BMW 3 Series Safety Accolade... Firsthand Experience

parkersal · 11-29-2006, 06:40 AM

A gentleman, Glen E, turned me onto this site and it is impressive. I know Glen from my Boating forum, TheHullTruth, ironically. I wanted to share this recent event in my family, and to thank BMW safety engineers.

My nephew has a 2006 BMW 325i. I just leased a 2007 328xi a short while ago, as well. The looks, engine, and ride are what grabs most who decide on this car, but my nephew experienced first hand its most impressive feature.

He was driving back up to college at Boston College, and was travelling on I84, when an out of control jalopy overtook him from behind, and from the left lane smashed into my nephew in the center lane. He proceeded to lose control of the vehicle and smash through the guard rail, and down a 70 foot embankment. He rolled six or seven times, and came to rest between two trees, which thankfully he missed. He walked out of the car in shock. Emergency personnel took him to a hospital to be sure he was fine, and thank God, he is. The car is so toast. It is a crumpled mess, except for the passenger cage which was totally intact. Our whole extended family shudders to think of what might have happened a tenth of a second either way. He is at school and attending class now, and doesn't want to ever drive again. Understandable.

This is not an ad (I am sure some other cars in this class are designed just as well), and we are so thankful, but now (36 hours later) I thank God he was driving a car with such a strong, well designed cage. I know I am glad he was, and I am glad I am. Drive safe all....

bobnaz · 11-29-2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkersal

A gentleman, Glen E, turned me onto this site and it is impressive. I know Glen from my Boating forum, TheHullTruth, ironically. I wanted to share this recent event in my family, and to thank BMW safety engineers.

My nephew has a 2006 BMW 325i. I just leased a 2007 328xi a short while ago, as well. The looks, engine, and ride are what grabs most who decide on this car, but my nephew experienced first hand its most impressive feature.

He was driving back up to college at Boston College, and was travelling on I84, when an out of control jalopy overtook him from behind, and from the left lane smashed into my nephew in the center lane. He proceeded to lose control of the vehicle and smash through the guard rail, and down a 70 foot embankment. He rolled six or seven times, and came to rest between two trees, which thankfully he missed. He walked out of the car in shock. Emergency personnel took him to a hospital to be sure he was fine, and thank God, he is. The car is so toast. It is a crumpled mess, except for the passenger cage which was totally intact. Our whole extended family shudders to think of what might have happened a tenth of a second either way. He is at school and attending class now, and doesn't want to ever drive again. Understandable.

This is not an ad (I am sure some other cars in this class are designed just as well), and we are so thankful, but now (36 hours later) I thank God he was driving a car with such a strong, well designed cage. I know I am glad he was, and I am glad I am. Drive safe all....

Gearcraft · 11-29-2006, 06:58 AM

im glad for you guys too. thank God definitely.

well done BMW

bronco · 11-29-2006, 08:03 AM

Can we see some pictures of the wreck?
Good that everything is OK now!

parkersal · 11-29-2006, 08:07 AM

We don't have pictures, as I don't think that was high on his priority list at that moment he crawled out of the car, but the wrecking crew who recovered the car with a crane could not believe that someone walked out of that wreck. I read something about how the Ford Fusion is getting crappy crash tests, because the cage is not as rigid, and the damage to driver's legs is severe. Man, that car was designed from scratch! These things should be priority one.

BK · 11-29-2006, 08:56 AM

Holy moley! Guardian angel and BMW safety FTW.

StewtheBassman · 11-29-2006, 09:55 AM

Wow, you never know from moment to moment what is going to happen life, eh?

After getting rear-ended really hard almost two years ago I was really freaked out to get back into even the rental car for awhile, but life goes on and i'm sure your nephew will drive again, and is a BMW fan for life!

Thanks for sharing!

Mr. Smith · 11-29-2006, 10:17 AM

do you have any pics of the wreck?

My parents are super psycho about safety, even though i am not a kid they still are always on my ass for having a car, not an SUV, because they think only mass matters, not the actual safety features of a car.

well, thanks for this, it is reassuring that these are safe cars

Pete335i · 11-29-2006, 11:55 AM

Wow, that sounds scary. Glad he's OK.

I've read countless reports about people that have been in serious accidents in BMWs and almost all include some sort of response from a paramedic, fireman, police officer or tow truck operator who is amazed that anyone could possibly survive based on the damage to the vehicle. Based on what I have read, BMW used crumple zones and "cages" around the occupants and this makes a huge difference.

