BMW Series 5 performs worst in U.S. side-impact crash test
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From: Edgerton/St Germain, WI
BMW Series 5 performs worst in U.S. side-impact crash test
http://www.nyse.com/interface/jsp/NH...sdowjones=true
The 2008 BMW 5 Series was the worst performer in new side-impact crash tests of luxury sedans by the U.S. insurance industry.
The Acura RL, Kia (000270.SE) Amanti and Volvo S80 all earned the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to results released Thursday. General Motor's (GM), Cadillac STS and Mercedes E- Class earned the second-highest rating.
The tests were designed to show what would happen if a truck or sport utility vehicle hit the side of the sedan at 31 miles per hour, the speed of a serious crash. Side-impact crashes are the most common type of fatal crash after a frontal crash, killing around 9,000 people in 2005, the institute said.
"Growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side," Insurance Institute President Adrian Lund said in a news release.
All six sedans were equipped with standard side air bags. The air bags in the BMW 5 Series protected the head, but separate air bags designed to protect the chest and abdomen performed poorly, the institute said.
BMW (BMW.XE) spokesman Thomas Plucinsky said the institute's test indicated the 5 Series has a strong body structure but the dummy was injured when it was hit by the arm rest. Plucinsky said BMW does up to 12 crash tests on all its cars as well as computer simulations of crashes.
"The issue is that depending on the location of seat, the location of dummy, the location of the sled, the results could change," he said. "This was one test on one day on one car."
The Kia Amanti was one of the lowest priced sedans in the group, with a starting price of around $25,500, but it offered more protection than more expensive entries. The BMW 5 Series starts at $43,500 while the Mercedes E-Class starts at $50,550, according to Edmunds.com.
"The Amanti shows that you don't have to buy an expensive car to get good protection in crashes with SUVs and pickups," Lund said.
Ford Motor's (F) Volvo S80 also won the institute's top safety award for overall crash protection, since it got the highest ratings in front, side and rear crash tests and has electronic stability control as standard equipment. Stability control helps prevent rollovers.
All of the sedans tested were 2007 models except the 5 Series, which was redesigned for 2008, institute spokesman Russ Rader said.
The Acura RL, Kia (000270.SE) Amanti and Volvo S80 all earned the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to results released Thursday. General Motor's (GM), Cadillac STS and Mercedes E- Class earned the second-highest rating.
The tests were designed to show what would happen if a truck or sport utility vehicle hit the side of the sedan at 31 miles per hour, the speed of a serious crash. Side-impact crashes are the most common type of fatal crash after a frontal crash, killing around 9,000 people in 2005, the institute said.
"Growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side," Insurance Institute President Adrian Lund said in a news release.
All six sedans were equipped with standard side air bags. The air bags in the BMW 5 Series protected the head, but separate air bags designed to protect the chest and abdomen performed poorly, the institute said.
BMW (BMW.XE) spokesman Thomas Plucinsky said the institute's test indicated the 5 Series has a strong body structure but the dummy was injured when it was hit by the arm rest. Plucinsky said BMW does up to 12 crash tests on all its cars as well as computer simulations of crashes.
"The issue is that depending on the location of seat, the location of dummy, the location of the sled, the results could change," he said. "This was one test on one day on one car."
The Kia Amanti was one of the lowest priced sedans in the group, with a starting price of around $25,500, but it offered more protection than more expensive entries. The BMW 5 Series starts at $43,500 while the Mercedes E-Class starts at $50,550, according to Edmunds.com.
"The Amanti shows that you don't have to buy an expensive car to get good protection in crashes with SUVs and pickups," Lund said.
Ford Motor's (F) Volvo S80 also won the institute's top safety award for overall crash protection, since it got the highest ratings in front, side and rear crash tests and has electronic stability control as standard equipment. Stability control helps prevent rollovers.
All of the sedans tested were 2007 models except the 5 Series, which was redesigned for 2008, institute spokesman Russ Rader said.
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From: San Diego
Originally Posted by Frank S
BMW's are junk. If you want the best, buy a Lexus. BMW and Mercedes are having their lunch eaten by Lexus, Infinity, and Acura.
No thanks!
