messages/archive/msgsy1999w18/5182.html) (Damn -- six years flies by fast!!)

Here's the precursor to my wheel addiction (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e34/messages/archive/msgsy1999w12/3304.html)

And my favorite Roadfly post "The A-team has gone dotinfo" (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e34/313130-1.html)

[Brian C.]

Lol!!!

[winfred]

http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/turd.gif

Lol!!!

[shapetoshoot]

I have just finish watching the Elvis 68 comeback special. That sort of took the enjoyment away!!

[GJPinAU]

http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/turd.gif
Dy-na-mite!!!!!
you still rule dude.

[winfred]

i guess it works, sometimes when you tweek a gif in photoshop it doesn't work, i hadn't thought about the elvis angle http://members.cox.net/wdixon27/lol.gif

[ilya]

well i thought i'd chip in on this as well

Once i bought my e34 in August, i started looking around for a message board and came across this website. I saw the old format and suggested to Ed that i can upgrade the board for him for free to what it is now. He gladly accepted. Though some members seemed to like the old format better, it looks like most of them now made peace with what we use here today.
I stick to the "Linear" mode, while many like the "Hybrid". In fact, i think having the option was one of the main reasons Ed agreed to make the switch.

By the way, some stats:
Most uses online at the same time: 266
Top Poster: 632 Regal (over 5000 posts!!)
There's roughly 4100-4200 posts per month (the most was 6124 in February 2004)
Roughly 150 new members register every month (over 500 in the first 3 months after the opening of the 'new' format)

[Dave M]

I can't remember exactly how I found this place. It was before the 'new board' in 2002, and I'm sure it was motivated by my blown cylinder head. I'd say it was worth it. New cylinder head = membership into the fattest bimmer board going. Or do the kids these days call it Phat? Maybe we are more mature.

Anyhow, thanks all once again,

Dave M

[winfred]

phuck em


Or do the kids these days call it Phat? Maybe we are more mature.

[632 Regal]

more mature HA! well most everyone knows Im not....maybe the oldest tho at 42.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Is higher than we realize

I am a 42 year old teenager too

[Kalevera]

phuck em
Tru dat, my home-slice...slice of whiteness.

[Brian C.]

"I'm growing older, but not up..."
...Jimmy Buffett


We should have a roll-call one of these days, to see who the oldest, most mature one of us is. It'd probably turn out to be one of the 18yo's! :p

And speaking of old.... :D :D :D ....I wonder where the G-Mann is these days?

Brian C.

[632 Regal]

lets do a roll call, Ill post a new deal and lets keep bumping it for about a week or so. The only one that dont know my age is my girlfriend and I doubt she surfs here anyways...gotta love the younguns!

[Zeuk in Oz]

I bought an E 34 for my kids to learn to drive on and was amazed that a 15 year old car could drive so well.
I then discovered Bruno's site and could not believe the information on it.
That led to this forum which just blew me away.
I would never have thought that I could tackle the jobs that I have on an example of a marque that I had never owned before. All my life I had driven lots of Range Rovers, Volvos and Saabs.
Thanks for all the help guys ! :)

[Sean H]

First came onto bimmer.org waaaaay back in '98, right when I got an internet capable computer (I had been using the same old Mac LC for nearly seven years at that point). I was one of the few, the proud, the banned from Roadfly right when the switch was made here. Currently, I'm a recovering post-whore, as my output has dropped since I began law school, but once I get a job I'm sure I'll be up to about thirty a day, as that seems to be what peopele do when they work! :)
Been a proud E34 owner since march of '97, andf this board has been a huge help all the way (especially during the Great Roebling Raod Debacle of '03).
And yeah, I do poke around at Bimmerforums, but for non-car related stuff (the level of info on the five series forum there is right between zero and some sort of negative number that actually sucks knowledge from you and makes you dumber).

[Jeff N.]

Classic links...

Those 540 sport calipers live on! :)


Man don't ya just miss the good old days?

Here's the precursor to my E34 addiction (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e34/messages/archive/msgsy1999w18/5182.html) (Damn -- six years flies by fast!!)

Here's the precursor to my wheel addiction (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e34/messages/archive/msgsy1999w12/3304.html)

And my favorite Roadfly post "The A-team has gone dotinfo" (http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e34/313130-1.html)

[Jr ///M5]

In '98 upon the purchase of an Alpine white '89 535, I found the Roadfly board. It wasn't that old back then, but the E34 board grew faster and faster and things started changing. Board outages became more frequent because of growing pains. More administration was added and rules to abide by were introduced, making the tight knit group that had formed there a little uneasy and threatened because of "banning"...The idea to strike out to a new board home was sent via email from Micah'O to a few of us and we discussed the pros and cons of the potential move. Our biggest fear was loosing our group and splitting up. We decided it would be good for us to start out on a new board. Ed provided the board and we migrated over. Roadfly suffered and took a big hit, but has expanded in the direction they always wanted to grow to while all we really wanted was a home like the one Ed has so graciously provided. We loved our BMW's and the fellowship that had evolved and didn't want to loose either one. Our board continues to grow and I've met quite a few of the members here and can say that some are my closest friends.That is exactly the reason we're here and why we miss anyone that decides to move on. It leaves a gaping hole....
I'll have BMW's all my life, however long that may be, and will always give my support and help to the board whenever it becomes needed. There is no other board like this in the world and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Jr
'91 ///M5
'91 318iS
'01 525i

[E34-520iSE]

This is a great forum, with plenty of knowledge from regular contributors. I'm 31 years old, and not a "boy racer" in any way. I just appreciate a comfortable, quiet, sleek motor car. Oh and I've just bought my 8 week old son a "When I grow up I'm gonna drive a BMW!" feeding bib - lets see if I can keep my E34 for another 17 years for him!!!

Cheers,

Shaun