The BMW 3 Series sedan, a popular choice for drivers seeking a blend of luxury and performance, underwent significant design changes for its 2012 model year. However, it was the 2018 model year, specifically for vehicles manufactured after November 2016, where notable enhancements in safety performance were achieved, particularly in small overlap frontal crash tests. Earlier models, including some 2017 models built before November 2016, did not perform as well in this challenging crash scenario.
Enhanced Safety Performance in Small Overlap Tests
Initial assessments of the redesigned BMW 3 Series revealed a need for improvement in handling small overlap frontal crashes. A front suspension adjustment was implemented for the 2016 model year to better manage wheel movement during these types of collisions. Despite this adjustment, the improvement was not sufficient to elevate the car’s safety rating in the small overlap test at that time.
Recognizing the importance of occupant safety, BMW took further steps to enhance the vehicle’s structural integrity. Beginning with the 2017 models produced after November 2016, and continuing into the 2018 model year, BMW introduced additional modifications to the suspension and reinforced the adjoining structure. These changes led to a marked improvement in wheel movement control during small overlap crashes, resulting in a significantly better safety performance. For owners and potential buyers, the manufacturing date can be found on the certification label typically located on the driver’s side door or the adjacent B-pillar.
Crash Test Results and Key Safety Metrics
The effectiveness of these enhancements is clearly demonstrated in the crash test results. The 2018 Bmw 3 Series achieved a “Good” rating, the highest possible, in the small overlap frontal crash test, indicating a robust level of occupant protection. This “Good” rating extends across critical aspects of the test, as detailed below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small overlap frontal test | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | A |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
This table summarizes the comprehensive safety evaluation, highlighting “Good” ratings (G) in key areas such as structural integrity, safety cage robustness, and driver injury measures for the head, neck, chest, and hip/thigh. The “Acceptable” rating (A) for lower leg/foot indicates a slightly higher risk in this specific area compared to other body regions, but still represents a solid level of protection.
The visual evidence from the crash test further reinforces these positive ratings. The image above captures the 2018 BMW 3 Series during the small overlap frontal crash test, showcasing the controlled deformation of the vehicle’s structure.
Post-impact analysis of the dummy’s position, as seen in the image above, confirms that the driver’s survival space was effectively maintained. The dummy’s relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel indicates minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment, a crucial factor in preventing serious injuries.
Effective airbag deployment is another critical safety feature. As illustrated in the image above, the frontal and side curtain airbags worked in concert to protect the driver’s head, preventing contact with жестких structures or external objects that could cause harm.
Detailed injury measures provide further insights into occupant safety. While most injury measures were minimal, forces on the right lower leg were recorded as slightly elevated, indicating a moderate risk of injury to this area, as shown in the technical data.
Technical Measurements – Intrusion and Injury
Further technical measurements from the crash test provide a detailed understanding of the vehicle’s structural response and potential injury risks.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1639 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Footrest (cm) | 16 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 11 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 12 |
| 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 |
This data reveals the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment. Lower intrusion values generally correlate with better occupant protection. The measurements show relatively limited intrusion, indicating good structural performance in maintaining survival space.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The driver injury measures provide quantifiable data on potential injury risks to different body regions. Lower values in metrics like HIC-15 (head injury criterion), neck tension, chest compression, and tibia index generally indicate a lower probability of injury. The measurements for the 2018 BMW 3 Series are within acceptable ranges, further supporting its strong safety performance in this crash test.
Conclusion
The 2018 BMW 3 Series, specifically models manufactured after November 2016, represents a significant step forward in safety performance for this vehicle line. Through targeted enhancements to the suspension and structural design, BMW effectively addressed the challenges posed by small overlap frontal crashes. The “Good” rating achieved in this demanding test, along with detailed crash test data, underscores the 2018 BMW 3 Series as a safe and reliable choice for drivers prioritizing occupant protection.
