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BMW 3 series

2000-05 models built after November 1999

MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT 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.

Good Good Acceptable Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The BMW 3 Series was redesigned for the 1999 model year.

All 2000 and later 3 Series models manufactured after November 1999 include structural changes to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of a BMW 328i with the structural changes in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier.

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

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.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
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 well.
There was only limited intrusion into the driver footwell area, and injury measures on the legs and feet were low.
A strong safety cage helped keep the tire out of the driver footwell area, maintaining the integrity of the occupant compartment. Crumpled structure in front of the occupant compartment indicates where much of the crash energy was absorbed.

Additional features:

Side airbags: front head tubular airbags and front door-mounted torso airbags (standard); rear door-mounted torso airbags (optional)
Electronic stability control
Antilock brakes
Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

2000 BMW 328i 4-door
Class: Midsize luxury/near luxury car
Weight: 3,347 lbs.
Side airbags: front and rear door-mounted torso airbags and front head tubular airbags
Wheelbase: 107 in.
Length: 176 in.
Width: 68 in.
Engine: 2.8 L 6-cylinder
EPA ratings: 18 mpg city | 27 mpg highway

See all test results for BMW 3 series

Last updated: November 10, 2005