how safe are e34’s in a crash?

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   Hi there, can anyone advise whether e34's have side impact bars in the doors?
Also, does anyone know (or could suggest a web-site with the info) how the e34 range compares to known strong and safe cars, such as Volvo and Saab saloons?
Are there any specific passive safety elements in the e34, such as sips in the Volvos?
Regards

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charlesjs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 44	Topic: how safe are e34’s in a crash? Posted: 23-February-2003 at 21:15
	Hi there, can anyone advise whether e34's have side impact bars in the doors? Also, does anyone know (or could suggest a web-site with the info) how the e34 range compares to known strong and safe cars, such as Volvo and Saab saloons? Are there any specific passive safety elements in the e34, such as sips in the Volvos? Regards

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Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Posted: 24-February-2003 at 22:13
	Mines an 89, I've had the doors apart from time to time, and I havent seen anything out of the ordinary in there, certainly no strengthening bars Mine hasnt got air bags either, but its built like a panzer, so I would imagine it would survive pretty well What makes you interested?
	Best Wishes Nigel

charlesjs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 44	Posted: 25-February-2003 at 18:04
	Thanks yr comment, I used to own an '87 735i auto and when the option to buy a 535i manual arose I thought I'd give it a go. However, our current family transport is a volvo 740 estate and with two children (and a third on the way) safety is a big issue for me so I was trying to compare the passive safety levels of the e34s vs the larger volvos. rgds

Steve W Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 08-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 84	Posted: 25-February-2003 at 19:33
	I have a 1990 magazine crash test on the following cars: BMW 520i, Volvo 740, Mercedes 200, Nissan Maxima, Honda Legend, Fiat Croma, Vauxhall Carlton, Renault 25 In a 30 mph offset crash test the Renault, Vauxhall, Honda and Fiat drivers would be either killed or seriously injured due to extreme vehicle body deformation. The Nissan was better, but still had a high injury risk. The top three in reverse order were 3rd Volvo 740. Strong body, but couldn't open the doors after the impact and the head injury criteria was very high (Worse than the Honda and Nissan, both of which suffered structural collapse) 2nd Mercedes 200. Strong car, but again very high human body deceleration rates which can cause as much injury as as a hard impact on the body. 1st BMW 520i. Strong body, but better use of deformable front end meant that risk of injury was comparitively very low and all doors opened with "no undue force" The difference was that the Fiat driver would have to be cut out of the car, wheras the BMW driver would have opened the door and walked away (and this test was pre airbag and seat belt tensioner too.)


Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Posted: 25-February-2003 at 23:02
	Interesting stuff Steve, I didnt imagine they would be that good
	Best Wishes Nigel

kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Posted: 26-February-2003 at 10:20
	do you know if late e30's were as good?
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

charlesjs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 44	Posted: 26-February-2003 at 19:50
	Steve, thanks very much for the information; it's reassuring to know that if the worst happens, especially if it's not your own fault, then the car's going to offer you a good chance of survival. rgds

Steve W Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 08-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 84	Posted: 26-February-2003 at 20:41
	The worst. The fiat Croma. Look at the position of the driver..... The winner. Not pretty granted, but intact.


charlesjs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 44	Posted: 26-February-2003 at 21:36
	Scary stuff, thanks for taking the trouble to scan the data in. If I may ask, when you next get a chance, could you scan in the part which shows the volvo 740 results, since we're currently still using this one? Thanks very much again Regards

Steve W Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 08-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 84	Posted: 26-February-2003 at 22:59
	Volvo 740


charlesjs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 44	Posted: 27-February-2003 at 08:40
	What can I say, but thank you. To date, the Volvo (and Saab for that matter) have been seen as the safest cars on the road. Clearly that is not so. Appreciate you taking the time to scan in the docs. Rgds

micky_h Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 17-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 798	Posted: 03-March-2003 at 19:03
	Is that because SAAB and Volvo 'brag' about and use safety as part of their image and advertising, whereas BMW's are the 'ultimate driving machines'?

charlesjs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 44	Posted: 04-March-2003 at 18:36
	Possibly, yes. I do own a volvo, a 740 estate and it's certainly weathered its miles better than my bmw (both +200k) however, I agree that clever advertising can do wonders.