422 replies to this topic

[Scallywag630]

OK...if you really beleive that MINI can be of benefit to mini, put your money where your mouth is...contact admin/mods and ask for a vote.

I am unsure as to why you feel that voting rather than debating is the way forward here, particularly when I cannot see a question that could be answered with a straight yes or no.

The subject has been debated time and time again, its time for a resolution. The question that can be answered with a plain Yes or No is Do we want to include MINI in this forum.

It would seem that there could be different ways for formally including MINI and as I have said before, there is plenty of evidence to show that MINI is already included on here informally to some degree anyway.

I really don't know why you insist on diluting a classic forum by including other cars that are not even classics. We might as well debate on whether we want a section for Austin 7s...they are closer to mini than MINI.

Surely, the question needs to be along the lines of how best should TMF include MINI to give maximum benefit to mini and the mini scene? We could continue as we are, or more formally recognise MINI and its links to mini. Also, we need to be aware that membership and views change overtime and need to be sensitive and responsive to this.

The majority of MINI owners don't give a rats about the classic mini. There is only a very small number who have a genuine interest in mini and that percentage would be about the same as, say, ford owners or VW owners.

[dave585]

If there is going to be one, then how about maybe doing what say minisport do on there shop, and have a whole seperate section? so its linked to tmf but the MINI posts dont come up in the mini section and only come up in the MINI section. Like a seperate forum but linked. That way you dont have to read the posts if u dont want to and solves the problem with the MINI threads clogging up the mini section

That was an idea given in an ealier but was shot down by certain people on here. This would be a brilliant idea TMF and TNMF side by side.

[minidream94]

i mean its the most logical way round this situation. Then like i said, you dont have to go into that section of the forum if you choose not to, then you cant moan about all the bmw guys clogging up the classic forum. Kills 2 or more birds with one stone

[Scallywag630]

If there is going to be one, then how about maybe doing what say minisport do on there shop, and have a whole seperate section? so its linked to tmf but the MINI posts dont come up in the mini section and only come up in the MINI section. Like a seperate forum but linked. That way you dont have to read the posts if u dont want to and solves the problem with the MINI threads clogging up the mini section

That was an idea given in an ealier but was shot down by certain people on here. This would be a brilliant idea TMF and TNMF side by side.

With all the BMW MINI forums available, why is it that a few MINI owners want to be part of a classic forum? I can understand it if they own both mini and MINI as here they will find help/advice for their minis. The BMW MINI IS a good car (my family owns 5) but it is no where near a classic and is certainly not worth all the effort of making new sections, altering TMF in anyway when there is plenty of advice/help and MINI enthusiasts on MINI dedicated forums.

[dave585]

If there is going to be one, then how about maybe doing what say minisport do on there shop, and have a whole seperate section? so its linked to tmf but the MINI posts dont come up in the mini section and only come up in the MINI section. Like a seperate forum but linked. That way you dont have to read the posts if u dont want to and solves the problem with the MINI threads clogging up the mini section

That was an idea given in an ealier but was shot down by certain people on here. This would be a brilliant idea TMF and TNMF side by side.

With all the BMW MINI forums available, why is it that a few MINI owners want to be part of a classic forum? I can understand it if they own both mini and MINI as here they will find help/advice for their minis. The BMW MINI IS a good car (my family owns 5) but it is no where near a classic and is certainly not worth all the effort of making new sections, altering TMF in anyway when there is plenty of advice/help and MINI enthusiasts on MINI dedicated forums.

Easy! Most have both cars and would like to go to one place instead of moving from one to another!
Someone might want to have help with there 88 Mayfair but at
the same time a quick question regarding their 05 copper, why move from one to another, what's the problem in that!
I can't see a problem with that and by reading the comments on here theres only a few against it most think it's a good idea and are willingto have a separate section or a new forum that can be linked so if any new mini questions it can be redirected to it thus leaving the classic section for classics.
Things have got to move forward like it or not it can't be stuck in the past just because some people like it that way!

