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Insurance institute scores BMW 3-Series convertible only 'MARGINAL' in side crash tests

Agent001 submitted on 05/31/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:39 PM
from: www.autospies.com

[78] user comments | category: Spy News

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Tags: BMW, Saab, Volvo, Mitsubishi, Convertibles

Tag Links: BMW, Saab, Volvo, Mitsubishi, Convertibles

Insurance institute scores BMW 3-Series convertible only 'MARGINAL' in side crash tests

CNN is reporting that the insurance institute for highway safety has ranked the BMW 3-Series 'MARGINAL' in its latest side crash tests.

The Saab and Volvo convertibles scored higher with a 'Good' ranking in all three tests (Front, side and rear whiplash).

Even the Mitsubishi Eclipse had higher scores than the BMW and it costs less than 30k.

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LexusKindaGuy12 - 5/31/2007 2:42:58 PM

+2 Boost

who cares when it looks so good...

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w209w114 - 5/31/2007 4:18:14 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

IamEvilHomer - 6/3/2007 1:51:39 AM

+1 Boost

yyou forgot the Audi in the article

answer - 5/31/2007 2:47:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Marginal is "cool" enough.

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Brembo - 5/31/2007 2:50:55 PM

+3 Boost

At least you die in style.

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Caddyman07 - 5/31/2007 3:21:17 PM

0 Boost

LOL! I dont know why that comment was so funny when it shouldnt be...

Dallas335iCabrio - 5/31/2007 2:58:35 PM

0 Boost

I guess I'll have to look twice if I'm the first car when the light turns green. This car rocks.

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hkaudi - 5/31/2007 3:03:15 PM

+9 Boost

........... This is terrible, when I buy a car that I look for one that is safe and cool~

Better fix the problem soon!

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SupraNeverBack - 5/31/2007 3:12:19 PM

+13 Boost

No problem, the badge offers additional protection.

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enthusiastx11 - 5/31/2007 7:19:13 PM

-6 Boost

yes, as does the lexus/toyota badge from all their marginal ratings.

528i - 5/31/2007 8:52:12 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

hahahahahah!!!

JUGNU - 5/31/2007 3:25:20 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

The car definitely rocks but that's not the issue here.
It's about safety and not looks.

Btw, the tone would be different if it was Lexus/Toyota.

but i think expectations (of safety) are not very high in the case of cabriolets but still a company which calls itself Ultimate should have scored the same as Mitsubishi.

JUGNU

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enthusiastx11 - 6/1/2007 1:06:57 AM

-1 Boost

and a company that claims 'perfection' shouldn't have a flagship that gets marginal ratings either. don't you think?

who cares anyway....

henbmw - 6/5/2007 5:48:00 PM

+1 Boost

more like the 'passionate persuit of penises'

Lexus - 5/31/2007 3:28:58 PM

+5 Boost

This very unacceptable, where talking about $40K or close to $40 vechicle here. If it were a GM or Kia product than yeah, but come on.........this BMW?

BMW the self proclaim the ultimate driving machince, should they be safe too? even Kia better realibility than that.

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w209w114 - 5/31/2007 4:20:22 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

Its ready to join your beloved LS!

enthusiastx11 - 6/1/2007 1:08:07 AM

-1 Boost

how about a $75,000 loaded LS that gest marginal ratings too? even worse no?

enthusiastx11 - 6/1/2007 1:08:59 AM

-1 Boost

why weren't you saying this about the LS if safety is such a concern for you?

henbmw - 6/5/2007 5:50:17 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah well, Ultimate Driving doesn't involve Crashing. Otherwise it would be the 'Mediocre Driving Machine Prone to Crashes.'

nybimmer - 5/31/2007 3:34:38 PM

0 Boost

I've had my 328i cab about two months and love it. Its a solid, amazing car.

These findings concern me and while I like my BMW, I think their "We're better than you are.." attitude (i.e. Tom Purves telling the Lexus guy he's not good enough for a BMW) and their general arrogance (the macho sales staff at my local dealer smacks of the movie "Boiler Room") is going to catch up with them enventualy.

While I like my car, at some level all their rah-rah PR is just B-S.

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JRobUSC - 5/31/2007 5:21:49 PM

+2 Boost

I think you need to reread what Tom Purves said. He never said "you're not good enough for a BMW". His golf partner said "I don't really care about cars, they don't interest me, I bought a Lexus, what do you think about that?" And he replied "I think if that's what you think about cars then that's probably the right brand for you". The Lexus owner set himself up for it, and frankly I think it was pretty funny.

EL34 - 5/31/2007 3:45:41 PM

-5 Boost

My favorite food is peanut butter.

