Help With Site Improvements?
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Website Forum
Forum Name: Website Announcements & Feedback
Forum Discription: Any site announcements will be made here. If you have any comments or feedback about the site, post it here.
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=42141
Printed Date: 06-May-2024 at 16:21
Topic: Help With Site Improvements?
Posted By: kbannon
Subject: Help With Site Improvements?
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 22:20
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Just wondering, what kind of overall site improvements would you recommend? Has the site lost some of its flair? (Did it ever have any?) What would you like from the site? How can it be made better? Are people wanting more events in their area? Or what? ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Replies:
Posted By: PaulG1991
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 22:33
I'd like to comment on this, im registered on a few forums but on a bike forum i was on there was a live chatroom, tht was ace, wasnt near as many members as this site but still proved popular. Tht same site also had a garage function, search by model or username and incorporated a gallery and spec sheet. Very Cool
------------- 316i Compact |
Posted By: Pete330
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 22:35
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works well the way it is IMHO ------------- Previous: E36 318is coupe, E36 323i coupe, E30 316 saloon, E30 318 saloon, E46 330ci Sport Conv E92 325d M Sport(3.0),With Loads of gadgets Current: 116i Sport F20 |
Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 22:46
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there is a chatroom function already but it doesnt seem to be very popular the garage function might be useful for a motoring forum where users own different makes and models, but i think it would be unnecessary here seeing as most people already have their cars mentioned in their signature or avatars just my two pennies worth, what do other people reckon? ------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Posted By: PaulG1991
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 22:51
hehehe i just noticed that  . nobodys on tho. i thought the spec sheet wud of been a good thing, for all mods n even suppliers of mods.------------- 316i Compact |
Posted By: davy tombstone
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 23:21
dont change it yet, us newbies are just getting used to it.
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Posted By: Rossi
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 23:37
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In the Technical Sections: What about starting a vote of thanks league..(with maybe a monthly, bi-annual or annual forum prize)  i.e. The original poster of the thread with the car problem, is given the right to allocate say 10 points which can be shared amongst contributors to solving the problem. Once the owner/original thread starter, is happy that the issue has been resolved, he or she allocates the points accordingly to contributing members. References to old threads which instantly solve a problem get 10 points. This could be used to remove old threads which are now doubled up as a 'solved' question/ problem. The thread starter then has to fill in a 'Solved' box relating to appropriate section of the car and model then the thread is auto-locked. The 'solved' box data could then be used as a reference guide for the appropriate model of car in categories. 3 Series |engine | electrical | emissions...etc 5 Series |engine | electrical |emissions....etc The info is already in there it just needs sorting out and getting shot of double/ treble posts hence reducing the database size. just my thoughts.. |
Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 00:03
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that's a good idea Rossi could work a bit like this? http://www.experts-exchange.com/ - http://www.experts-exchange.com/
------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Rossi wrote:Posted By: Rossi
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 09:48
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that's the idea Stephen, more or less what I was thinking of (nice find, bookmarked too)  The forum would then be a valuable database on how to fix opposed to asking the same questions over and over again <yawn> over time within technical sections. My thoughts on this would be that forum members would need to achieve a certain amount of posts or contribute towards the site cash wise to gain access to the database of fixes. edit:Forget the above part and make it available to all, so no-one needs to even be a member of the forum to read it then 
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Posted By: hoggr
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 09:52
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A minor thing. When you move the cursor over the topic heading it displays the topic start date and time. I am sure it used to be the case that the first couple of lines of the post were shown. Which I think is more useful. Rob. ------------- Robert |
Posted By: Jack735
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 12:09
Just noticed that's now working, how fast are these admins?
Although all the sites I’m on can be accessed through my phone one has a stripped down version for mobiles, no photos, avatars etc. and the width matches the available width of the screen. It makes it very quick and so easy to navigate. I’m not sure how it does it but I don’t have to do anything to say if I’m on the PC or the phone – it just knows and there's a wee note automatically comes up to say ‘posted via a mobile device’. Apart from that this site is great. Well done to all those involved in keeping it going.
