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As the aggrieved party, I think I should be able to have the last word on the issue - which means THIS IS IT, NO REPLIES, NO MORE COMMENTS, THE TOPIC IS DEAD!
So, here's my last word:
1) It was about the pictures. The point is, if Randy had been a regular member/lurker of the E-31 Board, or had time to check out the kind of thread topics that appear, he'd see that the members of the E-31 Board are usually a staid bunch of old wine drinkers who are interested primarily (on the board) in talking about 8's, which usually means fixing them. The entire post was inappropriate for our regular discussions, and personally, although I'm a fairly liberal minded heterosexual male, I took offense to it being on the E-31 Board. So he got umpteen million hits and only one complaint..... he plastered his post across every Board, it was bound to happen.
2) I am not apologizing in any way, but I do concede that my e-mail to Randy was a bit pompous in it's wording, but as one of the longest running members of the E-31 Board, I took it upon myself to ask Randy not to post something like that again. I did this privately, respectfully and I expected it to remain so.
3) Randy, although wrong/foolish/quick tempered when he decided to post a flame directed at me on the E-31 Board, did apologize further down the thread to all of us and I for one accept his apology. The rest of the Board should do the same. (Randy, as flames go, yours get a C+ :-)
4) I've been reading all the posts concerning this fracas on both Boards, and frankly, I'm amused at the reactions from both sides. Here's my say:
First - To the E-31 guys/gals.
Things here have certainly blown out of proportion. Yeah, the members of the E-30 board seem like a bunch of wild-ass, irresponsible teens, let loose with their first car and daddy's credit card. But remember that they do love/invest/cherish/push/modify their cars with as much enthusiasm as we do. And I'm sure they're just as diverse a group as we are. Randy's attack was unwarranted, and I thank you for coming to my defense. I just don't think that disparaging their Board gets us anywhere.
Now - To the E-30 guys/gals.
Yes, we must seem like a bunch of old sheep to you, anal retentive owner's of a 10 year old design that barely made a dent in the US market. However, new cars are just coming out now with some of the features our vintage tin has had for years. Anal Retentive? Fuck yes!.... There are less than 7,000 of these beauties in the U.S. The 8's are out of production, with limited production numbers to begin with (BMW probably makes more E-30's in a year than all the E-31's combined) with ground breaking high technology features and the looks of an Italian supermodel. Can you say rarity? Where else can you get a World Class V-12 supercar for less than $40,000 US? Expensive upkeep? You bet! But if you've ever owned an older Jaguar, Ferrari, Lambo, etc. you'd think an 850 positively cheap. Are there faster, quicker, smoother, more tossable, and stoppable cars? You bet, but they're either mass produced units or they're out of most folks pocketbook range. But, without a doubt, there are few cars on this planet with the same style, grace and elegance, combined with luxury and high-tech that are exhibited by the 8 series. They are acknowledged to not be the fastest/quickest/etc. in most parameters, they are heavy and expensive, but they are dear to our hearts.
Now then, I think Charlie said it best that the signal-to-noise ratio of the E-31 Board is the highest amongst them all. We usually are the older, more settled, and perhaps stodgier BMW brethren who, for the most part, keep our discussion to maintaining our rides. If you're a regular on the Board, you'll find a very diverse and International group dedicated to an oft disparaged car, that we love. We are kind to newcomers and strangers, as long as they keep to the topic. Over the past few years, there have been a few shit disturbers who've come in and tried to rile the group. They usually get shot down immediately. We just don't like the bullshit of flame wars and other noise. We keep to conversational tones, we take the time to write intelligently and we have our version of fun. You don't have to be a member of Mensa to join in, just take the time to think about what you're saying and who you're saying it to.
So, finally, I really don't give a rat's ass if this interlude allows us to work closer as members of the BMW community, but I do ask that if you come over to the E-31 Board, it's for discussions and questions about the topic. And if you're in the S.F. Bay Area, the Bay Area 8's welcomes any Bimmer owner (you just have to put up with a bunch of "old" men, squawking about their E-31's!).
Thank you all for listening to my opinions, and please, lets leave it here without any more crap.
Stan C.
'92 850iA
Bay Area 8's
SCCA 147307
BMWCCA 161386
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