Need for regional subforums?

[Jeroen]

Every forum worldwide is seeing decreasing numbers of visitors, quite dramatically even, many even almost coming to a standstill. We are lucky to still have an active community but we too suffer from this age where people do not want to put in much more effort than clicking a like button.

Still, I'm open to improvement suggestions. The forum is due for an update, working on that to stay up to date and get rid of error messages we are all seeing, but in the meantime I'd like to know what you think can be improved. One suggestion I have received a couple of times already if for 'regional' section on the worldwide forum, just like we have the Dutch section at the bottom. Not complete forums, but perhaps a subforum section dedicated to your region where you can discuss issues related to your region. Regional meetings, legislation, local road authorities, typical issues (like the US have with 02 sensors).

We could for example have an Asian chapter, a section for Australia and NZ, UK, US? Would that add to the fun of being here?

[e21Keith]

I think the current structure for the forums works quite well and if they were to be subdivided further it would be more difficult to browse through the threads and find the interesting stuff. Sometimes it's not always immediately apparent where someone posting is from and therefore their relevance so it would be good if this was made a little clearer.
I'm disappointed that I can't read the Dutch forum as I'm sure there is lots of great stuff in there. So if there was a way of bringing the two current sections closer then it could work to the benefit of both sections.

[johnerttn]

I am the person who has instigated this with Jeroen, reason being is that here in little old New Zealand, we have a few hardcore enthusiasts some of who are members of this forum. However, in the last few months when I have been out in one of my 320's I have been approached by people who either have an e21 or are looking for one. The interesting thing is that most of the people are in their late 20's plus. A relativity young group of folk.
Anyway, I have had discussions with several folk about setting up an NZ e21 forum, but we don't have the numbers to make it viable. Some are already communicating via Facebook, others by person.
What I am suggesting is a page on this forum so that we can stay in touch, ask questions, sell/by stuff, post pics etc.
Its open to everyone.
Cheers
John.

[Jeroen]

John: ahhh I was just going to email you but we can have an open discussion here just as well! I started off with this forum, more than 15 years ago, to try and unite E21 owners worldwide and build a community where all could share experiences, help each other out and so on. I think we succeeded quite nicely but like every other forum we are now suffering as people are less and less willing to put some effort in and share. So numbers are way down (everywhere) but no matter how easy Facebook is, for a detailed report or a decent archive you need regular websites and forums!

I know we started a Dutch section, the bottom half of the forum. Partially because English is an obstacle for some, partially because the Dutch E21 community is very active, on our annual Sharknose Meeting we have no issues gathering 60 E21's in this small country (!!!). So when another Dutch language E21 forum stopped we gladly took over. But still I'd like to see the English forum as the main place for all to gather, and with the number of active participants not being that high anymore as Keith pointed out, wouldn't we be chopping things up too much by starting regional sections? Now you get everyone's attention, otherwise only a very small audience. And I have no issues with topics dedicated to the NZ or Aus and NZ community for meetings, specific issues, make a NZ parts market topic and the likes, but with activity down, why further split things up?

So to cut a long story short: I'd love to accommodate you guys, but preferably in a way that helps maintain the 'one worldwide E21 community' idea as much as possible.

Thoughts and suggestions?

[johnerttn]

Hi Jeroen, I totally understand your thoughts having helped to get the 02 forum up and running, I know what's involved.
In the past, I have been to the combined 02 and shark nose meetings in Holland in the past and really enjoyed seeing a wide cross section of cars. Its a shame that that combined meeting is no longer happening.
Maybe NZ (or other places) specific topics is the way to go.
Anyway, I will get in touch with some of the guys here and ask them to look at this topic.

[Jeroen]

that combined meeting was revitalized and is alive and kicking, bringing hundreds of classics together each year. Our own initiative and now called Sharknose Meeting. Making a giant leap forward after having to compromise for a few years but just to get an impression the 2014 report can be useful: http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22389

Miles ahead of the event you've visited before if you ask me. Pity we didn't bump into each other back then though!

