Car meets are one of the best parts of owning a BMW. You meet people who share your passion, see interesting cars and often make friends for life. A well-organised meet is relaxed, safe and welcome wherever it takes place. Here is a simple plan for organising one.
Choose the right location
The location makes or breaks a meet:
- Ask for permission. Private car parks, cafés, restaurants and venues are often happy to host a meet if you ask in advance. Never use a location where cars are not welcome.
- Think about space. Estimate how many cars may come and choose a place with enough parking, easy entry and exit and no blocking of other traffic.
- Facilities help. Toilets, food and drinks make people stay longer and keep the venue owner happy.
Respecting the venue is the best way to make sure you are welcome again.
Pick a sensible time
Weekend mornings are popular: roads are quieter, the light is good for photos and people have the rest of the day free. Avoid late-night meets in residential areas, which can disturb neighbours and attract the wrong kind of attention.
Use the Events section
Create your meet in the Events section of the site. Add the date, start and end time, venue and a clear description. Members can then reply to say they are going, and you get a better idea of numbers. New events from new members are checked by the team before they go live.
Set clear rules
Write your rules in the event description and repeat them on the day:
- No burnouts, revving contests or loud music.
- Arrive and leave calmly. The way people drive in and out is what neighbours remember.
- Take your rubbish with you.
- Follow the instructions of the venue staff.
Most participants respect these rules, and they help protect the reputation of BMW owners.
On the day
Arrive early to welcome people and guide parking. Grouping cars by model or generation looks great in photos and helps people find others with the same car. Keep an eye on the time and end the meet as planned.
Group drives
If you plan a drive after the meet, choose a legal, scenic route with safe stopping points. Share the route in advance, drive at legal speeds and keep a relaxed pace. A group drive is about the experience, not about racing.
After the meet
Share photos in Photos & builds or in your event topic, thank the venue and ask participants for feedback. A good first meet often becomes a regular event.