The Ultimate Driving Machine

[Y33TREKker]

I had some free time this afternoon (still visiting friends in SC), so I decided to take in one of the local offerings. The BMW Visitors Welcome Center and Assembly Plant of Spartansburg, SC. The following pics are from only the welcome center though as cameras were not allowed on the factory tour.

I had a few pics I wanteded to post so I thought links might be best.

My Beemer wannabe parked out front.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481769/fullsize/img_0111.jpg

Welcome to Zentrum
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481782/fullsize/img_0147.jpg

Any 007 fans? Bonds' first BMW
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481770/fullsize/img_0114.jpg

Bonds actual 007 Z3 (Notice the license plate. SC 007)
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481771/fullsize/img_0115.jpg

Another Bond Beemer. The Z8 from The World Is Not Enough
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481773/fullsize/img_0116.jpg

Rare early 80's Z1. Notice the currently down "hiding" entry panels
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481774/fullsize/img_0117.jpg

BMW POWER!!! (1400 hp...why they started calling them four-bangers???)
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481775/fullsize/img_0123.jpg

Latest Formula One BMW offering
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481776/fullsize/img_0126.jpg

Slower traffic keep right...
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481777/fullsize/img_0132.jpg

The Art and Science of BMW
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481778/fullsize/img_0133.jpg

BMW's racing heritage
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481779/fullsize/img_0136.jpg

This just made me grin
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481780/fullsize/img_0137.jpg

Past and Present
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/481787/fullsize/img_0139.jpg

While I used to be a bit more of a gearhead than I am now, I still found the factory tour very interesting. The utilization of robotics in modern assembly plants is truly amazing.

Another cool thing to remember if you ever decide to order an X3, X5, or Z4 Beemer for yourself is the option to go to the SC plant to take delivery in person. BMW will pick you up at the airport, put you up for the night, buy you dinner (then breakfast the next morning), give you a tour of the factory, and give you some track time at their neighboring Performance Center to teach you how to drive your new ride more effectively. All free of charge (all you have to do is get yourself there).

And apparently, a person can also now follow the real-time assembly process of their vehicle online if they like.

I took the tour because I was in the area and it seemed like it'd be interesting. I don't drive a Beemer (more of a Porsche fan myself),
but my brother does so I know he'll be envious of my tour today.

More info here if you want to know more about the place.
http://www.bmwzentrum.com/

Thanks for looking.

[Chopper]

Damn near cashed in my 401k for that Alpina when they announced the end of production a few years back. Still one of my all time favorites.

[k4tmc]

Thanks for the info on the BMW plant. I do get to Spartanburg often on business. I'll have to make time to visit the plant.

I can't wait to see how many of their empolyees will be staring at the VX when I drive up and park for a while. ;)

Henry

[Y33TREKker]

Thanks for the info on the BMW plant. I do get to Spartanburg often on business. I'll have to make time to visit the plant.

I can't wait to see how many of their empolyees will be staring at the VX when I drive up and park for a while. ;)

Henry

After leaving the Zentrum Museum and Assembly Plant, I drove up by the Performance Center which is just a mile or so up SC 101 to the north. I stopped to watch some new owners putting some demos through the paces for awhile, then left continuing north on 101. As I pulled out onto 101, I noticed an older gent in a somewhat beat up pickup truck staring at my car as we rolled down the road, then even more so when we stopped at the next light. I found it kind of humorous that he thought my 12 year old Ford might be one of the latest offerings from BMW.

Given the lease incentives offered by BMW to their employees, about every third or fourth car on the road in this area is a Bimmer, so seeing one is really nothing new to local residents. However, I can imagine what kind of stares we could expect in our VX's.