General thoughts on joining the BMW CCA

[BrooklynMW]

What do you guys think? With all these free forums open to us now, is it still worth joining the BMW CCA?

Also, is it worth joining with the additional fee premium package?

I'm thinking about doing it, and would love some advice and wisdom. If I joined with the premium package, I would probably cancel my AAA membership.

[gone002]

AAA is the best !!!
i would never quit them

[BrooklynMW]

AAA is the best !!!
i would never quit them

So, any experience with the CCA?

[reelizmpro]

If not for the Roundel, I don't see it being worth it anymore. It used to be essential for an enthusiast but the internet brought enthusiasts together and got more information out faster than a club magazine could ever. CCA members get dealer discounts too but 15% off a product marked up 300% isn't exactly a deal. I haven't been a member for almost a decade but I still attend some of the same events, just don't get the Roundel. I guess the Roundel could be worth the $30? $40? a year but I doubt there's much E30 coverage anymore, at least not like BMW car, performance bmw, etc. etc.

[BoxDriver86]

I was a member back in the day when I lived in MD. I honestly think I was the only guy who worked on his own car. We had a track day at Summit Point and only two of us were on the track. The other guy had a Z3 and let his wife drive. Slowly. The rest were on the grass talking about wine tastings and one-upping on where thier children were going to college. I felt very out of place. Nice folks, but not my bag. This was about 10 years ago.

On the other hand, the Roundel is a very well written magazine and usually has some good reads as well as a solid classifieds section.

[McGyver]

i've never been part of it, but i can't see the majority of cca people working on their cars or knowing much. look around for a local free club or start your own for classic bimmers!

[7pilot]

I use the membership for HPDE.
Otherwise I have no interest in the "Lifestyle" or Cachet or whatever.

m

[BrooklynMW]

good responses, fellas. thanks!

[cramer]

If you want to be active in club events (driving schools, cruises, gatherings, etc) then yes, it's worth it. I don't think it's really worth the yearly dues for the subscription to Rondel alone.

[5spoke]

I got is as a Christmas gift last year and to be honest, I have only read the roundels and used the discount once for buying my brother in law a shirt at the dealer. I don't think I will renew it at the end of the year.

[Van Westervelt]

Its a cult!

No seriously though, as stated if you are going to be active in events and so forth then it can be worth it.

[Eric Giles]

Another benefit of the being a CCA member is if you purchase a new BMW (or I think even some CPO cars from a dealer) then you get anywhere from $500 to $1500 back from BMW after the purchase when you send in the required rebate paperwork. I know that for the majority of people on this forum that might not be beneficial, but I personally have used it on three E46's that I have purchased new over the past ten years getting a total of $1500 back. I have found the membership more that worth it for that alone.

[BrooklynMW]

I think I'll hold off for now, and save my money for intake boots and fuses.

I was just on their website looking at their calendars for racing schools and meets, and got swept away by thew glamour of belonging to an exclusive club.

For now, r3vL is enough.

[ColdAccord]

I let my membership run out a while ago, but now that I'm back up north I'd like to do more trackdays again. what does membership afford in terms of hpde's?

[balooshinakus]

I got a membership for the track days. I went to my first one today and demolished my clutch. Luckily I got the Premium membership and the track is 24 miles from my house, so the extra $50 for premium just paid for a $215 tow. Pretty sweet deal in my books. AAA might be a better deal, I just got Premium because I was lazy and it was 1 extra click to sign up for it.