422 replies to this topic

[Bec]

I got my red crayon out incase it got missed. It just seems there are alot of arguments being used in this thread from people's assumptions of what the public think, not from factual and proven evidence which doesn't really add weight to anything.

At the moment the rules say we're BMW mini tolerant and more focused on the classic mini and we're staying with that for now on the forum itself however 2011 will see a big overhaul of TMF so we're still in the process of making decisions on many things including the BMW mini - I don't see the urgency in deciding that we're staying a completely classic mini forum forever right now, we've discussed this so many times before and stayed with idea that we'd link people to other forums with more specialised information. Remember many of our members own both the new and old minis and it is the 'new' mini so there will always be questions about what we should do if anything on TMF to reflect this.

Currently we don't have enough people with knowledge of the BMW mini in our staff which we could resolve if required but also more importantly there doesn't appear to be a massive demand for us to set up a BMW section. With so many BMW mini forums that are well established and full of brilliant tech info we've got to consider what we could offer at the side of them - at this very moment it doesn't appear much but we're open to the idea if the demand is there. We'll always listen to what members of TMF say and ask for whilst keeping an eye on how many people use our forum to ask for information on BMW minis. We're very interested in what our members have got to say when there are sensible suggestions and requests so topics like this do help so we know people's views, just as long as they're on topic, factual and/or own first hand experience and thoughts - people giving sweeping generalisations on what they 'think' other people's views are don't help anyone.

[dave585]

I think I've solved the problem once and for all. For the last few hours I have been in contact with club members and those on the facebook site and its been decided that a new forum will be set up in the new year,
This forum will be for people who have both or just the new, leaving TMF to classics.
If this is what most of want then it will be done, would it be possible therefore for people to be polite and direct them to it with no malice?
Would this be ok with people or not?

[Bec]

We're always happy to redirect people to another forum with much more information on BMW minis. I honestly don't see why there needs to be any snide remarks when all that needs to be said is you'll get more specialist help on a dedicated forum, we currently are focused on the classic mini so there is very limited information BMW mini owners will find on here especially with technical problems.

You're more than welcome to put a link for it on here

[E.L.M.O]

I think I've solved the problem once and for all. For the last few hours I have been in contact with club members and those on the facebook site and its been decided that a new forum will be set up in the new year,
This forum will be for people who have both or just the new, leaving TMF to classics.
If this is what most of want then it will be done, would it be possible therefore for people to be polite and direct them to it with no malice?
Would this be ok with people or not?

Sounds perfectly reasonable, and I will bookmark the page so I can send people there easily.

I really hope its successful and does bring the owners closer together. If I do ever buy a BMW Mini Id join. Good luck

[megamini_jb]

sounds good. TMF stays classic

Edited by megamini_jb, 27 December 2010 - 08:35 PM.

[maggies_minder]

all this "if your mini was built after 94 its a new mini" lark needs to stop, its stupid.

its like saying since the americans and brits invaded iraq back in 2003, its no long called iraq its "the United States of Briton"

[Scallywag630]

I'd be happy to redirect, afterall this is what we have been doing. Please make sure we have the name/site address. Good luck and Happy New Year.

[WRLondon]

good stuff,
whats it called?

[Tanya]

I can see dave585 frustration and can see why he has taken the decision that he has.

I feel disappointed that a few members feel that in even wishing to discuss the possibility of a MINI section, those advocating views for a MINI section are considered wanting special treatment or being a nuisance. I do not want special treatment, I just want to be able to discuss the pros and cons of a MINI section. TMF has made it clear that nothing is happening in the near future, even if some thing was to change. I also do not wish to be made to feel like a trouble maker for wishing to make and justify my points. It is these types of insinuation that have for me, brought the hostility into the debate.

Personally, I would prefer a forum with less hostility as I have found a few of the posts on this thread somewhat hostile. I am quite used to hostility, but do not have to endure it through my hobby if I do not wish to! I also find the presumption that TMF will now not have a MINI section a little uncomfortable.

I will look forward to dave585's new forum. I'm not sure where I will end up in forum world, it maybe a bit of TMF and a bit of dave585's forum, but probably the one that I best feels serves mini's interests that will help keep mini vibrant and alive for as long as possible for as many people as possible.

[Bec]

Please tell me where in my post it stated we definitely won't be having a BMW mini section?

[E.L.M.O]

I can see dave585 frustration and can see why he has taken the decision that he has.

I feel disappointed that a few members feel that in even wishing to discuss the possibility of a MINI section, those advocating views for a MINI section are considered wanting special treatment or being a nuisance. I do not want special treatment, I just want to be able to discuss the pros and cons of a MINI section. TMF has made it clear that nothing is happening in the near future, even if some thing was to change. I also do not wish to be made to feel like a trouble maker for wishing to make and justify my points. It is these types of insinuation that have for me, brought the hostility into the debate.

