BMW show on National Geographic
11-29-2007, 06:27 PM
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I'm not sure if anyone has seen this, but National Geographic is doing a series called, "Ultimate Factories". They tour many of the top auto manufacturers around the world (Ferrari, Harley-Davidson, Corvette, and of course, BMW).
The BMW one just ended, but they are reshowing it later tonight. Ferrari is next. Currently, the Corvette episode is playing.
Anyway, it's pretty sweet. They show the making from the ground up of the Z4 at the Spartanburg Plant in South Carolina. If you can view it in HD, that would be even better.
I just watched the BMW episode on my 60" HD TV, played in Dolby Digital throughout my home theater room. My wife kept yelling down, "What the hell are you watching that requires you to turn on the damn theater this late?!". Hahahahahaha!
Anyway, enjoy!
The BMW one just ended, but they are reshowing it later tonight. Ferrari is next. Currently, the Corvette episode is playing.
Anyway, it's pretty sweet. They show the making from the ground up of the Z4 at the Spartanburg Plant in South Carolina. If you can view it in HD, that would be even better.
I just watched the BMW episode on my 60" HD TV, played in Dolby Digital throughout my home theater room. My wife kept yelling down, "What the hell are you watching that requires you to turn on the damn theater this late?!". Hahahahahaha!
Anyway, enjoy!
11-29-2007, 06:54 PM
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You watch too much Blue Ray..................lolo
When I do my home theater, I will deffinitly ask you for your expertise.
When I do my home theater, I will deffinitly ask you for your expertise.
11-29-2007, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by SMG353' post='500870' date='Nov 29 2007, 10:54 PM
You watch too much Blue Ray..................lolo
When I do my home theater, I will deffinitly ask you for your expertise.
When I do my home theater, I will deffinitly ask you for your expertise.
. We can then take apart your car to it's bare bones at the next meet and try and put it back together. 
11-29-2007, 07:10 PM
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Calton, where've you been?
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=47792&hl=
At least I gave some advanced notice!
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=47792&hl=
At least I gave some advanced notice!
11-30-2007, 04:56 AM
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My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='500875' date='Nov 29 2007, 11:10 PM
Calton, where've you been?
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=47792&hl=
At least I gave some advanced notice!
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=47792&hl=
At least I gave some advanced notice!
11-30-2007, 05:15 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi
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I was amazed at the paint factory...
I could not believe the Phosphorus dip tanks they used to passivate the entire body before painting.
Then the use of Ostrich plumes to remove the dust before each coat. One gallon of paint used for the base coat. That itself is pretty incedible.
They postitivly charge the paint and ground the body. This results in almost no overspray or wasted paint.
The engineering to produce the car is just as impressive as the engineering in the automobile itself.
600 cars a day! (I think that's what they said)
I own a small aerospace engineering company. When I see the amount of technology used in HUGE manufacturing plants, it reminds me of how small we really are =)
I could not believe the Phosphorus dip tanks they used to passivate the entire body before painting.
Then the use of Ostrich plumes to remove the dust before each coat. One gallon of paint used for the base coat. That itself is pretty incedible.
They postitivly charge the paint and ground the body. This results in almost no overspray or wasted paint.
The engineering to produce the car is just as impressive as the engineering in the automobile itself.
600 cars a day! (I think that's what they said)
I own a small aerospace engineering company. When I see the amount of technology used in HUGE manufacturing plants, it reminds me of how small we really are =)
11-30-2007, 05:44 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
hey Calton what's up? What time is the show tonight?
11-30-2007, 05:48 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i, 6spd mtx, Monaco Blue w/Beige interior. Sport, Preimum, Logic 7/HD/I-Pod/USB, Nav sys, rear sunshade, HUD, PDC, Split seats,
Great production and the BMW state of the art factories are amazing. Funny how they start with just the firewall header and eveything gets assembled from there! Did you notice when they stated "robots and humans never mix" makes sense...too cool seeing how the Z4 (and the I6 engines) are built. Was hoping to see a twin turbo being built but no such luck. Very interesting and don't get me started on the paint shop...incredible - one gallon of base coat..that really impressed me! 
11-30-2007, 06:38 AM
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11-30-2007, 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='501069' date='Nov 30 2007, 10:38 AM
500 X5's a day and 100 Z4's a day. Both cars are made on the same line too!