5 Series BMW 5 series sedan performs worst in crash test

[PanterroR]

Going out and b-slapping my car...

No, this is not good, definitely...

Disappointed? Yes!

But no worries, the one that got 5 stars is on the way...

 

[Monster]

I got a feeling that the aluminium and steel monocoque structure isn't performing as well as BMW hoped in frontal crash tests, and I think that is the major reason why BMW only score a 4 star rating in NCAP.

People should realise these crash tests are conducted in an extremely controlled environment which DOES NOT reflect the real world crash protection of the car. Variables such as the angle of the crash, the height of the other car relative to the car being hit, the distance of the crash relative to the passangers, and the seating position of the driver, can have an effect on the final outcome of the passangers involved.

If the height of bumper bar of the crash structure is increased or lowered, the crash test resutls will be definitely different. Even the slighest change can affect the way the car structure absorbs and direct the impacts.

These crash tests can only be taken as a guideline only, so don't go overboard with it.

 

[Yperion]

It is shocking a BMW gets 4 stars just as it is shocking a VW Polo pales next to equivalent French cars that cost less.....

You are forgeting that Polo was intoduced back in 2002.

Skoda Fabia (which is using the same platform with new Polo coming next year) already scored 5 stars in EuroNCAP.

 

[JLBM]

Re: 5 Series shocks in safety test

In this segment customers usually DO NOT base their purchasing decisions on NCAP ratings. Perhaps more in the smaller segments, where cars appear to be more fragile. Anyway, BMW cars have never been synonym for a great safety.

Therefore BMW have never used NCAP results in marketing activities (eg. for advertising / promotion / etc) - even in the cases when getting 5-stars.

Yes, it is expected from BMW to get 5-star mark for every car tested - no excuses for that. But I doubt any harm will be done due getting only 4-stars instead of 5.




Yet I agree: BMW should invest more in passive safety features - despite they usually bet on active safety more. Eg. anti-whiplash headrests are becoming standard this Fall on most BMW models. Good move, but quite late. Also not offering rear side airbags is also a bit fishy (costcutting?). Etc. Knee-airbags also not standard etc. No blind-spot warning systems yet. No active pre-collision systems. Etc. A lot of work for BMW to be done ... I'm sure they are developing all the systems & testing them, but I do not understand why such delay in introduction.

Will see what the future will bring ... F01 will be a good example of progress in this field.

Yes, let's see what F01 will hold for the future, I am very excited about that car. But to correct you, NCAP ratings are very important for this segment, especially sedans. The majority of owners see it as one of the crucial factors like comfort, styling (cerb appeal) and standard technology/specification. I swa this research in Stuttgart and South Africa.