Visit to BMW factory Spartanburg

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Mon May 03, 2021 8:18 pm

As a huge coincidence, I am staying close to the factory where our Zeds were born in South Carolina.

Just been for a tour round the facility. It is huge, like a small town with every ammenity for its employees. 11000 of them.

They now make the X series of cars here, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7. Actually it is mostly robots that make them, accurate to 0.1mm. 1600 cars per day. 6000 spot welds per car. Amazing.

But I'm sure you're more interested in photos :

The one millionth BMW produced here was a Z4M :

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Mon May 03, 2021 8:20 pm

The last Z4M Coupe

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Mon May 03, 2021 8:21 pm

The James Bond Z3

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Mon May 03, 2021 8:23 pm

But now I want....a Z8. Beautiful.

M2Driver · Post by **M2Driver** » Mon May 03, 2021 10:46 pm

Great shots and Sparten' is a great visit event for sure. Get there usually once or twice a year on BMWCCA national business or events.
IF you are in area yet, please go west on Rt.101 to Performance Center and get to the BMW Foundation Building just a 1/2 mile away...placed more as to be to the right of Perf.Center. Google Map it or ask Siri for side road name. THAT is the place to not miss re: historical BMW's now that you have been to Zentrum building. Well worth your time if you are at all able. Cheers.

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Mon May 03, 2021 10:55 pm

M2Driver wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 10:46 pm Great shots and Sparten' is a great visit event for sure. Get there usually once or twice a year on BMWCCA national business or events.
IF you are in area yet, please go west on Rt.101 to Performance Center and get to the BMW Foundation Building just a 1/2 mile away...placed more as to be to the right of Perf.Center. Google Map it or ask Siri for side road name. THAT is the place to not miss re: historical BMW's now that you have been to Zentrum building. Well worth your time if you are at all able. Cheers.

Thanks for the tip.

Maybe I'll visit it next time I'm over here in the colonies.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon May 03, 2021 11:04 pm

That looks like a great place to visit for any owner of an E85/86.

But who on earth decided fitting a wooden dash to an Interlagos MR was a good idea?

The Z8 looks fantastic, but it seems to have a manual gearbox which I didn't think was an option - or was manual a US only option?

Sad fate for the plant to just be making X models though.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Tue May 04, 2021 8:27 am

Amazing

Great photos I love stuff like this

Deffo planning a trip to Munich to see that set up one day

tomscott · Post by **tomscott** » Tue May 04, 2021 9:55 am

Nice to see a Z4M! In the Welt they focus on the E46 M3 and Z3M roady.

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Tue May 04, 2021 10:38 am

OMG!!
A Z4 M with correct dashboard, well done BMW

Come on now Tidy, l know where to find a nice scaffold plank, soon have it sanded down.

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Tue May 04, 2021 11:39 am

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 11:04 pm That looks like a great place to visit for any owner of an E85/86.

But who on earth decided fitting a wooden dash to an Interlagos MR was a good idea?

The Z8 looks fantastic, but it seems to have a manual gearbox which I didn't think was an option - or was manual a US only option?

Sad fate for the plant to just be making X models though.

All Z8s were equipped with a 6 speed manual gearbox except the Alpina version which was 5 speed Steptronic Auto

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Tue May 04, 2021 11:57 am

More photos, if anyone is interested:

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Tue May 04, 2021 12:05 pm

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com