Day 3 - Munich to Welt to Bacharach

Another night sans sleep for all of us. You would have thought in a Catholic country, on a Sunday, that the Sex Shop Club and party scene would have been a bit more reserved. The party was still going at 2:30am which was loud enough to penetrate our ear plugs.

We had an 8am check-in at the BMW facility in Welt, so that meant walking the streets in the dark at 7am to catch the train. There were many commuters already up and packing the trains. We got off at Olympic Park Station and walked up to the monstrous building made of twisted glass panels. Today, Mom and I were picking up our new cars.

After check-in, we enjoyed a complimentary breakfast in the VIP lounge. 

At 9:30, we got the green light. It was time to go meet our cars. Benjimen greeted us and escorted us down to the floor. We elected to bypass the "virtual test drive." Benjamen seemed happy to skip that part too. Our cars waited for us below...

We started with Mom getting to know her car first. Benjimen gave her a very thorough tutorial. Mom seemed to like all the new features...especially the butt warmers. Meanwhile, Matt and I were going over Mom's car with "pixel vision." We noticed a splattering of yellow spots in various locations. Ben sent the car down for a new wax and buff job and we were told we could pick it up after our factory tour.

Next it was my turn. The first thing done was to sync my phone with my car. Ben then went over a few new features including one called, "Launch." It basically allows you to take off like a rocket...but only 100 times...and the car keeps track. I have no idea why I would ever do this and doing it requires following on-board instructions. Since we were not driving my car on our trip and I was having BMW basically put it straight on the boat (after a 70 euro cash payment), I was not allowed to drive the vehicle as per BMW's rules. Since it was early in the morning, Ben gave me the wink of approval to take it around for 1 lap. I was not prepared for this, I did not get to follow a pace car like everyone else and to my deep embarrassment, I drove it like a 90 year old lady.

After becoming new BMW owners, we returned to the lounge for some lunch (love free lunches). Next up...the factory tour. During our previous two visits, Matt and I were unable to do the factory tour. Today, we would finally get to see the factory.

The factory did not allow any photography. The above photos of the workers and robots were found online and on BMW's website. The factory tour was incredible.We spent 2-1/2 hours walking through the plant, watching a vehicle being made with the initial stamping of the steel metal thru to a complete vehicle. The logistics and JIT (Just in Time) build to delivery specs was mind bending. It's practically indescribable. The BMW Munich Plant builds up to 1000 cars a day. The line changes on a dime what type of car is being built. It is seamless, and the vehicle model change ripples through the entire line so that each subsequent build area knows what is coming. It can take a full year for the line to build an identical car. Each car going along the line represents an order placed by a unique owner or dealership. Robots do much of the work. Looking a bit like giant orange insects, they move deliberately, pausing with some delicacy near the end of each maneuver, as sensors guide their pincers to just the right position. They weld, they bolt, they attach, they hinge, they paint, they do everything you could imagine. When the tour was over, we really could not comprehend what we had just seen.

Upon our return to the showroom, Mom's freshly waxed and buffed BMW pulled up to the door. On the seat was a complimentary BMW hat. We were now heading out onto the open road on our way to a village called Bacharach. Matt was a great driver, navigating the autobahn and occasionally taking the car up to 100mph while mom sat in back hiding her eyes. The average speed limit is 80mph (unless otherwise posted). There are 3 lanes. The far right is the slow lane used primarily for exiting off the autobahn. The middle lane is for those going 80. The far left lane, according to Matt, is called "The oh shit lane." There is no speed limit, however, if you are going over 120 mph and get in an accident (and survive) you are liable for everyone involved. Most cars seemed to travel at 100-110mph. You are only allowed to pass on the left. When Matt would venture into the fast lane to pass a vehicle he would see another car coming up behind him in the distance. By the time he checked to see if it was clear to change lanes again, that car in the distance was suddenly on his tail.

We arrived Bacharach at 8pm. It had been a long ride. We followed the river through villages surrounded by vineyards. The Rhein Hotel awaited us with warm rooms in a wonderfully historic building.