Home Base: Visiting BMW Welt

The Bucket list, we all have them, for most automotive enthusiasts, our list can probably stretch the entire distance to the Moon and back. I think it is safe to say that for a BMW fanatic, making a trip to the Welt is probably something that is on their list and should be done at least once in his or her lifetime.

In essence, the Welt is BMW’s showcase for their current products across the brand range, BMWs, Minis, Rolls Royce and BMW motorcycles sit alongside each other in an enormous glass-walled hall conceived by Vienna-based architects COOP HIMMELB(L)AU. For lucky buyers, they are also able to arrange delivery of their cars at the Welt and will be given a special “staged experience” upon collection.

At the opening ceremony of the Welt, Wolf D. Prix, the architect of the Welt said, “the building does not have the boredom of a hall, it is not only a temple, but also a market place and a communication center and meeting place for knowledge transfer”

Today, it was time for me to make my pilgrimage this very temple.

With the M140i safely back with the rest of the press fleet at BMW Garching after my lovely drive in the Alpenstrasse, it was back to the fantastic Munich subway/train system for my journey to the Welt. For those interested, the Welt is about a leisurely 10 minute walk from the Petuelring U-Bahn station.

Before you reach the Welt, you will see the famous 4-cylinder building. When I saw it, I just stood and stared in wide-eyed wonderment before grabbing hold of my camera.

Having seen this building in countless magazines and social media pictures, i never imagined that i’d ever have the chance to see it in person. Time to check off an item from my list.

Inside, it is the biggest showcase of BMW’s lineup under one beautifully built roof. You can spend pretty much an entire day here ogling each and every car (and motorbike). The only ones off limits are the big dollar Rolls Royces. Can’t fault them considering that the going rate of a little Rolls Royce brolly is about a thousand euros.

The 5-Series Touring generates much want inside me.

This little Isetta is used to give free joyrides in and around the Welt!

The recently launched M760Li was also on show in its cool frozen black paint. Of course, the coolest bits of this car, are its numbers. 6.6 litre Twin Turbo V12, 600 horses, 800Nm (at 1,500rpm) and 0-100 in 3.9 seconds. Numbers that throw it into Supercar territory.

The rest of the M-car range were also available for visitors to experience up close and personal. Some in more striking colours than others.

Minis had their own showcase with a more youthful, lifestyle oriented approach. I do like the new Clubman S.

i-cars range also had their own showcase.

But of course the most exclusive cars in this building are those with the Spirit of Ecstasy on their long elegant bonnets.

Of particular interest were the highlighted details of the Rolls Royce build process.

Black Spirit of Ecstasy looked gorgeous.

Words to live by.

For those with the time, a guided tour can be arranged at the front desk, allowing for a more insightful experience when walking around the Welt.

With the tour done, there was now one last stop to make before i head across the road to the BMW Museum, and that’s the BMW Welt shop. OMG.

So many things to buy! So little money!

Pretty much whatever you can think of, they have it, with a BMW logo stamped on.

Or if you prefer, Mini.

Sadly, these diecast were rather pricey, so i just ogled.

Found an E34! But the lack of detail on those wheels bugged me enough to not pick it up.

BMW also built a life size representation of their alternative Lego kit build, the hover bike.

Remember the little Isetta? Well, here it is driven straight out of the Welt for joyrides out in the courtyard! For me, it’s time to head next door to the Museum. Trust me, you’ll love it.