08-14-2012, 12:24 AM | #1 | |
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F30 3 series performs 'marginally' in new IIHS crash safety tests
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The volvo s60 scored "good"... guess they are still built "like a brick". Explanation of the new crash test standards F30 crash test results
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08-14-2012, 01:55 AM | #3 |
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Eh, that was kind of a weird test. You have to think that with all that energy focused on just that one side, it did pretty good. I would think most car makers are worried about rear end, T bones, and full head on collisions.
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08-14-2012, 01:57 AM | #4 |
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The 3 series is still a top safety pick for 2012 by IIHS (for now), however, they just added another test to the mix: small overlap front test, which tests the vehicle when the front end hits a smaller object (like a telephone poll) off center. While every other test result was good (including moderate overlap front test), the 3 series received a marginal rating for the small overlap test. (ratings are judged good, acceptable, marginal or poor).
Test results suggested a risk of injury to lower left leg, ankle and heel likely in this type of crash, and possible to lower right leg, ankle and heel as well. They claim risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low. The only mid size luxury vehicles with a good rating on the small overlap test were the Volvo s60 (of course!) p and acura TL. The TSX, BMW 3 series, Lincoln MKZ and VW CC all rated marginal on the small overlap test. The A4, Lexus es 350 and IS 250/350 and C class rated poor- the lowest possible test result. . IIHS gives highest weight in determining overall rating to moderate overlap test, followed by side, rollover and then rear. The small overlap front test is not currently included in top safety pick criteria and carries the least weight, if any, in the too picks for 2012. E It isn't clear if the overall satey picks will be modified in light of the new testing. Kind of a bummer to think you are getting a car that rivals a Volvo for safety only to find that it's performance on an important safety criteria is considerably poorer. But also happy to know that the safety engineers are always working hard to Refine and revise their methodology. From this day forth, I shall strenuously avoid any telephone polls that jump out in front of my car.
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08-14-2012, 02:37 AM | #5 |
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08-14-2012, 06:07 AM | #6 |
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The S60 did well cos the wheel broke away & at the same time the car was deflected away from the wall. The main gripe for the F30 is footwell intrusion in this case & that's cos the wheel didn't breakaway & remain firmly wedged in front of the footwell.
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08-14-2012, 06:43 AM | #7 | |
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This is a huge blow to BMW. BMW focused on finding a way to give nearly all of the electronic gizmos available on the 7 and the 5 to the 3. Worse, BMW shaved away structural weight in the name of Eco pro and other nonsense. Now, while it is true your little 4 banger beats the old model's 6, and it's true that the new model goes from 0 to 60 a tad faster, it is equally true that there was a hidden compromise and that was the safety of the BMW occupants. All you 3 series owners that bought this car before the offset tests were actually performed have been duped! You probably never even asked about safety because BMW goes to great lengths to tout the 3 series as one of the safest cars on earth. But it is not and objective tests prove it is not even close to the safest car in its class. Look at the intrusion in these tests. It is horrible!!! If I were owner of a 3 series I would be pissed! The fact that this is a new test does not impress me. It only goes to show that BMW makes cars to pass particular set of tests. BMW should worry about the real world. Driving while texting just got a lot more lethal thanks to BMW. |
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08-14-2012, 07:09 AM | #8 | |
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It is disappointing to see that once one new aspect of testing was introduced that so many cars with a reputation for safety performed so poorly. It does seem to suggest that car-makers' primary goal is to make their cars pass tests (safety & fuel consumption) and that performance in the real-world is of secondary importance. What a shame
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08-14-2012, 07:13 AM | #9 | |
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I highly doubt that older models would perform better than the F30 in this test. The weight difference between the E90 and F30 has little to do with why the F30 did poorly in this test. Crash tests are all about crumple zones, not weight. Obviously, the F30's crumple zone in this test is poorly designed for the footwell. I am sure that in future models, BMW will keep this test in mind as they design their cars. |
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08-14-2012, 09:55 AM | #11 |
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The automakers are not happy about this test but the reality is, it represents the type of crashes on the rise in the US.
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08-14-2012, 10:03 AM | #12 |
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08-14-2012, 10:04 AM | #13 |
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Completely different.
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08-14-2012, 10:13 AM | #16 | |
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08-14-2012, 10:13 AM | #17 |
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Not really applicable in this test, but a heavier car will do better in a vehicle-to-vehicle collision. For all the complaints of the E9x being "too heavy", it's probably a tradeoff that I'd be willing to accept for a car of this size (and is smaller than the F30).
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08-14-2012, 10:13 AM | #18 |
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This is a great test as I often read in newspapers that someone died in car crash by hitting a pole or tree.
Disappointed about the results as I expected BMW to be better than Acura. Also, A4 and MB C class are one generation behind BMW. |
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08-14-2012, 10:20 AM | #19 | |
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I would LOVE to see the e90 on this new test just so we can get and idea of how the cars really stack up.... cant compare the two crash test ratings now because all of the variables have different meaning... but the F30 looks more flimsy, seems more cheaply put together. I had just bought a new 335xi a few months ago, i could have gotten an F30 or an E90.... both of them were in alpine white so it was a good comparison.... the E90 just looks and feels like a more solid vehicle, I am convinced. E90 for life, long live the legacy, bring bangle back!
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08-14-2012, 10:22 AM | #20 | |
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08-14-2012, 10:26 AM | #21 |
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Anyone watch the TL test and see what happened? The wheel was ripped off which then ripped off the door sending the car the other direction. A safer situation in this instance, but how often is that going to happen in a real world crash?
edit: Same thing on the Volvo. Basically what needs to happen is for the wheel to come off instead of getting shoved into the firewall. Last edited by CoffeeBean; 08-14-2012 at 10:36 AM.. |
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08-14-2012, 10:27 AM | #22 |
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The true disappointing thing is that although these tests are standard, they aren't real accurate representations of real-life crashes.
People don't just barrel into something at 40mph. They hit the brake. That totally changes the forces, angles and dynamics of how the occupants are positioned and moving. If they want to hit the barrier at 40mph that's fine, but start at 60 and hit the brakes so that it's going 40 when it hits the barrier, then you can see that the occupant may already be leaning slightly forward and see if the dip in the front end plays a significant role in the forces on the vehicle. |
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