Final Day at BMW

On June 14th we had our last day at BMW. Stephen, Rueben, Frank, and Nikole worked so hard to make sure we get the most out of our time in the previous three days, so on the 4th day the theme was "experiencing the product". We weren't really sure what this was going to entail when we arrived, but we were all very excited.

When we arrived there were 5 cars lined up outside the conference room where we meet. We're going to get to ride in brand new BMWs in Leipzig, this is exciting. We began the lecture with their total quality systems, QC systems. After lunch we arrived back in the conference room where we found 5 more BMW employees. These men were going to accompany us on our adventures for the afternoon. For the entire afternoon we had five choices:

1. See BMW quality processes
2. Check a defective car
   
3. Take a ride in a 1 series on the test track
4. Drive a Vehicle on the Autobahn
   
5. Drive a Vehicle on country roads

I began with the test track. They took the car up to 165 KM/H, took it into banked turns, over rough roads, slick roads, and inclines/declines. We then went into a pit to look at the underbody. After the road test, i went right for a vehicle to go on the autobahn. We got a 2009 X5 Deisel. The vehicle had an incredible amount of torque. Due to traffic conditions and wind resistance, however, i was only able to get the vehicle to about 200 km/h or 120 MPH. I haven't felt a rush like that since I drove my GTO. Even though i never went over the speed limit Mom. After the autobahn, i headed right for the country drive. I got in a 1 series convertable Deisel W/ an electronic step-tronic transmission. The country roads in Germany are very curvy, uneven, and very fun to drive on. I think Frank, my "shapron", had a good handle on the windshield while i was driving. I kept the RPM's high in order to avoid turbo lag; I drove that little BMW for everything it was worth. :)

By the time we finished all three drives, it was time for Dr. Heitmann's lecture on Modern American Car Culture to BMW. What a day a BMW.