Wednesday 29th September 2004

BMW runs into crash test trouble

5 Series said to have achieved only three-star rating

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According to this week's Autocar, the new BMW 5 Series has run into crash test trouble. Sources inside the European crash test organisation NCAP allegedly suggested that initial test resulted in the fat man's BMW achieving only a lowly three-star rating -- not what the 5 Series buyer wants from a saloon costing £30,000 and up. Apparently the problem is structural rather than a set of minor problems.

While BMW denied there was a problem, it reportedly admitted both that the test had taken place, and that the tests had thrown up 'inconsistencies'. It seems likely that the tests will be re-run, and Autocar reported a BMW spokesman as saying "We genuinely hope for, and expect, a five-star rating."

[cdp]

Trouble is (to an extent) crash tests only test the cars ability to pass the test. I'm certain the 5 will have performed well on BMWs own testing which will most likely be even more rigorous.

On the other hand, I could be talking rubbish.

[Sgt^Roc]

cdp said:

Trouble is (to an extent) crash tests only test the cars ability to pass the test. I'm certain the 5 will have performed well on BMWs own testing which will most likely be even more rigorous. On the other hand, I could be talking rubbish.

I agree, there need to be another standard to ensure ncap des not get to complacent

[Wintermute]

Yes, I think it is suspected that Renault have specifically tailored their cars for the crash tests NCAP uses, hence all the 5 star ratings. While other manufacturers use their own standards that might well be superior to NCAP in certain areas (but weaker in others).

I remember Ford had NCAP test problems with the current Mondeo and quickly introduced a number of changes and had it re-tested.

[anonymous-user]

I think the new 3 series had two goes at NCAP after a initial poor rating also.

[Mark Wallington]

As a body shop employee I would rather be in a BMW than anything else based on the crashed (real life)cars I see

[sevengreen]

Mark Wallington said:

As a body shop employee I would rather be in a BMW than anything else based on the crashed (real life)cars I see

me too. I'd prefer to in BMW in any case - not only in crash... much better to find myself over there with some blueeyedblondie90x60x90... BMW forever!!!

[northernmonkey]

interestingly in the US the new 5series achieved top marks in their national tests. [url]www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0409.html[/url] and [url]www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_lglux.htm[/url]

I am certainly thinking Renault are doing "something" to tailor their cars for NCAP.

But hey I'm bias i drive a new shape 5-series E60....still in a crash would i rather be in the E60 or a Renualt Modus

>> Edited by northernmonkey on Thursday 30th September 22:12

[cdp]

E60? Personally in a crash I would prefer a T52