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2018 BMW 3 series

Midsize luxury car

2017 BMW 3 series shown

Print full report for this vehicle

Crashworthiness

Small overlap front
Driver-side

G
Passenger-side
Moderate overlap front

G
Side

G
Roof strength

G
Head restraints & seats

G

Crash avoidance & Mitigation

Front crash prevention

Advanced

with optional
equipment

Headlights

only certain
trims/options

Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
ease of use

Ratings shown are the latest available for this model year.
See below for ratings based on manufacture date.

Check for NHTSA recalls

Multimedia
Other model years
Small overlap front:
Driver-side

Models built after November 2016
Moderate overlap front
Side
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats
Power leather seats
Front crash prevention
With Frontal Collision Warning with Extended Collision Mitigation
Headlights
Child seat anchors (LATCH)
ease of use

328xi — leather seats
328i — leather seats
Other safety features

The photos and videos shown here may be of a different model, model year or body type from the one selected. The ratings of one vehicle often apply to other models if they are built on the same platform. In addition, a test of a vehicle from one model year may apply to earlier or later model years if the vehicle hasn't been significantly redesigned.

Photos
Video

2017 BMW 3 series driver-side small overlap test
Applies to 2017-18 models built after November 2016

Model year	Small overlap front		Moderate overlap front	Side	Roof strength	Head restraints & seats	Front crash prevention	Headlights	LATCH ease of use
Model year	Driver	Passenger	Moderate overlap front	Side	Roof strength	Head restraints & seats	Front crash prevention	Headlights	LATCH ease of use
2018	G		G	G	G	G	Advanced	A	M
2017	G		G	G	G	G	Advanced	A	M
2016	M		G	G	G	G	Advanced	M	M
2015	M		G	G	G	G	Advanced		M
2014	M		G	G	G	G	Advanced
2013	M		G	G	G	G	Basic
2012	M		G	G	G	G
2011			G	G	A	G
2010			G	G	A	G
2009			G	G	A	G
2008			G	G	A	A
2007			G	G	A	A
2006			G	G	A	A
2005			G			P
2004			G			P
2003			G			P
2002			G			P
2001			G
2000			G

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2017-18 models built after November 2016

Structure and safety cage	G
Overall evaluation	G
Injury measures
Head/neck	G
Chest	G
Hip/thigh	G
Lower leg/foot	A
Restraints and dummy kinematics	G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2012 model year. For the 2016 model year, a front suspension change was made to better control wheel movement during small overlap frontal crashes. The change, however, wasn't enough to improve the car's performance in the small overlap test.

Beginning with 2017 models built after November 2016, BMW made further changes to the suspension and modified the adjoining structure. Wheel movement was much better controlled and the car's performance in the small overlap test was greatly improved. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Structure

The driver space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of the lower interior of 16 cm at the footrest. Upper interior intrusion measured 3 cm at the upper hinge pillar and instrument panel.

Injury measures

Measures from the dummy indicate that injuries to the right lower leg would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2017 BMW 330i 4-door
Weight	3,537 lbs.
Side airbags	front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase	111 in.
Length	183 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings	23 mpg city / 34 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	CEN1639
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	16
Left toepan (cm)	11
Brake pedal (cm)	12
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Upper dash (cm)	3
Lower instrument panel (cm)	3

Driver injury measures

Test ID	CEN1639
Head
HIC-15	549
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	22
Maximum Nij	0.42
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	3.4
Right	3.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	4
Right	4
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	1
Right	1
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.65
Right	0.82
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.4
Right	4.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	140
Right	68

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2012-18 models

Structure and safety cage	G
Overall evaluation	G
Injury measures
Head/neck	G
Chest	G
Leg/foot, left	G
Leg/foot, right	G
Restraints and dummy kinematics	G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW as part of frontal crash test verification.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. Head acceleration from the roof rail hit was low.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2012 BMW 328i 4-door
Weight	3,417 lbs.
Side airbags	front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase	111 in.
Length	183 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings	24 mpg city / 36 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occcupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	VTF1118
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4
Left (cm)	4
Center (cm)	3
Right (cm)	1
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTF1118
Head
HIC-15	132
Peak gs at hard contact	15
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.4
Femur force - right (kN)	1.7
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.38
Maximum tibia index - right	0.30
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	3.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	60
Right	61

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2012-18 models

Structure and safety cage	G
Overall evaluation	G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck	G
Torso	A
Pelvis/leg	G
Head protection	G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck	G
Torso	G
Pelvis/leg	G
Head protection	G
Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW as part of side crash test verification.

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

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

Head protection

Driver — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Passenger — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2012 BMW 335i 4-door
Weight	3,560 lbs.
Side airbags	standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase	111 in.
Length	183 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	3.0 L turbocharged 6-cylinder
EPA ratings	23 mpg city / 33 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	VTS1120
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.	-16.5

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTS1120
Head HIC-15	323
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	41
Lateral force (kN)	1.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	40
Average deflection (mm)	36
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.37
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.72
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.8
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.7
Combined force (kN)	4.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	157
A-P moment (Nm)	64

Passenger injury measures

Test ID	VTS1120
Head HIC-15	125
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	14
Lateral force (kN)	0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	21
Average deflection (mm)	17
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.69
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.18
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.6
Combined force (kN)	1.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	128
A-P moment (Nm)	44

Test details

Applies to 2012-18 models

Overall evaluation	G
Curb weight	3,516 lbs
Peak force	17,527 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	4.98
Tested vehicle	2012 BMW 335i 4-door
Roof strength test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

In the test, the strength of the roof is determined by pushing a metal plate against one side of it at a slow but constant speed. The force applied relative to the vehicle's weight is known as the strength-to-weight ratio. This graph shows how the ratio varied as the test of this vehicle progressed. The peak strength-to-weight ratio recorded at any time before the roof is crushed 5 inches is the key measurement of roof strength.