[not posted via a mobile device] ------------- Oooh, The machine of a dream, such a clean machine With the pistons a pumpin', and the alloys all gleam, When I'm holding your wheel, All I hear is your gear, With my hand on your grease gun, Mmm it's like a disease son, I'm in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile, Get a grip on my ....... |
Posted By: stevie53
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 12:27
your second statement will just draw newbies into asking the same questions over and over again, because they can't access the databases of fixes without having to dip into their pockets. please don't try and fix something that ain't broken. ------------- ///2000 E39 M5 Imola Red/// NO MORE una volta lei ha avuto l'italiano lei non andrà mai tedesco di nuovo haha |
Posted By: Webdunk
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 12:50
I quite liked the idea of a garage... to take it a wee step further it would be very cool if the data and images in 'the garage' could be used to generate a single A4 'show sheet' which folk could print off (either using Print CSS or creating a PDF on the fly). Naturally this would include a forum logo so :
------------- 
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Posted By: Rossi
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 15:34
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Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 15:45
Whatever about the former, I'd be against the latter as the forum is here to help people and not as a money making project. This ain't the BMWCC anymore!  ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: Issy
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 16:08
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I agree with Stevie I like it the way it is... although I like the idea that Duncan suggests also. I am on other sites whaich have a forum and this one is far the best and easiest to use. Although I think a bit of general housekeeping would be in order to shorten the main menu as there seems to be alot on there which has not been used for a while. Just a thought! Keep up the good work though its a great site! -------------  |
Posted By: hoggr
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 17:53
Yes it works in the main forum sections. I meant when you have selected 'Active topics'.
Rob. ------------- Robert |
Posted By: stevie53
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 18:10
I don't need to suggest anything I'm quite happy with the way the forum is working, but I will certainly back anyone who comes up with what I think is a valid and useful suggestion ------------- ///2000 E39 M5 Imola Red/// NO MORE una volta lei ha avuto l'italiano lei non andrà mai tedesco di nuovo haha |
Posted By: Rossi
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 18:53
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yes it's very easy to criticize..good luck then! |
Posted By: nero
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 19:14
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Would a new skin to freshen up/modernize the forum design/layout help - perhaps give us more of an identity? -------------  |
Posted By: stevie53
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 20:22
If an idea is 5h1t then it deserves criticism ------------- ///2000 E39 M5 Imola Red/// NO MORE una volta lei ha avuto l'italiano lei non andrà mai tedesco di nuovo haha |
Posted By: Rhys
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 23:55
I think it should be members only that can post on the forum.. Oh hang on.. Oops - forgot where I was then...  Lots of good suggestions so far Howabout a 'shout box'? Bit like a cut down version of a chatroom but on the forum itself? ------------- V reg Rustbucket Merc C220 Cdi estate J Reg Saab 900i 16v '63 Ford Anglia 105e deluxe R reg Honda PC50 moped.. No BMW as yet... |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 23:56
So is it a thread or a chatroom or what? ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: nero
Date Posted: 16-August-2008 at 14:18
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoutbox - Wikipedia definition of Shoutbox Looking at the definition above, I'm don't think it is the way forward? We already have a chatroom for those interested and there's always MSN or Yahoo Messengers as an alternative. ------------- |
Posted By: PaulG1991
Date Posted: 16-August-2008 at 14:40
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good old wikipedia. i agree, i think this would just attract spam to the site. seems like a good chatroom. hows about a car of the month feature? a members car on the homepage with all the ins and outs? also is there going to be merchandise available?
------------- 316i Compact |
Posted By: 540 V8
Date Posted: 17-August-2008 at 22:44
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I think the forum works well as it is but I'm only saying that because I can't think of anything Mike ------------- 
Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard |
Posted By: Nigel
Date Posted: 17-August-2008 at 23:42
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I think the forum works well. Its a free forum, funded by Killian, donations, & advertising. It isn't affiliated to any real world club, so I think prizes are out of the question, even merchandise comes expensive to have sitting around at home waiting for someone that wants a T shirt, sticker etc. There is a wealth of knowledge on here, and by and large a very good posting record. Group hug for K I think !
------------- Best Wishes Nigel |
Posted By: ricfeen
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 11:16
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Good site. Not much to do with it.
Would say that the events page needs to be updated. Think 2006 is the last time it was! |
Posted By: Nigel
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 14:30
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"WE" dont actually have any events of our own (unless they've not been inviting me) ------------- Best Wishes Nigel |
Posted By: ricfeen
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 15:38
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Well who puts them posts up for events up on the bmwcarsclubireland site.
Why don't 'ye' have some events of yur own. |
Posted By: Peter Fenwick
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 17:01
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I like the forum as it is and don't think it needs any changes. ------------- Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel. |
Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 19:19
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There is one thing that would help me a lot.
