[roGERK]

OK Wayne,

Free advice, worth every penny:

1) What's a BBS worth? No idea, but in my experience of car clubs (specifically their magazine editors) after 1-3 years most people are hacked off with doing something that takes enormous amounts of time and effort, and frequently gets little or no praise and is taken for granted...

So, what am I trying to say? Do your research, put out a few gentle feelers, and see if someone who has set up or "owns" a BMW site is getting fed up with it and fancies taking a break. You may find their site is much cheaper than someone who really loves doing it, or has only recently started.

2) An observation on human nature - People are very conservative (with a small c). The chances are I'll continue using the Pelican BBS for as long as it continues. I don't give a hoot about another site which has a better layout, or offers me a $1 discount on my next $50 worth of parts.

So, what am I trying to say? I doubt if you being a new "owner" of a BBS would cause a mass evacuation of members. BUT, because people hate and loath change, I'd keep it more or less exactly as it is, even if it looks and "feels" nothing like this BBS.

3) Be careful. A big killer of businesses in a recession is attempting to expand (remember the Hermit crab, and how vulnerable it is when it moves between shells!).

So, I'd say - are you sure this BMW thing is going to fly? Otherwise you'll be wasting time, effort and money trying to launch something that's time isn't right while simultanously taking time effort and money away from your core business - selling parts for Porkers...

Good luck to you. whatever you decide.

- roGER