I Went to Germany and Came Back with a Car: Day 2, Part 2

Delivery complete. I now take the "victory" lap around the delivery ring and head out of the Welt. It's a privilege relatively few folks get to experience and yet it is relatively anti-climactic. Down the ramp and out the door... ready to roll! Nah, not so fast.

Instead, I hand the car back over to the Welt valet staff only moments after I've taken possession. And, being no fan of valets, you'd think I'd be concerned. But heck, if you can't trust BMW of Germany with it, who can you!? Besides, unlike in the states, the vast majority of Europeans know how to drive stick.

Before I hit the road, I have time to visit the BMW museum. Admission is "free" since you've just bought a car (as is the valet service and a factory tour if you so choose). Since you've come all the way, might as well go to one or both.

I crossed the land bridge to get to the top of the museum which is shaped, at the top, like a giant bowl. I entered and made my way down to the main entrance only to experience one of those "hey you sure look like a German moments." I was carrying a backpack and made my way to go in, when a female staff member approached me and starting speaking German in a slightly excited manner. She slowed down a bit when my eyes widened under the verbal stream and I managed to inject a "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" Then it was her turn to go eyes wide and she switched to English without missing a beat and started apologizing even faster. Reassurance mode on.

After we both relaxed a bit, she let me know that I couldn't take a bag into the museum but I was welcome to use the free lockers down below. Thanking her, I headed down into lower level to drop off the bag. There was an entrance down there so I went in there and effectively did the museum in reverse. It didn't really matter but was swimming up stream a bit.

Regardless, the place was pretty amazing. It covered the entire span of BMW's history and showed vehicles from all eras. 

So many wonderful vehicles! The M cars, the racing cars, the crazy Isetta and so on. I will just post a few that I especially liked as well as a few M1's that showed up outside the museum after I entered.

Time marched on and soon enough it was time to finally hit the road.