BMW 3 series

2006-09 models

2009 BMW 3 series: good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control

FRONTAL OFFSET TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Leg/foot, left	Leg/foot, right	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Test details:

The BMW 3 series was redesigned for the 2006 model year.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. The head curtain airbags on both the driver and passenger sides deployed during the crash. During rebound, the dummy’s head contacted the inflated driver head curtain airbag, which kept the head away from any stiff structure that could cause injury.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test. Larger photo
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well. Larger photo
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during rebound. Larger photo
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. Larger photo

Additional features:

Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Electronic stability control
Antilock brakes
Programmable daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

2006 BMW 325i 4-door
Class: Midsize luxury/near luxury car
Weight: 3,362 lbs.
Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase: 109 in.
Length: 178 in.
Width: 72 in.
Engine: 3.0 L 6-cylinder
EPA ratings: 21 mpg city | 29 mpg highway

See all test results for BMW 3 series

Last updated: November 25, 2008