It's easy to see why BMW's visitors center could be a car-lover's BFF.

The sleek building, named the Zentrum, beckons travelers on I-85 just north of Greenville, S.C., and the best part is, you can visit the museum for free. Even springing for the one-hour tour of the plant, which is the only BMW manufacturing facility in the United States and is undergoing a $750 million expansion, is just $5 (or $3.50 for students and BMW Car Club of America members).

BMW Manufacturing Co. (ENLARGE)

The BMW Zentrum (museum) near Greenville, S.C., has a collection of cars that include rare classics and a convertible that appeared in a James Bond film.

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But be prepared: No matter how much money you're trying not to spend these days, spending some time at the BMW attraction is going to fuel the desire to drive to a dealership and plunk down some serious cash on one of the automobiles.

Driving away from the museum in our van, even if it's a loaded Toyota Sienna, was a bit of a letdown when we wanted to pull a James Bond and zoom off in a sexy roadster.

If you can control your urges, the facility is an attraction for car lovers and others seeking a quick trip out of town. Plus, there's a growing number of dining options and activities in the nearby town of Greer.

Revving up

It's OK to make a spontaneous decision for a pit stop at the museum, but if you have time to plan ahead, the facility's Web site, www.bmwusfactory.com, is worth checking out.

Virtual tours and photos of the six vehicles the plant produces are helpful before going on the factory tour, just so you know what's being created there.

Reservations are required for the hour-long tour offered for folks 12 and up. A couple of rules: no open-toed shoes or cameras.

We're given protective eye wear and headphones, and a guide leads the group of about 20 through the facility, which operates during the tours and employs about 4,600 people.

There's typically no problem hearing the guide, even in spots where the factory is the loudest. We learn factoids about the cars and production, such as that it takes about 30 hours to complete the X5, which spends 3 1/2-41/2 days in the factory.

Robotic arms work together, and vehicles move down the assembly line. Workers fill and maintain machines and work on the cars, such as installing a foam rubber seal around the door frame and testing the finished product. The plant is so organized, forklift operators are able to continue doing their job despite the gawkers.

The paint shop is off limits, although the group is able to walk by and see the suited workers inside. BMW was the first car company to use color-specific primer and water-based paints, we're told. After spending 10 hours in the paint shop, the vehicle comes out with five coats of paint and 20 extra pounds, the tour guide explains.

There's plenty of time to check out the crescent-shaped museum and gift shop before or after the peek behind the scenes.

Automobiles, including Formula 1 championship winners and one from a Bond film, are surrounded by displays with quotes and information about the cars and company. The sleek setting also features colorful cars designed by artists Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Frank Stella; motorcycles; and unusual autos like the Isetta "Bubblecar."

Fueling up

Just a few miles west of the BMW facility, there's a variety of dining options and shops in downtown Greer, renamed Greer Station when it was redeveloped a few years ago. It's easy to stroll on the sidewalks, stopping into home decor and antique shops and clothing and shoe boutiques.

Our lunch visit meant we missed out on having dinner at the upscale-looking BIN 112 (112 Trade St., 864-848-2112, www.bin112.com). The menu has intriguing dishes such as a crab cake with avocado and steak 'n' eggs. Also in the restaurant lineup are Great Bay Oyster House, Gerard's Contemporary Italian Cuisine, Justin's Steakhouse and Café Rivera. But we were enticed by the opportunity to use the free wireless Internet at Southern Thymes Café (219 Trade St., 864-801-9511). It's your typical meat and three, with mashed potatoes, fried chicken and macaroni and cheese filling us up for the journey home.

INFORMATION

BMW Manufacturing Co.

1400 S.C. 101 S., Greer, SC 29651;

888-868-7269

UPCOMING EVENT

Fall Gallery Walk: 5:30-8 p.m. Aug. 21, Aug. 28, Sept. 4, Sept. 11. Greer Station. 864-416-0125, www.greerstation.com.

GETTING THERE

The BMW Zentrum is about 2 1/2 hours from Gwinnett County.

• Take I-85 north to Greenville, S.C. Just north of Greenville, take Exit 60 and turn left. Turn left at the second light. The signs will lead you to parking.

• The museum is open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. It's closed major holidays as well as the week between Christmas and New Year's.

• To get to Greer Station, turn left out of the BMW parking lot onto S.C. 101. Travel past the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport into Greer. That turns into Line Street. Take a left onto East Poinsett Street; that will bring you into Greer Station.