Seeing a rare BMW in the wild is exciting. A CSL, an early M3, a special colour or an unusual Touring is worth a photo, and sharing these sightings is part of car culture. But every car belongs to someone, and a few simple rules keep car spotting friendly and respectful.
Respect the owner and the place
- Do not touch the car. Never lean on it, open doors or sit on it for a photo.
- Keep a respectful distance, especially when the owner is nearby.
- Ask if you can. Most owners are proud of their cars and happy to talk. A short conversation often gives you better photos and interesting details about the car.
- Follow the rules of the location. Private car parks, dealerships and events may have their own rules about photography.
If the owner asks you not to take photos, respect that and move on.
Protect privacy
When you share a car you did not photograph at a meet, think about privacy:
- Hide or blur the number plate. A plate can be used to identify the owner and their home area.
- Avoid people's faces unless they agreed to be in the photo.
- Do not share the exact location where a car is usually parked, such as a street or a private driveway. This can put the car at risk of theft.
- Never post a car's location in real time.
A sighting post is about the car, not about where the owner lives.
Stay safe while spotting
Never take photos while driving, and do not stop suddenly in traffic to catch a car. Step off the road when photographing moving cars and be aware of your surroundings in car parks.
How to post a sighting
Share sightings in Photos & builds with a clear title, such as the model, generation and colour. Useful details include:
- Why the car caught your attention: a rare colour, a special edition or a well-kept original car.
- The general region, if you want, without exact addresses.
- Your own photos only. Pictures taken from other websites or social media are not allowed.
If you recognise a car shared by someone else as your own, you can reply or send the member a private message. Owners are often happy to see their car appreciated.
Be kind in the comments
Comment on cars with respect, even when they are modified in a way you would not choose. The owner might be a member of the forum.
Have you spotted a rare BMW recently? Share your best sighting below, following these simple guidelines.