I post my trackdays and meets on nearly all the BMW forums.. a lot of the others have a quick link to go to "see my posts" which I find very useful. I still think that the regional pages need to go.. it's only us and the BMW Car Club that have them.. it makes it far too busy looking.. just one 'whats on in your area' would be fine - so long as everyone puts the location in the topic line.. such as 'Club Night - Howden - Yorkshire' it would be plain for all to see if its for them or not. Thats my 2d. Nick ------------- |
Posted By: 540 V8
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 21:40
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The man has a point! As mentioned, the areas are associated with the BMWCC and this site is in no way affiliated with any such club so why not just have an area which you can list meets and events on? Mike -------------
Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 22:32
Have you seen the "My Latest Topics" section on http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/default.asp - the main page ? (bottom right)
Fair enough, but several of the regional forums are quite busy (Irish, Scottish for example). ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 20-August-2008 at 22:58
That would be me. However, because of a split with the BMW Club GB's directors, the site hasn't received much effort recently (mainly because they want it!)
What do you plan on organising? ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: alym786
Date Posted: 21-August-2008 at 02:25
I like this idea... ------------- E46 328ci now sold :( 
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Posted By: nero
Date Posted: 21-August-2008 at 12:49
I found an example of a Shoutbox on another http://www.thewinator.nl/phpbb3/ - forum . This one was hosted on the home page only and seems to be infrequently used  ------------- |
Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 21-August-2008 at 13:44
------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 21-August-2008 at 19:19
Nope - missed that lot, my browser always takes me straight to 'active topics'.. not been to the main page for ages but I will now. Thanks ------------- |
Posted By: stevie53
Date Posted: 21-August-2008 at 19:22
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I thought the idea of a shoutbox was an environment away from the main forum where you can abuse someone who is acting like a tw*t without the fear of the mods wanting to ban you.
------------- ///2000 E39 M5 Imola Red/// NO MORE una volta lei ha avuto l'italiano lei non andrà mai tedesco di nuovo haha |
Posted By: Nigel
Date Posted: 21-August-2008 at 20:48
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Depends who your abusing, but generally....dream on
------------- Best Wishes Nigel |
Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 21-August-2008 at 21:12
------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
Posted By: keithc
Date Posted: 25-August-2008 at 13:21
Thats what I would think too. If it was more centeralised I think it'd be easier to manage and navigate. Too many choices and it gets confusing at times! |
Posted By: simoneyes
Date Posted: 25-August-2008 at 14:53
i like the site have had a look at others but they have quite complicated masks,so didnt appeal to me. im not good with computers so the simplicity of this site was just what i was looking for. shame chatroom is always empty,culd do with a bit of typing practice. -------------  
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Posted By: 540 V8
Date Posted: 28-August-2008 at 23:12
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Lol, what makes you think they wouldn't anyway??!! Mike -------------
Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard |
Posted By: big pimpin
Date Posted: 29-August-2008 at 12:30
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Dunno if this has already been mentioned but a "view your posts" link like in the e30zone and e36coupe forums is something I find very handy. ------------- E90 320d - M635 CSi - 635CSi Highline - GMC Typhoon - 4.6 P38 |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 29-August-2008 at 13:45
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There is already the "My Latest Topics" at the bottom right of the http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/default.asp - main forum listings page (click the forum banner at the top to get there also).
------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: 540 V8
Date Posted: 01-September-2008 at 00:26
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Lol, perhaps given some people suggestions a "how to use this forum" section may not go amiss! Mike -------------
Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 02-September-2008 at 08:41
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I think this is one of the best and easiest forums to use and view. Please do not change it. Please do not get rid of the area sections. I have joined a few forums and confusion sets in with me straight away after logging. "I'm sorry you need to wait for your application to join this forum to be proccessed by a mod" dum dee dum few days later "Please activate your account by clicking here" Yawn And then when you do get the green light to post you are confused by the way it lets you do it. It is nice and laid out well here. click here for 5 series stuff, click here for 3 series stuff, click here for M stuff. Other forums were like click here for engine questions, click here for electrical questions. It is no use grouping together different parts of different cars. I think it makes it more difficult to use. I joined a Mercedes forum as my wife has a C Class Coupe and I got a message from a mod asking me to stop posting technical questions without having done a search. I refused to argue that I had carried out a search (for fear of getting banned) couldn't find the answer so made a new post. It was about how to check automatic transmission fluid levels so fairly chuffin' important stuff if you ask me and all I got from a mod was "that's been asked before please search before making a new post". My answer was no it hasn't atleast on that particular type of Merc. All the different models of Mercs (which you can imagine there have been a few over the years) were all thrown together under headings like, engine, cooling, gearbox, electrical. I wanted one for C Class but there wasn't. Toyota Celica forum wasn't up to much and some of the Detailing forums I have looked at are not particularly easy to post on or navigate around. Have a look at my signature, that says it all. Thanks to Killian for the way this site is run. End of my 2p worth.
Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: Misty Morning
Date Posted: 04-September-2008 at 20:03
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I've been on and belong to a few forums, and this one is far the best in its layout and the way it works. Not to mention the best emoticons of any site |
Posted By: Rhys
Date Posted: 04-September-2008 at 20:14
Really...?  ------------- V reg Rustbucket Merc C220 Cdi estate J Reg Saab 900i 16v '63 Ford Anglia 105e deluxe R reg Honda PC50 moped.. No BMW as yet... |
Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 04-September-2008 at 20:37
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Yes, really ..... ------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 04-September-2008 at 22:33
Are you having doubts? Maybe I should have left you in the room with Jeff and Andrew that day! ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: Rhys
Date Posted: 05-September-2008 at 20:20
Argh! No!! Fate worse than death - even worse than loosing you door key. (smiley nicked from another forum btw  )------------- V reg Rustbucket Merc C220 Cdi estate J Reg Saab 900i 16v '63 Ford Anglia 105e deluxe R reg Honda PC50 moped.. No BMW as yet... |
Posted By: m5bm
Date Posted: 07-September-2008 at 20:40
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I like this site also but what do you think of this layout, I set it up for the ni-bmw crew when they asked, but then they never used it and now I am banned so its of no use........ http://www.ni-bmw.com/forum ------------- Loving the E38 |
Posted By: b318isp
Date Posted: 08-September-2008 at 14:04
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I think the forum works well. KB - I didn't think you had the time to VOLUNTEER to improve it! ------------- 
http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/index.html - My E30 318is Site |
Posted By: m5bm
Date Posted: 08-September-2008 at 16:59
What do you mean ? Dont get it. ------------- Loving the E38 |
Posted By: b318isp
Date Posted: 10-September-2008 at 14:44
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KB must have time on his hands to initiate the post! He's a busy man. -------------
http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/index.html - My E30 318is Site |
Posted By: deeko1973
Date Posted: 11-September-2008 at 10:45
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Hi, As a relative newcomer I don't want to sound like I'm criticising Someone suggested earlier that having a better 'knowledge database' would be an improvement and I agree. I think one of the main headings on the main menu should be 'Problem database' or something like that and have a topic-based breakdown of posts that are logged in the appropriate sub-sections... e.g. Engine/bodywork/mods/ etc... or other headings that are more appropriate... I know we already have the 'how to' section, but I often don't find any info in there about what I'm looking for, whereas I sometimes find it in other posts... if it was all categorised it would be really useful and would save people (myself included) asking the same question over and over again. More emphasis seems to be placed on splitting up the forums into car-type or location... which is fun for the local chat etc... but if you're just looking for an answer to a question it doesn't really matter where in the world the answer comes from (apart from obvious car changes in different countries!)... Anyway.. I do like the forum and find it very useful the way it is!! Just my thoughts... ------------- 
E46 2000 330i Saloon |
.. but compared to other forums I have used in the past I don't find it particularly easy to find what I'm looking for in previous posts. If I do a search for a topic it generally comes up with hundreds of answers which may or may not have anything to do with what I was looking for.Posted By: Retro-Marc
Date Posted: 02-November-2008 at 02:44
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Good site very helpful...nothing wrong really ------------- http://www.mybannermaker.com/link.php?nurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mybannermaker.com"> 
E30 325i Sport - For Sale |
Posted By: Retro-Marc
Date Posted: 02-November-2008 at 02:51
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JDM tyte YO! ------------- http://www.mybannermaker.com/link.php?nurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mybannermaker.com">
E30 325i Sport - For Sale |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 02-November-2008 at 09:34
what? ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: Wayne'o
Date Posted: 04-November-2008 at 18:43
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what about a "was it you?" section like, Seen another bmw on your travels? Then ask "Was it you?" -------------  
visit my birds shoe site www.theshoeaddict.co.uk |