Joining BMW Car Club of America

[michaelhofastcar]

I am thinking of joining the BMWCCA to become a member.
Anyone here in this forum being a member?
What is your experience with BMWCCA?

[1996 328ti]

A lot depends on the local chapter. Boston has an active chapter.
Discounts on parts can cover your membership easily.

BMW CCA is having a membership drive.
If you don't know anyone in the Boston Chapter, use me as a referral.
BTW- I've been a member is 97.

[chepas]

...and besides, you'll get a great magazine, the "Roundel", the begining of every month.

[ZeroG]

Originally Posted by michaelhofastcar

I am thinking of joining the BMWCCA to become a member.
Anyone here in this forum being a member?
What is your experience with BMWCCA?

I am a member. In LA the Chapter is really active. Speaking of which AutoX tomorrow.

-Chad

[AlaskaBlue]

I am a member of the hoosier chapter. My chapter is not too active unfortunately. I still think it is worth it for what is done, the discounts, and the magazine.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by ZeroG

I am a member. In LA the Chapter is really active. Speaking of which AutoX tomorrow.

-Chad

Does Delight bring her ti to the autocross?

[ZeroG]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

Does Delight bring her ti to the autocross?

I have never seen it. She normally instructs on works. My bad the Autocross is tomorrow not today.

-Chad

[CirrusSR22]

I've been a member for a few months. All the event are on weekends and I always have to work

The magazine is worth the $40 (or so) on it's own.

[Phil Marx]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

I've been a member for a few months.
The magazine is worth the $40 (or so) on it's own.

Nice to hear you say so.

And if you didn't notice already, this month's issue has an article by list member/supporter B.Taylor. Sure, it's on the new 6 Series but it's written by a ti owner!

-Phil Marx
managing editor, Roundel

[bmwracerchick]

are there any chapters here in florida?

[L84THSKY]

I joined a few months ago. About a week ago, I ordered parts from Circle BMW in NJ. When the order was totaled up, I asked him if they give a discount for BCCA members. He told me the discount I receive by placing a mail order purchase from out of state exceeds any discount from the 5% BCCA membership.

The only conclusion I can make of that is that the 5% discount apllies to walk in customers only. Why wouldn't I get the 5% discount on top of the savings from not paying state sales tax?

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

I've been a member for a few months. All the event are on weekends and I always have to work

The magazine is worth the $40 (or so) on it's own.

[Phil Marx]

Originally Posted by bmwracerchick

are there any chapters here in florida?

Only four!!!!

Check here BMWCCA.org

[Phil Marx]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

I joined a few months ago. About a week ago, I ordered parts from Circle BMW in NJ. When the order was totaled up, I asked him if they give a discount for BCCA members. He told me the discount I receive by placing a mail order purchase from out of state exceeds any discount from the 5% BCCA membership.

The only conclusion I can make of that is that the 5% discount apllies to walk in customers only. Why wouldn't I get the 5% discount on top of the savings from not paying state sales tax?

Some dealers actively pursue Internet sales and offer discounts for that "found" business which may equal or even exceed discounts to local Club members. Many do not offer these same mail order prices over the counter. That's not at all unusual.

Dealers are independent business people. Some local dealers, not all, give discounts to Club members and that discount can range from 5% to 20%. Some dealers use BMW list and discount from that, others use an inflated list and do or don't discount from that. When you're ordering from a mail order dealer, even one in Roundel, they're usually already into discounting or they wouldn't be placing a national ad. The original point of a dealer offering a discount to Club members was to give them a way to show they appreciated the local Club members and the business they brought in. Even if they don't offer one, it never hurts to ask your local dealership if they do every time you check on or buy a part. Of course checking other dealers just to keep your's honest isn't a bad idea, either. Also remember some BMW parts have a shorter markup. These include some rebuilt parts which the dealer often cannot discount at the same rate and still make any money.

At the dealership where I worked for twenty years the parts manager often marked-up random BMW list prices as much as 25%. We still got him to discount to Club members from the BMW NA list price. When he finally left, we went back to NA list price for everyone and still discounted to Club members. Now the local dealer is part of a larger dealer "group" and I find the list price at our local store is often higher than their other store only 70 miles away (where they do pursue mailorder---see AutoWeek magazine). But the local dealer still gives CCA members a substantial discount which we appreciate, which makes them competitive, and which benefits everyone.

-Phil