The BMW Welt is a multifunction, cutting edge building, serving not only as a continually changing display of BMW’s current cars but also functions as main delivery center for those who order their BMWs. In Germany – it is much more common to order a car from a dealer – opposed to going and picking one off the lot as we do here more often in the United States.
BMW’s Welt located next to Olympic Park and is Munich’s biggest attraction pulling in 2.5 million visitors each year. BMWBLOG spent a day at the Welt while we were in Munich recently and though we have toured it many times, it is still such a unique BMW experience and it’s our go-to place while in Munich.
Open since 2007, the Welt is at the heart of BMW. It resides next to The BMW Museum, BMW’s World Headquarters as well as BMW Plant Munich where many 3 Series are manufactured. To read about the BMW Plant click here as it’s a BMW fanatic’s dream tour, but requires a bit more planning to see.
On the main floor, in addition to housing most the display cars, there is a largest BMW gift shop I’ve ever seen. On the north end of the building are the M cars and car racing video games. There are even cut-away M motors showing the internals of the motors. Celebrating Munich’s Oktoberfest, the actual M3 that racecar driver Martin Tomczyk used to make a “Bavarian Pretzel” by drifting is there too.
A little farther down is Rolls Royce which displays up close the stunning craftsmanship of the Phantom Drophead Coupe. It is roped off, so no touching but you can get pretty close to see the details up close.
BMW has a big part in the newest “Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation” – so there are some BMW movie props from the set. You can see just how smashed up one of the BMW M3 sedans got in the film. There is even a BMW motorcycle for you to sit on from the movie if you want to get you picture taken.
BMW i has a large “Electric and Electrifying” display by the south entrance. The i3 in Solar Orange is highlighted and just like our long-term tester.
The main attraction though is a BMW i8 in Crystal White Pearl Metallic with Frozen Blue accent used to promote the ChargeNow service.
I have never forgotten the day I spent in one putting about 150 miles on the odometer – a stunning car. Samples from the rest of BMW’s current offerings are down on this end here too, including MINI as well. BMW Motorcycles are on the second level.
From the second level on a long winding bridge, you can watch the never ending delivery of new BMW’s to their owners. BMW places the cars on positioned on rotating discs that can line the BMW exactly the way the delivery specialist wants.
My biggest questions was whether or not BMW delivers i3s there and sure enough I was lucky to see one such owner getting their new Andesite Silver i3. After delivery, the new owners get to make a cool victory lap off of the delivery floor and right out the building! European Delivery is definitely on my must to-do list.
After spending a long day touring the enormous building, I kicked back and had a German Pretzel and Coke at the Cooper’s Bistro Cafe right by the North Entrance and BMW M. This is a great time to take advantage of the great WiFi BMW provides throughout the Welt. If you are interested in more upscale dining, the Esszimmer is located on the third level. There is also the Brasserie Bavarie and the Biker’s Lounge.
Even something as simple as driving a car to visit the Welt is fascinating. Pulling in the basement garage of the Welt, with our BMW 220d xDrive Gran Tourer press car, we saw all manner of cool BMWs you can rent by the hour by the BMW on demand. The BMW i8 definitely stood out as a great choice for this. There were also seventy new 7 Series in the parking garage being detailed for the upcoming dealer introduction drive and tours.
The BMW Welt is open every day at no charge. There are some excellent guided tours available at 7 Euros per person and last approximately 60 minutes. Reservations are recommended as they tend to sell out quickly each day. Even if you’ve been, definitely go again, you will see something totally unexpected, perhaps even a BMW Motorrad rider.
