Curious to get others observations on this as I find it interesting.
Have been on the E9 scene for a while now. My (loose) observations are as follows:
1. Everybody is very helpful and open to giving advice (sometimes unsolicited and a bit too honest) but I love that.
2. Where possible we happily let people know where there are spare parts hiding that may be of use to others.
3. We are all very patient with new members and those that seem to prefer learning by mistake or cost over run, as opposed to listening to those that have been there before.
Contrast this with my recent experience in the e30 and E28 scene - this is Australian specific - and primarily relates to private wreckers and people selling 'rare' parts on Gumtree (our Craigslist) but also some businesses.
1. Descriptions of spare parts are usually inaccurate and frequently overpriced.
2. There seems to be a basic level of competence/professionalism lacking - i.e I bought a new clutch slave the other day and they sent a clutch master. Despite the invoice confirming I ordered a slave it's my fault..
3. Dishonesty seems more rampant - I almost got scammed on an e28 sunroof this week - the guy uses images off the web to solicit payment and then ignores you. Never had this issue once with an E9 but it seems common with E30s & E28s.
I'm wondering if there's a demographic issue here where dare I suggest E9 people are usually from a different social strata to most other BMW enthusiasts? Or is it just that E9's are more niche and the community is more closed so to speak in that there's usually about one degree of separation so poor behaviour has consequences sooner. I suspect culture in the 'vintage' BMW scene (502s, 328s, Dixi's) is probably closer to ours than say the e30 crew, with possibly the exception of M3 owners?
I'd like to stress this isn't a reference to the e28 or e30 forums, where I find a similar positive culture to here. Is this the same in the US and Europe?
Curious what we all think. W.
Have been on the E9 scene for a while now. My (loose) observations are as follows:
1. Everybody is very helpful and open to giving advice (sometimes unsolicited and a bit too honest) but I love that.
2. Where possible we happily let people know where there are spare parts hiding that may be of use to others.
3. We are all very patient with new members and those that seem to prefer learning by mistake or cost over run, as opposed to listening to those that have been there before.
Contrast this with my recent experience in the e30 and E28 scene - this is Australian specific - and primarily relates to private wreckers and people selling 'rare' parts on Gumtree (our Craigslist) but also some businesses.
1. Descriptions of spare parts are usually inaccurate and frequently overpriced.
2. There seems to be a basic level of competence/professionalism lacking - i.e I bought a new clutch slave the other day and they sent a clutch master. Despite the invoice confirming I ordered a slave it's my fault..
3. Dishonesty seems more rampant - I almost got scammed on an e28 sunroof this week - the guy uses images off the web to solicit payment and then ignores you. Never had this issue once with an E9 but it seems common with E30s & E28s.
I'm wondering if there's a demographic issue here where dare I suggest E9 people are usually from a different social strata to most other BMW enthusiasts? Or is it just that E9's are more niche and the community is more closed so to speak in that there's usually about one degree of separation so poor behaviour has consequences sooner. I suspect culture in the 'vintage' BMW scene (502s, 328s, Dixi's) is probably closer to ours than say the e30 crew, with possibly the exception of M3 owners?
I'd like to stress this isn't a reference to the e28 or e30 forums, where I find a similar positive culture to here. Is this the same in the US and Europe?
Curious what we all think. W.