[WRLondon]

as bungle says
why fall out with mini2?
just keep redirecting bini owners to mini2
and mini2 will do the same

bini owners are aware of a classic mini as they probably have the same issue when searching

if anyone is intrested in classic mini's then join tmf
if anyone is intrested in BMW mini's then join MINI2
if anyone is intrested in both JOIN BOTH

no point trying to turn a classic mini forum into a bini forum
just as its the same the other way round!

just a shame they take up the space in l2b! haha!!

[Tanya]

at this stage i don't think the TMF team are in a position to know what they can offer BMW members
I'm not sure it is for the TMF team to know what they can offer MINI, largely I feel that members will work that out for themselves and let TMF know. However, there are enough TMF members with a MINI interest on here already to be able to canvass their opinions to make a start for other newer TMF members with an interest in MINI to work with and comment on.

if we did would we need more band width etc
I have such poor IT knowledge that I wouldn't know what this involved and the pros and cons of it. What would be involved?

would we end up turning classic owners away if the forum was taken over by BMW owners
Personally, as a mini enthusiast with no interest in MINI, I just bypass MINI posts, mostly without even knowing I'm doing it. I think I have just evolved a MINI filter for MINI posts! What I have disliked most of all about TMF is the anti MINI feeling (I don't mean these debates, this is fine) but I have seen some posts which have embarrassed me and I feel damaged mini's reputation. Thankfully, I do feel this has improved, but could improve further!

do we have enough technical knowledge on the forum to support a BMW technical section and who could we ask for help, these cars aren't very DIY friendly
I have seen many examples of MINI owners questions being answered reasonably quickly, more quickly that I would expect. I have to say at times I am surprised by both the breath and depth of MINI knowledge on here.

do we want to fall out with mini2 and take their members
I'm not sure that will happen as people can be members of many forums. People will then use the forum that they feel best meets their needs and suits them best. Some may use many forums, others may just stick with one. However, it may be useful to speak to MINI forums to see what their views are.

is having more members on this forum a good thing, everyone says TMF is not as good as it was with fewer members
I think it is the quality of members, the way they behave, how friendly, welcoming and helpful they are, rather than the number of members that matters, many or few.

all these points and more will have to be addressed in the staff room before we even thing about having a vote

[Bungle]

i can't really seethe problem with joining 2 forums, it's what i have do do with minis and VW's

and being a member of more than 1 forum gives you so many more new friends and ideas, 1 forum can get a bit stale

[WRLondon]

Im with bungle!
if anyone is intrested in classic mini's then join tmf
if anyone is intrested in BMW mini's then join MINI2
if anyone is intrested in both JOIN BOTH!!!

[minidream94]

i dont acctually see the problem with a seperate but linked forum to be honest. I mean if you dont want to be associated with the MINI section then dont click on the MINI forum section link. atleast that way there will be no more bini bashing and slagging off, both parties get what they want, and we can all live happy ever after.

[Tanya]

Im with bungle!
if anyone is intrested in classic mini's then join tmf
if anyone is intrested in BMW mini's then join MINI2
if anyone is intrested in both JOIN BOTH!!!

Possibly I am coming from a different perspective to some mini owners. I am not merely interested in what I can get from mini, I want to keep mini vibrant, alive and growing in active popularity. Clearly, this is harder once a car is out of production so we must not rest on our laurels! I want to share mini with as many people as possible as I feel this is the best way of getting people enthusiastic and keeping mini alive, not just with a small group, but with everyone. The more people we can engage the better, and let's start with MINI people. That is why I am keen to welcome MINI owners to TMF. For me, it is not what TMF can do for MINI, it is what MINI owners being on TMF can do for mini.

[WRLondon]

we all live happily with mini2 and tmf being seperate

[minidream94]

but you wouldnt have to worry if you just dont go on that part of the forum mate

[WRLondon]

wouldnt have to worry if people could be bothered to switch between two tabs
theres a seperate section for other cars,
chat about binis in there

[Tanya]

we all live happily with mini2 and tmf being seperate

Even if that was the case, is that the best way for keeping mini vibrant and alive and attracting new enthusiasts? I do not believe so.