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2008 BMW M3 Safety Review

July 8, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Not rated
NHTSA

Not rated
IIHS

good visibility and an excellent driving position
Edmunds

The 2008 BMW M3 has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Edmunds notes the similar 3-Series BMW scores four stars for front-impact safety and five stars for side-impact protection from the NHTSA, while the IIHS gives it a “good” rating.

The 2008 BMW M3’s safety package is comprehensive. It includes "full-length side curtain airbags, front seat side airbags [and] antilock disc brakes," according to Edmunds. The large four-wheel-disc brakes can abruptly stop the BMW M3, says Cars.com. To be specific, the "14.2-inch rotors are used up front, while rear rotors measure 13.8 inches," plus "antilock brakes and an array of assist programs, including BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, are used."

The M3 BMW "offers good visibility and an excellent driving position," says Edmunds.

Conclusion

The 2008 BMW M3 has all the usual safety gear, but hasn’t been crash-tested.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Not ratedNHTSANot ratedIIHSgood visibility and an excellent driving positionEdmunds The 2008 BMW M3 has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Edmunds notes the similar 3-Series BMW scores four stars for front-impact safety and five stars for side-impact protection from the NHTSA, while the IIHS gives it a “good” rating. The 2008 BMW M3’s safety package is comprehensive. It includes "full-length side curtain airbags, front seat side airbags [and] antilock disc brakes," according to Edmunds. The large four-wheel-disc brakes can abruptly stop the BMW M3, says Cars.com. To be specific, the "14.2-inch rotors are used up front, while rear rotors measure 13.8 inches," plus "antilock brakes and an array of assist programs, including BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, are used." The M3 BMW "offers good visibility and an excellent driving position," says Edmunds. ConclusionThe 2008 BMW M3 has all the usual safety gear, but hasn’t been crash-tested.  2008 BMW M3 STYLING | [9 out of 10] MyRide.com: "Sophisticated Styling" Cars.com: "neat carbon-fiber roof" Car and Driver: "Resembles a family sedan even elderly Republican grandparents would find nonthreatening" Edmunds: "more aggressive body styling" Available in coupe and sedan ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Though the BMW M3's reputation brings a legion of fans with it, the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG may actually be faster, though like the Audi RS4, it comes only as a four-door sedan. The Audi supersedan also offers standard all-wheel drive, but it's slower and its price tag is nearly $10,000 higher than that on the BMW M3 or the Benz C63. Lexus's IS-F is a new entrant in this battle; its 416-hp V-8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission give it a technical edge on the M3 and the others, but loyalty counts in this crowd.

Next Steps:

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See the BMW M3 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2005 | 2002 | 2001

Comments (3 total)

  1. By  Liz #1, Posted: 10/9/2008

    BMW Sydney

    Love the new M3.
    How do you are my chances of getting one in pink though?

  2. By  Matthew Lloyd #2, Posted: 12/11/2008

    BMW M3 Seats

    I recently sat in the new M3 and as highlighted in your full review, the seats are excellent. I found them incredibly comfortable and supportive. Love the M3!

  3. By  Moto1 #3, Posted: 1/14/2009

    BMW Performance

    I've driven a lot of cars, including AMGs and my preference is definitely the M3. I think it's style is reasonably understated for the performance it delivers.

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