Mini-Rant: What has happened to our site?

[fernandos1]

I just signed up to this forum in hopes to avoid BimmerFest. My experience with Bimmerfest and a couple of other forums is that they treat new people (or noobs as they call them) with very little patience.

[Weasel]

Well, I think you will find this great collection of people to be very helpful! The most of us have plenty of patience and understanding... after all, that's why we're all here.

[fernandos1]

Look forward to it, already a great beginning!

[jsears]

I was a noob here at one point. I still consider myself a noob in collective and individual wealth of knowledge on this forum.

[JohnD]

I can't believe I got stiffed by a member of this board for $25. I posted a thread last week looking for a 3 spoke wheel, the seller and I agreed on a price of $375, but then he turned around and sold it to someone else for $400. It's sad when people are simply out to make a profit rather than keeping the spirit of a board like this going. The sad part is, had he asked for more money I would have gladly paid it. Now I am stuck looking for an airbag to go with the sport wheel I bought from another member of the board.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by motordavid

You have made one post...when did you get "attacked"?

From the other side: yes, Search does not always work like Google.
Many of us answer the even obvious & inane questions, in combination with additional links
and/or pointing to Search for additional perspectives for the OP questioner.

From my perspective, perusing this Board a couple hrs a day, 7 days a week, the "attacks" are few and far between.

The whining in this thread is almost directly inverse proportional to the number of informative and helpful posts, by the poster,imo.
I have become ragged out lately, reading about the ragging; it's a great site with an eclectic group of very smart people from
very diverse backgrounds and cultures.

There is very little, on nearly any topic, that cannot draw a few reasonable answers, opins, ideas, on this Board, imo...

It is what it is, but if there is a better car board/general info board, a board where most hold most in high regard, and especially an
X/BMW info board, I have not found it in 10 years of cruising the web.
Good Luck to All,
mD

Well said. I have seen far more threads where people have been helpful to newbies by answering questions that have been beaten to death by giving direct answers and/or posting links as well. Most of these questions could have typically been answered by using the search tab. On the flip side, there is nothing wrong with looking for more recent or additional opinions. I do get that.

I have also looked at numerous other BMW boards and this is by far the best around. Just my opinion, but if you have a lot to complain about with the majority of members here, then good luck anywhere else. I have only been part of this community since 2007 (lurker since 2006), so I can't say what it was like 5 years ago, but overall, it seems to be a very frielndly site as far as car forums go anyway.

[Joe@Crevier BMW]

I've been away for awhile. Might be in the market for an E53 X5 4.4 again. I thought I would stop by and see who is still around

[Harley Monster]

Joe, this is probably not the best heading to put this post under...This forum is still great and you are a great contributor...stick around.

[sames1]

I usually search, but sometimes searches are not effective especially if the keywords used are not what the solution includes. I'm sure some don't bother searching at all, but.. as a forum owner in another niche and as a member of several popular forums, I have always advocated that a forum is more a conversation than a knowlege base.

The same issues and questions will keep coming up. Usually this gives someone else a chance to respond rather than the old responder 6 months ago. Who knows, there may be a new view, a new technique or better information given the next time round. Sure the solution may not change, but perhaps someone has a twist or a way to save time and money doing it.

I just appreciate all those here willing to help. I've asked some pretty dumb questions but was always treated with respect and got the answers I needed.

[ValveTronic]

I've been away for .... two years or so.. hostage to the housing / mortgage market.. what's going on here? Have the knowledgeable helpful moderators changed?

I am in NY now.. what have I missed?