Random trip to the BMW Zentrum

MSteve5036 · 02-20-2014, 02:53 PM

A couple months back I had to go to Columbia, SC for a bachelor party. Ended up flying into Charlotte, NC and driving, but since I had a little extra time to kill before meeting everyone I took the long way to Spartanburg, SC and stopped at the Zentrum. I actually had no idea if we would be allowed in or really what the Zentrum had to offer at the time we would be getting there (around 4 pm) but hey, when in Rome/SC.

Since it was unplanned, I only had my iPhone with me, so try to enjoy the shitty pictures as much as possible. I took more pics but I kept it light cause I know there have been some (higher quality) pics posted on peoples PCD threads, but it has been a while for many people

They do seem to vary the selection a bit, as you will see with a little special treat at the end

But for those who can't/won't ever make it...

Had to Google Map my way through uncharted territory, turns out, as with most places in the south, it's very simple to get to.

Unpictured: The beginning shows several engines /motorbikes BMW made early on including boat and airplane engines

I'm pretty sure the caravan is used to store the track tires

F1 engine capable of some pretty staggering HP numbers given it's displacement...the placard actually reads they never found the true limit to how much HP it could output, but they had it up to 1400 hp for some practice sessions.

iPhone panoramic attempt at the little racing display they had going

Informational picture of what your x5 looks like if you drive it into a wall

R60...on the short list of motorcycles I would ever own

328

Is that fox red novilla leather?!?!

3.0 csl

MSteve5036 · 02-20-2014, 02:53 PM

Extremely surprised/excited/thankful that this was on display

The rotors were different from some pics I've seen of it at the track

Interior pics I tried to take did not come out well at all

I do love the wheel they use.

Overall it was an extremely successful trip for as quick as it was. The staff there was very welcoming despite it being so late. They even made sure to ask if we wanted a beer before the closed the bar

and made sure they ran the video that loops during the day of the production facility.

mattrob · 02-20-2014, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSteve5036

Extremely surprised/excited/thankful that this was on display

I would love to see the GT car in person, especially on the track. Jealous. Awesome pictures.

schnell325 · 02-20-2014, 03:29 PM

God I miss that place....

Ryan@IND · 02-20-2014, 03:42 PM

Nice trip and photos. That E9 3.0 is gorgeous

W/// · 02-20-2014, 04:10 PM

Come back in the summer when the actual tours re-open up again. They are well worth it!

I never get tired of seeing that ALMS M3. And the E9 too, they are my favorites.

vastano · 02-20-2014, 04:13 PM

Its really nice to have this 10 mins away from me, but even still I dont get out there often enough...

Chris796 · 02-20-2014, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vastano

Its really nice to have this 10 mins away from me, but even still I dont get out there often enough...

Same here. I've only been twice. But it's pretty cool, kinda small though. I want to do a tour through once they start back up.

alee0729 · 02-20-2014, 08:48 PM

Great spot to take a photo of your car right outside the Zentrum too

positiveions · 02-21-2014, 07:18 AM

Thank you for sharing.

pseto · 02-21-2014, 07:56 AM

I wish my M3 weighed 2740 lbs

M3 Esq · 02-21-2014, 08:22 AM

Nice photos. The Zentrum is a great place.

02-20-2014, 02:53 PM	#1
MSteve5036 Captain 125 Rep 713 Posts Drives: 08/99 M3s Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (1)	Random trip to the BMW Zentrum A couple months back I had to go to Columbia, SC for a bachelor party. Ended up flying into Charlotte, NC and driving, but since I had a little extra time to kill before meeting everyone I took the long way to Spartanburg, SC and stopped at the Zentrum. I actually had no idea if we would be allowed in or really what the Zentrum had to offer at the time we would be getting there (around 4 pm) but hey, when in Rome/SC. Since it was unplanned, I only had my iPhone with me, so try to enjoy the shitty pictures as much as possible. I took more pics but I kept it light cause I know there have been some (higher quality) pics posted on peoples PCD threads, but it has been a while for many people They do seem to vary the selection a bit, as you will see with a little special treat at the end But for those who can't/won't ever make it... Had to Google Map my way through uncharted territory, turns out, as with most places in the south, it's very simple to get to. Unpictured: The beginning shows several engines /motorbikes BMW made early on including boat and airplane engines I'm pretty sure the caravan is used to store the track tires F1 engine capable of some pretty staggering HP numbers given it's displacement...the placard actually reads they never found the true limit to how much HP it could output, but they had it up to 1400 hp for some practice sessions. iPhone panoramic attempt at the little racing display they had going Informational picture of what your x5 looks like if you drive it into a wall R60...on the short list of motorcycles I would ever own 328 Is that fox red novilla leather?!?! 3.0 csl
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02-20-2014, 02:53 PM	#2
MSteve5036 Captain 125 Rep 713 Posts Drives: 08/99 M3s Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (1)	Look what the cat dragged in! Extremely surprised/excited/thankful that this was on display The rotors were different from some pics I've seen of it at the track Interior pics I tried to take did not come out well at all I do love the wheel they use. Overall it was an extremely successful trip for as quick as it was. The staff there was very welcoming despite it being so late. They even made sure to ask if we wanted a beer before the closed the bar and made sure they ran the video that loops during the day of the production facility. Last edited by MSteve5036; 02-20-2014 at 03:02 PM..
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02-20-2014, 03:29 PM	#4
schnell325 Bored at work.... 890 Rep 5,391 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 GTS//2022 M235iGC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Comox Valley iTrader: (8)	God I miss that place....
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02-20-2014, 03:42 PM	#5
Ryan@IND BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 1767 Rep 7,652 Posts Drives: ACR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (18)	Nice trip and photos. That E9 3.0 is gorgeous __________________ IND DISTRIBUTION \| 866-963-4520 • INSTAGRAM • FACEBOOK • FLICKR
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02-20-2014, 04:10 PM	#6
W/// Lieutenant General 7494 Rep 12,310 Posts Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	Come back in the summer when the actual tours re-open up again. They are well worth it! I never get tired of seeing that ALMS M3. And the E9 too, they are my favorites. __________________ Current: 16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
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02-20-2014, 04:13 PM	#7
vastano Captain 103 Rep 893 Posts Drives: F15 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (5)	Its really nice to have this 10 mins away from me, but even still I dont get out there often enough...
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02-20-2014, 08:48 PM	#9
alee0729 Lieutenant 175 Rep 586 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3, 2018 Tesla 3 Perf Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	Great spot to take a photo of your car right outside the Zentrum too __________________ 2013 E92 M3 (the weekend good weather car), 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance (the 20k mi/yr beater)
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02-21-2014, 07:18 AM	#10
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	Thank you for sharing.
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02-21-2014, 07:56 AM	#11
pseto Major General 811 Rep 7,750 Posts Drives: E92 M3 ZCP, F80 M3 ZCP- beater Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (4)	I wish my M3 weighed 2740 lbs __________________ Paul Seto - BMW Car Club of America President, National Capital Chapter (MD/DC/NoVA) Director, National Events ///M Chapter Become a BMW CCA member; Click HERE to join and use my member #339225 for a referral Join our NCC Facebook Page
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02-21-2014, 08:22 AM	#12
M3 Esq Automobilist 395 Rep 2,632 Posts Drives: E70 X5, 911 GT3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (12)	Nice photos. The Zentrum is a great place.
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