Granted, Lexus makes some nice cars, but Infinity and Acura still come off as thin, cheaper wannabes in my book.
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From: Motor City
Originally Posted by Frank S
BMW's are junk. If you want the best, buy a Lexus. BMW and Mercedes are having their lunch eaten by Lexus, Infinity, and Acura.
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From: San Diego, California
Lexus (like pretty much the rest of the Toyota line) is the best selling luxury make in the US. They make solid cars with amazing customer service. They are essentially designed to go after Mercedes.
Infiniti is designed to go after BMW. Less on luxury, and more on performance. Acura is kinda like Audi, lower price point with smaller engines and FWD or AWD. Though for Acura to compete, they will need a V8 and RWD. Heck, even Hyundai is developing a V8/RWD car!
As for me, nothing drives like a BMW. The balance of handling, performance, and feel is sublime.
Infiniti is designed to go after BMW. Less on luxury, and more on performance. Acura is kinda like Audi, lower price point with smaller engines and FWD or AWD. Though for Acura to compete, they will need a V8 and RWD. Heck, even Hyundai is developing a V8/RWD car!
As for me, nothing drives like a BMW. The balance of handling, performance, and feel is sublime.
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From: Buffalo NY
Originally Posted by ManualF150
I still prefer my trucks, please. Yeah, cars are fun to drive and everything... but when it comes time for what really counts, it's just gotta be a truck. 
"what really counts" isnt the same for everyone..
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From: San Diego, California
Originally Posted by Octane36
Id take a Lincoln MKZ over an BMW, Mecedes, Lexus, Acura or Infinity. 263 hp, AWD...oh yeah, and its AMERICAN!!!
The Lincoln MKZ is based on the Mazda 6 platform, and built in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. American by name only.
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Originally Posted by Lumadar
Given the fact you drive a Honda, I'm probably wasting my breath...but I am going to go ahead and totally disagree. Ever been in an Acura RSX? You know, the nicer version of a civic? It's a POS. Rides like crap, sounds like crap, rattles like crap, handles like crap, oh, and it looks like crap too. The price tag is the only thing that doesn't feel or look cheap on the car.
No thanks!
Granted, Lexus makes some nice cars, but Infinity and Acura still come off as thin, cheaper wannabes in my book.
No thanks!
Granted, Lexus makes some nice cars, but Infinity and Acura still come off as thin, cheaper wannabes in my book.
LoL at the guy driving a chedder'd out f150 trying to do a car review. The Acura RSX has won every single comparo that it was put in by any car magazine. How do you like them apples?
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From: San Diego
Originally Posted by WantsAHemi
Umm what do you think the Acura RSX was meant to compete with? A 40k bimmer? or 40k lexus? It cost 24 grand. Its the cheapest Acura you can buy, Its a sports coupe meant to attract young buyers who want a little more luxury, and better dealer service. Meant to compete with the boy racer crowd who grown up a little.
LoL at the guy driving a chedder'd out f150 trying to do a car review. The Acura RSX has won every single comparo that it was put in by any car magazine. How do you like them apples?
LoL at the guy driving a chedder'd out f150 trying to do a car review. The Acura RSX has won every single comparo that it was put in by any car magazine. How do you like them apples?
I know reading isn't your strong point (It requires intelligence), but you can go ahead and re-read what I wrote and let me know where I mentioned that it was anything of those things you suggested. I'll be waiting.
In the meantime, I will clarify for the slower children... the fact is, the car runs about $10,000 more than a Ford Focus, and for what? WORSE mileage? Worse ride quality? If Acura didn't want to taint their image they shouldn't have made the car in the first place- no need for excuses.
It won every comparison in the magazines? REALLY? Dang, good thing that's old news that we've already covered. The Honda Ridgeline also got Truck of the Year, so it must be a good "truck," right?
Those reviewers are in bed with Japan, plain and simple. Consumer Reports is a prime example, they put several ratings on the RSX higher than the Focus that I know for an absolute fact are incorrect. Utterly, completely, and totally WRONG. Because they, just like you are caught up in some mystical misconception that Japanese cars are always better. They're not. They are OVER RATED.
PS, be jealous more
