Museums - BMW vs Porsche

I will be in southern Germany in 2 weeks and only have time to visit one of these museums.

Which would you opt for? Leaning toward BMW because of the whole experience from photos that I have seen. I do not know if there are tours of the factories associated with the museums. This could also factor in. I love the ferrari galleria so that is my reference. Please weigh in.

Robb

 

Porsche is in Stuttgart, along with the Mercedes Museum, BMW is in Munich... I would try and see the Porsche and Mercedes.

 

Munich also has the Deutsches Museum (largest technical museum in the world) to offer. Their car collection is quite nice, featuring the last Rumpler Tropfenwagen and Karl Benz' actual first car.

 

I'd go for the Porsche and Mercedes museum as well. The Mercedes collection is amazing.

 

Porsche museum is closed on Mondays.

 

Audi has a small museum in Ingolstadt, as well. They had some great stuff when I was there.

 

I managed to visit the Porsche and then BMW museums late last week. I wanted to give you my impressions.

Arriving at the Porsche museum, emphasis was on the cars. Beautiful architectural space clad in mostly white to contrast with the cars. The cars were absolutely fantastic. Huge number displayed that truly covered the history of their lines and evolution of the full ranges.

They had the full lineup of 911 turbos, All of the 917 race cars, a 959, 928's, 924GTS, All of the smaller cars from the 50's. Lot's of great information and displays on the inner workings as well.

The only negative aspect was that every person (staff member) that we met was a real ass and very arrogant - from the ticket sellers to the restaurant host. I'm not sure if they are asked to act with a superiority complex or if quarterly numbers were just announced with a company wide loss, but all were having a bad day. The people were such a turnoff that I would not consider another P-car. Shame.

The bmw museum was a different experience. Much fewer cars with less space dedicated to the range, M division, and racing. Kind of 3-4 cars per area. I think I saw around 25 cars. Also that many motorcycles. Some lovely examples. Nice architecture with the new car model and European delivery area being absolutely stunning. The staff was very friendly and seemed like they were all enjoying their work. Not as much to see in either area as the volume of Porsche but I came away impressed with BMW.

Will try to swing by Audi on the way back to Frankfurt. Any thoughts Porsche experts?

Robb

 

The Porsche museum was so bad you don't want to buy a P-car?! Yikes!!!

Was this the BMW museum with a couple McLaren F1s (road car and longtail Fina GTR) as well as the V12 LMR and a few F1 cars?

 

I just finished writing a book about car museums in Germany.

The BMW Museum is more about themes and brand identity than the cars. Yes, there are cars and a temporary exhibit (In the Museum Bowl). The Porsche Museum by contrast is more about the cars. There is a line up of 917s for instance. The Porsche Museum can be walked quickly in 1 hour, while the BMW Museum is attached to BMW Welt and is a 3-4 hour experience. Again, BMW for all around brand and company stuff, Porsche for cars.

Having said that, Mercedes-Benz blows 'em both away. The museum in Ingoldstadt (museum-mobile) is fair. Unless you like old car history, don't bother (IE. Horch, NSU, Wanderer ect..)

There are many many more museums and things to do in the area!

 

Not the museum, not the cars - the people were what was bad...