Personally, I would prefer a forum with less hostility as I have found a few of the posts on this thread somewhat hostile. I am quite used to hostility, but do not have to endure it through my hobby if I do not wish to! I also find the presumption that TMF will now not have a MINI section a little uncomfortable.

I will look forward to dave585's new forum. I'm not sure where I will end up in forum world, it maybe a bit of TMF and a bit of dave585's forum, but probably the one that I best feels serves mini's interests that will help keep mini vibrant and alive for as long as possible for as many people as possible.

I can see the only way you would be happy is if you got your own way.
What would it take for you to understand thay by asking for your own section IS asking for special treatment? I dont think you will ever understand.

Good luck on the new site.

Edited by E.L.M.O, 27 December 2010 - 09:21 PM.

[Tanya]

Please tell me where in my post it stated we definitely won't be having a BMW mini section?

What I mean is the presumption from some members who posted after dave585's post saying that he was starting a new forum. I know that a decision has not been made, so I feel uncomfortable with those member's posts, not any TMF staffs' ones. Sorry for the confusion and I hope that clarifies it.

[E.L.M.O]

I feel uncomfortable with those member's posts

Sorry for the confusion and I hope that clarifies it.

What on earth are you on about

Edited by E.L.M.O, 27 December 2010 - 09:30 PM.

[bamby]

I find having read through this topic there are lots of interesting and valid points that have been raised by all concerned.

I would like to refer back to Verns Playmates previous posting explaining the current stance the forum is taking.

Verns Playmate @ Dec 26 2010, 09:39 PM) *
At the moment the rules say we're BMW mini tolerant and more focused on the classic mini and we're staying with that for now on the forum itself however 2011 will see a big overhaul of TMF so we're still in the process of making decisions on many things including the BMW mini - I don't see the urgency in deciding that we're staying a completely classic mini forum forever right now, we've discussed this so many times before and stayed with idea that we'd link people to other forums with more specialised information. Remember many of our members own both the new and old minis and it is the 'new' mini so there will always be questions about what we should do if anything on TMF to reflect this.

Currently we don't have enough people with knowledge of the BMW mini in our staff which we could resolve if required but also more importantly there doesn't appear to be a massive demand for us to set up a BMW section. With so many BMW mini forums that are well established and full of brilliant tech info we've got to consider what we could offer at the side of them - at this very moment it doesn't appear much but we're open to the idea if the demand is there. We'll always listen to what members of TMF say and ask for whilst keeping an eye on how many people use our forum to ask for information on BMW minis. We're very interested in what our members have got to say when there are sensible suggestions and requests so topics like this do help so we know people's views, just as long as they're on topic, factual and/or own first hand experience and thoughts - people giving sweeping generalisations on what they 'think' other people's views are don't help anyone.

can I ask you all something - if a company decided it was going to go into an area that it did not have sufficient expertise to manage/run correctly/support, would you want that place providing you with information etc that may or may not be correct and thus resulting in poor customer relations and service thus resulting in poor trust.

so when turning that example to the fourm - i feel that we are not currently able to offer a sufficient service to the sector of users, therfore it is best if we forward this sector of users to another forum that can best meet their needs.

[Bungle]

I have never heard a MINI owner be nasty to a classic owner and if they have then it's been towards someone who's been nasty and vindictive towards them. I have had first hand experience of this when a "classic owner" kicked and damaged my MINI costing hundreds of pounds due to this stupidity towards them, my friends MINI had damage costing money again to sort out again done by "classic owner" this time by a member of a club from the north
So if any one would like to tell me if a MINI owner has damaged a classic and have sworn and spat at and thrown drinks over them then please let me know!
As for shows they do not push their way into shows at all they are asked by organisers to turn up, put on displays and for clubs to turn up so if that's barging in then talk to the show organisers and not moan on forums etc.
At many shows I can count on both hands the amount of empty spaces from "classic only" clubs who book and then don't turn up or book more stand space than they need so please feel free to have a go that MINIs are taking over!
As for L2B I believe the organisers asked for MINIs to join in and last year out of 100% only 5% were new so yes that's taking over! And as it first come then it's up to them how many are let in.

it's a bit off topic but yes a few years ago at the riviera run show and shine we did have a problem with a BINI owner that pushed his way into the show and shine and parked were he wanted, he was very abusive to the show and shine organizers and still wanted his own class in the show despite being the only BINI, there not being a class for him and the show was advertised as a classic show with the classes listed

but it's not really relevant to the topic so i will stop here .