[yatisr]

I am in Malaysia where, as the years go by, there are fewer and fewer operational E21s. This is not because there is a lack of enthusiasm for these finely engineered cars, but because, as they age, they are more time consuming and expensive to maintain. For Malaysian E21 owners who want to get information and advice locally, there is the BMW Club Malaysia website. It has an E21 section for guests and members to communicate. I believe that there may also be a Malaysian E21 Facebook page, but I can't confirm this as I don't do Facebook! (Gasps of horror). There are therefore local forums where Malaysian E21 owners can get in touch if they so wish.

I am sure that other BMW Clubs in the region have forums for classic BMWs, including the E21. I therefore think that having regional sub-forums on bmwe21.net would not be helpful as they will duplicate what is already in existence. It is more helpful to have one reputable worldwide site for E21s, such as bmwe21.net, where E21 enthusiasts can go for technical updates and information. I may not log into the website every day but I certainly look at the posts in the forum each weekday. This is the leading E21 website in the world. For someone like me who uses an E21 as a daily driver, the forum on this website is essential reading.
Yatis

[Jeroen]

Nice to hear! thanks!

[Mihajlo]

keep forum in English language...

Dutch sectoin is very interesting but I have to use google translate and struggle with incorect translations.. :/

[Wilmo]

I was struggling a bit with suggesting to start a second topic as well, but I see here the answer! If you guys see something that seems to be interesting, but just happens to be in the wrong language, just break in and ask. If in a Dutch topic an English discussion starts to form, then we always can split the topic and continue in English.

There is a large amount of information within the Dutch section that can be perceived as locked in. Asking for search terms or if someone remembers a topic of it should not be a problem (for us to answer).

[brockzila]

Hello.

Well I have spoken to John recently

I can see both aspects of this conversation.

I have only seen 3 other e21 on the road. There are very few of them here. There are cars around but the population is so spread out. There is an active bmw forum here but in reality they have no clue about any thing e21. They are more concerned about run flat tyres , pixels on obc and late model wheel choices.

It would be good to have some where we can let others know where we will be. There is a few race cars around so just a place for a simple I'm going to be a puke this weekend come hang out. ask for help or a part or sell a part.

This forum is a very euro biased community. I don't even look in the for sale section as It winds me up to see what's for sale that will cost me moon beams to get here.

One Major thing that this needs I s a Functioning new content button.

[Jeroen]

Good to get some feedback, thanks for that! I do realize there are things going on in the Dutch community that may be useful for a broader audience, I have placed several requests in the Dutch section to participate in the English section as much as possible, and I'm happy several people like Uwbuurman did (and he shared his hugely extensive restore which is a restoration bible in its own right!). But sometimes it is a bit easier to discuss things in your own language, I can imagine that.

Brockzilla: any suggestions? If we need to make regional topics, should be easy. Put up some local meet and other event info, sofar I only get event suggestions from European members so that's what you'll find in the calendar, but it should be worldwide as far as I am concerned.

New content is flagged though! Either by color (sections and topics with updates since your last visit are in red, in both the web and mobile versions) and you can also click ' View new posts' on the forum's main page. Not working for you???

[BrunoT]

from my experience the more you segregate the less effective it turns out. If you can find a way to get the dutch speakers contribute on English side the more exposure you get on google which will then start bringing back hits.

to answer your regional sub-forum question, there is no right or wrong answer to this. You will have to test the reaction of people. create some thread and let people post an updated photo of their cars beside a famous country monument. by doing so you generate interest and fun and most importantly get an idea of your demographics. there are many other ideas but you get what i mean right?

thats my 0.2 cents

[Jeroen]

[323baur]

Good topic.
Last year Jeroen started on my and other enthusiastic e12 lovers a subforum for this specific model.
Although almost all members are Dutch, it's in English.
Maybe it is also an other way to see this matter: More and deeper spread for all classic BMW?
For the Dutch community English is almost standard a second language, so that can't be a real problem. Only for some, or specific Dutch matters it stays in Dutch.