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BMW_DRVR - 5/31/2007 4:57:32 PM

-3 Boost

Why all the hostility towards BMW? All this BS about the drivers being arrogant.The lexus people on this site seem more arrogant to me.

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MunichRob - 5/31/2007 5:16:05 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Marginal ratings for a bread & butter BMW product is pretty surprising & unnaceptable. In most cases BMW's are some of the safest vehicles to drive on the road.

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Anti_Bangle - 5/31/2007 5:42:26 PM

-1 Boost

Just blame Bangle and Van Hooydonk for this.

topneuro - 5/31/2007 5:38:11 PM

0 Boost

If concerned about crash records buy Honda, Subaru, or Volvo.

If you want playful driving and a chick magnet get a BMW.

As a brand BMW IIHS crash records are poor and inferior to Audi.

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_restraints/headrestraints.aspx?bmw

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_restraints/headrestraints.aspx?audi

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Rupert - 5/31/2007 6:24:30 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

That's weird that you say that, in European NCAP crash tests, BMW tops Audi in every single class or matches it bar the 5 series, which only gets 4/5 stars compared to the A6 5/5.

gsh23 - 5/31/2007 5:49:21 PM

0 Boost

the german fanboys wont comment on this sort of stuff. at most they will joke about it. since when do bmw drivers care about safety? the driving etiquette in germany is top notch, those who do crash are probably driving in a manner that would guarantee their death.

those who crash in a bmw are not worthy to drive one ;)

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mstangpny07 - 5/31/2007 6:56:12 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

I have the Saab 9-3....and I'm glad it got the top safety pick, and the 3-Series didn't, as much as I love it.

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enthusiastx11 - 5/31/2007 7:19:53 PM

-6 Boost

who cares?
it's 'marginal' not poor or unsafe.

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sewingmachine - 5/31/2007 10:20:01 PM

+2 Boost

who cares?
it's 'marginal' not poor or unsafe

lolololol, anycar marginal is good, gotta remember that one.

minimalist - 5/31/2007 7:31:06 PM

+5 Boost

im a bmw fan, but i must say im not surprised.

the new bmw styling looks good, but the its cars just do not seem as built as they used to be.

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Lexus - 5/31/2007 7:38:05 PM

+6 Boost

bulldogz, thank you for the correction. In any case marginal just ain't cut it! period. It is a BMW, I expected more from a BMW.

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Lexus - 5/31/2007 7:44:02 PM

+9 Boost

It stuff like this that going to hurt the BMW image and sales number. Just like a couple days ago where Toyota has problem with their trucks.

It just goes to show no matter what brands your cars are from, every car has some kind of issues.

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Lexus - 5/31/2007 7:56:03 PM

+2 Boost

If I was to buy a BMW 6 Series, it is one of my favorite coupe, I have very high expectation from BMW.

After all what happen to heritage, prestige and the ultimate machine? don't think this would hurt it image? I certainly think so.

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BMW4me4ever - 6/1/2007 10:45:35 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Did anyone here actually go to the site to see what the actual rating were? The marginal was for the rear passengers side impact collision. The driver and front passenger ratings were good for front and side impact collision. The driver may have experienced injury for a rib fracture due to an offset front impact. From the side the driver received a " good rating " and the rear seat passenger would have been marginal ......

you people on here make it seem as though the sky is falling. I have no problems with that rating and score system ... The 3 times in my life where someone would actually get in the back seat of a conv is such a rareity . The driver and front seat passnger have good rating for a front and side impact. Those are the most important .... bunch of idiots on here

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Lexus - 5/31/2007 8:11:16 PM

+5 Boost

SoCal, imagine if this was the Lexus IS350 instead, we will have over 200 post already.

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Larry - 5/31/2007 8:47:23 PM

-2 Boost

wow some bad news about BMW, I know the jealous Audi and Lexus fans are excited, more reason to buy those Toyotas and Volkwagens.

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Will_ - 5/31/2007 8:59:37 PM

+5 Boost

Whew. Good thing Lexus didn't have the IS or any of their cars as the subject of this article, otherwise so many insecure people would be making stupid comments about them!

Oh wait...

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mp2dtw - 5/31/2007 10:41:44 PM

-2 Boost

Saab rules

BMW drools (if lucky)

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vdiv - 5/31/2007 11:32:56 PM

+5 Boost

Ouch!!! BMW should insist on repeating the test and if the results are the same should take them seriously instead of brushing them off. This is kind of serious to be arrogant about.

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Larry - 6/1/2007 12:49:21 AM

-8 Boost

lexusadmirer, your jealous bmw because is made by BMW your lexus is nothing more than rebadged camrys, 4runners and priuses. If shopping for cars is shopping for clothes BMW is more like shopping at Neiman-Marcus your Lexus is like shopping at JC Penney.

