BMW Spartanburg USA

[X5-UK]

Hi,

I live in Scotland (UK), have an X5 on order (delivery March 2006...yes for the diesel model there is a 9-14 month wait list here!!!). I visit the USA regular (lots of family in USA) and plan to drive down to the Spartanburg factory this August.

- Has anyone done the factory tour?
- Is there anything I should particulary watch out for or take note of?
- What was it like?
- Can you add-on anything else - e.g. off-road experience?

I'm travelling down from Northern Kentucky (Cincin.), visiting folks in Atlanta, then onto BMW...so any tips for car hire or fly-drive welcomed too!

X5-UK

[Curious Joel]

I did the factory tour last year and it's very fun and informative. You see all the variations of the X5 and Z4 for the markets all over the world. We had a great tour guide. Be sure to also visit the Zentrum museum. The driving experiences at the Performance Center are separate from the factory tour... They're at different locations. You could call the Performance Center to find out the dates of the different driving experiences they have. They don't run all of them all the time. Good luck and have fun!

[LeMansX5]

Check out this thread by Kewl X5 on his trip with pics

[ncx]

I going to the tour next Friday !!! Woohoo! Can't wait.

[Xcelllent_X5]

I did the tour last year and have no regrets. I am still amazed at how these things go together! You will be required to check your cell phone and any cameras at the door as they are not allowed on the production floor. If you are a BMWCCA member, there is a discount for the tour, $2 U.S. if memory serves me right. Take time for the museum tour as well as it is very informative. Have fun!

[ktulu]

I just got back thismorning from doing the Peformance Center Delivery of our new baby! I have to first thank BMW for building such kick A$$ vehicles and then BMW/NA for giving us the most enjoyable, albeit brief, driving experience I could expect for free! If you don't know about the performance center delivery I hope to post soon about our experience.

As for the Factory tour. I would recommend anyone that loves cars going to this. Even if you are not a BMW person you would really enjoy this tour. No pics are allowed inside the factory but you can take as many as you want at the Zentrum(museum). If you are an X5 fanatic, like most of us are here, you will love the tour. Our guide was very educated about the history and the steps involved in the making of both the X5 and the Z4. It really made me appreciate even more how our bimmers are put together. It also made me realize how we in the U.S. are neglected when it comes to options.

I was very surprised at how many Estoril Blue X5s I saw on the line. I even saw it on a 4 8 going through its last steps before it was shipped. Anyone have one at the factory right now?

[Intel55]

Can people in the US custom order the Estoril blue paint for their X5???

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Intel55

Can people in the US custom order the Estoril blue paint for their X5???

Yes, on the 3.0i and 4.4i.

[Intel55]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

Yes, on the 3.0i and 4.4i.

hmmm thanks for the info. I wonder why not the 4.8?

Are there any custom colors that we can order for the 4.8 in the USA?

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Intel55

hmmm thanks for the info. I wonder why not the 4.8?

Are there any custom colors that we can order for the 4.8 in the USA?

No. Chefwong on this board has been trying to get a custom color on a 4.8 but BMW NA will not do it. Check more here.