M5 Safety (IIHS Results)

[SWP]

The insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released crash test results for 2007 vehicles. Driving around in a 500 hp M5, I am interested in, if not a little concerned at, how poorly the E60 model tested for rear crash protection.

Here are the 5-Series results (which includes model years 2004-7):

Frontal Offset Test Results:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=199

Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint Ratings:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_res...aints.aspx?bmw

Side Impact Test Results:
(These tests were not even performed on the 5-Series)

Here are comparable stats for Mercedes, Audi and Volvo:

Mercedes E-Class:

Frontal Offset Test Results:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=714

Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint Ratings:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_res....aspx?mercedes

Side Impact Test Results:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=703

Audi A6:

Frontal Offset Test Results:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=557

Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint Ratings:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_res...ints.aspx?audi

Side Impact Test Results:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=559

Volvo S60:

Frontal Offset Test Results:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=154

Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint Ratings:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_res...nts.aspx?volvo

Side Impact Test Results:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=567

What am I missing here? How is BMW so far off on its safety? I would have thought that BMW would be as good as, if not better than most other German/European manufacturers.

[abster]

This is not the first time the 5 series has performed poorly in crash tests. I remember reading somewhere that in the European tests, it had to be retested several times before getting a passing mark!

The performance of the seats are especially disappointing!

[spatterso]

SWP, the ratings are somewhat differently rated than in the past. The seat geometry plays a significant factor in the rating, and the comfort seats are rated as acceptable. The standard sport seats do not come with active head restraints, and the headrests are slight set back. It makes for a cooler looking seat, but not better functioning seat. Since IIHS did not agree with the geometry of the seat/headrest, the test was not performed, and the car was automatically rated poor. Not really a fair assessment in my humble opinion. The M5 perf seats are comfort seats with active head restraints. They perform just as the 7 series seats do, and thus the rear impact ratings would be better.

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by abster

This is not the first time the 5 series has performed poorly in crash tests. I remember reading somewhere that in the European tests, it had to be retested several times before getting a passing mark!

EUROCAP. that happens to a lot of cars being tested there, not only BMW. Audi Q7 is another example of a retested car before getting a passing mark.

[WilliamCheung]

Originally Posted by spatterso

SWP, the ratings are somewhat differently rated than in the past. The seat geometry plays a significant factor in the rating, and the comfort seats are rated as acceptable. The standard sport seats do not come with active head restraints, and the headrests are slight set back. It makes for a cooler looking seat, but not better functioning seat. Since IIHS did not agree with the geometry of the seat/headrest, the test was not performed, and the car was automatically rated poor. Not really a fair assessment in my humble opinion. The M5 perf seats are comfort seats with active head restraints. They perform just as the 7 series seats do, and thus the rear impact ratings would be better.

This is precisely why the multi-function seat is worth every penny. Prevents whiplash in rear collision situations.

[Richard in NC]

Per the IIHS web site, any car with adjustable head rests gets lower marks. Why? Because some idiot may adjust it to not provide suitable protection. I would bet if properly adjusted, they would work just as well as any active head rest.

[SWP]

These rating services probably have to set the lowest common demominator or else all the most expensive cars will get the highest ratings and the cheapest cars will get the lowest ratings which would then make the test biased toward rich folks. Is that possible? For example, no $30,000 car could possibly incorporate all of the safety features incorporated into the new Mercedes S-Class. Personally, I think I would much rather be sitting in a BMW M5 in a serious collision than a Hyundai Sonata, traveling at similar highway speeds.