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2008 BMW M5 Safety Review

October 30, 2008

SAFETY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Three stars, front driver impact; five stars, front passenger impact and side impact
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset impact; "marginal," side impact
IIHS

Rear-seat side-impact airbags are optional
Cars.com

The 2008 BMW M5 possesses a myriad of features that can make anyone feel safe, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com—but its crash-test scores don’t back up that impression.

The 2008 BMW M5 itself hasn't been tested by either of the crash-test authorities, but the virtually identical 5 Series on which its based has, and you can expect similar results in M5 BMW crash tests. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, the 5 Series scored quite well, with one notable exception: The NHTSA awarded the BMW 5 Series a perfect five-star rating for side impact tests, as well as a five-star rating for passenger-side front impacts. Unfortunately, the 2008 BMW 5 Series, and accordingly the M5 BMW, earned only three out of a possible five stars for driver front-impact protection. That result is at odds with the BMW M5's ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), where it earned the highest possible rating, "good," for the IIHS's frontal offset impact test. Also, without the optional side impact airbags installed, the BMW 5 Series only earned a "marginal" score, the second-worst score possible, in the IIHS side impact test.

When it comes to safety features, the 2008 BMW M5 is, for the most part, loaded. Cars.com reports that the BMW M5 has "side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags and Dynamic Stability Control" as standard, as well as "traction control," according to Edmunds. Kelley Blue Book also notes the "sophisticated set of electronic stability, traction and brake controls" included on the M5 BMW. In terms of optional safety features, the BMW M5 offers two. Edmunds lists these M5 BMW safety add-ons as "rear seat side airbags and active head restraints," which move forward to help prevent whiplash in the event of a collision.

Visibility on the 2008 BMW M5, which can be an overlooked component of the safety equation, is just average, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. ConsumerGuide specifically reports "visibility is just OK over the shoulder and to the rear." Fortunately, Cars.com notes a "Park Distance Control" system comes standard to help with close parking maneuvers.

Conclusion

The 2008 BMW M5 has crash-test scores that simply aren’t competitive with top-drawer luxury sedans.

SAFETY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Three stars, front driver impact; five stars, front passenger impact and side impactNHTSAGood," frontal offset impact; "marginal," side impactIIHSRear-seat side-impact airbags are optionalCars.com The 2008 BMW M5 possesses a myriad of features that can make anyone feel safe, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com—but its crash-test scores don’t back up that impression. The 2008 BMW M5 itself hasn't been tested by either of the crash-test authorities, but the virtually identical 5 Series on which its based has, and you can expect similar results in M5 BMW crash tests. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, the 5 Series scored quite well, with one notable exception: The NHTSA awarded the BMW 5 Series a perfect five-star rating for side impact tests, as well as a five-star rating for passenger-side front impacts. Unfortunately, the 2008 BMW 5 Series, and accordingly the M5 BMW, earned only three out of a possible five stars for driver front-impact protection. That result is at odds with the BMW M5's ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), where it earned the highest possible rating, "good," for the IIHS's frontal offset impact test. Also, without the optional side impact airbags installed, the BMW 5 Series only earned a "marginal" score, the second-worst score possible, in the IIHS side impact test. When it comes to safety features, the 2008 BMW M5 is, for the most part, loaded. Cars.com reports that the BMW M5 has "side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags and Dynamic Stability Control" as standard, as well as "traction control," according to Edmunds. Kelley Blue Book also notes the "sophisticated set of electronic stability, traction and brake controls" included on the M5 BMW. In terms of optional safety features, the BMW M5 offers two. Edmunds lists these M5 BMW safety add-ons as "rear seat side airbags and active head restraints," which move forward to help prevent whiplash in the event of a collision. Visibility on the 2008 BMW M5, which can be an overlooked component of the safety equation, is just average, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. ConsumerGuide specifically reports "visibility is just OK over the shoulder and to the rear." Fortunately, Cars.com notes a "Park Distance Control" system comes standard to help with close parking maneuvers. ConclusionThe 2008 BMW M5 has crash-test scores that simply aren’t competitive with top-drawer luxury sedans. 2008 BMW M5 STYLING | [8 out of 10] ForbesAutos: "M5, like all M BMWs , doesn't shout its superiority with gaudy embellishments" Cars.com: "unique front face to distinguish it from other 5 Series sedans " Kelley Blue Book: "all 5 Series models get styling enhancements for 2008" Some ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Few mid-size luxury sedans can touch the BMW M5's performance, but the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG comes closest--and looks a bit more suave going about it, too. The newly minted Jaguar XF Supercharged is a few ticks slower, but it's far more handsome; a 500-horsepower XF-R is due in 2009. The Audi S6 has a massively powerful V-8, but it's still a step slower than the BMW.

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2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2000

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Terrance Eac kles #1, Posted: 9/15/2008

    Love my M5

    I have just purchase an 2008 m5 i really love this car it is one in a million. I will nt trade it for any other car.

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