I was fairly certain that I would manage to avoid a visit to the BMW Museum during my time in Munich. I had hoped that visitors who showed even the most remote interest in BMW would be content with a simple view of their headquarters from the Olympic Park in favour of more time spent elsewhere...say, in one of the many lovely beer gardens throughout the city. I was wrong. When a friend from New York made a brief visit to Munich earlier this month, he was adamant about his desire to see the museum. Being the accommodating host and very good friend that I am, I agreed...reluctantly.
Looming like a steel sentinel on the northern edge of Munich, the building housing BMW's headquarters is an impressive 22-floor structure designed to resemble a four-cylinder engine. The adjacent museum, on the other hand, is a much more low-key building, at least when viewed from the outside. Inside, the museum is comprised of 5 floors, gradually spiraling upwards for 19 meters (62ft) from ground level, providing a series of platforms on which the museum's collection is displayed.
The current exhibit, entitled "Horizons in Time", examines the history of transportation technology from the early days of the twentieth century and reveals some of the innovations under development for future vehicles and technologies. Each visitor receives a comprehensive, 60 page museum guide (available in several languages) and a headset upon entry into the exhibit. Many items have a corresponding audio component, which is available in English, German, French or Spanish, at the touch of a button. A number of interactive displays and simulated driving booths also offer an audio feature. (Headsets are recyclable and a bin is available at the exhibition exit.)
The collection of antique automobiles, racing cars and motorcycles provides a visual chronology of the rapid technological developments of the past hundred years. Included in the collection are the Wartburg motor car developed between 1898-1900. The oldest forerunner of the BMW automobile, the Wartburg was fitted with an air-cooled, 3-4 horsepower engine, and could reach a top speed of 50 km/hour (31 mph). The BMW 500 cc motorbike is also on display. This is the motorcycle driven by Schorsch Meier when he won the Senior Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Mann in 1939, becoming the first non-British participant to ride a non-British-built motorcycle to victory in Great Britain. The world's first standard production jet engine (1939), made by BMW, and the company's first automobile engine (1932) and first motorcycle (1923) are also on exhibit.
The development of alternatively powered vehicles is highlighted in the exhibition with a display of electric- and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Simulated models of new navigation technologies demonstrate how road and driver safety may be improved in the future, and how public transportation systems and individual vehicles may one day be able to interact.
Several videos and slide shows are also included in "Horizons in Time". The visitor can learn more about the history of technology and the role women have played in this industry, understand the changes that have taken place in working conditions, and even watch scenes from classic science fiction films like "Metropolis" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" for a look at how the future was once imagined. Unsurprisingly, a fair - but not nauseating- amount of corporate propaganda is also included in these presentations, a few of which boast of the noble environmental, social, and other services that BMW performs. At the top platform is the BMW cinema, where two 30-minute films about the company are presented. (We did not go to the cinema, but the museum guide claims that one of the films has earned several international film awards.)
Now, even though I am among the most unlikely of visitors to an automotive museum, I must admit that I found the BMW Museum mildly interesting. The museum guidebook estimates that it takes approximately 3-4 hours to see the entire exhibit but I was very pleased that we managed to see everything in just over one hour. As mentioned, we did not watch the films, and I spent very little time with the video and slide presentations. However, I left the museum with a better understanding of how the automotive industry has changed and developed over time, though I can't claim to really care all that much. To its merit, the exhibit provided such a wealth of information through the use of so many different media, that even the most disinterested visitor could easily find some way to help pass the time (though more than an hour would be torture, I think). The ground floor houses a display of memorabilia and collectibles for sale, but there is no gift shop: those interested in purchasing anything must speak to the person at the ticket counter.
There are, in my opinion, many much more interesting places to go in Munich. But for those who love big toys, the BMW Museum will surely be a top destination.
Additionally, visits to the BMW factory can be arranged by calling +49 89 382 233 06. The company recommends making reservations for factory visits several months in advance. I'm sure they're very interesting as well. You can tell me all about it afterwards when you meet me at my table in the beer garden!
BMW Museum Petuelring 130 80788 Munich, Germany
Telephone: +49 89 382 233 07 Hours: 9am - 5pm 7 days/week (including holidays) Last admission is at 4pm; Tours must be concluded by 5pm. Admission Fees: Adults: EUR 3 Children: EUR 2 Family Pass: EUR 6.50 * We were a group of four, unrelated individuals, but the ticket salesperson took it upon himself to issue us a family ticket, which amounted in a discount of almost 50%. A quick thank you to our friend Richard for treating us to this special adventure, and for all his eerie, in-depth knowledge of automotive history (seek help soon, man!) and to Stephen, who convinced us to go and wouldn't like it one bit if I mention Richard but not him.
Directions: U3 to Olympia Park; Tram 27 to Petuelring Web: http://www.bmw.com/bmwe/pulse/heritage/mobiletradition/museum.html
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