You mean https://bmwcarclubgb.uk? No, not a member. I'm aware of it having owned 2 BMWs over 8 years prior to MINItime, but at the time I was involved with another owner/enthusiast club/forum which was enough for me. TBH for the £40/45 annual membership I can't see much benefit that excites me. So ah'm oot.

I've always been involved with an owners club/forum for whatever I've owned: cliosport.net (back in the early 2000's when it was great with decent runs very akin to NMS), type-r-scotland, seatcupra.net, etc. Best was buying a Z4 and signing up to z4-forum and starting off the Scottish runs - those were superb and to this day I still meet up with friends from there. I signed up for e90post with my 330i after the Z4 but never took to it - too many bellends, willy waving and no runs.

What did the best clubs/forums have in common? Decent, normal, friendly folk and well-planned (mostly - we won't mention not getting on the ferry at Mallaig...) runs. Car make and model? They don't matter. From my limited contact with folks here so far, I'd say that sums up NMS too, except we all seem to hold onto MINIs than moving on

I naively thought - when joining NMS - that I'd get along to meets, get out on loads of runs, basically back to what I had with my Clio/Z4. Guess I was being unrealistic given I've a young family and other interests. I know NMS is quite an established, close-knit club/community so am happy enough to stick around here on the fringes and see what happens as the kids get older. Just can't see my having time for another club like the BMW owners club.

Ally