BMWCC National AGM

steven.seed wrote: Rhys wrote: Least you not driving a scabby peasants car like an E30, I drive a scabby E30 although as far as the club members go I am in the majority. Only around 10 to 15 percent of the members drive cars less than 3 years old. Those with new/newish high value BMW's choose not to join. Most drivers of new 5,6,7 series don't like to associate with us oily fingernail types. All my mates in the club drive old and very old BMW's. There is only ever an occasional new car at any of our meets.

I must have had the scabbiest E30 going at one point, the paint was holding the rust together, had mushrooms growing out of the carpets and sewerage in the  boot wells.. (rescued from a flood and given an extra year to live before it fell to bits) The comment was intended to those who don't like to associate with owners of older and/or lower value cars and those who aren't made welcome because they can't afford the membership fee.

Yes, I went to the AGM down at Beaulieu.

I did post that fact on page 2 of this thread and got flamed for it.

I do realise what has gone on with the club over the past 3-4 years but I was trying to be a little constructive.


What happened?

Well you should have gone shouldn't you. If you weren't interested before why should any one be interested now?

Yep, all hush hush, secret squirrel etc.

"It seems that the secret society is in full swing.." etc etc etc

To say you ALL seem so UN-interested in the official BMW car club this thread has attracted 626 views and 46 replies compare that with the vast majority of posts.

You are un-happy WITH the club and / or its directors yet you remain un-able to live WITHOUT it.

With regards why one joins any club or organisation it is for enjoyment and commerade to enthuse about, in this case, the BMW marque.This is surely reason alone???     

M3sportEvo wrote: With regards why one joins any club or organisation it is for enjoyment and commerade to enthuse about, in this case, the BMW marque.This is surely reason alone???

It's the members that make a club what it is, unfortunately some clubs think they are above the members and forget their original purpose.

Personally I get a lot out of being a member of the club. I enjoy going to meets, various car shows, mixing with like minded people, going on runs, visiting places of interest and other events like race meetings such as the Kuhmo challenge. I go on club organised dealer days and get the opportunity to drive cars that I could never afford to buy. But most people seem to view it all in a financial manner ( what do I get for my �35 ) I can't afford a new BMW with a service package and BMW assist but I do get 25% discount off my RAC membership and 10% off if I have to go to a dealer and with the club parts finder scheme for members I can source obselete parts for my old cars at discounts which can be up to 80 or 90%. I get free entry to certain venues on club organised visits such as this sunday when we are having a fun run ending at Jodrell Bank where we get free entry to the visitor centre and the gardens where we all plan on having a picnic. I get free tickets to a couple of kumho meetings which alone for myself and my son saves me �60. Not bad for my �35 and I haven't even mentioned the magazine that some people claim they don't want.  As with most clubs you get out of it what you put in which is very little if you sit back and don't get involved. Its very nice to talk with people on the forums but I'd rather meet in person and that means getting of my fat a*se and getting involved. I don't think a dislike of the way in which the National committee do things is something that should stop anyone being a member of the club, If people really want to be a member they will do so regardless. 

A little harsh I know.

"Bad day at Black Rock"



Any hoo, 3 directors were up for re-election...

Jeff Haywood
Alan Kirkaldy
Andrew Dale

They were voted back in.

3 members voted against Jeff and Andrew but as there were not enough it didn't count.


I rejoined as a member if only to have my say at the AGM, it was a 3hour drive for me and my wife (who was bored by the whole proceedings). Business as usual for the club and it's directors.


What is the answer, make yourself heard. Go to the meetings, phone the club, speak to Andrew Dale. Attend the AGM and vote as you see fit.

Jeff & Andrew (its heywood by the way) are probably the reason nobody was there, they've gotten rid of those that oppose them.

If they were voted out who would replace them? Are there any definite candidates willing to step forward? The chairman's position is basically a full time unpaid job that very few people could afford to take on. I know I couldn't.  Beside's which at the recent delegates meeting I attended it was pretty obvious that most of the regional committee members most of whom seemed to have been in the club for years and years are happy with the board. One comment made by someone was that when the present chairman took over, the club was almost bankrupt but now has a healthy bank balance and the membership has more than quadrupled. How true that is I do not know but if it is true to a lot of people that is going to be good enough to keep him in office.

A lot of clubs have a policy to rotate the position of chairman. If the directors work well as a team who is chairman does not matter.

But sadly the BMW CC has allowed one person to be seen to be only one that can run the club. If he was decent and honourable he would refuse the chair and propose someone else.

But will this happen?

Please keep replies polite we don't want this thread shut down