E30 Zone

The Zone been running now for nearly 15 years, over this time the Zone has always been supported by donations and traders.

It's no secret that the Zone (and many other forums) have been very quiet lately and last year was our slowest year since we started, because of this donations to the Zone have stopped apart form a few here and there.

I never really asked for donations like this before or anything from it's members but to keep to the Zone running and to try and get the Zone moving again we could really do with your help.

If you would like to donate to the Zone, anything is much appreciated, please click on the link below - (Paypal)

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... 25LP5DYW8S

Thanks once again,

Steve & E30 Zone Team

I'll donate.

Donated. This place has been a valued resource over the years, long may that continue.

Donated, cheap at half the price.

How about charging £1 for each advert placed for parts and £5 for cars to provide a more sustainable source of funding ? Not sure if this would move all that traffic to Facebook though but it's simply a suggestion at this time. HTH.

Thanks to all that have donated so far

Topblag wrote:How about charging £1 for each advert placed for parts and £5 for cars to provide a more sustainable source of funding ? Not sure if this would move all that traffic to Facebook though but it's simply a suggestion at this time. HTH.

Thanks for the suggestion, what about if we put the donate link in the owners for sales thread then there is no pressure for members to pay?

How about giving me access to the FB page ;o))))))

What are the running costs per month out of interest?

There is no set figure but our server fees are around £600 per annum, plus to develop new software for social media interaction we would be looking to raise around £1500.

Steve wrote:Thanks to all that have donated so far

Topblag wrote:How about charging £1 for each advert placed for parts and £5 for cars to provide a more sustainable source of funding ? Not sure if this would move all that traffic to Facebook though but it's simply a suggestion at this time. HTH.

Thanks for the suggestion, what about if we put the donate link in the owners for sales thread then there is no pressure for members to pay?

I think that's probably the simplest way to do it and has no overhead in managing compliance with fixed fees.

I'd bet £1 per transaction in the for sale sections would pay the hosting fees and more. Given the increase in prices in the past few years, £1 is very little to give up from either buyer or seller.

Donated.
Can't see this place close as I simply cannot do facebook.
I've had my motor 10 years plus now and this place has been invaluable,
close the facebook page I say! just put a link to here, people will come back.

Thanks to all that run it

Donation made.
Thanks for continuing to run the zone.

Agree great resource, love this site. Donation made, proceeds from a few E30 bits ;)

Donation made, the zone is an invaluable source of information. Long may it last.

Donation done! Well worth keeping this place going, it's a goldmine of information.

Thanks guys !!

Donated. Keep up the good work!

Budgie325 wrote:Donated. This place has been a valued resource over the years, long may that continue.

Cheap at half the price !!!
Donated as well and about time too !!

How about a section for donations ??
May make it easier.

Thanks Steve and the guy`s , still the best around by far.
We are having a road trip this year down to East Anglia and this would not have happened in my 31 year old car if it were not for the confidence the zone has given me over the years.

Cheers Mart.

Just made a small donation, this is the best car forum and is priceless.
Big thank you to the mods ect.
long live the zone (otherwise i may not ever finish my touring )

Well done guys !

i made a donation, not much but we cant let this place die off to much good knowledge on here.

Donation made

Donated.

E30Zone must live on!!

Donated.... kill Facebook and keep the zone alive!!! All the money this place has saved me over the years!!!

Thank you so much everyone that has donated today, truly overwhelmed by the response

The idea is for those who like to use both, to have ease of access to different platforms, ie see an article here and you can share it on social media. Also the photo sharing at a no cost option.

Once again thanks to everyone for the donations !

I chucked in a few greasy Euros!

It was this place, along with the Spanish E21/E30 club, which saved my car from the scrappy when it was stolen and recovered in 2007. In the end I did all the repairs / restoration on my own, having never really worked on cars at all before.

Strange to think that I have such an affinity with a "virtual space" and with people I've never drank a beer with!

But cheers anyway!

Donated. Thanks for the work behind the scenes all.

Donated, the zone has been an invaluable support.

How about a membership fee? For true members £5 per year with full access? ?? Sure people would pay that.

The problem is everyone has gone to facebook to slag each other off about my one better than yours.

I would like to know if I do donate is, how is this money spent? We need figures Steve. .

I'd pay membership.

drakesmith wrote:How about a membership fee? For true members £5 per year with full access? ?? Sure people would pay that.

The problem is everyone has gone to facebook to slag each other off about my one better than yours.

I would like to know if I do donate is, how is this money spent? We need figures Steve. .

I've never wanted to add a membership and at this current time I think it would kill off the site completely, by donating it keeps the Zone free and ad free.

The money is currently spent -
£210 every 3 months on server fee which is the main one.
We also paid for the domain and other costs that arise over the year.

I would like to invest in server upgrades, software, design and other idea / projects I have for the Zone.

If we can keep it ad free that will be a huge bonus as so many forums have been ruined by advertising!!