500Eboard "Rules of the Road"

[xfadmin]

Through repeated violations of long-standing forum norms, common courtesy, and common sense, it has become apparent that after 12 years, we will now have to publish an explicit set of rules for all members of the 500Eboard.

Members who do not follow these rules and use common sense, will just simply be removed from the forum. No second chances, no temporary bans, no discipline. You will just be .... GONE.

Key 500Eboard Rules:

1. Use the "Search" function. If you have a question, there is about an 80 percent chance that it has been asked, and answered, previously on the forum. Use the search function to try to find the answer. If you can't, try a couple of different combinations of search terms or phrases. If you still cannot find your answer, and have made a good faith effort to do so, then by all means post your question or request. If you searched and were unsuccessful, let people know this when you ask your question -- that way people will know that you at least tried on your own to find the answer.
2. Do not post non-automotive and/or non-Mercedes information to the forum. Generally speaking, please keep the topics here related to automobiles, mechanical things, and preferably Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Separate forums exist for some things relating to 500E/E500 topics, and 400E/E420 topics.
3. Classify your posts into the correct sub-forum. Try to think up front as to the correct forum to use for your post. If you are posting about a transmission topic, DO NOT post in the M119 Engine sub-forum. If you are posting about a headliner, DO NOT post it in the "Body Shop" sub-forum. If you have a non-E500E topic, or a non-Mercedes topic, please post it to the "Off-Topic" sub-forum.
4. Your "OWNER" thread is your personal space. You can post whatever you want to in your own OWNER thread. Automotive, or non-automotive, personal, and so forth. It's your space. Use it as your own mini-platform to talk about whatever you'd like.
5. Prohibited posts. There are a few things that are non-automotive and non-mechanical things that are highly discouraged on this forum. These include blatant political discussions and arguments, sexual topics and content, and other topics that may offend other people. This rule applies to your OWNER thread as well; you cannot use your OWNER thread as a platform to "go off" on diatribes against politicians or get into arguments about controversial issues like abortion.
6. The official and ONLY language of 500Eboard is English. Non-English posts will be deleted immediately. It's fine if you want to post a phrase or a sentence in a non-English language. This is particularly so in terms of German, because of the German heritage of the Mercedes-Benz cars that are the center of this site. But, posts made in languages like Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Polish and other languages are NOT tolerated and WILL be deleted as soon as they are found. Posters who insist on posting in non-English languages will be removed from the forum for repeated violations, with no warning, at the discretion of forum management.
7. Do not double-post or cross-post. Posting the same or highly similar posts to multiple sub-forums is prohibited. For example, you CANNOT post an item for sale in BOTH the 500E and 400E "parts for sale" sub-forums. Post the item ONE TIME, in the most applicable/appropriate sub-forum. If you already posted something for sale, DO NOT make another post at a later time for the same item -- just "bump" your existing post to bring it to the top and to peoples' attention.
8. Disagree respectfully with others. If you disagree with someone's expressed opinion, that is fine and natural. You are WELCOME to express your disagreement and initiate a discussion about why. The rule to do this is to express your disagreement respectfully, and without insult or other negative behaviors. Even better, back up your opinion with facts, as it will make your position more credible in the eyes of other forum members.
9. Do not link to or post sexually explicit images, graphic images, or illegal content, in threads, avatars, or anywhere on the forum. Please keep potentially NSFW posts to our off-topic section. We don't mind slightly inappropriate humor or images that could be found on Instagram. Use good taste and while we don't mind the occasional curse words either, please do not use them in a derogatory way toward a member, their car, a brand (cheap Chinese parts such as URO, Febi, Trucktec and Hamburg Tech are exceptions!), or anything else. Slander and racial slurs are not allowed with no exceptions, and will result in an immediate removal from the forum.

Thank you for your compliance!

Best regards,
500Eboard Management.