Customer Reviews

Inside the BMW Factories: Building the Ultimate Driving Machine

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a comprehensive review of BMW operations right from the beginning. That the company survived the post WW2 Germany economy is an accomplishment in itself. Great photos, too! I recommend this book for those interested in the history of the BMW product.

The author has problems in writing clear American English and has no capacity for explaining clearly the historical flow of entities leading to the present day BMW organization. Over used wording such as "of course" detracts from what the author is trying to explain. Phrases like " ... Dixi (whose buildings were, of course, quite un-damaged)..." reflect a conclusion not supported, i.e., it is not obvious why the buildings were not damaged. Also overused is "therefore" which the author has a tendency to apply in non-relationship situations. The author provides mile and km figures together but fails to define purely British English terms such a bonnet.He also uses "machine" to refer to either an automobile or to a machine used in the production of an automobile. No mention is made that BMW has the worlds first "green" automotive paint shop utilizing recycled landfill methane gas to power the ovens in its paint shop. Nothing is said of BMW's pioneering work on hydrogen engines or of the Mini electric. The book provides no model specifications and production information and excludes the modern manufacture of motorcycles, although it includes the motorcycle portion (through to the R39) of the company's history. The book's best features are the photographs included: these alone are worth the price. The reader is advised to seek other sources in order to gain an understanding of BMW not-so-complex beginnings.

Very nice photography of the BMW manufacturing plants and buildings. Also interesting history of the company.

Makes a good gift for a BMW fan. Or for the engineer type. Just look at the cover.