[wknddrivr]

A few weeks ago I was almost at a complete stop for a red light and was rear ended by a 26,000 lbs truck...not quite an 18 wheeler but bigger than a cargo van. The truck was going at least 30mph, and did not slow down the slightest bit (have dash cam footage, either the guy was texting or asleep).

The force of the impact was strong enough to push me into the pickup truck stopped in front of me, which then slammed into an Audi.

I was essentially able to walk out of the car, although I am dealing with neck and lower back problems.

Given the severity of the crash, I am very lucky and thankful that the BMW's safety cage did what it was supposed to do, otherwise I'd not be around to be writing this post.

Sadly I wasn't able to find an E90 that I liked, so I ended up replacing the car with an E36 M3. I'm a bit concerned about the E36 safety, but for now I'm just going to enjoy the incredible handling and engine and hope that something like this doesn't happen again.

[doru]

Sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you're OK.
Yes, these BMW's can take quite a bit of impact and safeguarding the occupants. Some old cars crashing (Volvo vs BMW):

[Mark M]

Glad to hear how well you faired and that you're alright. Yes BMW safety engineering is impeccable! I showed your pics to my wife to impress on her the point. She is somewhat miffed that I persuaded her to sell her aging Toyota compact with the birth of our daughter and I replaced it with an X3.

Thumbs up on the e36 M3/4!!! I had that same car and color combo. Was one of the best bimmers I've ever owned. I had ground control coilovers and it was on rails. Until I was rear ended by a texting mom in her minivan and sandwiched into the car in front.

[mightbaal]

Glad to hear you are ok BMW's are one of the safest cars there is. About that video well that was a 60-60 mph crash head on. I dont want to hijack this by any means but a full sized 2002 pickup truck hydroplaned he over corrected very fast crossed the center line at 60 mph and hit my mom head on also doing 60 mph. She lived through the crash but as you can tell the car is in very bad shape and she was disabled for life because of it many many many broken bones and in the ICU for a long time but she made it and can still walk but her Ankle was so smashed up they really didn't know what to do with it and fused a lot of bones together in it and to this day she has bad circulation in it and deals with pain in it all the time but doctors do not want to do any other surgeries on it because she got MRSA in it bad and it may be dormant right now either way she was lucky as you can see from these photos. In case you cannot make out what the car was it was a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue DOHC 3.5L (shortstar engine). The truck that hit her was a I want to say 2002 Chevy Silverado or GMC 1500 pickup. Jaws of life was used and took them almost 2 hours to get her out of this car and was lifted flight for life. 100% conscious thought it all which was good because when they were moving the dash around she couldn't breath during the jaws of life. I couldn't even list every broken bone she had but no internal organ damage. Also the forensics expert the attorney had told her there would have been no chance she could have lived without her seat belt which she was very very strict on when I was growing up.

Point being modern cars are much safer than those old cars used in that video even tho my moms car was only a 1999 but it had airbags as you can see.

[floydarogers]

Amazing how well the passenger compartments remain intact on our modern cars. Gar gets totalled, but the passengers and drivers walk away.

Take care of that back/neck; touchy things, those.

[TemjinX2]

glad your ok. Looking at the e90...it looks like it did a really good job of distributing the crash energy away from the passenger cabin.

[Barefoot-335is]

Years ago my wife was hit head-on in an E34, she walked away with barely a scratch.
BMW's are just safe, even the earlier ones were very safe for their day.
That's why I drive them.

[mike sevel]

I mean, it could be worse. See other entry above of nasty crash.
A few years ago, i was sitting at a light in my Z4 and was rear ended by a Jeep
Cherokee that ended upside down. I had head lacerations due my head jerking upwards and engaging the convertible top support bars. I'm OK and bought an E93.
Mikey

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by ssquared

A few weeks ago I was almost at a complete stop for a red light and was rear ended by a 26,000 lbs truck...not quite an 18 wheeler but bigger than a cargo van. The truck was going at least 30mph, and did not slow down the slightest bit (have dash cam footage, either the guy was texting or asleep).

The force of the impact was strong enough to push me into the pickup truck stopped in front of me, which then slammed into an Audi.

I was essentially able to walk out of the car, although I am dealing with neck and lower back problems.

Given the severity of the crash, I am very lucky and thankful that the BMW's safety cage did what it was supposed to do, otherwise I'd not be around to be writing this post.

Sadly I wasn't able to find an E90 that I liked, so I ended up replacing the car with an E36 M3. I'm a bit concerned about the E36 safety, but for now I'm just going to enjoy the incredible handling and engine and hope that something like this doesn't happen again.

That's a nice M3. Enjoy!

[NitroKing]

Wow... glad you are ok.

Amazing work by BMW, keeping the cabin secure

[DS3IAM]

glad you are okay and got yourself a really nice car! Btw, it looks like your front airbags didn't go off? is that correct? Happy modding the M3!

[wknddrivr]

Yep, very lucky as everyone mentioned.

And no, none of the airbags deployed, but doubt that would have helped, my head didn't hit the steering wheel or anything like that

[autoart]

2006-2009 3 series:

[cronus]

Absolutely beautiful E36 M3/4. I'd consider that an upgrade from your E90, especially if it's a manual. Appears to be 100% stock on the outside. Pretty rare these days.

Please post more photos including the interior and tell us what options it has. Hard to tell from the photo but it looks like it might be a slicktop (no sunroof).

I had a '97 Hellrot M3/4/5 for 8 years and still regret getting rid of it. Had DSII wheels like yours. Mine was a stripper. Only options it had were side airbags (standard on '98s), and HK sound. Manual seats, no sunroof, no cruise, no folding rear seats or ski passthrough. Most fun to drive car I've ever owned.

You will love that car.

[MMMGP]

Does not appear to be a slick-top. The seatbacks are black in color so I'm going to say Maulbeere.

I have an Alpine on Mondena manual that I will be moving in a couple of weeks.

[wknddrivr]

Originally Posted by cronus

Absolutely beautiful E36 M3/4. I'd consider that an upgrade from your E90, especially if it's a manual. Appears to be 100% stock on the outside. Pretty rare these days.

Please post more photos including the interior and tell us what options it has. Hard to tell from the photo but it looks like it might be a slicktop (no sunroof).

I had a '97 Hellrot M3/4/5 for 8 years and still regret getting rid of it. Had DSII wheels like yours. Mine was a stripper. Only options it had were side airbags (standard on '98s), and HK sound. Manual seats, no sunroof, no cruise, no folding rear seats or ski passthrough. Most fun to drive car I've ever owned.

You will love that car.

It is absolutely a blast to drive and unquestionably an upgrade from the E90 in almost every area. Everything is stock except for the cooling system, which was upgraded for reasons well known to the E36 community :/

This one is a 98 4dr Alpine White/Magma. 5MT. It's optioned with sunroof, cruise control, and fold down rear seats.

Please excuse the poor photos I kind of suck at photography

[cronus]

Thanks for the photos. Rare interior color. Other than the dent on the trunk lid that thing looks perfect. Even has an E46 ZHP shift knob. Best BMW shift knob ever. Beautiful car.