SaskE90 · 11-29-2006, 11:58 AM

wow that sounded like a scary crash but thankfully he was able to walk away from it. Its amazing how much time and money goes into making these cars a safe as possible.

11-29-2006, 06:40 AM	#1
parkersal Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 328 xi jet black Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey, USA iTrader: (0)	BMW 3 Series Safety Accolade... Firsthand Experience A gentleman, Glen E, turned me onto this site and it is impressive. I know Glen from my Boating forum, TheHullTruth, ironically. I wanted to share this recent event in my family, and to thank BMW safety engineers. My nephew has a 2006 BMW 325i. I just leased a 2007 328xi a short while ago, as well. The looks, engine, and ride are what grabs most who decide on this car, but my nephew experienced first hand its most impressive feature. He was driving back up to college at Boston College, and was travelling on I84, when an out of control jalopy overtook him from behind, and from the left lane smashed into my nephew in the center lane. He proceeded to lose control of the vehicle and smash through the guard rail, and down a 70 foot embankment. He rolled six or seven times, and came to rest between two trees, which thankfully he missed. He walked out of the car in shock. Emergency personnel took him to a hospital to be sure he was fine, and thank God, he is. The car is so toast. It is a crumpled mess, except for the passenger cage which was totally intact. Our whole extended family shudders to think of what might have happened a tenth of a second either way. He is at school and attending class now, and doesn't want to ever drive again. Understandable. This is not an ad (I am sure some other cars in this class are designed just as well), and we are so thankful, but now (36 hours later) I thank God he was driving a car with such a strong, well designed cage. I know I am glad he was, and I am glad I am. Drive safe all....
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11-29-2006, 06:58 AM	#3
Gearcraft misadventurer 57 Rep 708 Posts Drives: bubbie mystic blue whale Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: candied island iTrader: (0)	im glad for you guys too. thank God definitely. well done BMW __________________ 325i I SP
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11-29-2006, 08:03 AM	#4
bronco Colonel 76 Rep 2,104 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Can we see some pictures of the wreck? Good that everything is OK now! __________________ SaaS - The world of tomorrow is already here...www.saaschronicles.com
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11-29-2006, 08:07 AM	#5
parkersal Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 328 xi jet black Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey, USA iTrader: (0)	We don't have pictures, as I don't think that was high on his priority list at that moment he crawled out of the car, but the wrecking crew who recovered the car with a crane could not believe that someone walked out of that wreck. I read something about how the Ford Fusion is getting crappy crash tests, because the cage is not as rigid, and the damage to driver's legs is severe. Man, that car was designed from scratch! These things should be priority one.
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11-29-2006, 08:56 AM	#6
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Holy moley! Guardian angel and BMW safety FTW. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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11-29-2006, 09:55 AM	#7
StewtheBassman Major General 199 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: 2011 X5d 421,000kms Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hudson, Quebec iTrader: (1)	Wow, you never know from moment to moment what is going to happen life, eh? After getting rear-ended really hard almost two years ago I was really freaked out to get back into even the rental car for awhile, but life goes on and i'm sure your nephew will drive again, and is a BMW fan for life! Thanks for sharing! __________________
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11-29-2006, 10:17 AM	#8
Mr. Smith Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Sedan (Ordered) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	do you have any pics of the wreck? My parents are super psycho about safety, even though i am not a kid they still are always on my ass for having a car, not an SUV, because they think only mass matters, not the actual safety features of a car. well, thanks for this, it is reassuring that these are safe cars __________________ Ordered: 2007 328i Sedan/ Montego Blue/ Beige interior with wood trim/ STEPTRONIC/ Sport package/ Premium Package/ Cold Weather Package/ Comfort Access Comes in January
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11-29-2006, 11:55 AM	#9
Pete335i Enlisted Member 0 Rep 33 Posts Drives: Titanium Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	Wow, that sounds scary. Glad he's OK. I've read countless reports about people that have been in serious accidents in BMWs and almost all include some sort of response from a paramedic, fireman, police officer or tow truck operator who is amazed that anyone could possibly survive based on the damage to the vehicle. Based on what I have read, BMW used crumple zones and "cages" around the occupants and this makes a huge difference.
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11-29-2006, 11:58 AM	#10
SaskE90 Private First Class 13 Rep 122 Posts Drives: titanium silver 325i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Saskatchewan iTrader: (0)	wow that sounded like a scary crash but thankfully he was able to walk away from it. Its amazing how much time and money goes into making these cars a safe as possible. __________________ 2006 E90 325i, Titianium silver, 6MT, Black interior, Aluminum trim, ZSP, ZPP.
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