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sewingmachine - 6/1/2007 1:13:31 AM

+4 Boost

^^^^ haha that sounded funny, like a 7 year old, crying to his brother or sister.

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Lexus - 6/1/2007 2:46:39 AM

+6 Boost

Yes, LexusAdmirer, myself and all the Lexus fans here are jeslous of BMW. We are jealous because our Lexus does not goes overheat on a four laps on the test track. BMW has been know to have electrical problem with their cars, and now this?

And we are jealous because Lexus has one of the highest reliability in the auto business. We are jealous because BMW interior look like cheap plastic when compare to Lexus, MB and Audi.

Do know what marginal mean, it mean barely acceptable or pass man. Come on...as bulldogz stated that this car cost up to $50K+ fully loaded.

Lexus and Audi are not snob like you MOST of you BMW owner. Sure we can afford the BMW, but why get the BMW when you can get a Lexus or Audi.

What happen the self proclaim the ultimate driving machine? after all BMW is a brand with prestige and heritage right? this is going to hurt BMW sales for sure. People who is in the market for the 3 Series also cross shop for a A4, C-class and Lexus IS350 as well.

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LexusNumberOne4ever - 6/1/2007 4:39:39 AM

+7 Boost

^^Very well said. I somehow got this feeling that no Eurofans are showing up.

BMW4me4ever - 6/1/2007 10:57:51 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

lexus you are an idiot. How exactly is this going to hurt sales of the 3-series conv? Did it hurt sales of the Lexus LS when it received marginal ratings? no ... overall the car is a safe car. Just like the BMW. Again, the only thing that was marginal was the side impact for rear passengers.

You say the BMW is unsafe, then why does the BMW conv have the lowest amount of intrusion into the cabin vs all the other models out there ....

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/datatables.aspx?class=100&type=f

henbmw - 6/6/2007 3:12:09 PM

+1 Boost

Must say that articled presented ^^ presents another POV. Apparently crash testing does not come with black and white conclusions. However, I will agree that this might hurt BMW's sales slightly.

Lexus - 6/1/2007 2:51:16 AM

+4 Boost

correction, it jealous not jeslous etc...

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ctsang - 6/1/2007 9:18:34 AM

+4 Boost

being a convertible is no excuse for getting marginal safety ratings.

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BMW4me4ever - 6/1/2007 11:05:37 AMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

since we are on this topic ... what would you rather have driver side intrusion of 2 to 4 cm or 10 to 12 cm? reason why I ask, is that if you look up the trechinical info section of the crash test where it measures in cm how much intrusion there is, then you will see that the average for a BMW is 2 to 4 cm whereas the Lexus ( all models is 12 to 14 cm ) ... which is safer?

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lewissalem - 6/1/2007 1:16:16 PM

-2 Boost

It should be of note that many cars only have "poor" or "acceptable" ratings when it comes to rear side impact. If we are to outraged, we should be upset at all manufacturers do not take steps to protect our rear passengers better. Check it out on the IIHS website, you'll be surprised.

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Lexus - 6/1/2007 6:37:09 PM

+2 Boost

BMW4ever, all I'm trying to say here is that Lexus and Audi fans are not jealous of BMW. Every autos company has it strong and weak point. But this is a BMW not "KIA" it should rate higher. After all, what happen all the German superiortiy you BMW lovers was saying all this time?

BMW you can keep this BMW 3 Series, I think I get the Audi A4 convertible instead. Actually, if I wait awhile I can get the Lexus IS350 convertible too.

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henbmw - 6/6/2007 3:06:26 PM

+1 Boost

Your loss...

Sycledude - 6/1/2007 11:26:35 PM

-1 Boost

You've got to know that BMW will address the side and rear impact issues from IIHS. So perhaps in a year or two...

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S4cabriofoxone - 6/3/2007 12:53:08 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Why am I not surprised that the reply button still isn't working? Someone has to fix these incredibly frustrating site glitches...

I'm not getting into the safety ratings, as I've never been in a major accident and don't plan on it. However, I have a question for CommonSense, if he's reading this: does the Vishnu kit void the 335i's warranty? Because today, I was entertaining the thought of a 335i cabrio with a Vishnu kit to replace the S4. The monster 380hp conversion would scare quite a few M3s, especially because the car is so unassuming. It's also quite beautiful, and I find myself staring whenever a 335i drives by, be it a coupe or convertible.

Not to say I don't enjoy the S4... the rear with stock exhausts is a weak point, but the front is classy and it looks great under the sun.

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