A good rating requires a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 4. In other words, the roof must withstand a force of at least 4 times the vehicle's weight before the plate crushes the roof by 5 inches. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. For a marginal rating, it is 2.5. Anything lower than that is poor.

How this test is conducted

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2012-18 models

Dynamic rating	G
Overall evaluation	G
Seat/head restraint geometry	G
Important: Ratings for head restraints & seats should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Seat type

Power leather seats

How this test is conducted

Geometry
Seat type	Power leather seats
Backset (mm)	44
Distance below top of head (mm)	23
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	11.9
Head contact time (ms)	68
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	51
Max neck tension (N)	631

Details

Applies to 2018 models

System details

Optional Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation

Package name

Optional Driving Assistance Package

Overall evaluation

Advanced

with optional
equipment

3 points total

Forward collision warning

This system meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's criteria for forward collision warning.

1 point

Low-speed autobrake

In the 12 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 7 mph.

1 point

High-speed autobrake

In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 6 mph.

1 point

How this rating is determined

Details

Applies to 2017-18 models

System details

Optional Frontal Collision Warning with Extended Collision Mitigation

Package name

Optional Active Cruise Control

Overall evaluation

Basic

with optional
equipment

1 point total

Forward collision warning

This system meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's criteria for forward collision warning.

1 point

Low-speed autobrake

In the 12 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 0 mph.

0 points

High-speed autobrake

In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 0 mph.

0 points

How this rating is determined

Test details
Technical measurements

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available for this vehicle.

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Trim level(s)	320xi trim equipped with Lighting package 328d trim equipped with Lighting package 320dxi trim equipped with Lighting package 330e trim equipped with Lighting package 330i trim equipped with Lighting package 330xi trim equipped with Lighting package 340i trim equipped with Lighting package 340xi trim equipped with Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)?	Yes
Overall rating	A

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams

On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the sharp right curve.

How this test is conducted

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Trim level(s)	328i trim equipped with Premium package 330i trim equipped with Premium package
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)?	No
Overall rating	P

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams

On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

How this test is conducted

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Trim level(s)	320i trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)?	No
Overall rating	P

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams

On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

How this test is conducted

Trim level(s)	320xi trim equipped with Lighting package 328d trim equipped with Lighting package 320dxi trim equipped with Lighting package 330e trim equipped with Lighting package 330i trim equipped with Lighting package 330xi trim equipped with Lighting package 340i trim equipped with Lighting package 340xi trim equipped with Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models	A

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	78.1 m	None
Straightaway left edge	35.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	75.2 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	36.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	37.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	175.7 m
Straightaway left edge	151.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	88.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	77.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	64.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.5 m

Trim level(s)	328i trim equipped with Premium package 330i trim equipped with Premium package
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models	P

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	73.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	21.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	46.3 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	32.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	31.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	28.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	141.7 m
Straightaway left edge	90.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	55.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	50.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	43.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	43.2 m

Trim level(s)	320i trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models	P

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	53.1 m	None
Straightaway left edge	28.1 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	39.3 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	29.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	31.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	29.1 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	145.2 m
Straightaway left edge	122.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	55.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	54.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	42.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	42.6 m

Details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2015-18 models

How this rating is determined

Overall evaluation

Vehicle trim	328xi
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

	Good
	Acceptable
	Marginal
	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
	Tether anchor
	Lower anchors
	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	0
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	0
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

Seat position 22

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	18
Clearance angle (degrees)	0
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	17
Clearance angle (degrees)	0
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

Details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2016-18 models

How this rating is determined

Overall evaluation

Vehicle trim	328i
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

	Good
	Acceptable
	Marginal
	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
	Tether anchor
	Lower anchors
	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees)	could not measure
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees)	could not measure
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

Seat position 22

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees)	could not measure
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees)	could not measure
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

1	Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
2	Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover (beginning with 2014 models)
3	Driver and front passenger knee airbags: separate airbags in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes
4	Electronic stability control
5	Antilock brakes
6	Programmable daytime running lights

2018 BMW 3 series

Print full report for this vehicle

Applies to 2017-18 models built after November 2016

Structure

Injury measures

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Tested vehicle specifications

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Driver injury measures

Applies to 2012-18 models

Injury measures

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Tested vehicle specifications

Measures of occcupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Driver injury measures

Applies to 2012-18 models

Injury measures

Head protection

Tested vehicle specifications

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Driver injury measures

Passenger injury measures

Applies to 2012-18 models

Applies to 2012-18 models

Seat type

Applies to 2018 models

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Forward collision warning

Low-speed autobrake

High-speed autobrake

Applies to 2017-18 models

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Forward collision warning

Low-speed autobrake

High-speed autobrake

Low beams

High beams

Low beams

High beams

Low beams

High beams

Applies to 2015-18 models

Overall evaluation

Details by seating position

Seat position 21

Seat position 22

Seat position 23

Applies to 2016-18 models

Overall evaluation

Details by seating position

Seat position 21

Seat position 22

Seat position 23

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